The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially launched the application process for NEET-UG 2025 on February 7, 2024, through its official website, neet.nta.nic.in. Scheduled for May 4, 2025, the NEET UG exam will bring several important changes that candidates should be aware of.
In This Article:
Revised City Selection Process
One of the significant updates for NEET UG 2025 is the revised city selection process. For the first time, candidates will be allowed to select three cities for their exam centre, an increase from the previous limit of two. Candidates must select these cities in order of preference. However, the selection will be restricted to cities within the candidate’s state or nearby areas. This change aims to make the selection more convenient for candidates while considering logistical concerns. It is advised to select centres close to their permanent or current address.
In case a regional language option is requested but there are insufficient candidates for that centre, NTA may assign candidates to a different centre outside their preferred list, even if it is not within the selected cities.
Extended Opening Time for Exam Centers
In a move to enhance convenience, NTA has increased the opening time for NEET UG exam centres. This year, centres will open three hours prior to the exam, starting at 11:00 AM, as opposed to the previous two-hour opening. The exam will still be conducted from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, but the extended time will provide candidates with extra time for entry, security checks, and other necessary procedures.
Reduction in the Number of Exam Centers
While the number of international exam cities for NEET UG 2025 remains the same at 14, the total number of exam centres in India has been reduced to 552, five fewer than last year. Candidates are encouraged to select exam centres within their home state or in nearby cities to avoid potential travel issues.
No Optional Questions in NEET UG 2025
This year, there will be no optional questions in the NEET UG 2025 exam. The question paper will consist of 180 compulsory questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Candidates will have 3 hours to answer these questions, and the exam will be conducted for a total of 720 marks. The removal of optional questions simplifies the exam format and ensures uniformity for all candidates.
Revised Tie-Breaking Method
NTA has also introduced a change in the tie-breaking process for NEET UG 2025. In cases where two or more candidates achieve the same score, the tie will now be resolved using a “random process” conducted by an independent expert committee. This change follows last year’s removal of the application number and age criteria from the tie-breaking rules. The random process will be applied after all other criteria have been exhausted.
These updates reflect NTA’s efforts to streamline the NEET UG exam process, improve the overall experience for candidates, and ensure fairer and more convenient exam practices. Candidates should stay updated on all changes and prepare accordingly for the 2025 examination.
