NEET PG 2023 Topper Interview: Dr Rahul Nambiar, AIR 9 asks aspirants to focus on previous year's question papers

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation 2025 ( NEET PG )

Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content
Updated on Mar 21, 2023 13:11 IST

NEET PG 2023 Topper's journey is an inspiration on its own. Read further to know more about NEET PG Topper Rahul Nambiar's journey, his life, preparations strategy, and interesting tips to beat the exam stress.

NEET PG 2023 Topper Interview : Dr Rahul Nambiar, AIR 9 asks aspirants to focus on previous year's question papers

NEET PG 2023 Topper Interview: Dr Rahul Nambiar, AIR 9 asks aspirants to focus on previous year's question papers

NEET PG 2023 toppers: The National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduates (NEET-PG) on March 14, 2023. As per the NEET PG toppers list, Dr. Rahul Nambiar has bagged AIR 9. The NEET PG 2023 topper, Dr. Nambiar is from Kerala but has done all his education in Ahmedabad. 

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For a medical student, achieving an AIR 9 on the NEET PG 2023 is an impressive accomplishment. The NEET PG topper for 2023, Dr. Rahul Nambiar, has served as a role model for many aspiring young medical professionals around the country. He talks about his success and offers advice on how to prepare for the NEET PG. Read further to know more about NEET PG Topper Rahul Nambiar's journey, his life, preparations strategy, and interesting tips to beat the exam stress.

Q:   How many questions are asked in NEET PG exam?
A:

NEET PG exam comprises of 200 multiple choice questions with each question having 4 response options in English language only. Candidates are required to select the correct/best/most appropriate response/answer out of the 4 response options provided in each question. Time allotted is 3 hrs 30 minutes. There is a provision of negative marking in the exam. In the wake of negative marking, candidates are advised to attempt only those questions where they have full confidence of correct answer. Otherwise negative marks may outweigh your overall score. 

Q:   I marked two answers for a question in NEET PG. One of the answers is correct. Will I get full marks for this question?
A:

Candidates can't  mark more than one answer as NEET PG is computer-based exam. Moreover, in the official information brochure, there is no mention of whether candidate will be deducted marks or not for marking two options. NEET PG 2026 exam pattern will be released by National Board of Examinations (NBE). The exam is conducted in computer-based mode. Candidates are provided total 3.5 hours to answer the question paper.

Q:   Why solving NEET PG previous years question papers is crucial?
A:

There are many advantages of solving previous years' question papers of NEET PG exam. Candidates can refer to some of the advantages given below:

  • This helps candidates to get an idea about the NEET PG exam pattern
  • Solving NEET PG question papers make candidates learn about speed and time management skill
  • Candidates get a fair idea about the type of questions being asked over the years and their difficulty level
  • After attempting the papers, candidates can cross-check their answers with the provided solutions and check their performance
  • The exercise helps candidates to evaluate their preparation strategy
  •  Solving previous years' question papers of NEET PG makes candidates learn to work on their weak areas

Q. Congratulations on your success in the NEET PG 2023 exam? How do you feel being a top ranker?

A. Very surprised on seeing the rank, I was expecting a decent rank but a single-digit rank totally stumped me.

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Q. Tell us something about your background.

A. I am currently doing my Internship at B.J. Medical College. I am originally based out of Kannur, Kerala but I have done all my growing up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Q. What motivated you to pursue medicine as a career?

A. My parents always wanted me to be a doctor and I liked Biology as a subject from early on.

Q. How did your family support you in your journey?

A. My family has been a constant source of support for me, they made sure I had the perfect atmosphere to focus on my studies. My sister and my brother-in-law were blessed with a beautiful baby girl about 7 months back, I like to think that she was my lucky charm.

Q:   Do candidates need to answer every question in NEET PG?
A:

No, candidates should answer only those questions where they feel confident about the right answer. The reason being there is a provision of negative marking in the NEET PG 2025 exam. Candidates are advised to choose not to answer rather than marking wrong option. Negative score may take a toll on overall score of a candidate. 

Q:   What type of questions are asked in NEET PG?
A:

Objective questions are asked in NEET PG exam. The type of the question is multiple choice where one question can have multiple answers. keeping this in mind, candidates have to select best option of correct response. According to NEET PG pattern, a total of 200 questions are asked and candidates get 3.5 hours to answer them. There is a provision of negative marking in NEET PG exam. For every correct response, +4 mark is awarded while for incorrect response, -1 will be deducted. 

Q:   Does NBE release question paper for NEET PG?
A:

No. Usullay NBE doesn't release the official question paper for NEET PG exam but for 2025-26 session, it released question ID and answer key. Candidates can download question Id, answer key and response sheet after login to the application page. NBE also released NEET PG 2025 scorecards on August 29, 2025. NEET PG 2025 result was announced on August 19, 2025.

