Explore Medical Entrance Exams After 12th​ In India

Students who want to make a career in healthcare are aware that clearing a medical entrance exam is the first step. In India, these exams are opportunities to get admission into a variety of courses ranging from MBBS and BDS to Nursing, AYUSH, and various other paramedical courses.

Your choice of exams plays a vital role in your success, as there’s stiff competition for limited seats. No matter whether you wish to become a doctor, a specialist, or a medical professional in nursing or allied sciences, knowing about all the different medical entrance exams in India helps you not to miss out on any golden opportunities.

This guide has all the important entrance exams for medical students after class 12, guiding you towards the correct path for your profession.

Why Knowing All Medical Exams Is Important

The medical industry provides many career opportunities, such as doctors, nurses, medical researchers, and diagnostic experts. Students have to get themselves qualified for certain exams to pursue these opportunities.

Even though the most common exam is the NEET medical entrance exam, there are also medical entrance exams other than NEET which are equally important for different courses.

Being familiar with different medical entrance exams allows students to prepare in advance and target the right programs. Whereas a few exams are specific to undergraduate courses, others to postgraduate courses, there are some which provide ways into nursing or AYUSH courses.

You can plan your medical education path wisely by investigating all the possibilities.

Find out the Best Medical Entrance Exams in India

Go through this close-up view of the major names of medical entrance exams that you must be aware of in 2026.

1. NEET UG (National Eligibility Entrance Test Undergraduate)

NEET medical entrance exam is the major entry for undergraduate medicine courses like MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH. NEET UG is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for Indian government and private college admissions. NEET UG is an offline exam, with more than 24 lakh students showing up annually.

Eligibility for NEET UG is passing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. NEET scores are also accepted for veterinary and other paramedical degrees.
 

2. NEET PG (Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam)

NEET PG qualifying is a must for MBBS students who want to pursue postgraduate studies like MD, MS, or PG Diploma. Organized by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), this exam tests candidates on topics related to their medical specialty.

You must have thorough knowledge of all the medical topics since the examination is extremely competitive.
 

3. NEET SS (Super Specialty Medical Entrance Exam)

The NEET SS is specifically for physicians who are looking for admission to super-specialty courses such as DM and MCh in Indian medical colleges. It is organized by the NBE every year, and the qualification is a postgraduate degree in medicine.

You have to take this exam if you want to further specialize in your chosen field.

4. NEET MDS (Master of Dental Surgery Entrance Exam)

NEET MDS is organized by the NBE for admission to postgraduate dental courses. The candidate should possess a BDS degree.

5. Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET)

The INI CET is organized by AIIMS, New Delhi, for admission into MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS courses. The test is computer-based and is conducted twice a year for the January and July batches.

This entrance test is significant for students aspiring to enter top institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and PGIMER. The candidates may access information and enroll on the AIIMS official website.

6. FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination)

FMGE lets foreign Indian students or Indian nationals practice medicine in India. It is organized by the NBE and is regarded as one of the most challenging medical entrance exams in India.

Foreign Indian students or Indian nationals pursuing medicine abroad need to clear this exam in order to practice legally in India.

7. All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test

AIAPGET (All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test) is a mandatory exam for you if you want to get into postgraduate courses in AYUSH systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Organized by the NTA, it features courses such as MD, MS, and PG Diploma.

8. AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam

AIIMS, Delhi, administers the AIIMS Nursing tests for undergraduate and postgraduate BSc and MSc nursing courses. The test is computer-based and lasts 2 hours for BSc (Hons) and 1 hour and 30 minutes for post-basic BSc Nursing.

Applicants from all over India are eligible to apply, and the test provides admission into one of India's best nursing colleges.

How to Decide on the Medical Entrance Exam for You

Take the exam based on what you want to do in the future and what you have studied to date. This is how you can choose which medical entrance exam name must be on your priority list:

• Choose Your Target Course: Determine if you want to go for MBBS, BDS, Nursing, or AYUSH.
• Check Eligibility: Check if you are eligible for the exam you want to apply for.
• Plan Your Schedule: Prepare for exams according to their dates so that there's no conflict.
• Prepare Strategically: Prepare on topics concerning your target entrance exam for medical students after 12.

Being well-read about all the medical entrance exams helps you make the correct decision and even gives you the chance of getting into the best colleges.

Take the First Step Toward Your Medical Career

Passing a medical entrance exam is what helps you build a lucrative healthcare career. All of the medical entrance exams you choose to take will lead to prestigious courses and super specialist professions.

You can navigate the competitive environment of the entrance exams with ease when you have prepared well. Your career dream to be a medical professional is within your grasp. Just be smart about your exam preparation.

PrepMed is here to assist you in your studies. Guided by seasoned teachers in courses, mock tests, and customized study materials, PrepMed prepares you to shine.

Connect with PrepMed today and get all the information you want about taking medical entrance exams.

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