NEET UG 2025: NTA's 5 new rules, changes for medical entrance exam

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET UG 2025 exam on May 4. Along with the exam date, the agency has announced few changes in the conduct of medical entrance test. As per new rules, candidates can now select three convenient cities for their exam centre, instead of the previous option of two. NEET Registration 2025 Live

While filling up the NEET 2025 application form, candidates are required to choose three cities in order of preference. The choice of cities is limited to the state of the candidate's permanent address or present address.

NTA has advised candidates to select cities within their state of residence or neighbouring cities, ensuring they do not opt for distant cities in other states. Moreover, if the number of candidates opting for a centre with a regional language is insufficient, candidates may be assigned to a city outside of their preferred choice, irrespective of their original selection.

NEET UG domestic exam centres reduced

The number of NEET UG 2025 exam cities in India have been reduced to 552, which is 5 less than last year. While the international exam cities are 14, same as last year.

Candidates can select their preferred cities from the updated list while filling out their NEET UG application form. The cities available for selection are still restricted to the candidate’s permanent address or present address, ensuring that they can choose from a list of nearby cities within their state for convenience.

NEET 2025: Exam centres to open three hours before exam begins

NTA has announced that NEET UG 2025 exam centres will now open three hours before the scheduled start time of the examination, instead of two hours in previous years.

As per the NEET UG 2025 timings, the exam will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm. Considering the exam timings, the exam centres will open at 11 am. This extended window will allow candidates additional time for entry, security checks, and other necessary procedures before the exam begins.

NEET UG tie-breaking method revised

The NEET UG tie-breaking method has been revamped again. An independent expert committee will resolve tie between two or more candidates obtaining equal marks in the exam through a “random process”, the information bulletin read.

Last year, the NTA removed the application number and age criteria from the tie-breaking method. It used a seven-step method to resolve ties. This year, the testing agency has added an additional rule to resolve tie if the existing criteria are exhausted. An independent expert committee will resolve the tie through a random process, NTA said.

No optional questions in NEET UG 2025

As per the revised NEET UG exam pattern 2025 , the question paper will have three parts - physics, chemistry, and biology. The question paper will consist of 180 compulsory questions which should be attempted by candidates in 3 hours. NEET UG will be conducted for a total of 720 marks.

The NTA commenced the NEET UG 2025 registration process on February 7. The NEET 2025 registrations will continue till March 7 on the official website, neet.nta.nic.in.