NEET PG 2022 Topper Interview: How Dr Shagun Batra Bagged AIR 1

NEET PG 2022 result has been declared on June 1 and Dr Shagun Batra has topped the exam by securing AIR 1. Read the exclusive interview of the NEET PG 2022 topper on her preparation strategy and future plans.
Dr Shagun Batra, an MBBS from the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi has topped the NEET PG 2022 exam by securing an All India Rank (AIR) 1. The news came as a pleasant surprise to her even though she has been a topper throughout her school and college days. In this exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, she shares with us her journey of MBBS and internship while preparing for this highly competitive exam.
Dr Batra plans to pursue MD in Medicine. Along with her own preparation strategy, she has also shared how she found out time to let her hair down and relax during the hectic schedule and gave her advice to the future NEET PG takers.
As such no section is easy in NEET PG syllabus. Some candidates may find clinical section easy while others may perceive para clinical as difficult. In reality, all the three sections clinical pre and para clinical are equally difficult and candidates have to devote good amount of time to prepare in and out of every subjects. It must be noted, a good number of questions are clinical based, so this section holds huge importance.
Some topics of pre and para clinical are utmost important as lots of questions are from them. Point is candidates should prepare all three sections in such manner so that 90 percent questions can be answered easily. Last year, clinical section was difficult in comparision to other two sections.
This depends on a number of factors. Preparation time may vary from candidate to candidate as per their individual ability. On an average candidates should have 3-5 months to give their best shot at NEET PG. Out of 5 months preparation time, 2 months can be dedicated for topic preparation, 1 months for revision and rest for mock test and practising sample papers. Candidates should plan in such a way so that lengthy and difficult subjects can be covered within 1-2 weeks while easy and short subjects to be covered in 3-5 days.
Read on the interview of Dr Shagun Batra, AIR 1, NEET PG 2022.
Q: Congratulations on your success in NEET PG. Were you expecting this result?
A: Thank you! The result was declared prior to the expected date and it came as a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to secure AIR 1 and it was really a dream come true moment for me. I cross-checked to make sure that it is truly me who has topped the exam! I shared the moment with my family and friends by cutting a cake. My family and friends played an immense role in my success with their constant support and motivation.
Q: From which medical college did you pursue MBBS and where have you done your internship from?
A: I have completed MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and did the internship from here itself. NEET PG 2022 was my first attempt at a postgraduate medical entrance exam.
Q: Did you also appear for INI CET? Please share your rank.
A: Yes, I had appeared for INI CET 2022 July session and secured AIR 13.
Q: Between NEET PG and INI CET, which exam is tougher?
A: In terms of difficulty level, INI CET is much tougher than that of NEET PG. However, the types of questions was trickier in NEET PG in terms of language and question types.
NEET PG 2025 question paper was difficult as compared to last year. The overall difficulty level of the question paper was moderate to difficult. More than 80 pecent questions were based on clinical scenerio. A good number of questions were asked from topics such as Surgury, Gynaecology (OBS GYNE) and other topics. 160-170 questions were easy to attempt.
NEET PG is a national level entrance test through which the admission is offered into post-graduate medical courses. Being the national level entrance test, the exam is not an easy nut to crack. Applicants will have to study and know the syllabus well in order to do well in the entrance examination. In the article below some important tips and tricks are being provided to the candidates preparing for the NEET PG. Following are some points which can be kept in mind- 1. Don’t spend too much time on medicine as there are just 21 MCQs from there. 2. The first and second part subjects are probably more important as most people don’t study them. 3. Give online tests; virtually wherever you find a chance. 4. Keep your mind cool on the day of the exam! Be rest assured that you will clear the exam if you have worked hard for it. 5. Do not just mug up guide books' answers.
Preparation Tips for NEET PG: 1. Make an effective preparation strategy. Keeping in mind the time left for the exam, prioritize your schedule. 2. Analyze your level of understanding. 3. Set your target. 4. Revision. 5. Practice MCQs. 6. Solve Previous year's questions. 7. Focus on high-yielding topics. 8. Prioritize your health.
Q: When did you start preparing for NEET PG and what was your strategy?
A: I started preparing for NEET PG in my third year of MBBS. I started with the subjects which were already taught in the first three years of MBBS and studied in rest of the subjects in the final years. By the time I started my internship, I had completed the syllabus. I did three rounds of revisions in total for a duration of six months, three months and one month respectively. I had also received guidance from coaching institutes and took several NEET PG mock tests and got them analysed to receive feedback on my preparation level.
