# NEET UG 2025 Exam Date, Pattern and Total Marks
NEET UG 2025 will be conducted on May 5, 2025, by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in offline (pen-and-paper) mode across multiple centers in India. The exam follows a standardized pattern with 180 multiple-choice questions carrying a maximum of 720 marks, divided equally among Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology).
NEET UG 2025 Exam Date
The National Testing Agency has officially announced that NEET UG 2025 will be held on May 5, 2025. This is a single-day examination conducted in a single shift. The exam window typically opens at 2:00 PM and closes at 5:20 PM (IST), with the actual question paper presentation beginning at 2:20 PM.
Applications for NEET UG 2025 opened on December 10, 2024, with the registration deadline set for January 15, 2025. The admit card download period commenced from April 2, 2025, allowing candidates adequate time to prepare and collect their examination documents.
The exam is held only once per year, making it crucial for aspirants to prepare thoroughly within the given timeframe. The 2025 examination marks an important milestone as lakhs of candidates compete for limited seats in medical, dental, and AYUSH courses across India.
NEET UG 2025 Exam Pattern
The NEET UG 2025 exam maintains the standard pattern established in previous years:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice (MCQ) |
| Sections | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Language | 13 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, Bengali, Punjabi, and Urdu |
The question distribution remains:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany) | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Zoology) | 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Marking Scheme
Each correct answer carries 4 marks. For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted as negative marking. Unanswered questions receive zero marks. This creates a total possible score of 720 marks (180 questions × 4 marks each).
The marking system encourages accuracy over guesswork, as candidates must weigh the risk-reward of attempting uncertain questions. On average, attempting 145-150 questions with 80-85% accuracy is considered a competitive strategy for scoring above 600 marks.
Total Marks: 720
NEET UG 2025 carries a maximum of 720 marks. There is no sectional cutoff requirement; candidates must clear the overall cutoff determined by NTA based on percentile rankings.
For reference, the qualifying cutoff marks in recent years have been:
| Category | NEET 2024 Cutoff Percentile | Approximate Marks Range |
|---|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile | 540-580 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 435-465 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 410-440 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 380-410 |
However, merit-based selection requires significantly higher scores. Top medical colleges typically require marks between 650-700 depending on the institution and category.
Eligibility and Registration Details
Candidates must have completed 12 years of education or be appearing for their final year examination. There is no specific age limit, though most candidates are 17-19 years old. The application fee varies by category: General category candidates pay Rs. 1,600, while OBC/SC/ST categories pay Rs. 900.
Important Considerations
The NEET UG 2025 result declaration typically follows within 2-3 weeks after the examination. Candidates will receive individual scorecards through their registered email and the official NTA website. The results will include individual subject scores, total marks, all-India rank, and category rank.
Counseling for seat allocation begins after result declaration, conducted by MCC (Medical Counseling Committee) for centrally funded institutions and state-wise counseling for state medical colleges.