List of Top Medical Entrance Exams in India After 12 (2026)

Remember that moment after your class 10 boards?

When you suddenly realized you had to choose between Science, Commerce, or Arts?

Most of you chose Science. You picked PCB Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

And your parents were probably happy and probably said to you “good choice!”

But now you’re in class 11 or 12. And the real question is hitting you differently.

“Okay, so how exactly do I become a doctor?”

“Is NEET the only exam? Or are there other medical entrance exams after 12th?”

“What if I don’t want MBBS? Can I still work in the medical field?”

“Does NEET apply for everything? MBBS, BDS, nursing, all of it?”

I get it. You’re confused. And that’s completely normal.

Because everywhere you look, it’s just “NEET this, NEET that.” Instagram toppers, YouTube videos, coaching institutes, everyone is screaming about NEET.

It almost feels like NEET is the only medical entrance exam that exists.

But it’s not.

The truth is simpler than you think. And once you understand it, a lot of the pressure goes away.

There are multiple medical entrance exams in India after 12th. NEET is the biggest and most competitive one. But it’s not the only path to a medical or healthcare career.

In this guide, you’ll get a complete, updated view of:

• All medical entrance exams available after 12th in India

• Which exam is for MBBS, which is for BDS, which is for nursing and paramedical

• The difference between national-level and state-level medical exams

• What happens if NEET isn’t your path (spoiler: you still have solid options)

• How to actually pick the right exam for your goals (not your neighbor’s)

By the end, you’ll have clarity. Real clarity. Not just hype.

Let’s go.

Why you need to know about medical entrance exams early

Most students realize they should have planned better only after they’ve wasted 6 months chasing the wrong exam or preparing the wrong way.

By then, it’s late.

Counselling deadlines have passed. Form submission windows are closed. And you’re left scrambling.

Don’t be that student.

Because NEET is not the only medical exam

This is the biggest myth.

Everyone tells you: “Do NEET. That’s it.”

But that’s like telling someone, “To succeed in life, just go to school.” It’s technically true for many paths, but it completely ignores the bigger picture.

Yes, NEET-UG is the main medical entrance exam for MBBS and BDS.

But there are also:

• AYUSH exams for Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Yoga & Naturopathy
• B.Sc. Nursing entrance exams (sometimes separate from NEET)
• Paramedical course exams for physiotherapy, radiology, medical lab technology, and more
• State-specific medical entrance exams for some courses
• Private university exams for medical courses in deemed institutions

So if someone tells you “NEET is the only exam,” they’re giving you incomplete information.

Different exams lead to different medical careers

Here’s what most people don’t understand. 

Becoming a “doctor” doesn’t have only one path.

You can:

• Become an MBBS doctor (allopathic medicine) via NEET-UG
• Become a dentist (BDS) via NEET-UG
• Become an Ayurveda doctor (BAMS) via NEET or state AYUSH exam
• Become a Homeopath (BHMS) via NEET or state AYUSH exam
• Become a B.Sc. Nursing graduate and work in hospitals, clinics, research
• Become a Physiotherapist (BPT) via paramedical entrance exam
• Work in medical lab technology, radiology, operation theatre and more via paramedical exams

All of these are legitimate healthcare careers.

They all require entrance exams.

But not all of them require NEET.

If you’re preparing for NEET thinking it’s the only way to work in healthcare, you might be overcomplicating your life.

One exam can change your entire college shortlist

Let me give you a real example.

Say you crack NEET-UG with a rank of 5,000.

That rank will get you specific colleges in specific cities. Good colleges, maybe. But a specific set.

Now say you also cleared a state-level medical exam for paramedical courses with a top-100 rank.

That rank opens a completely different set of colleges and opportunities.

Same year. Same effort level. But different outcomes.

Your exam choice → Your rank performance → Your college options → Your career path.

Change the exam, everything shifts.

So picking the right exam early isn’t just a formality. It directly impacts where you study and what you can become.

Planning early avoids last-minute panic

Let me tell you something that no one tells you clearly.

Each medical entrance exam has:

• Different application deadlines
• Different eligibility criteria
• Different counselling dates
• Different admission processes

If you wait until the last minute to figure out “Which exam should I actually take?”, you’ll miss application windows.

You’ll be filling forms in a panic. Making rushed decisions. Regretting later.

But if you know early, you can:

• Choose the right exam for your profile

• Plan your preparation timeline

• Mark important dates (application, exam date, counselling)

• Have a backup plan if something doesn’t work out

That breathing room? That’s priceless.

Choosing the right exam saves time and stress

To be honest, not everyone needs to chase everything.

