NEET PG 2021: Check Five major Changes in Exam Pattern, Timings, Application Fee

NBA has released the application process along with the information brochure today for NEET PG 2021 exam. There are five major changes related to NEET PG 2021 exam pattern and timings. Read the article to know more.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has started the online application process for NEET PG 2021 exam on its official website. In an official notification released today, February 23, 2021, NBE announced that candidates seeking admission into various MD/MS and PG Diploma Courses, can submit NEET PG 2021 application form online at the official website, nbe.edu.in, from February 23, 2001(3 PM onwards) till March 15, 2021(till 11:55 PM). The NBE has also released an official information bulletin on its website comprising NEET PG 2021 eligibility criteria, fee structure, the scheme of the examination, and other details. Candidates must note that there are some major changes this time regarding the NEET PG 2021 exam pattern, application fee, number of test centers, and tie-breaking criteria.

Conducted by NBE, NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation) is the national level exam for admission to various MD (Doctor of Medicine)/MS (Master in Surgery) and PG Diploma courses across the country. The NEET PG 2021 examination, scheduled to be held on April 18, 2021, is conducted annually in computer-based mode to fill 10,821 MS seats, 19,953 MD seats, and 1,979 PG Diploma seats offered by various medical colleges in India. The result will be declared by May 31, 2021.

NEET PG 2021: Important Dates

Aspirants must check dates of below mentioned key events starting from registration to result:

NEET PG 2021: 5 major changes this time

As per the official information brochure released by NBE on February 23, 2021, there are five changes this time. These are mentioned below:

1. Application Fee: As per the official information brochure, the examination fee has hiked for all categories. The fee for general category candidates is increased from Rs. 3,750 to Rs 5,015 (including GST). For SC/ST and PwD candidates’ fee has been increased from Rs 2,750 to Rs 3,835 (including GST).

Hike in NEET PG 2021 Exam fee

2. Number of NEET PG 2021 Exam Centres: The total number of NEET PG 2021 exam centers has been increased to 255. Earlier the total number of centers was 165.

3. NEET PG 2021 Exam pattern: There has been a major change in the NEET PG 2021 exam pattern as the total number of questions and marks obtained have been reduced this time. Candidates must note that there will be 200 MCQ questions in the NEET PG 2021 exam. With 200 questions to be answered in the exam, the total marks obtained also get reduced from a total of 1200 to 800.

NEET PG 2021 Exam Pattern: Key Highlights

NEET PG 2021: Marking Scheme

Here is a highlight of the NEET PG 2021 Marking scheme:

NEET PG 2021: Syllabus

NEET PG 2021 syllabus comprises subjects categorized into three sections A, B, and C: Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical. As per the existing pattern of NEET PG 2021, a total of 50 questions are asked from Section A, while Section B and C contain 100 and 150 questions respectively. Candidates must note that there could be a slight change in the NEET PG 2021 pattern this time as the total number of questions has been reduced. NBA is yet to release the official NEET PG 2021 exam pattern.

NEET PG 2021: Subjectwise Distribution of Questions and Allocated Marks

* Note: Candidates must note that NBA has yet not officially released the weightage against a particular subject area. The above list will be updated soon.

4. NEET PG 2021: Exam Timings

As per the official notification, the timing for NEET PG 2021 has been changed. Now the NEET PG 2021 exam will be held from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Previously, the exam used to be conducted from 3:30 pm to 7 pm.

5. NEET PG 2021: Tie-breaking Parameters

If two or more candidates obtaining the same score in the NEET PG 2021 exam, the merit position of candidates will be decided by four tie-breaking criteria factors, as per the NBA. Earlier, these candidates were judged on the basis of eight such factors. These four factors are more number of correct responses, less number of negative responses, older candidate, and higher aggregate marks (in percentage).

NEET PG 2021 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are advised to check eligibility criteria before filling in details in the application form on the official website. The NEET PG 2021 eligibility criteria have been summarised below:

• Aspirants must possess an MBBS degree/provisional Pass Certificate which is recognised as per the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 

• They should also possess a permanent/ provisional registration certificate of MBBS qualification issued by the Medical Council of India or State Medical Council

• They must have completed the duration of their internship on or before June 30, 2021

• Aspirants found ineligible at any stage will not be permitted to take the exam or appear for counseling (as applicable)

• The result or candidature of ineligible candidates will be cancelled