List of Medical Entrance Exams in India 2023-24: NEET & Without NEET Courses

A doctor is considered a God everywhere in the world, for he saves lives. After the pandemic, a doctor’s job has become even more valued. Many students weave the dream of becoming a doctor one day and don the white robe with pride. However, to become a doctor, one must do much more than just dream. To pursue a career path as a doctor, one must go through a rigorous medical course, and to get admission, a student has to appear for Medical Entrance Exams in India. Now there are many fields in Medical Sciences one can follow, but it is decided only after a student has passed any of the Medical Entrance Exams in India.

Overview of Medical Entrance Exams

After 10+2 students who seek to pursue the medical field search for a medical entrance exam in India. The most preferred course in the medical field after 10+2 is the MBBS course. However, students can also plan their career through other courses like Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS), Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery (BUMS), Bachelor of Siddha Medicine & Surgery (BSMS), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm), Bachelor of Nursing (B Sc Nursing), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT), Bachelor of Medical Laboratory & Technology (BMLT), Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yoga Sciences (BNYS) and Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH).  

The medical field is vast and requires manpower to cater to all the needs of all citizens. The ones who wish to pursue their career in the medical field must go for the medical college entrance exam. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET is the medical entrance exam that a student has to clear to pursue any of the above undergraduate courses in the medical field.

Earlier, there were the All-India Pre-Medical Test or AIPMT and other medical entrance exams like JIPMER, PGIMER, and KIITEE, but since 2013, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced NEET, which replaced all the other medical entrance exams in India. The step was taken to unify all the medical entrance examinations in India and subside the chaos and confusion around state-level medical entrance exams in India. Students preparing for NEET or about to appear for any competitive exams can follow last minute tips on how to prepare for competitive exams here. 

For the PG and MD courses, however, there are different medical entrance exams that an aspirant can give. The article will inform you about all the medical entrance exams that you can appear for to pursue your career in varied medical fields in India. Read on…

Importance of Medical Entrance Exams

The Medical field is the most important sector in any country. Without a proper health infrastructure, no nation can run successfully. Doctors and other medical professionals ensure that every patient or needy is looked after with proper medical care. You cannot go wrong with anybody’s health or life. Therefore, the screening for a medical professional is done very strictly. Exams for medical students after the 12th are quite challenging. The entrance exams for MBBS in India and other medical entrance exams assess a student’s potential, expertise, inclination, and competency. It is based on a medical entrance exam that the merit list is prepared for, and a student is evaluated based on their performance. Across the country, the NEET merit list is considered for admission to Undergraduate courses, while there are different medical entrance examinations if we talk about Post-Graduate or MD courses. The list for the same is mentioned below:

List of Medical Entrance Exams in India

List of Medical courses that students can apply through NEET

How to apply for Medical Entrance Exams after 12th

MBBS degree is the most sought-after degree in India. Every year, lakhs of students study hard and prepare for the NEET examination. Earlier, there were many medical exams in India, but now admission to medical colleges is done based on the NEET merit list. You can apply to NEET if you fulfill the following eligibility criteria for the medical entrance exam after class 12:

• 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the core subjects.
• A minimum score of 50% for the General category and 40% for reserved categories in class 12 exams

Undergraduate Medical Exams in India: Learn More about Them

Since 2013, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been the only test that a student needs to clear to get admission to a medical college. Admission to a reputed college is done based on NEET score and 10+2 weightage. A student must score above 650 in order to get admission to a desired medical institute. The cut-off for NEET admission is prepared on the basis of marks scored and different categories (reserved or general). There are many NEET exam books that can help you in preparing for the medical entrance exam. Click here to explore NEET books

List of Postgraduate and MD Courses in India

Postgraduate Medical Exams in India: Learn More about Them

MBBS is not the only medical degree. The medical field is ever evolving, and to acquire specialisation in any particular field, a medical expert can attain postgraduate degrees. For that, candidates have to appear for many exams after MBBS. The major medical entrance exams in India after graduation are mentioned below. 

NEET PG

NEET-PG, or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post Graduation, is conducted for admission to various MS/MD/PG Diploma/DNB courses. An MBBS student can appear for the NEET-PG after completing the MBBS degree. Though most of the institutes participating in NEET-PG, the following institutes do not come under NEET-PG for MD/MS Courses:

• AIIMS
• PGIMER, Chandigarh
• JIPMER
• NIMHANS
• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum 

AIAPGET

AIAPGET, or All India Ayush Postgraduate Entrance Test, is a national-level test. The medical entrance exam is conducted for MS/MD/Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy. It is one of the sought-after medical entrance exams in India. The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) conducts the online entrance exam. Students with BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS, Graded BHMS, or Provisional Passing certificate from recognised institute can appear for the AIAPGET. Other eligibility criteria include the following:

• A candidate must have done a one-year internship programme.
• A provisional registration certificate by NCISM/NCH/State Board/Universities/Deemed Universities. 

DNB PDCET

DNB PDCET, or Diplomate of National Board Post-Diploma Centralised Entrance Test, is a national-level examination. The doctor exam is conducted by the National Board of Examination, through which students can get admission to 1073 seats across 14 specialities in 597 hospitals in India. DNB PDCET medical entrance test is a computer-based test.

NEET SS

Among the many medical entrance exams in India, NEET SS or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Super Speciality Courses) is conducted for super speciality courses in India. The computer-based test is the only exam considered for admission to the super speciality courses. Many private medical colleges, universities, deemed universities, and Armed Forces Medical Services Institutions accept this doctorate exam. 

FET

FET or Fellowship Entrance Test is conducted for two-year Fellowship of National Board (FNB) courses. FET is India’s only medical entrance exam for admission to FNB courses. It is a post-doctoral computer-based test and is conducted annually. 

INI CET

INI CET or Institutes of National Importance Combined Entrance Test is exclusively conducted for admission to AIIMS (all across India), JIPMER-Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER-Chandigarh and SCTIMST-Trivandrum for admission to postgraduate courses. A candidate must have completed an MBBS degree to apply for MD, MS, DM, or MCH courses. Candidates from dental backgrounds must have completed their BDS degree to pursue MDS. Completion of one-year rotating internship/practical training is also a must. 

AIIMS INI SS

The AIIMS INI SS or AIIMS Institute of National Importance Super-Speciality Entrance Test (INI-SS) is conducted for admission to various super specialities courses offered by AIIMS, JIPMER Puducherry, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology Trivandrum. 

Medical Courses other than NEET

Doctors are not the only professionals that are associated with the medical field. Medicine is a vast specialisation with many experts like Nurses, Pathologists, Radiologists, Pharmacists, Therapists, and more. Below is the list of medical entrance exams other than NEET associated with the medical field.

Medical Entrance Exams for other Medical Courses that do not need NEET:

Wrapping up

The medical field is challenging. Being a doctor is a big responsibility, and that’s why the medical entrance exams are one of the toughest exams in India. But if you have the zeal, passion, and dedication to make it big, then there is no stopping. All the best!

FAQs on Medical Entrance Exams in India