Difference Between NEET UG and NEET PG: Exam , Eligibility, Syllabus, Career Scope & Salary

If you are here, we believe you are either at the start of your journey or somewhere in the midway, probably staring at the two words that are your goal and define everything, NEET UG and NEET PG. They surely sound similar but are different in numerous ways, and the world they unlock ahead? From dreams to degrees, totally different worlds.

NEET UG gives you a medical college, the license and NEET PG decides what kind of specialist you will become, both are equally important but the journey is poles apart.

Step One: NEET UG - Your Entry Gate

Fresh out of school people, bright-eyed and hopeful, this is where most of you will begin your medical journey. NEET UG is your pass for the top medical colleges across India to fulfill your MBBS dream. It is all about juggling with Physics, Chemistry and Biology with good old NCERT, mock tests and revision marathons. You become one of the lakhs of dreamers who just want a medical seat.

Step Two: NEET PG - The Specialization Struggle

Now you have survived medical college, hospital postings, sleepless nights and the first taste of real surgery. NEET PG is not about getting in anymore, it is where your stakes get higher, a deep end, it is about levelling up. Choosing between specializations, career paths, and life choices, the pressure adds up, kind of different league.

Importance of NEET UG vs NEET PG in India

Single Gateway Exam 

NEET UG is a must for admission into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other medical colleges in India.

The Standardised Hypothesis

Both NEET UG and NEET PG ensure merit-based admission and they eliminate the multiple entrance exam confusion.

The Centralised Chaos Minimiser

One nation, one exam so no more juggling multiple entrance tests.

The Great Filtering Formula

NEET UG and PG screens students for limited medical seats.

The Specialization Dilemma

NEET PG decides your future path and medical roles.

The Competition Escalation

From lakhs of UG takers to fiercely ranked PG hopefuls, its survival of the smartest.

The Transparency Protocol

A centralised process helps reduce backdoor entries and unfair means.

The NMC Mandate Manifestation

Both exams are backed by legal support from national agencies.

NEET UG vs NEET PG: How They are Different

Here you can take a glance at how NEET UG and NEET PG differ:

Who Can Take NEET UG?

• Students who have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. 
• The minimum age is 17 years. 
• Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign students can apply.

NEET UG Syllabus Overview

The syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12:

• Physics: Motion, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics
• Chemistry: Physical, Organic, Inorganic
• Biology: Cell Biology, Genetics, Physiology, Ecology

Read More :NEET UG Syllabus 2025

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

• Total Questions: 200
• Question Type: MCQs
• Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
• Sections: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Zoology + Botany)
• Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes

Application Process and Key Dates

• The exam has already been conducted and the results are out too.

NEET PG: The Road to Specialization

NEET PG Eligibility Criteria

• MBBS graduates who have completed their compulsory internship
• A valid registration with MCI or a State Medical Council is mandatory.

NEET PG Syllabus Breakdown

Covers all major MBBS subjects:

• Pre-clinical: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
• Para-clinical: Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology
• Clinical: Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics

Check Out: NEET PG 2025 Syllabus

Exam Pattern and Structure

• Total Questions: 200 MCQs
• Marking: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
• Mode: Online, single-day exam
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Conducting Body: NBE

Check Out: NEET PG Exam Pattern

Important Dates to Watch

Here are some important dates to look for NEET PG:

NEET UG vs NEET PG: Syllabus Compared 

Here we have made a comparison table of the syllabus of both NEET UG and NEET PG:

NEET UG vs NEET PG: Difficulty Level

You must be fighting with the question, which is more competitive - NEET UG or NEET OG? Both exams carry pressure, competition, cutthroat even, but still NEET PG has more than NEET UG in terms of difficulty level. Look at this table:

Your Medical Career Map Decoded: Career Options After NEET UG vs NEET PG

Your hard-earned rank can really take you beyond the traditional white coat role. From clinical mastery and global research to public health leadership and medical innovation, the opportunities after NEET are diverse and dynamic. Let’s explore where.

Career Options After NEET UG 

• Pursue Postgraduate Medical Education 

NEET PG, INI-CET, USMLE, PLAB

• Start Medical Practice 

As a General Physician after internship + registration

• Join Government Services 

Through UPSC CMS, state health departments

• Prepare for Foreign Licensing Exams 

USMLE for USA, PLAB for UK, AMC for Australia

• Research & Clinical Trials 

Join ICMR or pharma-backed research projects

• Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management 

MBA in Healthcare

• Work in Public Health Projects 

WHO, MSF, UNICEF-affiliated roles

• Medical Content Writing / EdTech roles 

NEET coaching and medical publishing

Career Options After NEET PG 

• Super-Specialization 

DM/MCh in fields like Cardiology, Neurology

• Consultant/Specialist Doctor 

In hospitals or private practice

• Teaching & Academic Roles 

Assistant Professor in medical colleges

• Research Fellowships / Clinical Trials 

national and international

• Medical Director / Hospital Management Roles
• Work Abroad 

After clearing licensing exams – MRCP, FRCS, etc.

• Medical Entrepreneurship 

Own clinic, diagnostics, and telehealth platforms

• Public Health Expert / Policy Advisor 

Join WHO, NCDC, Ministry of Health

Salary After NEET UG vs NEET PG

MBBS doctors earn decent pay while PG doctors earn more. Moreover, specializations like radiology, dermatology, and surgery pay the highest and if you are working abroad, you will need extra exams, but the salary is much higher than in India.

