In India, the National Eligibility and Common Entrance Test (NEET) has played a significant role in standardising medical education. NEET-UG is the only exam for admission to medical and dental colleges across the country. However, the question of what will follow NEET 2024 still baffles aspirants.
Medical undergraduate aspirants often dedicate the bulk of their energy to preparing for the NEET exam. However, most candidates have no idea what the next step involves once the test is over, including NEET answer keys, results, counselling, and admission. Unsure of how to proceed after the NEET 2024 exam, candidates often feel overwhelmed.
When a candidate clears the, 'what happens next?' What is in store for NEET 2024 aspirants or how to get admission in MBBS and/BDS colleges are questions that are always asked? Candidates who score the NEET cut off will be eligible for the admission process. In government colleges, 15% of the seats are allotted under the All India Quota (AIQ) and 85% through the state quota.
As with the admission to state quota seats, private college admission is also made by the respective state authorities after NEET-UG 2024. However, only candidates fulfilling the NEET domicile criteria specified by the state are eligible to receive state quota seats.
As soon as the NEET exam is over, candidates will have to calculate their final scores based on answer keys. The NEET 2024 result will be out a month after the exam concludes. Candidates can then use the actual rank and the test result to predict with some accuracy the colleges they will be offered. The NEET 2024 admissions process will begin a week after the announcement of the results. The following section provides an overview of the post-NEET 2024 phases, which include the period immediately following the NEET exam and the period after NEET results are announced.
The candidate can complete two important tasks after the NEET 2024 result is announced:
In view of the previous year's NEET admission trends and by analysing them, candidates can gain an understanding of the medical/dental colleges they might get based on their NEET score and rank. Aspirants can calculate approximate NEET exam scores by analysing the NEET answer key 2024. With the NEET scores calculated, students could predict their ranks using NEET scores versus rank trends.
NTA releases the NEET 2024 answer key at neet.nta.nic.in. National Testing Agency will release the official NEET answer keys on the official website in PDF format along with the OMR sheet.
| Answer Type | Score |
|---|---|
| Correct Response/Answer | +4 Marks |
| Incorrect Response /Answer | -1 Mark |
| Unanswered | 0 |
| More than one response | 0 |
After the release of NTA NEET answer key, if any medical aspirant finds a correct answer to be incorrect or vice versa, he/she can challenge the same. Applicants will be given an opportunity to submit representation against the OMR grading by paying a non-refundable processing fee per question challenged. Challenges made by the candidates will be verified by the NTA with the help of a panel of subject experts. If found correct, the answer key will be revised accordingly. Based on the revised Final Answer Key, the result will be prepared and declared.
| Category | NEET Cut-off Percentile | NEET 2021 | NEET 2020 cut off score | NEET Cut off 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved | 50th Percentile | 720-138 | 720-147 | 701-134 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile | 137-108 | 146-113 | 133-107 |
| Unreserved -PH | 45th Percentile | 137-122 | 146-129 | 133-120 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PH | 40th Percentile | 121-108 | 128-113 | 119-107 |
Admissions to all seats of Undergraduate Medical / Dental Courses will be done through NEET (UG) - 2024. The following are the seats available under different quotas:
The counselling for admission to the seats under the control of State Governments/ UT Administrations / State Universities/ Institutions shall be conducted by the designated authorities of the State Governments as per the notifications issued separately by the authorities concerned.
| S.NO | NEET State Admission | S.NO | NEET State Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh MBBS Admission | 15 | Kerala MBBS Admission |
| 2 | Assam MBBS Admission | 16 | MP MBBS Admission |
| 3 | Bihar MBBS Admission | 17 | Maharashtra MBBS Admission |
| 4 | Chandigarh MBBS Admission | 18 | Meghalaya MBBS Admission |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh MBBS Admission | 19 | Manipur MBBS Admission |
| 6 | DU MBBS Admission | 20 | Odisha MBBS Admission |
| 7 | Goa MBBS Admission | 21 | Punjab MBBS Admission |
| 8 | Gujarat MBBS Admission | 22 | Rajasthan MBBS Admission |
| 9 | Haryana MBBS Admission | 23 | Telangana MBBS Admission |
| 10 | HP MBBS Admission | 24 | Tripura MBBS Admission |
| 11 | IPU MBBS Admission | 25 | Tamil Nadu MBBS Admission |
| 12 | J&K MBBS Admission | 26 | UP MBBS Admission |
| 13 | Jharkhand MBBS Admission | 27 | Uttarakhand MBBS Admission |
| 14 | Karnataka MBBS Admission | 28 | West Bengal MBBS Admission |
Candidates who are unsure what to do after NEET 2024 should note that many counseling authorities will publish their merit lists after NEET 2024 that will list state ranks for the eligible candidates. Some state counseling authorities may release two sets of NEET merit lists in 2024, one for government-run institutions and one for private ones. In the course of the respective counselling, you may be required to present the following essential documents. They are as follows:
In India, a student would have to clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to pursue a course in medicine. There are multiple career options after NEET, other than being a doctor that any medicine aspirant can pursue. Here we list out the different career options available for those who have cleared NEET:
The most popular NEET career option would be to become a doctor after pursuing the MBBS course. Being a doctor involves rigorous study and dedication, and is still considered one of the most hard-earned careers. Once a student completes the MBBS course, they can choose their preferred field of specialization to become a doctor in that area.
