NEET-SS 2023 - National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Super Speciality

About NEET-SS 2023

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Specialty (NEET-SS) stands as a pivotal milestone in the realm of medical education in India, serving as a gateway for accomplished medical professionals to embark on a journey of super specialization. As an all-India level competitive examination, NEET-SS is conducted by the esteemed National Board of Examinations (NBE) to identify and select the brightest minds and provide them with an opportunity to pursue Doctorate of Medicine (DM), Doctorate of National Board (DrNB) and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) courses in various distinguished medical institutions across the country. Designed to assess candidates' expertise, clinical acumen, and decision-making skills, NEET-SS plays a crucial role in enhancing the standard of medical education and fostering excellence in the realm of medical super specialities. This introduction explores the significance, eligibility criteria, examination pattern, and the vast array of super specialities offered by NEET-SS, shedding light on its vital role in shaping the future of medical professionals in India.

As per the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act of 2016, starting from the 2017 admission session, no other entrance examination conducted at the state or institution level will be considered valid for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB super speciality courses. It is imperative for candidates to qualify in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Speciality (NEET-SS) to become eligible for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB courses offered by different universities and institutions across the country.

NEET-SS is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The exam is conducted in English and takes place in various centres across the country. The question paper is tailored to assess a candidate's knowledge, clinical acumen, and decision-making skills in their chosen super-speciality. The NEET-SS 2023 will serve as the sole eligibility cum entrance examination for candidates seeking admission to Super Specialty Courses in the academic session 2023-24. This examination will encompass the following specialities:

• All DM/MCh Courses in the country including all Private Medical Colleges/Institutions/Universities/Deemed Universities.

• All DM/MCh courses at Armed Forces Medical Services Institution

• All DrNB Super-specialty Courses (except Direct 6 Years DrNB Courses)

Important Dates pertaining to NEET-SS 2023

The official website of the National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has not released the information brochure for NEET-SS 2023. However, candidates can look at the table below to get an idea about the tentative dates related to important NEET-SS events. 

Application Procedure for NEET-SS 2023

The application procedure for NEET-SS 2023 involves the following procedure- 

• New User Registration for generating the User ID and Password

• The new User ID and Password will be sent to the candidate through SMS and Email

• Applicant login using the newly created User ID and Password 

• Filling out the application form; providing the required information, uploading the necessary documents, scanned signature, thumb impression and prescribed photographs 

• Selecting the test city

• Online fee payment

• Agreeing to the declaration and submitting the Application 

• Candidates must take a printout of the filled Application form with the Transaction ID printed on it

Eligibility Criteria for NEET-SS 2023

Candidates are required to fulfil/meet the following criteria: 

• Applicants who hold a recognized postgraduate medical Degree/Provisional Pass Certificate (MD/MS/DNB) or an equivalent qualification, or are expected to possess the same by 15th September 2023, as per the eligible feeder speciality qualifications listed in Annexure B of this Information Bulletin, are eligible to apply for NEET-SS 2023.

• Any candidate discovered to be ineligible at any stage of NEET-SS 2023 will not be allowed to participate in the examination. If, by any chance, an ineligible candidate manages to appear and succeed in NEET-SS 2023, their result and candidature will be nullified or deemed cancelled as soon as their ineligibility is identified.

• It is compulsory to be registered with the NMC/State Medical Council, and documentary evidence of the registration must be provided at the test centre on the day of the examination.

• Candidates who are currently enrolled or have already begun a Doctoral Course (DM/MCh/DrNB) via NEET-SS are ineligible for admission to DrNB Superspecialty courses through NEET-SS 2023, for the entire duration specified for the course they have previously joined. This restriction applies regardless of whether they resign or discontinue the course for any reason.

Note- The issuance of the admit card to candidates for the examination does not guarantee their eligibility. Participating in NEET-SS 2023 does not automatically entitle the candidate to secure admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Super Specialty courses.

Colleges Accepting NEET-SS Score

Candidates scoring at or above the 50th percentile in NEET-SS within their respective speciality will be considered qualified. 

The NEET-SS 2023 will serve as the sole eligibility cum entrance examination for candidates seeking admission to Super Specialty Courses in the academic session 2023-24. This examination will encompass the following specialities:

• All DM/MCh Courses in the country including all Private Medical Colleges/Institutions/Universities/Deemed Universities.

• All DM/MCh courses at Armed Forces Medical Services Institution

• All DrNB Super-specialty Courses (except Direct 6 Years DrNB Courses)

The list of following Medical Institutions are covered in the list of colleges that accept NEET-SS scores for admission into DM/MCH courses:

• AIIMS, New Delhi, as well as other AIIMS that teach super-speciality courses

• PGIMER, Chandigarh

• JIPMER, Puducherry

• NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology,

• Thiruvananthapuram

Examination Pattern for NEET-SS 2023

The examination pattern for NEET-SS 2023 has not been released by NBEMS yet. The following is a tentative schedule for NEET-SS 2023 based on the pattern followed in 2022.  NEET-SS 2023 will be conducted as a computer-based examination with the different groups being tested in the morning and afternoon shifts. The question paper will comprise 150 questions that need to be attempted within two and a half hours (150 minutes).  The assessment will be conducted in groups, and the exam paper will include questions exclusively from the broad specialty primary feeder. Each candidate has the freedom to choose any super specialty based on their feeder subject.

The marking scheme for NEET-SS 2023 shall be as follows: For every correct answer, candidates will receive 4 marks For every incorrect answer, candidates will get 1 mark deducted Unattempted questions will not be allotted any marks 

Declaration of Results for NEET-SS 2023

The official dates for NEET-SS 2023 have not been released by NBEMS on their official website yet. Candidates must keep checking the website regularly for any new updates regarding NEET-SS 2023. However, a candidate can expect the tentative date for the declaration of results to be mid of September.  The result will be accessible on the NBEMS website at https://nbe.edu.in and https://natboard.edu.in. NBEMS will publish separate merit lists for each Question Paper Group, and no equating, scaling, or normalization will be applied. The merit list will be generated solely based on the candidate's marks and the application of the prescribed tie-breaking criteria. Candidates achieving the 50th percentile or higher in the specific merit list of each question paper group will be declared as qualified. Candidates can download the scorecard by logging into the applicant portal using their NBEMS ID and Password.

Outcomes of NEET-SS 2023

NEET-SS 2023 stands as the exclusive entrance examination that aspiring candidates must take to secure admission to Super Specialty Courses in the academic session 2023-24. NBEMS oversees the organization of NEET-SS, with its role limited to conducting the examination, declaring the results, and providing them to the designated counselling authority. NEET-SS 2023 will serve as the qualifying entrance exam for admission to Super Speciality courses in Private Medical Colleges, Institutions, and Universities/Deemed Universities across India for the academic session 2023-24. Additionally, Armed Forces Medical Services Institutions will also accept the NEET-SS 2023 scores. Candidates meeting the specified cut-off criteria will proceed to the counselling stage, where they will be allotted to various medical colleges to pursue their chosen courses.

Nevertheless, NBEMS does not partake in the counselling or seat allocation for SS courses. The verification of documents and evaluation of the candidate's eligibility will be conducted by the appropriate authority as part of the counselling and admission procedure. The Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW, has assigned the MCC with the crucial task of handling counselling for 100% of the seats of the contributing states, for the DM/Mch course nationwide in State/Private Colleges & Deemed Universities, with the exception of INI (Institute of National Importance) institutes.