Some students are NEET-focused. That’s their goal. MBBS or nothing. And that’s fine.

Other students have multiple interests. “I want to work in healthcare, but maybe not MBBS. Maybe nursing. Maybe a paramedic.”

If you’re in the second group and you spend 2 years chasing NEET with zero interest in it, that’s wasted time and wasted stress.

But if you knew early that “NEET is not for me, but B.Sc. Nursing is,” you could prepare strategically for that instead.

Same amount of work. Same amount of studying. But it goes toward something you actually want.

That’s the real power of knowing your options early.

List of medical entrance exams in India after 12th that you can consider

Okay, now let’s get to the actual list.

Medical entrance exams in India can be grouped into three main buckets.

First, there are national-level exams. These are valid across India. They have the highest competition but the widest reach. NEET is the king here.

Second, there are state-level exams and counsellings. Some states have their own exams or processes. These often have local advantages for domicile students.

Third, there are other medical-related exams. These are for AYUSH, nursing, paramedical, and other healthcare careers. Not everyone is aware of these, but they’re solid paths.

Let’s break each down.

Top national-level medical entrance exams

These exams are recognized and accepted across India.

They have the highest competition because students from all states are competing together.

But they also open doors to colleges across the country.

Here’s the complete list:

Exam Name	Courses Offered	Accepted Colleges	Conducting Body	Official Website
NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate)	MBBS, BDS, AYUSH (some colleges)	All government medical colleges (AIQ seats), most private colleges, deemed universities	National Testing Agency (NTA)	neet.nta.ac.in
AIIMS NEET / JIPMER NEET	MBBS, BDS	AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS PG centers, JIPMER Puducherry (now merged under NEET-UG system)	NTA (formerly separate, now unified)	neet.nta.ac.in

Key points about NEET-UG:

• One exam for almost everything. If you want MBBS or BDS in India, this is the exam.

• All India Quota (AIQ). 15% of government MBBS seats and 100% of deemed university seats are open to all-India candidates.

• State quota. 85% of government seats go to domicile students of that state (via state-level counselling using NEET ranks).

• Highest competition. Over 20 lakh students appear. Only top ranks get government seats.

• Conducted once a year (usually May). You can attempt it multiple times.

• Eligibility: Class 12 passed with Physics, Chemistry, Biology. Score ≥50th percentile (General), ≥40th (OBC), ≥30th (SC/ST).

What happened to AIIMS and JIPMER exams?

A few years back, AIIMS and JIPMER had separate entrance exams.

In 2020, both merged under NEET-UG. Now, to get into AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry, or any AIIMS center, you appear for NEET-UG and then participate in their separate counselling process.

So technically, AIIMS and JIPMER don’t have separate entrance exams anymore. NEET-UG is the gateway.

State-level medical entrance exams and counsellings

Now here’s where state rules matter.

Every state has medical colleges. And most states are now using NEET scores for MBBS and BDS admissions.

But how admissions happen varies by state.

Some states have their own counselling processes. Some have additional exams for paramedical courses or other health sciences. And eligibility rules (domicile, local residency requirements) differ.

Here’s a snapshot of major states:

State	MBBS/BDS Exam & Process	Major Medical Colleges	Key Notes	Official Website
Maharashtra	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Pune, Govt. Medical Colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur	State conducts separate counselling for state quota. Also has MHT CET for other professional courses	mahonline.gov.in
Tamil Nadu	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Madras, Govt. Medical Colleges in Chennai, Coimbatore	Strong state quota. Ancient universities like University of Madras. Merit-based and caste-based reservations applied	tnmedicalselection.org
Karnataka	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Bangalore, Govt. Medical Colleges in Bengaluru, Mangalore	State runs separate counselling. Also has COMEDK and other exams for engineering/other courses	cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
West Bengal	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Kolkata, Medical College Kolkata, IPGME&R	State conducts WBJEE for engineering, but uses NEET for medical	wbjeeadmissions.com
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Hyderabad, AIIMS Vijayawada, Govt. Medical Colleges	EAMCET used for other professional courses (not medicine). NEET-based for MBBS/BDS	oucet.org
Uttar Pradesh	NEET-UG (state counselling)	AIIMS Lucknow, KGMU, Govt. Medical Colleges	Large state with multiple medical colleges. State counselling conducted by OJEE/DGME	ojee.ac.in

What does “state quota” actually mean?

• A percentage of seats (usually 85%) in government medical colleges are reserved for students who are domiciles of that state.

• Domicile = You’ve studied in that state, or have residence proof, or meet criteria set by that state.