For those interested in the field of dentistry, the most preferred career option after NEET would be BDS. A dentist will have the choice of either working at a hospital in the dentistry department or can set up their dental clinic to start practice.
Another career option after NEET would be becoming an Ayurveda doctor after clearing the BAMS course. The BAMS course aims at providing well-rounded and holistic learning for healing through Ayurveda. Once completed, a person can practice as an Ayurvedic physician or an Ayurvedic surgeon.
BHMS is another alternative medicine approach through the science of homeopathy. Homeopathic doctors are in great demand in India and abroad. You can become a homeopathy doctor after clearing NEET and pursuing the BHMS course. You have a great career as a homeopathy doctor in practice after completing the course.
BSMS is the science of Siddha medicine, falling under the AYUSH system. You can become a doctor of Siddha after clearing NEET for eligibility and completing the 5 and a half years of study that includes classroom learning and internship. If you are interested in alternative medicine, BSMS is an ancient medical practice that has found popularity in recent times.
The rise in lifestyle diseases, health consciousness, and the drive to pursue an active lifestyle has made people aware of the importance of food and nutrition. There is a growing demand for specialized nutritionists in the country who can help you fight the sedentary lifestyle and its associated illnesses. As a nutritionist, you can work in independent practice, be a sports nutritionist for any sports person or team, write research papers or even work in the food production industry.
For those interested in biology and engineering, food science and technology would be a perfect choice. With food technology, you can learn about the science behind food, food safety, packaging, innovations in food, sourcing and raw materials, and a variety of other fields. It is one of the most exciting fields in medicine for those looking to tread the offbeat path.
Clinical Research is a field that is much in demand all over the world, but still in the nascent stage in India. There is a huge demand for clinical researchers in the country, which makes this an appealing and attractive job opportunity. You can find jobs in ICMR, CCMB, St John’s Research Institute, WHO, and other recognized research institutes in India and abroad.
There is growing recognition for behavioural sciences and how it affects every aspect of human nature. This is where the role of anthropology comes in. An anthropologist is a person who studies human evolution and traits. There are many branches of anthropology that you can pursue such as environmental anthropology, social anthropology, medical anthropology, and public anthropology. There is a dearth of anthropologists in the country, which makes it a very lucrative field for aspiring anthropologists.
Nursing as you know is one of the most dedicated and hard-working professions out there. A nurse is required to assist the doctor in their service, ensure timely care and check-ups for patients and be a support system throughout. It is one of the NEET career options that are forever in demand, not just in India, but around the world as well. There are plenty of hospitals in the private and public sectors where nurses are in high demand.
If you wish to pursue a career serving animals and plants, then agriculture and animal husbandry are the best NEET career options for you. From agriculture management to dairy farming, there are plenty of opportunities in this field where one would be required to undertake research activities for improving the production and quality of crops, breeding and nourishment of animals, greenhouse management and plant growth, etc.
Last but not the least, India being one of the largest drug and medicine manufacturers in the world, there is a huge market for pharmacists in hospitals across the nation. You can pursue the Pharm course and either join as a pharmacist in any reputed hospital or you can also clear PG/NET and become a drug researcher, both of which offer ample opportunities.
There are around 600 medical colleges in India that accept NEET scores. These colleges are well-known for their technical know-how, state -of -art facilities, quality education, research etc. The names of these colleges have been published in various magazines too. Here is a list of top NEET colleges in India that accept the NEET 2023 score:
AIIMS, New Delhi is a medical college and a public medical university. It offers its own medical degrees and distinctions in UG, PG and Doctoral programmes. AIIMS, New Delhi also offers postgraduate education and its main aim is to enhance training and research facilities for the faculties of medical colleges in India.
Among the top NEET medical colleges in India, Christian Medical College Vellore (CMC) offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and higher speciality courses in medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, and related fields. CMC is particularly well known for certain departments such as Neurosciences, Gastroenterology and Haematology. CMC’s commitment to education is centered on “hands-on” learning.
