From MBBS to MD: The Difference Between NEET UG and PG
Know the difference between NEET UG and NEET PG, including eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level, salary, and AIIMS comparison. Read now!
Students who started their medical career initially are often confused between NEET UG and NEET PG. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) consists of two separate tests named UG and PG which have different functions in medical careers. NEET UG functions as the admission exam for MBBS and BDS programs but students need NEET PG results for admission to postgraduate studies in MD or MS medical specializations. So, in this article we will clearly distinguish elements between NEET UG and NEET PG, so you know the difference between NEET UG and PG.
Difference Between NEET UG and PG: Overview
| Particulars | NEET UG (Undergraduate) | NEET PG (Postgraduate) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate |
| Purpose | Entrance exam for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other UG medical courses | Entrance exam for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB courses |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 1600 for General and OBC, Rs 900 for SC and ST | Rs. 4250 for General and OBC, Rs 3250 for SC and ST |
| Eligibility | 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects | MBBS degree with completion of internship |
| Exam Level | National-level UG exam | National-level PG exam |
| Syllabus | Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from Class 11 & 12 | MBBS syllabus (Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to high (based on NCERT syllabus) | High (based on MBBS subjects) |
| Career After Clearing | Admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, etc. | Admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma courses for specialization |
What is NEET UG?
National Testing Agency (NTA) provides NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate) as a national-level exam which grants MBBS BDS BAMS BHMS and other undergraduate medical course admissions throughout India. Medical colleges throughout India must use NEET UG as the exclusive admission entrance test for their undergraduate programs both in public institutions and private institutions.
The examination acts as an introductory pathway for students who wish to undertake doctor or dental studies as well as AYUSH education. A massive number of students compete each year for NEET UG and attempt for restricted medical college admission openings.
What is NEET PG?
National Board of Examinations conducts NEET PG (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate) which serves as the criterion for admission to MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), PG Diploma, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board) courses throughout India. The requirement exists for medical students to attempt NEET PG testing for postgraduate medicine.
Surgery and Pediatrics along with Dermatology constitute specific fields for doctors who need NEET PG admission to enter medical colleges across India.
Read More: How to Prepare for NEET at Home?
Difference Between NEET UG and PG Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | NEET UG (Undergraduate) | NEET PG (Postgraduate) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | 10+2 (Class 12) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) | MBBS degree from a recognized medical college |
| Mandatory Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English | MBBS subjects as per MCI/NMC guidelines |
| Minimum Marks Required | General: 50% in PCB SC/ST/OBC: 40% in PCB PwD (General): 45% in PCB |
General: 50% aggregate in MBBS SC/ST/OBC: 40% aggregate in MBBS PwD (General): 45% aggregate in MBBS |
| Age Criteria | Minimum: 17 years (as of Dec 31 of the exam year) Maximum: No upper age limit |
No age limit |
| Internship Requirement | Not required | 1-year mandatory internship (to be completed before admission) |
| Attempt Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Eligibility for Foreign Graduates | Foreign students must meet the equivalence criteria set by NMC | Foreign medical graduates must clear FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) before applying |
Difference Between NEET UG and PG Exam Pattern
| Aspect | NEET UG (Undergraduate) | NEET PG (Postgraduate) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-and-paper-based) | Online (Computer-based test - CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Questions | 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (NCERT syllabus of Class 11 & 12) | Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects from MBBS syllabus |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
+4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer |
| Total Marks | 720 | 800 |
| Number of Sections | 3 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | Divided based on different MBBS subjects |
| Language Options | 13 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc. | English only |
| Frequency of Exam | Conducted once a year | Conducted once a year |
NEET UG and PG Syllabus
NEET UG Syllabus (Undergraduate)
The NEET UG syllabus derives content from NCERT Class 11 and 12 education. The conducting authority NTA releases the official NEET UG Syllabus pdf every year before a few months prior to the exam. The syllabus generally includes:
- Physics: Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Modern Physics, etc.
- Chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry topics like Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules, etc.
- Biology: Genetics, Human Physiology, Ecology, Evolution, Cell Structure, Plant & Animal Kingdom, etc.