Q. Where did you complete your rotatory internship?

A. I have about 3 and a half weeks of internship remaining at BJ Medical College.

Q. Did you appear for any other PG medical entrance examination?

A. Not yet. I'll be appearing for INICET which will happen on May 7th this year.

Q. What are your thoughts on the NEET PG 2023 postponement that many candidates requested? Do you think the exam should've been postponed?

A. I felt postponement was a valid request considering the fact that internship deadlines were pushed to August 11. But these things are not under our control so I didn't pay much heed to the noise.

Q. How did you prepare for NEET PG 2023?

 A. My strategy for Neet PG prep was to be done with my base notes before I get into the internship and solve questions and GTs regularly thereafter.

Q. How much time did you devote to self-study vs. coaching and how do you manage to do both?

A. I preferred watching more online material. I always made sure I was revising the stuff that I have seen or made notes of. So, I think almost a 50-50 time split between reading and making notes.

Q. Did you take any mock tests to prepare for NEET PG 2022 preparations?

A. Yes, a lot of mock tests. This made me feel confident going into the exam and also helped me shape my strategy around the exam.

Q. Did you have any specific exam day strategy?

A. My only strategy during the exam was to not overthink and get a simpler straightforward question.

Q. What are your hobbies and did you find time to engage in your hobbies throughout your NEET PG 2022 preparations?

A. My hobbies include quizzing and reading, I try to occasionally play some badminton. And your hobbies are really important for one to disconnect and get some perspective during your preparation.

Q. Any message or advice for future medical aspirants?

A. Focus on previous year's questions, give enough mocks and put yourself in that position where you might just luck out with a really good rank.

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Answered 4 weeks ago

MCC has yet not announced counselling dates and schedule for NEET PG for academic session 2025-26. Dates will be uploaded online. Registration is expected to start in the third week of September 2025. Those who qualified NEET PG 2025 with minimum cutoff mark can participate in seat allocation proces

...Read more

A

Abhishek Divya

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes. Candidates will have to declare preferences of choices for each round of NEET PG counselling after registration. It must be noted registration and choices can be declared online. At the same time, choices must be locked in the given deadline otherwise it gets locked automatically. Based on decl

...Read more

A

Abhishek Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Yes. If you will be allotted seat in round-2 NEET PG counselling, your round-1 allotted seat will be automatically get cancelled. In case you don't get allotted seat in round-2, then round-1 seat will not be cancelled. Candidates have to register online and declare preferences of choice for NEET PG

...Read more

B

Bhumika Chauhan

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

The merit list for Tripura NEET PG 2025 will be released online tentatively by the second week of October 2025. DMER Tripura will release separate merit lists for each round. Candidates have to download the merit list from the official website or from Shiksha.com. The merit list will include informa

...Read more

P

Pooja Kalra

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Yes. NBE uploaded NEET PG 2025 scorecards on August 29, 2025. candidates who qualified NEET PG 2025 exam can download scorecards from official website, nbe.edu.in. They will have to enter login details in registration page to download scorecards for NEET PG 2025. The scorecard PDF comprises details

...Read more

M

Mukul Kumar Mishra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes. NBE released NEET PG 2025 merit list for 50% All India quota seats on August 27, 2025. the merit list was uplaoded online in PDF format, comprising deatials such as NEET PG 2025 rank, AIR rank, AIR category etc. NBE has already released NEET PG 2025 result on August 19, 2025. 

A

Abhishek Rastogi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Neet PG SCORE 455, AIQ, general category 

D

DAUD ALI KHAN

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

Yes, there are many government Medical colleges accepting NEET PG in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:

Public/Govt. Colleges

Tuition Fee

KGMU Admission

INR 1.64 lakh

Madras Medical College, Chennai Admission

INR 97,970 – INR 1.5 lakh

SGPGI Lucknow Admission

INR 1.05 lakh

Vardhman Mahavir Medical College Admission

INR 1.53 lakh

Maulana Azad Medical College Admission

INR 480 – INR 39,000

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, there are about 150+ affordable Medical colleges accepting NEET PG in India. Some of them are mentioned below having tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh:

Low-cost Colleges

Tuition Fee

CMC Vellore

INR 600 – INR 3,600

Madras Medical College Chennai

INR 97,970

Maulana Azad Medical College

INR 480 – INR 39,000

Lady Hardinge Medical College

INR 26,000 – INR 39,000

Armed Forces Medical College

INR 68,000

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Joining the top NEET PG accepting Medical colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fee

Average Placement Package

CMC Vellore Courses

INR 600 – INR 2.67 lakh

INR 6.41 LPA – INR 12.09 LPA

KGMU Courses

INR 1.64 lakh

INR 15 LPA

KMC Manipal Courses

INR 10.95 Lacs – INR 63.21 lakh

INR 15.8 LPA

Madras Medical College Chennai Courses

INR 97,970 – INR 1.5 lakh

INR 7.8 LPA – INR 13.92 LPA

SGPGI Lucknow Courses

INR 1.05 lakh

INR 28 LPA

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10