List of Medical Entrance Exams in India for 2024
With the intent to simplify admission to medical courses in India, many changes have been made in the past few years. This article on ‘Medical entrance exams in India’ aims to update medical aspirants with these changes and help them understand which entrance exam to take.
List of Medical Entrance Exams in India
Medicine and allied sciences, as a career, have gained popularity over the past few years. The medical entrance exams in India have more and more takers every year. With the implementation of the NMC Act and NEET, other MBBS entrance exams or any other undergraduate medical exams have been scrapped. With so many changes, it is not uncommon for students to end up confused, not knowing which exam to take for admission to their dream college. To help medical aspirants make informed decisions, we have compiled all the medical exams in India at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
A list of the top medical entrance exams in India for the current year has been given below. Candidates who want to know more about the respective examination can know more about it in the section below this list.
List of Medical Entrance Exams in India
The following table brings the list of Medical entrance exams of India along with the courses offered and conducting body.
| Name of the Exam |
Courses offered |
Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|
| National-Level |
||
| MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, veterinary and other medical/paramedical courses |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|
| MD/MS/PG Diploma/DNB post-MBBS |
National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
|
| MDS/PG Diploma (Dental) |
NBE |
|
| MD, MS, PG Diploma (AYUSH courses) |
NTA |
|
| Licensing Examination |
NBE |
|
| DNB |
NBE |
|
| DM, MCh |
NBE |
|
| FNB |
NBE |
|
| Institute-Level |
||
| MD, MS, DM, M.Ch, MDS |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi |
|
| DM, MCh, MD(Hospital Administration) |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi |
|
List of Medical Entrance Exams After 12th
Now let us take a look at the details of the top medical entrance exams after 12th in India including the important dates. The list also includes some of the top postgraduate medical entrance exams in India.
NEET UG
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is conducted by NTA for admission to various undergraduate medical courses in India. NEET is the only MBBS entrance exam in India. It is the largest and most important medical entrance exam after 12th. NEET is also the sole entrance test for admission to any medical course in India. Since 2021, NEET scores are also used for BSc Nursing admission as well. Aspirants can check the table below to know the NEET exam dates.
Also Read: Medical Courses without NEET: Eligibility, Duration & Top Colleges
NEET is a paper-pencil-based (PBT) or offline test which is conducted for 200 minutes or three hours and 20 minutes. The exam consists of three subjects, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each subject is further divided into two sections, Section A (35 questions) and Section B (15 questions). Candidates have to attempt 10 out of 15 questions in Section B. Each question carries four marks and one mark is deducted for each wrong answer. The total marks of NEET is 720. The exam is conducted in 13 languages - English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Urdu.
Important dates for NEET 2024
NTA has announced the exam date for NEET UG 2024. But some dates for other events have not been yet. The table below brings the tentative dates for NEET 2024.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
February 9, 2024, to March 16, 2024 April 9, 2024, to April 10, 2024 |
| Application correction window |
March 18, 2024, to March 20, 2024 April 11, 2024, to April 12, 2024 |
| Release of city intimation slip |
April 24, 2024 |
| Release of the admit card |
Fourth week of April 2024 |
| Exam day |
May 5, 2024 June 23, 2024 (retest) |
| Release of answer key |
May 30, 2024 June 28, 2024 (retest) |
| Announcement of result |
June 4, 2024 June 14, 2024 July 1, 2024 (retest) |
NEET PG
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation is conducted by NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma/DNB post-MBBS courses in India. It is one of the most popular entrance exams after MBBS. NEET PG scores are widely accepted for admission to these courses. The exam is conducted in computer-based mode (CBT) for 3.5 hours. There are 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each correct answer will fetch four marks whereas, for each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted. The question paper is divided into three sections with a varying number of questions. The medium of questions is English.
This year, the NEET PG 2024 exam will be conducted in two slots, and there will be sectional demarcation of the paper.