• To be eligible for state quota, you usually need to fulfill the state’s domicile requirements.

• Non-domicile students compete for All India Quota (AIQ) seats.

• All states now use NEET-UG scores. But they conduct their own counselling process and have their own rules.

Why should you care about state-level processes?

Because if you’re aiming for a government medical college in your own state, knowing how that state’s admission process works is crucial.

Different states have different:

• Counselling dates

• Preference choice windows

• Reservation categories

• Merit list preparation methods

Get this wrong, and you might lose out on a seat even after a good NEET rank.

Medical entrance exams other than NEET

This is the section that changes everything for many students.

Because yes, NEET dominates the conversation.

But if you’re not aiming for MBBS or BDS, or if NEET isn’t your thing, there are very real alternatives.

AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, BNYS)

AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy.

These are recognized medical systems in India with their own degree programs:

• BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) – 5.5 years

• BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) – 5.5 years

• BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery) – 5.5 years

• BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery) – 5.5 years

• BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences) – 4 years

How do you get admission?

In many states and institutions, AYUSH courses are now filled via NEET-UG scores.

But in some states and universities, there are:

• Separate AYUSH entrance exams run by universities or state governments

• Merit-based admissions using class 12 marks

• Direct admissions in private institutions

So before assuming “I’ll do NEET for AYUSH,” check your state’s process. You might have an easier alternative.

Can you practice AYUSH degrees like MBBS?

AYUSH practitioners are recognized in India and have their own regulatory bodies (like the CCIM for Ayurveda). But integration with the allopathy (MBBS) healthcare system is limited.

So if your long-term plan is “I want to be a doctor working in modern hospitals,” AYUSH might not be the fit. But if you’re genuinely interested in traditional medical systems, it’s a legitimate and respected path.

B.Sc. nursing and B.Sc. (nursing) entrance exams

B.Sc. Nursing is a 4-year degree program in nursing.

It’s not MBBS, but nurses are vital to healthcare.

How do you get admission?

• Some states use NEET-UG scores (nursing-specific ranks)

• Many states have separate nursing entrance exams conducted by health departments or nursing councils

• Some institutions use class 12 marks (PCB with minimum score) for admission

• Private nursing colleges often have their own entrance tests

Key point: NEET is often not mandatory for B.Sc. Nursing. Many students prepare for a separate nursing exam instead.

Why choose B.Sc. nursing over MBBS?

• Lower competition than NEET (fewer lakh applicants)

• Slightly shorter degree (4 years vs 5.5 years for MBBS)

• Clearer job prospects in hospitals, ICUs, clinics, research

• Can pursue higher studies (M.Sc. Nursing, PhD) or specialized roles

• If you’re not sure about MBBS but know healthcare interests you, nursing is a solid backup

Paramedical & Allied Health Science entrance exams

This is a huge category that gets zero attention but offers tons of opportunities.

What are paramedical courses?

• BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) – 4.5 years

• B.Sc. Medical Lab Technology (MLT) – 3 years

• B.Sc. Radiology & Imaging Technology – 3 years

• B.Sc. Operation Theatre Technology (OTT) – 3 years

• B.Sc. Optometry – 3 years

• B.Sc. Medical Records & Health Information Management – 3 years

• B.Sc. Anesthesia Technology – 3 years

And many more.

How do you get admission?

• State-level paramedical entrance exams (conducted by health departments)

• University-level exams run by medical universities

• Merit-based admission using class 12 marks (PCB + minimum score)

• Private institution entrance tests

Key advantage: These exams are much less competitive than NEET. Much, much less.

A good class 12 score or a reasonable rank in a paramedical exam can get you into a reputed college.

Why consider paramedical?

• Lower stress and competition

• Clearer job prospects (hospitals, diagnostic centers, clinics always need these professionals)

• Good salary potential

• International opportunities (BPT graduates, for example, often work abroad)

• Less “pressure to excel” compared to NEET culture

• If healthcare interests you but NEET stress doesn’t, this is your lane

Private university and deemed institution medical exams

Many private universities and deemed institutions have their own medical colleges.

Examples: VIT, Symbiosis, Manipal, Sri Ramachandra, Saveetha, etc.

They often conduct separate entrance exams or accept:

• NEET scores

• Their own entrance test

They also have higher fees (50-70 lakhs for 5.5 years, sometimes more), so only consider if you have the budget.

But they’re an option if NEET doesn’t go well and you want a backup with a decent college.

International options

Some students study MBBS abroad in countries like Russia, Georgia, Ukraine (when conditions allow), Philippines, etc.

