NEET syllabus
Category: NEET
Most NEET aspirants don't fail because they studied too little. They stumble because they studied the wrong things: old chapters, college-level extras and notes that no longer match the official syllabus. Every hour spent on a topic that can't appear in the paper is an hour taken away from revision and mock tests.
This guide gives you a clear, subject-wise picture of what the NEET UG syllabus covers, how marks are divided, which chapters deserve your time first and how to plan your preparation around them.
NEET UG paper at a glance
| Total questions | 180 |
| Total marks | 720 |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 90 questions • 360 marks |
| Chemistry | 45 questions • 180 marks |
| Physics | 45 questions • 180 marks |
| Marking | +4 correct, −1 wrong |
Why the official syllabus should be your starting point
The National Medical Commission (NMC) sets the NEET syllabus, and in recent years it has been rationalised to line up with the current NCERT textbooks of Classes 11 and 12. Some older chapters were dropped, a few were trimmed and more weight was given to practical, experiment-based understanding.
That shift has three direct consequences for you:
Nothing outside the syllabus is rewarded. If a topic was removed, no question will come from it, however good your old coaching notes are.
You get time back. Skipping deleted material can free up a meaningful part of your study calendar, which is better spent on revision and full-length tests.
Practical topics are easy marks. Lab-based ideas in Physics and Chemistry are often ignored, which makes them a cheap way to gain an edge.
Biology: half of your paper (360 marks)
Biology is the single biggest scoring block in NEET. With 90 questions, it carries as much weight as Physics and Chemistry put together. A strong Biology score takes pressure off the other two subjects, which is why toppers treat it as non-negotiable.
Unit-wise coverage and typical question load
| Unit | Class | Approx. questions |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity in the Living World | 11 | 8–10 |
| Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals | 11 | 7–9 |
| Cell: Structure and Function | 11 | 8–10 |
| Plant Physiology | 11 | 6–8 |
| Human Physiology | 11 | 10–12 |
| Reproduction | 12 | 7–9 |
| Genetics and Evolution | 12 | 12–15 |
| Biology and Human Welfare | 12 | 6–8 |
| Biotechnology and Its Applications | 12 | 8–10 |
| Ecology and Environment | 12 | 8–10 |
Question counts are approximate and based on patterns from past papers. They can shift from year to year.
Where to focus
- Genetics, Evolution and Biotechnology together make up one of the heaviest clusters in the paper. The Biotechnology chapters are short, but nearly every line is testable.
- Human and Plant Physiology reward understanding over rote learning. Concentrate on breathing, body fluids, excretion, chemical coordination, photosynthesis (C3 and C4 pathways) and respiration.
- Plant families and animal types need a systematic look: floral formulae, key characteristics and the structure of the frog in animal organisation.
Chemistry: the rank-booster (180 marks)
Chemistry has 45 questions, and it is often where rank gaps are created. Unlike Physics, much of it can be answered quickly if your concepts and recall are solid. The syllabus splits into three branches, and each needs a different study style.
Physical Chemistry: numbers and concepts
Class 11: Mole concept, Atomic Structure, Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium (chemical and ionic).
Class 12: Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics.
How to study: Keep a running formula notebook, work through every NCERT example, then practise numericals chapter by chapter until the calculations feel automatic.
Inorganic Chemistry: memory and trends
Core chapters: Periodic Classification, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, p-Block, d- and f-Block, Coordination Compounds.
How to study: This is usually the quickest section to score in, because many questions take seconds. Learn NCERT tables thoroughly, especially hybridisation, shapes, oxidation states and bonding theories.
Organic Chemistry: mechanisms and reactions
Class 11: Purification and characterisation, General Organic Chemistry (including isomerism), Hydrocarbons.
Class 12: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes; Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers; Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids; Amines; Biomolecules.
How to study: Organic builds on itself. If the basics of GOC are weak, later reactions will never make sense, so fix those first.
Don't skip the practical unit. Salt analysis, tests for functional groups and titration indicators are predictable and straightforward marks.
