Introduction
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a pivotal examination for aspiring medical students in India. NEET not only determines the eligibility of students to pursue MBBS but also plays a crucial role in the counseling and registration process for medical college admissions. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the NEET counseling and registration procedure, including the division of medical seats, the ranking system, and the steps involved in the counseling process.
The NEET Examination and Its Quota System
The NEET examination divides medical seats into two primary categories: State Quota Seats (SQ) and All-India Quota Seats (AIQ). Across all colleges, within and outside a student's home state, there are 85% state quota seats and 15% all-India quota seats respectively. Candidates receive both state and all-India ranks through the NEET examination. These ranks play a critical role in the admission process for students to medical colleges in their state and in other states, unless specific states like West Bengal (WBJEE) or Maharashtra conduct their separate Pre-Medical Test (PMT) for state quota seats.
Choosing Your Quota
Whether to choose an AIQ seat or an SQ seat depends on the candidate's individual circumstances. For instance, if an individual's AIQ rank is 2000 and their state rank is better, it might be beneficial to use the AIQ rank for a better medical college out of state than a subordinate state medical college based on their state rank. Conversely, if the state rank is relatively better, and the college offered via state quota ranks higher than other colleges (both within and outside the state), it makes more sense to opt for the state quota seat.
The NEET Counselling Process
The NEET counseling process involves several steps, starting from the online choice filling to the final verification and admission process.
1. Online Choice Filling
Following the NEET examination, candidates will be notified about the online choice filling process on the official NEET counseling and registration website. It is important to note that candidates might be allocated a choice based on their ranks, and subsequent rounds of choice filling will be announced if there are vacant seats. Each round of choice filling will have its own deadlines, which candidates must adhere to.
2. Verification of Marksheet and Documents
Once a candidate is allotted a college, they must proceed to a designated verification center to submit their marksheet and other required documents. This verification process is a one-time operation. However, if a candidate changes their chosen college in subsequent rounds of choice filling, they will need to collect their documents from the previous college and submit them to the new allotted college. This process is required before the candidate can get admitted to the new college after obtaining the leave letter from the previous college.
3. Admission Process
After the verification process is complete, the candidate will be admitted to the college of their choice. They should then follow the college's procedures to complete the admission process, which may include payment of fees, submission of additional forms, and completing health and other medical examinations as required.
Changes in Quota Preferences
Once a candidate is allotted a seat in a college of their choice, their prior choices become nullified. If a candidate initially receives a seat at IPGMER via the state quota and a seat at VMIMS Delhi via the all-India quota but ultimately chooses to join IPGMER, then VMIMS Delhi will automatically become null and void.
Candidates have the flexibility to alter their choices up to a certain point, but they should be aware that choices should be made wisely as they cannot be changed once locked. Each candidate should carefully consider their options, taking into account their rank, the colleges they are eligible for, and their preferences, to make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide helps aspiring medical students in understanding the NEET counseling and registration process. It is crucial to stay informed and be proactive throughout the process to ensure a smooth and successful admission to a medical college.
Keywords: NEET Counselling, NEET Registration, Medical Seats Allocation