The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the NEET 2025 exam pattern, returning to the pre-COVID format. The optional questions introduced during the pandemic have been removed, and the total number of questions has been reduced from 200 to 180, all of which are now mandatory.
NEET 2025: Key Changes
- Total Questions: 180 (45 in Physics, 45 in Chemistry, 90 in Biology).
- Exam Duration: Reduced to 180 minutes (3 hours) from the previous 200 minutes.
- No Optional Questions: Section B, introduced during COVID-19, has been removed.
Marking Scheme
- +4 marks for each correct answer.
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer.
- Approximately 1 minute per question, emphasizing time management.
NTA stated, “The question paper and exam duration have been aligned with the pre-COVID format to ensure uniformity and simplicity.”
Join NEET News 2025 NEET 2025: Call for Online Mode
The decision to continue NEET 2025 in a pen-and-paper format has sparked debate, with medical professionals advocating for a shift to an online mode. They highlighted several advantages, including:
- Faster result processing
- Reduced evaluation errors
- Elimination of logistical delays
Experts, including FAIMA members, argued that an online format would enhance transparency, fairness, and security. Concerns over the traditional system, such as the NEET 2024 paper leak, further fueled the push for change.
NEET 2025: Proposed Security Measures for Online Exams
Critics labeled the return to OMR-based exams as a “retrogressive step” and suggested incorporating robust security measures for online exams, including:
- Biometric verification
- AI-powered fraud detection
- IP address monitoring
- Audio-video recording
- End-to-end encryption
NEET 2025 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Botany | 45 | 180 |
| Zoology | 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
NEET 2025 Key Details
- Exam Mode: Pen-and-paper-based (OMR).
- Schedule: Single day, single shift.
- APAAR ID: Not mandatory for registrations.
- Syllabus: Unchanged from the previous year.
- Notification: The official notification, application form, and information bulletin are expected to be released soon.