Physics: apply, don't just memorise (180 marks)
For many biology-stream students, Physics feels like the toughest part of NEET. It has 45 questions, and the paper rewards those who can apply a formula to an unfamiliar situation, not just recall it.
Class 11 units
Physics and Measurement • Kinematics • Laws of Motion • Work, Energy and Power • Rotational Motion • Gravitation • Properties of Solids and Liquids • Thermodynamics • Kinetic Theory of Gases • Oscillations and Waves
Class 12 units
Electrostatics • Current Electricity • Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism • Electromagnetic Induction and AC • Electromagnetic Waves • Optics (Ray and Wave) • Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation • Atoms and Nuclei • Electronic Devices • Experimental Skills
Chapters that pay off
- Modern Physics and Semiconductors: short, formula-light chapters that regularly supply several direct questions. Finish these early.
- Current Electricity and Optics: circuit rules, lens and prism formulae and Young's double-slit experiment come up again and again.
- Mechanics and Thermodynamics: Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Gravitation and Heat form a large block of both conceptual and calculation-based questions.
- Experimental Skills: review the Vernier callipers, screw gauge, simple pendulum, meter bridge and resonance tube. A couple of questions come straight from the procedures.
Which chapters to start with
You will not give every chapter equal time, so sort them by return on effort. This is one sensible way to do it:
| Priority | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| First | High marks, modest effort | Modern Physics, Semiconductors, Biotechnology, Ecology, Coordination Compounds, Atomic Structure, Biomolecules |
| Second | High marks, high effort | Genetics, Human Physiology, Rotational Motion, Ray Optics, Electrostatics, GOC, Aldehydes and Ketones, Equilibrium |
| Third | Moderate marks, easy to secure | Units and Dimensions, EM Waves, Reproductive Health, Microbes in Human Welfare, Periodicity |
A practical way to prepare
1. Keep the syllabus visible
Print the official topic list and pin it where you study. Tick a topic only after you have read it in NCERT, solved around a hundred MCQs on it and tried its previous-year questions.
2. Master NCERT before anything else
Biology and both chemistry streams that rely on recall draw heavily on NCERT text, diagrams and tables. Even in Physics, statement-based questions often reflect NCERT wording. Move to reference books only once NCERT is solid.
3. Skip questions from removed chapters
Older question papers and question banks sometimes include topics that are no longer in the syllabus. Cross them out and move on. Compare against the current NMC list when in doubt.
4. Test every week
Pick one day, take a timed test on that week's topics, and review every wrong answer the same evening. Keep an error log of forgotten formulae and repeated mistakes.
5. Revise in cycles
Plan at least two full revision rounds before the exam, with formula sheets and short notes for the last few weeks.
Important: confirm before you rely on any list
The syllabus above reflects the current NMC framework. NTA had not announced the NEET UG 2027 schedule or information bulletin at the time of writing. Always check the final syllabus and bulletin on neet.nta.nic.in and the NMC website once they are released.
Why your NEET score also matters for scholarships
Your NEET rank decides more than your college seat. Many merit-based and need-based scholarships for medical students ask for your entrance score, admission proof or category certificate. Keep your Class 12 marksheet, scorecard and income and category documents organised, so you can apply the moment a scholarship window opens.
Frequently asked questions
Has the NEET syllabus changed recently?
Yes. The NMC rationalised it to match current NCERT books, removing some older chapters and giving more attention to practical skills. Always follow the latest official version.
Which subject carries the most marks?
Biology. Its 90 questions are worth 360 marks, which is half the paper. Physics and Chemistry are worth 180 marks each.
Do questions come from outside NCERT?
Most are based directly or indirectly on the Class 11 and 12 NCERT books. For numerical problems in Physics and Physical Chemistry, though, you should also practise from a good MCQ workbook.
Is the Experimental Skills unit worth studying?
Yes. Topics such as instrument readings, salt analysis and functional group tests are predictable and quick to answer.
The bottom line
Treat the official syllabus as your map. Study NCERT deeply, give high-return chapters your best hours, test yourself every week and keep your documents ready for admissions and scholarships. Steady, focused preparation beats long, scattered hours.