Go through this table to compare the salary after NEET UG vs NEET PG

Recommended Books for NEET UG and NEET PG Preparation

In the age of information explosion, it is more pivotal than ever to select the right books for your prep. Here we have given a list of a handful of books that are concise, focused, and exam-oriented and will assist you to brush up on anatomy basics or decode image-based questions. Look at this list of handpicked titles and trusted authors of NEET UG vs NEET PG books to streamline your preparation and boost your confidence on the D day.

Preparation Books for NEET PG

• Anatomy
• • Self Assessment and Review of Anatomy — Rajesh Kaushal
• Physiology
• • Review of Physiology — Dr. Soumen Manna, Dr. Krishna Kumar
• Biochemistry
• • Self Assessment and Review of Biochemistry — Rebecca James
• Pathology
• • Review of Pathology and Genetics — Sparsh Gupta
• Pharmacology
• • Review of Pharmacology — Gobind Rai Garg, Sparsh Gupta, Ranjan Patel
• Microbiology
• • Review of Microbiology and Immunology — Rachna Chaurasia
• Forensic Medicine
• • Self Assessment and Review of Basic Anatomy and Forensic Medicine — Arvind Arora
• PSM (Community Medicine)
• • Community Medicine — Vivek Jain
• Medicine
• • Complete Review of Medicine for NBE — Deepak Marwah
  • Alternative: Mudit Khanna
• Surgery
• • Surgery Essence — Pritesh Singh
  • Alternative: SRB Surgery Manual
• Pediatrics
• • Review of Pediatrics and Neonatology — Taruna Mehra
  • Alternative: OP Ghai
• OBG (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
• • Self Assessment and Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology — Sakshi Arora
• Ophthalmology
• • Comprehensive Ophthalmology — AK Khurana, Ruchi Rai
• ENT
• • ENT for Entrance Exams — Manisha Sinha, Sachin Budhiraja
• Radiology
• • Review of Radiology — Rajat Jain
• Anesthesia
• • PROAFS Anesthesia for NBE — Vivek Jain
• Orthopedics
• • Orthopedics Quick Review — Apurv Mehra
• Dermatology
• • Review of Dermatology — Saurabh Jindal
• Psychiatry
• • Review of Psychiatry — Praveen Tripathi
• Image-Based Questions
• • Final Edge (Image-Based) — Deepak Marwah

Preparation Books for NEET UG

Physics

• NCERT Physics (Class 11 & 12) — NCERT
• Concepts of Physics Vol 1 & 2 — HC Verma
• Objective Physics — DC Pandey (Arihant Series)
• Fundamentals of Physics — Halliday, Resnick & Walker (optional for deep concepts)

Chemistry

• NCERT Chemistry (Class 11 & 12) — NCERT
• Physical Chemistry — O.P. Tandon
• Organic Chemistry — Morrison & Boyd (for concept clarity)
• Objective Chemistry — R.K. Gupta (Arihant)
• Modern ABC Chemistry — Modern Publishers

Biology

• NCERT Biology (Class 11 & 12) — NCERT
• Trueman’s Elementary Biology Vol 1 & 2 — Trueman
• Objective Biology — Dinesh Publications
• Biology at Your Fingertips — MTG Editorial Board

NEET UG vs NEET PG: Conclusion

Different Stages, Same Passion

At sunset, NEET UG and NEET PG are just checkpoints in the medical journey of an aspirant. Energy is different, pressure is different but the dream is the same, to heal, to serve, to make a difference. Whether you are starting into medicine through NEET UG or carving your niche with NEET PG, both paths need clarity, commitment, and calculated effort. But keep this in mind, NEET UG sets the foundation and NEET PG defines the legacy.

NEET UG vs NEET PG: FAQs

Ques. Is NEET UG tougher than NEET PG?
Ans. No. NEET UG has more competition volume, but NEET PG is tougher content-wise.

Ques. Can I give NEET PG without completing my internship?
Ans. No, your MBBS internship must be completed by the cut-off date to be eligible.

Ques. How many times can I attempt NEET UG or PG?
Ans. There’s no official attempt limit as long as age or eligibility is not crossed.

Ques. Is NEET PG necessary after MBBS?
Ans. Not mandatory, but recommended if you want to specialize or earn more.

Ques. Can I get a government job after NEET UG?
Ans. Yes, many MBBS graduates join as Medical Officers in state or central services.

Ques. Is NEET UG enough to become a doctor?
Ans. Yes, it gets you the MBBS. But you must clear all years and your internship.

Ques. What’s the highest-paying PG specialization?
Ans. Radiology, Dermatology, Orthopedics, and Surgery top the list.

Ques. Do I need coaching for NEET PG if I’ve already cleared NEET UG?
Ans. It is not a must but it helps, especially for clinical subjects and image-based questions.

Ques. Can I practice abroad after NEET PG?
Ans. Yes, but you’ll need to clear licensing exams like MRCP, USMLE.

Ques. What if I don’t crack NEET PG?
Ans. You can reattempt, explore diploma courses, write foreign licensing exams, or enter public health or research roles. There are always second chances.