Important dates for NEET PG 2024
NBE has announced the NEET PG 2024 exam date. The date was originally announced to be conducted on July 2, but has now been preponed to June 23, 2024. The exam was again postponed on account of an alleged discrepancy, and now the revised exam date is August 11, 2024. The following table brings the tentative dates for NEET PG 2024.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
April 16, 2024, to May 6, 2024 |
| Application correction window |
May 10, 2024, to May 16, 2024 |
| Final edit window to rectify incorrect images |
June 7, 2024, to June 10, 2024 |
| Admit card release date |
June 18, 2024 |
| Exam day |
June 23, 2024 August 11, 2024 |
| Announcement of Result |
To be announced |
NEET MDS
National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination for MDS courses, or NEET MDS, is another examination conducted by NBE. NEET MDS is conducted once, every year, for admissions to postgraduate dental courses in India. It is another top medical exams after MBBS. NEET MDS is a computer-based test of three hours duration carrying 240 MCQs. Each question carries four marks and there is a negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer.
Important dates for NEET MDS 2024
Aspirants can check NEET MDS exam dates in the table below.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registrations and application |
January 30, 2024, to February 19, 2024 March 9, 2024, to March 11, 2024 |
| Application correction window |
February 22, 2024, to February 25, 2024 |
| Final correction window to rectify images |
March 5, 2024, to March 7, 2024 |
| Admit card release |
March 13, 2024 March 15, 2024 |
| Exam day |
February 9, 2024 March 18, 2024 |
| Result date |
April 3, 2024 |
| Scorecard release |
April 15, 2024 |
INI CET
INI CET is conducted by AIIMS, Delhi for admission to its postgraduate courses. Apart from MD/MS courses, the exam scores are also used for admission to the six years DM/MCh courses offered at AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS. Admission to the MDS courses in this institute is also through the same entrance test. AIIMS PG is conducted twice a year, in January and July. After NEET PG and NEET MDS, INI CET is one of the top medical entrance exams in India for the postgraduate level.
Important dates for INI CET 2024 (July session)
Aspirants can check the table below to know the INI CET dates.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Basic registration |
March 18, 2024, to April 12, 2024 |
| Final status of basic registration |
April 5, 2024, to April 12, 2024 |
| Exam Unique Code (EUC) Generation for final registration |
April 5, 2024, to April 26, 2024 |
| Release of admit card |
May 13, 2024 |
| Exam day |
May 19, 2024 |
| Announcement of results |
May 25, 2024 |
FMGE
Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, popularly known as FMGE, is conducted by NBE. FMGE is a licensing examination conducted for those who wish to practice medicine in India, but have completed their primary medical qualification from outside India. FMGE is conducted twice a year. One must note that clearing this examination will not lead to admissions but a practising license.
The mode of this exam is online. FMGE is conducted for 300 minutes. The total number of questions for the exam is 300, each carrying one mark. There is no negative marking scheme in the exam. The exam will be conducted in two phases of 2.5 hours duration each.
Important dates for FMGE 2023
Aspirants can check the table below to know the FMGE dates for the December session.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
November 23, 2023, to December 13, 2023 |
| Application correction window |
December 15, 2023, to December 18, 2023 |
| Final correction window |
December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024 |
| Admit card will be issued |
January 12, 2024 |
| Exam day |
January 20, 2024 |
| Announcement of result |
February 20, 2024 |
Important Dates for FMGE 2024 June Session
The following table brings the tentative dates for the FMGE 2024 June session.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
April 29, 2024, to May 20, 2024 |
| Application correction window |
May 24, 2024, to May 28, 2024 |
| Final correction window |
June 7, 2024, to June 10, 2024 |
| Admit card will be issued |
July 3, 2024 |
| Exam day |
July 6, 2024 |
| Announcement of result |
August 6, 2024 |
AIAPGET
All India AYUSH Postgraduate Entrance Test, or AIAPGET, is conducted by NTA annually. AIAPGET is an entrance test conducted for admissions to postgraduate AYUSH courses in India. Qualifying for the AIAPGET exam will give the candidates admission to MS, MD or PG diploma courses in either of the following AYUSH disciplines; Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. It is another top medical entrance exam in India for candidates willing to pursue a medical career in Ayurveda or alternate medicine.
AIAPGET is conducted for two hours in a computer-based mode (CBT). The question paper will comprise 120 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 480 marks. The exam will be conducted in two shifts. Each question carries four marks and there is one mark of negative marking for each wrong answer.
