Will NEET be conducted twice a year?

Changes in the exam pattern of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) were expected following the announcement to make it the single entrance test to get admission in MBBS courses across India. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has, however, confirmed that there will be no changes in the NEET 2020 pattern as of now.

Implementation of the NMC Act and cessation of both AIIMS MBBS and JIPMER MBBS exams have created a greater demand for NEET. NTA has received various proposals and suggestions that the exam be conducted twice a year, confirmed NTA Director Vineet Joshi.

AIIMS MBBS was tougher than any other medical entrance test in India. To maintain the standards of the Institution, NTA has been advised by several experts to focus on the pattern of the NEET question paper. Expecting an increase in the difficulty level of the examination, the student communities have urged the authorities to increase the frequency of the examination to twice a year, like JEE Main, to enable them to pick the best score of the two exams.  

On being asked about it, Joshi informs that the frequency of NEET may be increased to twice a year from the academic session 2021-2022. He also added that the planning is still on the initial stages and it will be executed only after a final nod from the health ministry.

The schedule for NEET 2020 remains unchanged. Applications for NEET 2020 will start from December 2 and can be filled up to December 31. The entrance test will be held in an offline mode on May 3.