The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently announced revisions to the NEET 2024 syllabus, specifically targeting Chemistry and Biology. As part of the changes, NMC has eliminated nine chapters from Chemistry and six chapters from Biology. Although some sub-topics have been added, experts have expressed concerns about the reduction of the syllabus.
NEET serves as the entrance examination for medical courses and is conducted for a total of 720 marks, with Biology accounting for 360 marks, and Physics and Chemistry each for 180 marks. Previously, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was responsible for releasing the syllabus annually. However, this year, NMC has taken charge and finalized the syllabus for NEET 2024.
In Chemistry, the deleted chapters include State of Matter, Hydrogen, The s-Block Elements, Environmental Chemistry, The Solid State, Surface Chemistry, General Principles & Processes of Isolation of Elements, Polymers, and Chemistry in Everyday life. Similarly, in Biology, chapters such as Transport in Plants, Mineral Nutrition, Digestion and Absorption, Reproduction in Organisms, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production, and Environmental Issues are no longer part of the syllabus.
While these changes have created confusion and concern among students and coaching centers, experts have raised objections to the reduction of the syllabus in NEET 2024. Hanumantha Rao, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Dean of Parishrama NEET Academy in Bengaluru, argues that some of the deleted chapters in Chemistry and Biology were helpful in improving students’ scores and were also relevant for their medical education.
Rao further highlights practical issues, stating that the syllabus had already been taught to students, and any changes should ideally be implemented at the beginning of the academic year. The shift in responsibility for releasing the syllabus has also contributed to the confusion among students and coaching centers, as NTA now handles the syllabus for JEE (Mains) 2024, which aligns with NMC’s prescribed syllabus for NEET 2024. As a result, clarity is needed regarding the syllabus release for NEET 2024.
In conclusion, the announcement of the NMC’s revised NEET 2024 syllabus, with reductions in Chemistry and Biology chapters, has raised concerns among experts. Although students and coaching centers grapple with the implications of these changes, the Government needs to provide clarity regarding the syllabus and ensure a smooth transition for NEET aspirants.
By presenting the revised NEET syllabus and expert opinions, this article sheds light on the recent changes and their impact on students preparing for NEET 2024.
