Introduction

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a highly competitive examination for medical and dental aspirants in India. In recent discussions, there was speculation about the possibility of conducting NEET in two phases, NEET Phase 1 and NEET Phase 2. However, this article aims to clarify whether these theories hold any water.

Current NEET Examination Pattern

As of now, NEET is conducted in a single phase. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The exam is usually held once a year, typically in May, with the results announced in June.

Speculation About NEET Phase 1 and Phase 2

There are rumors suggesting the possibility of splitting the NEET into two phases, where the NEET Phase 1 would serve as a preliminary exam to just qualify, and the NEET Phase 2 would decide the ranks. Some sources even mentioned that these changes would only be implemented from 2019 onwards, as per an official announcement.

Reasons Against Implementing Two-Phase NEET

Despite the speculations, there are several reasons why the two-phase NEET concept is unlikely to materialize in the near future:

Lack of Organizational Readiness: The National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting NEET, must be fully operational. Currently, the NTA lacks its own dedicated website, which is a significant challenge. Form Release and Examination Timeline: If NEET were to be held twice in a year, the forms would need to be released in June or July. This would significantly populous examination and preparation schedules. Competitiveness and Fairness: The two-phase system could be unfair to class 12 students. Most of the droppers might attempt the December shift, and the following year's shift would be highly competitive, as the initial slots would be half-filled.

Official Announcements and Future Outlook

There remains no official confirmation about a two-phase NEET. From 2019 onwards, NEET will be held twice a year, as per recent announcements. For the 2018 examination, the NEET will follow the normal pattern. The first NEET will be held online in mid-February, with eight sitting options. Results will be announced in the first week of March.

The second NEET will be conducted in mid-May, with different sitting arrangements. Results for this examination will be announced in the first week of June.

Conclusion

While the idea of a two-phase NEET is theoretically appealing, its implementation faces significant logistical and organizational challenges. For the time being, it is more likely that NEET will follow its traditional single-phase examination process for the 2018 cycle, with the second phase being implemented from 2019 onwards. Interested students and candidates should keep an eye on official announcements and updates from the NTA.