Q: What was the frequency of taking NEET PG mock tests?
A: I started taking full-length mock tests from November onwards. I started with one mock test a week followed by twice a week. The tests were really helpful in my preparation and they also helped me boost my confidence. I used to get the mock tests reviewed by my mentors and the feedback helped me direct my preparation and exam strategy.
Q: Which were your strong and weak areas and how did you tackle those?
A: The subjects varied from year to year. The key factor to tackle the weak areas was to keep revising and practising.
Q: What according to you is the deciding factor in cracking NEET PG?
A: I believe hard work and luck play the deciding factor in succeeding at an exam like NEET PG. As stated before, the question types of NEET PG can be really tricky and most of the time students have to make a calculated guess. In that scenario, luck plays an important role. Having said that, there is no substitute for hard work for cracking NEET PG.
Q: What was your routine during your preparation tenure and how did you balance your studies and internship with the exam preparation?
A: It was indeed a very hectic period. I made a proper plan and set my routine as per my classes and internship duties to make sure that I do not miss my revision. During my lighter postings, I revised the tougher subjects and on the heavy postings, I studied the easier subjects or topics which were of my forte.
Q: Amid the rigorous preparation phase, how did you unwind or relax yourself?
A: No matter how hectic my schedule was, I made sure to relax and take regular breaks to avoid burnout. I used to play badminton, hang out with my friends and even binge-watched shows on OTT platforms to take a break and relax.
Q: There was a huge demand from students to postpone the exam. What was your take?
A: Yes, there were demands to postpone NEET PG but I was not in the favour of it. Originally the exam was scheduled for March 12, but when it got postponed I was already disappointed since it caused a delay. Hence, I was glad that it took place in May itself and did not get pushed any further.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I plan to pursue MD in Medicine.
Q: What is your advice for the next year’s NEET PG toppers?
A: My advice to them is to work hard and have self-belief. Keep practising and revising the subjects to ensure a good score in the exam.

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Answered 6 days ago
According to the available information on the MAMC cutoff, 650 marks should give any candidate a good chance of gaining admission in the institute. The general category competition for MAMC admissions is usually very high. However, it changes every year, hence candidates are advised to stay updated
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The NEET rank that is needed to gain admissions in Maulana Azad Medical College for the MBBS course is 103 in the year 2025. The NEET score that is needed to score this rank is unknown for the year 2025. Candidates are advised to prepare accordingly based on the previous year NEET score required to
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The NEET cutoff for MAMC admission to the MBBS course will vary depending upon the year and competition for seats at MAMC. We can look at the 2023 or 2022 cutoffs to base an expected cutoff. The last round closing ranks in 2023 and 2022 for General AI category students were 87 and 107 respectively.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Maulana Azad Medical College has a total seat intake of 153 seats for PG programmes. The college has a seat intake of 15 seats for MD (Pediatrics) and seven seats for MS (Orthopedics).
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
No, you cannot get admission into Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi, for MBBS without NEET.
NEET-UG is compulsory for admission into all MBBS courses in India (government and private colleges), including top colleges like MAMC.
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The documents required to apply for Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi courses are as follows:
- Class 10 marksheet
- Class 12 marksheet
- Graduation marksheet for PG courses
- Transfer Certificate
- Government authorised ID
Candidates are required to upload the documents according to the guidelines
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The entrance exams accepted by MAMC Delhi are as follows:
NEET
NEET SS
NEET PG
Candidates wishing to get a seat in any of the programme at MAMC Delhi are required to participate in the admission process by appearing for the required entrance. Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in the
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The application process for Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi courses are as follows:
Step 1: Visit the official website of MAMC Delhi.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with accurate details.
Step 3: Apply for the required entrance.
Step 4: Pay the application fee and keep the f
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Contributor-Level 10
Before starting NEET PG preparation, candidates need to have plan and strategies in place. Effective time management is crucial for the preparation. First of all take stock of the situation where actually you stand in terms of preparation. You should ask yourself following questions:
These are some of the prembles of your preparation strategies. Following after make daily schedule allocating specific time for each subject. Try to cover those subjects first where you feel confident of scoring well. Try to finish syllabus at least a month before exam.