The Armed Forces Medical College is a leading medical training institute in Pune. This College is managed by the Indian Armed Forces and is ranked among the best medical colleges in India, It is also the 34th best globally by CEO World Magazine: 2021. It has the distinction of being the very first medical college set up and run by the Armed Forces of any country in Asia. It was established as a postgraduate teaching institution after World War II, and now it teaches and trains medical undergraduates and postgraduates, nursing undergraduates and postgraduates, dental postgraduates, and paramedics.
(JIPMER) is a public university in Pondicherry, which is also a top NEET college in India. It imparts undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical training. Established in 1964, JIPMER Pondicherry offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Besides these, several diplomas and certificate courses are offered. The Institute also offers DM/M.Ch/Fellowship at the super-speciality level and a PhD at the research level.
MAMC offers admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, and super-specialty programmes under Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Delhi. The MAMC MBBS admissions process 2021 is based on the NEET score. The medical college is attached to four hospitals with approximately 2,800 beds within the premises.
There are also PG and doctoral programmes offered by Maulana Azad Medical College in various fields, including Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT and Psychiatry. The college has 479 faculty members and 810 resident doctors with over 40 OTs.
This college was established in 1916 and later became a part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the University of Delhi in 1950. It ranked 9 on India Today in the year 2021. The college has nine departments and offers over 25 courses, including MBBS, MD/ MS, PG diploma, and MCh courses. Two teaching hospitals are part of the college, Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital and Kalawati Saran Child Hospital with 877 and 350 beds, respectively.Internationally, the college’s Department of Microbiology is known for its expertise in salmonella phage typing. Training and reference on streptococcal diseases for South-East Asia is provided through collaboration with the WHO.
Madras Medical College started in 1664 as a small hospital that was helping the sick soldiers of the East India Company. The institute is the third oldest medical college in India and is also the top NEET college in India .This college is affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and is approved by the Medical Council of India. MMC Chennai is ranked 16 for Medical by NIRF 2021. There are 39 sub-departments under the college, five main departments, six associated institutes, and two allied institutions, which together offer UG, PG, PG diploma, and PG super-specialty courses across the Medical stream.
GMC Mumbai is a medical college affiliated with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. This College is ranked 11 by India Today 2021 for Medicine & Health Sciences. The college is approved by MCI and has an attached Sir J.J. Group of hospitals and a tertiary care centre. The attached hospital has 2,844-beds that serve 12 lakh outpatients and 80,000 inpatients annually. Grant Medical College Mumbai offers UG, PG, and super-specialty courses across five streams namely Paramedical, Dental, Medical, Science, and Pharmacy to students.
KMC, Manipal is accredited by NAAC and is approved by NMC, General Medical Council of Great Britain, Malaysian Medical Council, Australian Medical Council, American Medical Association, and NYSED. KMC is affiliated with Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Kasturba Medical College has 47 departments offering several UG, PG, and postdoctoral programmes, including super specialty programmes in various disciplines of Medical Sciences. At Manipal, the college has a 150-bed teaching hospital and a medical center associated with it.
Also known as SRIHER is a medical Deemed to be a University in Chennai. It is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is accredited with an “A” Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The WHO has designated SRIHER as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Occupational Health. The faculty strength is around 950 and the student-faculty ratio is 1:7. Moreover, this college is a top NEET college in India.
Qualified and eligible candidates are required to register on the MCC website i.e. www.mcc.nic.in to participate in the counselling process for allotment of seat. MCC does not allot any seat either on nomination basis or manually.
| S.NO | CONVERSION CATEGORY | CATEGORY CONVERTED TO |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ST (PwD)/(CW) | ST |
| 2 | SC (PwD)/ (CW) | SC |
| 3 | UR (PwD)/(CW) | UR |
| 4 | OBC (PwD)/(CW) | OBC |
| 5 | ST | SC |
| 6 | SC | UR |
| 7 | NRI/Jain Minority/Muslim Minority | UR |
During participation in round 2 and mop-up candidates are required to submit fresh choices online during the time the window is open for the same. Choices which were filled during 1st round of choice filling will be null & void. All eligible candidates (as shown below) who desire to take part in second round, Mop Up Round of online allotment will have to submit fresh choices during choice submission period and lock the choices during period of locking. There will not be any indicative allotment in Round-2 or subsequent rounds of allotment, locked choices of the candidates would be processed and result will be published. Those candidates, who do not submit fresh choices for the round-2 and subsequent rounds of counselling, would not be considered.
