This post is very important for students who are aspiring to clear National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for the year 2019. There have been major changes incorporated in the NEET which has led to confusion among the students as regards the registration, mode of exam, etc. At the upfront, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has established National testing Agency (NTA) which will be now responsible for conducting the exam for the admission to MBBS/BDS Courses. It is important to note that NEET does not include the colleges which have been established through an Act of Parliament eg. AIIMS.

The Exam is scheduled to take place on May 5th, 2019 (Sunday) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The pattern of exam is Offline Mode with the students required to fill the OMR Sheets. The Admission Form has been released on November 1 which is easily accessible on their official website i.e. https://ntaneet.nic.in/Ntaneet/Welcome.aspx . The submission of Application form can be done through NTA website (www.nta.ac.in) or NEET website (www.ntaneet.nic.in). The Application is required to be filled through Online mode only and the last date of registration is November 30, 2018. The last date to submit the application fee of Rs1400 for Unreserved Candidates and OBC’s and Rs. 750/- for SC/ST/PWD/Transgender is December 1, 2018, till 11:50 A.M. for online payment and through challan up to bank hours and the correction window is open between January 14 to January 31, 2019.

ELIGIBILITY for NEET 2019 as defined by NTA according to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Dentists Act 1948 as amended in 2018 and other important conditions: –

1. Minimum Age: 17 years at the time of admission or will complete that age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/BDS Course.

2. Maximum Age: not more than 25 years as on the date of examination with the relaxation of 5 years for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC category and persons entitled for reservation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

TIP: As per recent notification dated 17.10.2018, Indian Citizens/Overseas Citizens of India who are intending to pursue MBBS/BDS from a foreign Medical/Dental Institute also need to qualify NEET (UG).

3. Nationality: the following nationals are eligible to appear in the NEET 2019
a. Indian Nationals
b. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
c. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
d. Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
e. Foreign Nationals are eligible to appear in NEET (UG)-2019 for 15% All India Quota Seats.

4. Qualifying Exam: Appearing in 12th Standard in 2019 whose results are awaited with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, Mathematics and English as Core subjects in Classes 11th and 12th from a recognized board. The candidate must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks for General and 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates taken together in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology. Provided further that for NRI students seeking admission into medical colleges in India must have passed in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English up to the 12th standard level with 50% marks and their equivalency determined by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as per regulations of the Medical Council of India and the concerned University.

5. Quota: Seats are available under the following quotes:-

a. 15% All India Quota seats/Deemed Universities/Central Universities/ESIC and AFMC Colleges. Candidates belonging to J&K State are not eligible for this quota except for those who have filled a self-declaration form whereby a candidate who wishes to participate in the counseling for 15% All India Quota seats simultaneously becomes ineligible for the home state seats. These candidates will be eligible for the seats of Deemed Universities, ESIC and AFMC colleges.

b. 85% is State Quota for admission to government colleges of the States/Union Territories. This also includes the Deemed Universities and Private Medical/Dental Colleges or any Private University.

6. Number of Attempts: There is a change in this as the cap on the number of attempts have been removed from NEET 2018 and thus are not applicable for NEET 2019. A candidate can appear as many times as the age criteria are fulfilled however only one attempt is allowed in one session.

7. Exam Pattern: There is no change in the pattern of the exam. The exam will consist of one paper containing 180 objective type questions from Physics (45 Questions), Chemistry (45 questions) and Biology (90 questions). Each question carries 4 marks and every incorrect answer will see negative marking whereby one mark will be deducted.

8. Important Points:

a. Check and read the Important instructions manual as provided by NTA on their official websites. For the benefits of the Candidates, NTA has provided a link “Replica of Application-2019” on their website for getting to know regarding what information is to be filled in.

b. Retain proof of the fees paid either online or through challan from the bank.

c. The Scanning of the documents inclusive of Photograph and other documents must be done in a clear manner.

d. Candidate must ensure that they have provided correct Mobile Number and Email-ID as these would be specifically used for communication with the Candidate.

e. The Admit card issued must be retained until the admission in MBBS/BDS course is complete.

f. The Candidates who are appearing in Class XII in 2019 should put Code 01 in the qualifying Code List.

g. After the final Submission of the Application Form Online, until and unless a Confirmation Page has not been generated, this would mean that the Application has not been successfully submitted at the platform.

h. Candidates who have passed 12^th from Open School or as private Candidate are provisionally eligible to appear for NEET subject to the outcome of Special Leave Petition filed by Medical Council of India.