NEET 2025: Major Changes Introduced in Pattern, Tie-Breaking Criteria, Application Process and More

NEET 2025 has brought with it several changes and additions in terms of pattern, application process, exam cities and tie-breaking criteria. This article of Shiksha.com brings a complete list of changes introduced in the NEET 2025 exam. Know the details here on this page.

Major Changes Introduced in NEET 2025

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the NEET 2025 exam date and released the application form and information bulletin on February 7, 2025. Every year, NEET brings along with it several changes and introduces new additions or features either in the application process or exam scheme. NEET 2025 is also not an exception. There are several changes and additions introduced in the pattern, application process, exam cities and tie-breaking criteria.

This article of Shiksha.com brings a complete list of changes introduced in the NEET 2025 exam. The exam will be conducted on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM in 566 cities of India and abroad. Despite the expert committee recommendations, the National Medical Commission (NMC) decided to conduct the exam in a paper-pencil-based mode, and in a single day and slot.

Also Read: NEET 2025 Registration Begins at neet.nta.nic.in; Exam on May 4

Major Changes Introduced in NEET 2025

Here are some of the major changes introduced in the NEET 2025 exam by NTA, the exam conducting body.

NEET 2025 Exam Pattern and Structure

The NEET 2025 exam pattern has been revised and returned to the structure followed in pre-COVID era. The total duration has been reduced by 20 minutes. Hence, instead of 200 minutes, the total duration of the NEET 2025 exam will be 180 minutes or three hours. The optional questions have been removed. Now, test-takers have to attempt 180 compulsory questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The marking scheme has remained the same. The following table brings the NEET 2025 exam pattern and structure.

Announcing the reason for changing the NEET 2025 pattern, NTA has stated, “Aspirants are hereby informed that the question paper pattern and examination duration will revert to the pre-COVID format. where there will not be any Section B anymore. Hence, there will be a total of 180 compulsory questions (45 questions each in Physics and Chemistry and 90 in Biology) which will be attempted by the candidates in 180 minutes thereby removing any optional questions and extra time introduced due to COVID.”

Also Read: NEET 2025 Exam Pattern Changed; Optional Questions Removed; Duration Reduced

NEET 2025 Official Website

The NEET 2025 official website URL has been revised and the URL is www.neet.nta.nic.in. Last year the website address was www.neet.ntaonline. In the previous year, i.e. 2023, the website address was the same as this year. Although NTA has not given any specific reason for the change or website address, but it is estimated that owing to the massive technical glitches students faced while filling the NEET application form.

Implementation of APAAR ID

This year onwards, NTA has implemented the APAAR ID of candidates for the NEET registration process. APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a unique identity number which is a specialised identification system designed for Indian students, wherein they can digitally store their academic details such as mark sheets, scorecards, etc. APAAR ID is a unique 12-digit code which acts as a permanent digital identity for students. 

Although APAAR ID is not mandatory for filling the NEET 2025 application form, in case a candidate opts for it, their past academic details will be auto populated in the form along with other applicable information. 

Tie-Breaking Criteria

The tie-breaking criteria for NEET 2025 have been revised. A new criterion has been launched, which is ‘resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.’ Apart from that, the rest of the criteria have remained the same. The complete NEET 2025 criteria are given below.

1. Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
2. Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
3. Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
4. Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
5. Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
6. Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
7. Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
8. In case, the first seven criteria are exhausted and the tie still persists, it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.

Last year, instead of the random process, NTA announced ‘Draw of lots by using the computer or IT with no human intervention’. However, this criterion was removed soon after and only the first seven points were applicable.

Decrease in NEET 2025 Exam Cities

The total number of NEET 2025 exam cities in India has been decreased from 557 to 552. As many as five cities across India have been removed from the list of exam cities. However, the total number of NEET exam cities outside India has remained at 14. Here is the list of cities in India which will not host the NEET exam this year are as follows.

Changes in NEET Application Process

The NEET 2025 application form has also undergone certain changes in terms of the process and documents required. Here is the list of changes introduced in the NEET 2025 application form:

• Auto-population of educational information with APAAR ID – In case a candidate clicks ‘Yes’ for APAAR ID, and enters the 12-digit number, the past academic details and other common information will be auto-populated on the NEET 2025 application form.
• Increase in number of exam city choices – Till last year, candidates could choose only two cities for NEET exam centre This year, the number has increased to three.
• Class 11 academic details not required any more – This year, the NEET 2025 application form does not require the Class 11 academic details to be filled up. Till last year, candidates had to fill the Class 11 details, along with Class 10 and Class 12 details.
• Increase in documents to upload – This year, the total number of documents to be uploaded has been increased. There are several documents, which were not required to be uploaded last year, but has been added this year. These documents are as follows:

1. Class 10 or equivalent Pass Certificate
2. Class 10 or equivalent Mark Sheet
3. Class 10 or equivalent CGPA to percentage Conversion Certificate
4. Identity Proof (for those candidates who will verify their identities through methods other than Aadhaar or Digilocker) 
5. Address Proof (Present and Permanent)

Also Read: Documents Required for NEET 2025 Application Form: Check Documents Size and Formats

NEET 2025 Exam Centre Entry Gates to Open Three Hours in Advance

Unlike previous years, when the NEET exam centre gates were opened two hours in advance, this year, it will open three hours in advance, i.e. 11 AM. NTA has stated, “The Examination Centre will be opened three (03) hours before the commencement of the test. No candidate shall be allowed to enter the Examination Centre after 1:30 pm. Therefore, candidates must ensure that they leave home well in advance considering all facts like traffic, location of the Centre, weather conditions, etc. Candidates are expected to take their seats immediately after the opening of the Examination Hall.” However, the time to close the exam centre gate has remained the same, which is 1.30 PM.

Announcing Dates for All Important NEET 2025 Events in Advance

Till last year, NTA used to announce the NEET application and exam date in the information bulletin, and the rest of the NEET important dates such as application correction, the release of city intimation slip, admit card, etc. were announced on real time basis. This year, NTA has announced the dates of all these events in advance on the information bulletin.

The last date to fill and submit the NEET 2025 application form is March 7, 2025, 11.50 PM. The last date of application may extend as per past years’ trends. The NEET 2025 application correction window will be open from March 9 to March 11, 2025.

Amid all these changes, some things have remained the same, which are the NEET 2025 syllabus, application fee, and the mode of the exam.

Read More:

• Postcard Size Photograph for NEET
• NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Upper Age Limit, Number of Attempts, Qualification
• NEET Form Fee for General, OBC, SC and ST Categories