Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    NEET 2025 Exam Duration Change By NTA: Reduced Exam Duration Time

    NEET 2025 Exam Duration Change By NTA: Reduced Exam Duration Time

    Deep PathakUpdated on 14 Feb 2025, 04:26 PM IST

    The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is the only medical entrance exam in India, through which students can pursue MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in government and private institutions in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NEET exam has undergone several changes over the years. One of the most recent and notable changes announced for NEET 2025 is the NEET 2025 exam duration change. Read the full article to know comprehensively about the exam duration change in NEET 2025, its implications, and how it will affect aspirants.

    Live | Jul 16, 2026 | 3:10 PM IST

    This Story also Contains

    1. NEET exam time duration 2025 change by NTA
    2. Reasons behind the NEET 2025 time duration change
    3. Revised NEET time duration
    4. Impact on NEET exam pattern and question distribution
    5. NEET time duration 2025 - Preparation tips to follow
    NEET 2025 Exam Duration Change By NTA: Reduced Exam Duration Time
    NEET 2025 Exam Duration Change

    NEET exam time duration 2025 change by NTA

    For NEET 2025, the NTA has revised the total duration of the NEET 2025 exam. Previously, the NEET UG exam was conducted for 3 hours and 20 minutes (200 minutes). However, starting from the 2025 session, the exam duration of NEET UG has been reduced to 3 hours (180 minutes). This change marks a significant shift in the time management strategy required by candidates during the exam.

    Confused About College Admissions?

    Get expert advice on college selection, admission chances, and career path in a personalized counselling session.

    Book a Counselling Slot
    Select Date
    Pick a Slot

    Reasons behind the NEET 2025 time duration change

    The decision to reduce the exam duration has been influenced by several factors such as -

    1. Removal of section B in NEET 2025

    The NTA has changed the exam pattern of NEET 2025 exam. As per the NEET 2025 exam pattern changes, section B from the NEET question paper has been removed. Due to this now only 180 questions will be asked in the NEET UG exam instead of the previously set 200 questions. Due to this reduced total questions in NEET 2025, the exam duration has been reduced to 3 hours.

    JSS University Mysore Allied Sciences 2026

    NAAC A+ Accredited| Ranked #21 in University Category by NIRF | Applications open for multiple UG & PG Programs

    Emversity Allied Health Programs

    Get Job Ready in Healthcare | Employability-Focused Programs

    2. No optional questions

    NTA has announced that it is shifting the NEET exam pattern to the pre-COVID period and hence has removed the choice of optional questions from the NEET 2025 exam. Due to this removal of optional questions, the exam duration is reduced to 3 hours.

    Revised NEET time duration

    Particulars

    Timing

    Duration of NEET 2025 exam

    2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours)

    Last entry in the examination hall as per the NEET timing

    1:30 PM

    Sitting in the examination room

    1:15 PM onwards

    Announcement of important Instructions and checking of admit cards by the invigilator

    1:30 PM to 1:45 PM

    Distribution of the test booklet

    1:45 PM

    Writing of particulars on the test booklet by the candidates

    1:50 PM

    Starting time of NEET examination

    2:00 PM

    NEET UG 2025 conclude time

    5:00 PM

    Impact on NEET exam pattern and question distribution

    The NEET exam duration change in 2025 has impacted the NEET exam pattern. The total questions in NEET exam are now reduced to 180 and also the subject wise question distribution has been changed, which can be checked below.

    NEET 2025 exam pattern change

    Subjects

    Sections

    Number of questions

    Previous

    Revised

    Physics

    Section A

    35

    45

    Section B

    15

    0

    Chemistry

    Section A

    35

    45

    Section B

    15

    0

    Botany

    Section A

    35

    45

    Section B

    15

    0

    Zoology

    Section A

    35

    45

    Section B

    15

    0

    Total

    200

    180

    NEET Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
    Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

    NEET time duration 2025 - Preparation tips to follow

    To adapt to the reduced exam duration of the NEET UG 2025 exam, students can follow these preparation tips -

    • Practice time bound mock tests - With the exam duration being reduced by 20 minutes, it is important for candidates that they attempt all the questions in the limited given time. Hence, it becomes important to regularly take mock tests under timed conditions to get an idea of the actual exam environment.

    • Focus on high weightage topics - With a lesser time to attempt the NEET question paper, aspirants should focus more on high weightage topics so that they can secure maximum marks in the given limited NEET exam duration.

    • Develop a question selection strategy - Candidates should practice in identifying and attempting the easier questions first. By doing so, aspirants will be left with more time to attempt the tough questions later.

    • Enhance speed and accuracy - Students should practice solving questions quickly so that they can attempt all questions. However there is a provision of negative marking in NEET and hence, candidates should also focus on maintaining accuracy. Students can use techniques like elimination and approximation to save their time.

    NEET Rank & College Predictor
    Predict your NEET 2026 rank instantly & check your MBBS/BDS admision chances
    Try Now
    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Medicine Exams
    Ongoing Dates
    SVNIRTAR CET Score Card Date

    9 Jul'26 - 30 Dec'26 (Online)

    Ongoing Dates
    IPU Paramedical Exam Counselling Date

    14 Jul'26 - 17 Jul'26 (Online)

    Certifications By Top Providers
    Management of Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice
    Via Tagore Dental College and Hospital, Chennai
    Online M.Sc Psychology
    Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Andhra University
    School Counseling
    Via Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore
    Digital Forensic
    Via Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar
    Counseling Psychology
    Via Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to NEET

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NEET ?

    You can watch recorded NEET counselling webinars from several trusted sources:

    Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) – The official MCC website publishes counselling schedules, notices, information bulletins, and updates. While it does not regularly host recorded webinars, it is the most reliable source for official counselling information.

    Hey there,

    With 343 marks in NEET UG and Bihar domicile, getting an MBBS seat at Katihar Medical College through the mop-up or stray vacancy rounds is possible but not guaranteed. Admission depends on your NEET rank, category, counselling round, and seat availability. You should participate in all Bihar UGMAC

    Hey there,

    With 115 marks in Re-NEET 2026, getting a BAMS seat through the management quota is unlikely, as you must first qualify NEET and also meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the counselling authority. If your score is above the official qualifying cutoff for your category, you may have

    Hello Dear Student,
    With 526 marks in the NEET 2026 exam, your expected All India Rank (AIR) will be roughly in the range of 26,000 to 39,000. For the OBC category specifically, your state rank in Bihar will likely hover between 4,000 and 6,000.

    You can check, find and access

    Hello Dear Student,
    No, NEET is not compulsory for BPT admission in the 2026–27 academic year. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) issued an official notification deferring the mandatory NEET requirement for Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses until the 2027–28 academic