Medical Entrance Exams

About Medical Exams

Medical entrance exams are conducted across India to select students for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate medical, dental, and allied health science courses. These exams are essential for candidates aspiring to become doctors, dentists, or medical professionals in reputed government and private institutions.

Who Can Appear for Medical Exams?

The eligibility criteria for medical exams vary depending on the level (UG or PG), but generally:

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen or fulfill specific nationality requirements (including OCI/PIO).
• For undergraduate medical courses, the candidate must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
• The minimum aggregate marks required are typically 50% for General category and 40% for SC/ST/OBC categories in PCB subjects.
• For postgraduate courses, the candidate must possess a recognized MBBS or BDS degree and have completed or be completing their internship by the specified date.

Major Medical Exams in India

Several national and state-level exams are conducted annually for admission to medical and allied courses. Some of the major medical exams include:

• NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate) – Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses.
• NEET-PG – For admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses across India.
• INICET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) – Conducted by AIIMS for admission to PG courses in AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and other INIs.
• AIIMS Nursing & Paramedical Exams – Separate exams for B.Sc. Nursing, M.Sc. Nursing, and paramedical courses in AIIMS institutes.
• FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) – For Indian citizens or OCI who have obtained medical degrees abroad and seek registration in India.
• State-level entrance exams – Some states conduct their own entrance or counseling processes for medical admissions.

Career Opportunities After Medical Exams

Clearing medical exams opens the gateway to a variety of career options in the healthcare sector. Candidates can become doctors, dentists, surgeons, medical researchers, or pursue allied medical fields like physiotherapy, nursing, or public health. Medical graduates can work in government hospitals, private hospitals, clinics, research organizations, or pursue higher studies in India or abroad.

Where Can You Get Placement?

Successful candidates can get admission into premier medical institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, government medical colleges, state medical universities, and reputed private medical colleges. After completion of their medical education, candidates can get placements in:

• Government hospitals and health departments
• Private hospitals and multispecialty clinics
• Research organizations and public health institutes
• Medical colleges and universities as faculty
• NGOs and international health organizations

Expected Salary

Medical professionals are among the most respected and well-paid in India. The salary depends on the specialization, location, and type of institution. On average:

• MBBS interns earn ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 per month during internship.
• Junior doctors earn ₹40,000 – ₹70,000 per month in government or private hospitals.
• Specialists and surgeons can earn ₹1 lakh – ₹3 lakh+ per month depending on their expertise.
• Medical faculty and researchers earn as per UGC/AIIMS pay scales and experience.

When Are Medical Exams Conducted?

Medical exams are conducted at different times of the year depending on the exam:

• NEET-UG – Usually conducted once a year (May) by NTA.
• NEET-PG – Generally held once a year (March–April).
• INICET – Conducted twice a year (May and November sessions).
• AIIMS Nursing & Paramedical – Scheduled as per AIIMS calendar.
• FMGE – Conducted twice a year (June and December).

Qualifying Procedure

The selection process for medical courses is based primarily on entrance exam scores followed by centralized counseling. The general procedure includes:

• Entrance Examination – Candidates must appear and qualify the relevant medical entrance exam (e.g., NEET).
• Merit List & Counseling – Based on scores and All India Rank, candidates are allotted seats through national or state-level counseling.
• Document Verification – Candidates must provide original certificates and mark sheets for verification.
• Admission & Fee Payment – Final admission is confirmed after seat acceptance and fee submission.