NEET Compulsory or Not for Abroad Education

Is the NEET compulsory for abroad admission, even if I don't want to work in India?

NEET compulsory for abroad admission

The NEET exam, mandated by the National Medical Council (formerly MCI), is a prerequisite for Indian students seeking approval for their foreign medical degrees in India. However, aspiring doctors aiming to work overseas after completing their MBBS abroad might not require NEET. The NEET clearance becomes essential solely if seeking a medical license to practice in India.

For example, pursuing an MBBS in countries like the USA, UK, or Australia to practice solely in those countries after graduation doesn't necessitate a NEET qualification. The primary requirement lies in meeting the admission criteria of the chosen medical college abroad. Similarly, for other countries, if there's no intention to register with the Indian Medical Council in the future, the NEET exam isn't compulsory and holds no significance. The eligibility to practice in countries like the USA or UK is determined by final licensing exams such as USMLE or PLAB, respectively. Admission to foreign medical universities without a NEET score is possible if there are no plans to return and practice as a doctor in India. NEET remains crucial for those targeting medical practice in India post their foreign MBBS. After completing MBBS abroad, students aspiring to work in India must qualify for the NEET exam. However, the NEET scorecard isn't a prerequisite for overseas medical universities/colleges admission. These institutions request NEET scorecards during Visa Invitation issuance due to MCI regulations. Yet, failing to qualify for the NEET exam precludes practicing medicine in India. Students who haven't taken the MCI exam are eligible to study or work in countries like the UK or Germany, given the eligibility criteria in these countries necessitate the medical license from their home country, i.e., India, obtainable after clearing the MCI exam. MCI-recognized overseas medical universities offer an appealing opportunity for affordable medical education abroad. Upon completing MBBS from these universities, graduates can return to India, clear the MCI screening test, and commence medical practice there.

Understanding the Imperative of NEET for MBBS Abroad

In recent years, the significance of NEET for Indian students pursuing MBBS programs overseas has significantly amplified. The mandatory qualification requirement in NEET extends beyond the confines of the Indian medical education system, acting as a gateway to international medical studies.

Navigating Through NEET's Role in Foreign Medical Education

NEET, once considered primarily for admissions within India, now holds an indispensable position for Indian students aspiring to venture into foreign medical education. It's imperative to comprehend the nuances of NEET's role in facilitating or sometimes restricting the pursuit of MBBS abroad.

Key Aspects and Requirements for NEET Abroad

MBBS Admission Criteria and Beyond

The quest for studying medicine overseas without NEET warrants a meticulous understanding of the varied admission criteria set forth by international universities. While NEET might serve as a common ground, specific institutions might have additional prerequisites or exemptions based on their academic standards and affiliations.

NEET Exemption and Its Intricacies

The landscape of NEET exemption for international students navigating the terrain of foreign medical education demands a nuanced understanding. The intricate policies and varying regulations across universities and countries necessitate thorough research and strategic planning.

Details of qualifying examination codes for NTA NEET 2024

Code 01: Candidates who anticipate appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2024 and awaiting their board results must opt for this code. However, by admission, these candidates must have met the criteria for qualifying for Class 12; failing this, they will be deemed ineligible.

Code 02: Those aspiring candidates engaged in higher/senior secondary studies or undertaking the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISCE), equivalent to Class 12 after 12 years of study, should select this code. As per NCERT guidelines, the final two years of study should encompass science subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, or mathematics, with English as a core subject. It's important to note that the qualifying examination code for NEET 2024 for students taking a gap year remains the same. For instance, if candidates completed their qualifying exam from CBSE/ICSE or any state board in 2020 but intend to appear for NEET 2024, they can apply using Code 2.

Code 03: Aspirants who have successfully concluded their intermediate/pre-degree science examinations from an Indian university/board or any recognized body covering physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects should opt for this code. The course must include practical tests in science subjects. Candidates completing their Class 12 or equivalent from a state board must also select this code.

Code 04: Candidates who have finished a Pre-professional/Pre-medical Examination after passing either the Higher Secondary Examination, Pre-University, or an equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English must choose this code while applying. The Pre-professional/Pre-medical exam should include practical tests in these subjects and English as a compulsory subject.

Code 05: Those pursuing a three-year degree course from a recognized University with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as mandatory subjects and have cleared the first year, including practical tests in each of these subjects, should select this code. The qualifying exam here should be a University Examination, and candidates must have passed the earlier qualifying examination (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.

Code 06: Candidates who have completed a BSc Examination from a recognized university, with not less than two subjects among physics, chemistry, biology (botany, zoology), or Biotechnology, must choose this code. Additionally, they should have passed the earlier qualifying examination (10+2) with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Code 07: Aspirants who have cleared any other examination whose scope and standard align with the last two years of 10+2 study, comprising Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology, including practical tests in these subjects, akin to the Intermediate Science Examination of an Indian University/Board, should opt for this code. This code is also for candidates who have completed their qualifying examination from a foreign country.

How much percentage is required for MBBS in India?

As per the latest eligibility criteria, here is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 to apply for MBBS seats in India:

For OPEN category seats under All India Quota (15% seats) - You need minimum 50th percentile scores in NEET + have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotech with 60% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/PWD categories).

For State Quota seats (85%) - The exact % requirement varies across different states and colleges. But on average, you need:

50% minimum aggregate marks for the OPEN category.

40% minimum aggregate marks for SC/ST/OBC categories.

Some top government colleges set higher cut-off percentages in Class 12, reaching 90%+ for the Open category.

Additionally, a very high percentile score in the NEET exam, like 95%+, further strengthens your chances of securing an MBBS seat.

So, in summary - having above 50% to 60% PCB aggregate in 12th standard + high marks in NEET is essential to comfortably clear the cut-off for MBBS admission under government quota seats. The higher, the better!

Why Study Medicine Abroad?

Skip the tough competition. Many medical aspirants are applying for admission to medical universities compared to the number of seats available in India. Even students with high NEET cannot gain admission due to tough competition. But suppose they have qualified NEET even with a low score. In that case, they can opt to study MBBS in an MCI-recognized medical university and skip the uncertainty and severe competition to get the MBBS seat in India.

No requirement for huge funds The fee structures of private medical universities in India are so high that even the students with very high NEET scores may not get admission due to financial constraints. However, students can study MBBS abroad at affordable fees and receive a high-quality education.

Gateway to practice medicine in the United States Well-recognized abroad medical colleges follow international-standard US-based medical curricula. Some medical colleges abroad also support the preparation of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. After the USMLE qualification, the students can get a medical license to practice medicine in India, the United States, and several other countries worldwide.

Easy admission procedure: Various abroad medical universities provide a hassle-free, easy admission process. Apart from the NEET exam, there is no requirement for any entrance exam for admission to medical universities abroad.