Important dates for AIAPGET 2024
Aspirants can check the table below to know the tentative AIAPGET dates for 2024, released by NTA
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
April 16, 2024, to May 15, 2024 |
| Last date to pay application fee |
May 16, 2024, 11.50 PM |
| Admit card will be available online |
July 2, 2024 |
| Advance city intimation |
June 20, 2024 |
| Exam day |
July 6, 2024 |
| Announcement of result |
First week of August 2024 |
| Counselling starts |
First week of September 2024 |
DNB PDCET
Diplomate of National Board Post Diploma Centralized Entrance Test, abbreviated as DNB PDCET, is a ranking examination conducted by NBE. As the name suggests, DNB PDCET is conducted for admission to DNB courses in India. However, the applicants must possess a postgraduate diploma to apply for the DNB PDCET exam.
DNB PDCET is conducted once a year in a computer-based mode for two hours. Each question carries four marks and there is a negative marking of one mark for each incorrect response.
Important dates for DNB PDCET 2024
Aspirants can check the table below to know the DNB PDCET dates.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and application |
May 28, 2024, to June 28, 2024 |
| Application correction window |
June 22, 2024, to June 24, 2024 |
| Admit card will be released |
July 16, 2024 |
| Exam day |
July 21, 2024 |
| Announcement of result |
Fourth week of August 2024 |
NEET SS
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Super Speciality Courses) or NEET SS is conducted by NBE for admission to various DM/MCh courses. NEET SS scores are accepted by all private medical colleges/universities, deemed universities and the Armed Forces Medical Services institutions. However, the following institutions do not accept the scores of NEET SS and conduct a separate entrance test for admissions to their super-speciality courses; AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST. NEET SS is one of the medical entrance exams taken after completing the PG course for super specialisation.
NEET SS is conducted annually in a computer-based mode for a 3.5-hour duration. There are 100 questions in total carrying four marks each. There is a negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer. The medium or language of the question paper is English only.
Important dates for NEET SS 2024
Aspirants can check the table below to know the tentative NEET SS dates.
| Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| Registrations and application process begins |
Second week of November 2024 |
| Last date to submit the application |
Second week of December 2024 |
| Admit card will be released |
Fourth week of December 2024 |
| Exam day |
Second week of January 2025 |
| Result will be announced |
Third week of January 2025 |
Read More:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Medical Entrance Exams in India
Q. Which is the easiest medical entrance exam in India?
A. None of the medical exams in India are considered to be easy. To clear any of these examinations, candidates need to put in a lot of effort and dedication.
Q. Which is the most widely accepted PG medical entrance exam in India?
A. NEET PG is the most widely accepted PG medical entrance examination in India, followed by INI CET and NEET MDS (for postgraduate dental courses).
Q. Is NEET PG easier than INI CET?
A. Both NEET PG and INI CET have MCQ-based questions and both the entrance exams are considered tough by the candidates. As per the student reactions of both exams, NEET PG is considered to be trickier than that of INI CET.
Q. For admission to MBBS courses in India, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who wish to pursue an MBBS degree course in India must qualify NEET (UG). NEET UG is the only MBBS entrance exam in India.
Q. For admission to MDS courses in India, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who wish to pursue an MDS degree course in India can appear for NEET MDS or INI CET.
Q. For admission to MD/MS courses in India, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who wish to pursue MD/MS degree courses in India can appear for NEET PG or INI CET exams.
Q. For admission to DNB courses in India, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who have passed MBBS and wish to pursue DNB course in India have to qualify for NEET PG. Those who have completed MD/MS/DNB course, wishing to pursue a post-diploma DNB course in India, have to clear DNB PDCET.
Q. For admission to FNB courses in India, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who wish to pursue FNB course in India can appear for The Fellowship Entrance Test (FET).
Q. For admission to AIIMS MBBS course, which medical entrance exam should I appear for?
A. Candidates who wish to pursue an MBBS degree course from any of the AIIMS in India have to qualify for NEET (UG) exam.
Q. Apart from MBBS, which other medical courses can I take admission to through NEET scores?
A. NEET (UG) is the gateway to admission for all undergraduate level medical courses including MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS and BSc Nursing. At some states, such as Maharashtra, NEET UG scores are accepted for admission to AYUSH courses as well.
Q: What are the top MBBS entrance exams in India?
A. There is only one medical entrance exam in India for admission to MBBS courses, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.