Exam prep·India· 6 min read

NEET PG Exam Guide

An overview of NEET PG — who conducts it, what it is for, eligibility (MBBS graduates), the broad structure, and the counselling route for MD/MS admission.

Key facts

Full name: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate)
Conducting body: National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)
Mode: Computer-based test (CBT)
Eligibility: MBBS degree holders and final-year MBBS students (see official bulletin)
Used for: MD, MS and PG Diploma admission in India
Official site: natboard.edu.in

What is NEET PG?

NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test — Postgraduate) is a national entrance test for admission to postgraduate medical programmes — MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery) and PG Diploma courses — at medical colleges across India. It is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

NEET PG replaced multiple separate state and institutional entrance tests, creating a single merit list used for seat allocation at both central and state levels.

Who can appear — eligibility

Candidates who hold an MBBS degree from a Medical Council of India (MCI) / National Medical Commission (NMC) recognised institution, or who are in their final year of MBBS, are eligible to apply. Completion of the compulsory rotating internship (or being within a specified period of completing it) is a condition for admission, even if candidates are allowed to appear in the test earlier.

Exact eligibility conditions — including the internship-completion deadline and any percentage norms — are published in the official information bulletin each year. Confirm the current rules on natboard.edu.in before applying, as these conditions can change.

Exam format

NEET PG is conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) in a single sitting. The question paper draws broadly from the MBBS curriculum across clinical and pre-clinical subjects. The exact number of questions, total marks, duration, and marking scheme (including any negative marking) are set in the official information bulletin for each cycle. Do not rely on older-year details — verify on the official site.

Counselling and seat allocation

After the NEET PG result, counselling is conducted separately at two levels: the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) handles the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats and central institution seats, while state counselling authorities handle state-quota seats. Candidates must register separately for whichever counselling rounds they are eligible for.

The NEET PG rank determines counselling eligibility, but the actual seat you receive depends on your rank relative to others in the same counselling round, the subjects on offer, and the college preferences you submit. No score or rank guarantees admission to a specific college or subject.

NEET PG and NBEMS examinations

NBEMS also conducts a range of other postgraduate and fellowship examinations in medical sciences — including NEET MDS (for dental postgraduate admission) and various FNB and DNB examinations. NEET PG specifically covers allopathic postgraduate medical programmes (MD/MS/PG Diploma). Check the NBEMS exam calendar at natboard.edu.in for the current schedule of all NBEMS examinations.

Frequently asked questions

Can final-year MBBS students appear for NEET PG?

The eligibility conditions for NEET PG — including whether final-year MBBS students may appear — are set by NBEMS each year. Refer to the official information bulletin on natboard.edu.in for the current-year rules before applying.

How many seats are filled through NEET PG?

NEET PG covers both the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats handled by MCC and state-quota seats managed by individual state counselling bodies. The total seat matrix is published during the counselling process. Check natboard.edu.in and mcc.nic.in for current figures.

Is NEET PG required for DNB seats as well?

DNB (Diplomate of National Board) seats are filled separately through NBEMS processes. Some DNB seats use the NEET PG score. Check the official NBEMS notifications on natboard.edu.in for the current admission route for DNB programmes.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: NBEMS — official site and notifications.

Last verified: 2026-06-06.