These institutions often have:

• Their own entrance process (sometimes simple, based on class 12 marks)

• Lower fees (but still significant)

• The degree has to be validated in India via screening tests if you want to practice here

Fair warning: Studying MBBS abroad comes with risks (currency fluctuations, geopolitical instability, credential recognition in India is complex).

It’s an option, but requires deep research and financial stability.

Which medical entrance exam should you choose?

Okay, so now you know all these exams exist.

The next question is obvious.

“So which one should I actually take?”

Here’s the truth. It depends.

Not on what your friends are doing. Not on what your parents think is “safest.” Not on Instagram hype.

It depends on your actual goals, strengths, and circumstances.

If your dream is MBBS in a government medical college

NEET-UG is non-negotiable.

Simple as that.

Focus on NEET. Prepare seriously. Target a good rank (top 500-1000 gets you most government colleges across states).

No other exam will get you MBBS in a government college. NEET is the only path here.

If you want to work in healthcare but MBBS isn’t a must

Then you have options.

Ask yourself:

• Do I need to be an MBBS doctor specifically, or can I be a physiotherapist, nurse, or lab technician?

• Am I ready for NEET-level competition, or would I prefer an easier entrance exam?

• Do I want a 5.5-year degree (MBBS/BDS/AYUSH) or a shorter 3-4 year degree (Nursing/Paramedical)?

Based on your answers, you might prepare for:

• B.Sc. Nursing entrance exam

• State-level paramedical exam (BPT, MLT, etc.)

• AYUSH entrance exam

• Private college medical entrance test

If you’re unsure about everything (which is normal at this age)

Then keep your options open.

• Prepare for NEET but also practice paramedical exam questions

• Look into B.Sc. Nursing eligibility in your state

• Research AYUSH colleges in your area

• Don’t put all your chips on one exam until you’re 100% sure

This “multi-option” approach sounds messy, but it actually saves you from panicking later if NEET doesn’t work out.

Factor in your state’s rules

Remember, your state quota determines a lot.

If you’re aiming for a government college in your home state, you need to:

• Understand your state’s domicile requirements

• Know your state’s counselling process

• Check if alternative exams exist in your state for specific courses

A quick email to your state medical authority or a visit to their website can clarify this in 10 minutes.

Choose wisely, choose your medical path

Let’s be real for a moment.

You’re at a crossroads. And the pressure is intense.

Parents are anxious. Coaches are hyping NEET. Friends are comparing ranks. Social media is flooded with success stories. And somewhere in all this noise, you’re trying to figure out what you actually want.

So here’s what I want to tell you.

There is no “one right answer.”

NEET is important. But it’s not destiny.

Your exam choice is important. But it’s not your entire life.

What actually determines your success in healthcare is:

• Your genuine interest in the field (not just the prestige)

• Your willingness to prepare seriously for whatever exam you choose

• Your ability to stay consistent when it’s boring or difficult

• Your openness to different paths if your first choice doesn’t work out

The student who does B.Sc. Nursing with genuine passion will have a better career than the student who forced NEET, got a bad rank, and is now miserable.

The student who chose paramedical, excelled, and got into a good college will have opportunities that a failed NEET attempt might not give.

The student who prepared for AYUSH and succeeded will have a respected medical degree and a fulfilling career.

What matters is that your choice is yours not someone else’s and that you’re willing to work hard for it.

So explore your options. Ask questions. Talk to professionals in different fields. Understand what each path actually involves. Then choose the one that feels right for you.

Not for your parents. Not for your neighborhood aunties. Not for Instagram. For you.

Once you’ve chosen, commit fully.

That’s when the magic happens.

Ready to plan your medical entrance exam strategy?

I know all this information can feel overwhelming.

You’ve now got clarity on NEET, state-level exams, nursing, paramedical, AYUSH a lot of different paths.

The next step is figuring out which one actually fits your situation.

And that’s where expert guidance helps.

At Chaitanya’s Academy, we understand the complete landscape of medical entrance exams in India, not just NEET, but all of them.

We help students like you:

• Understand which exam matches your goals and strengths

• Build a clear preparation roadmap (instead of random, scattered studying)

• Navigate state-specific rules, counselling processes, and eligibility

• Plan backup options so you’re not panicking if Plan A doesn’t work

• Prepare with actual strategy (not just grinding hours)

Whether you’re 100% sure about NEET or still figuring out if MBBS is even your path, we can help you get clarity.

Because the right decision made early saves you from years of stress and regret later.

👉 Start your medical entrance exam journey with expert guidance. Reach out to Chaitanya’s Academy today.