Click to download NEET UG 2025 Syllabus pdf by NTA.
NEET PG Syllabus (Postgraduate)
A postgraduate candidate must study MBBS subjects in NEET PG through separate units called Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical segments.
- Pre-clinical Subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
- Para-clinical Subjects: Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine
- Clinical Subjects: General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Radiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesia
Basic science subjects form the core content of NEET UG assessments yet NEET PG concentrates on extensive medical knowledge from MBBS education. Please let me know whether additional details about this information are needed.
Read More: Best NEET Mock Test Series 2025
Complexity of NEET UG Vs NEET PG: Which is Tougher?
The medical entrance exams NEET UG and NEET PG in India have various difficulty levels because they feature different contents and entry rates along with study demands.
NEET UG becomes a difficult exam because numerous students struggle to secure one of the few MBBS and BDS college seats. Students must learn to excel in fundamental concepts together with high-speed performance when studying the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum since Physics, Chemistry and Biology take up the syllabus.
The examination called NEET PG tests the complete MBBS curriculum from pre-clinical through clinical stages covering entire medical knowledge which proves very challenging for test-takers. The competition occurs between graduates who completed their MBBS studies because it tests their expert knowledge alongside exactness. The medical concept-focused exam poses difficulty beyond NEET UG because it demands advanced knowledge of analytical science.
NEET UG poses a challenging test of competition but NEET PG presents an additional hurdles in terms of challenging syllabus content along with in-depth medical knowledge. The preparations for NEET PG need greater practical medical experience whereas both tests require systematic planning. A person's level of dedication toward the subject along with their understanding of the subject material determines how hard they find the examination process.
NEET UG and PG Qualifiers Salary
After graduating from MBBS and passing NEET UG qualifers will typically earn less income than doctors who pass NEET PG examinations because specialized qualifications and increased expertise justify higher compensation.
Students who clear NEET UG follow MBBS training after which their starting salary depends on their position as intern or junior doctor or government or private hospital employment. The typical medical practitioner income for MBBS doctors in India falls between ₹5–12 LPA while most public healthcare facilities pay reduced wages than private medical institutions.
Doctors acquire higher levels of specialization following NEET PG when they choose fields such as Surgery and Pediatrics and Cardiology among others which means they earn greater salaries. The salary range for postgraduate doctors (MD/MS) spans between ₹12–30 LPA based on their expertise and hospital alignment and years of practice. Medical experts designated DM/MCh hold salaries which can surpass ₹50 LPA.
The salary earned by medical graduates after undergoing NEET UG is suitable but after qualifying through NEET PG they can expect much higher earnings due to their specialized skills. NEET PG provides candidates better long-term financial benefits including improved career opportunities and academic possibilities and private medical practice potential.
Read More: Total AIIMS Seats in India
Difference Between NEET and AIIMS
The medical entrance examination system underwent a change when NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) absorbed AIIMS MBBS within the NEET UG after year 2020. The comparison between NEET and AIIMS remains distinct due to their respective institutional and competitiveness aspects as well as their available opportunities.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) enables NTA to conduct a national-level medical entrance examination that grants access to MBBS, BDS, BAMS and BHMS along with other medical courses in all government and private medical colleges across India.
AIIMS refers to a group of prestigious medical institutions like AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, and AIIMS Jodhpur. The MBBS admissions process at AIIMS changed when the institution started accepting scores from the NEET UG examination instead of operating its private entrance test. AIIMS medical institutions provide elaborate facilities and better stipends and education quality than what other medical colleges can deliver.
The entrance exam used for most medical colleges in postgraduate admissions is NEET PG and INI-CET serves as the entry requirement for PG programs at AIIMS and its associated institutions PGIMER and NIMHANS along with JIPMER.
NEET UG functions as the admission requirement for MBBS education yet AIIMS maintains its position as an exceptional medical research institution.
I hope the article solved all your doubts relating to NEET UG and PG and for more latest news on NEET UG and PG exams do visit our website, NeetcoachingSikar.
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