The question of whether AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) is tougher than NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is commonly asked by students aspiring to pursue medical education in India. While both AIIMS and NEET exams are highly competitive and difficult in their own right, the way they are structured, the level of difficulty, and their ultimate objectives are different.
To answer this question comprehensively, we need to compare the two based on various parameters such as exam format, difficulty level, syllabus, admission process, and the overall competitiveness of both exams.
1. Exam Format:
A. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test):
- Conducting Body: NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Purpose: NEET is the sole entrance exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical-related courses in India. It is a national-level exam for admission to medical colleges across the country.
- Mode of Examination: NEET is a pen-and-paper based exam (offline exam).
- Subjects: The exam includes Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology).
- Number of Questions: There are 180 questions (subject-wise).
- Physics: 45 questions
- Chemistry: 45 questions
- Biology: 90 questions
- Marking Scheme:
- +4 for each correct answer.
- -1 for each wrong answer (negative marking).
- Total Marks: 720 marks (180 questions × 4 marks each).
- Duration: The exam lasts for 3 hours.
B. AIIMS Entrance Exam (now replaced by NEET):
- Conducting Body: AIIMS was previously conducting its own entrance exam for admission to MBBS (before 2019). However, as of 2019, AIIMS has integrated its MBBS admissions with NEET. Thus, AIIMS no longer conducts a separate entrance exam for MBBS admissions. AIIMS now follows the NEET exam for MBBS seat allocation.
- Syllabus: AIIMS used to have a slightly different syllabus, with more emphasis on analytical and conceptual understanding. However, since the merger with NEET, AIIMS MBBS admissions are based solely on NEET scores.
- Exam Pattern (Before 2019): AIIMS entrance exams used to have a unique format with 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) spread across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Knowledge.
- Negative Marking: AIIMS had a negative marking system, similar to NEET, where marks were deducted for wrong answers.
- Duration: The AIIMS MBBS exam was a 3.5-hour exam.
2. Difficulty Level of AIIMS vs. NEET:
Before 2019, AIIMS entrance exams were considered to be slightly tougher than NEET due to the following factors:
A. AIIMS Exam (Before 2019):
- Higher Level of Conceptual Questions: AIIMS exams were known for asking questions that required higher-level conceptual understanding. The questions were more application-based and tested problem-solving skills.
- More Emphasis on Analytical Ability: AIIMS exams included questions that were designed to test the logical reasoning and analytical ability of the candidates, especially in Physics and Chemistry.
- General Knowledge Section: AIIMS also had a General Knowledge section that tested the awareness of candidates on current affairs, making it slightly different from NEET.
B. NEET Exam:
- Focused on Syllabus-Based Questions: NEET exams are largely focused on the syllabus prescribed by the NCERT for classes 11 and 12. The questions are more direct and fact-based, rather than being heavily analytical.
- Standardized Difficulty: The NEET exam has a standardized difficulty across the country, making it more predictable for students compared to the old AIIMS exam. NEET typically focuses on conceptual understanding with a moderate level of difficulty.
- Fewer Sections: NEET is more streamlined compared to AIIMS, focusing primarily on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with no General Knowledge section.
Overall Comparison:
- Before 2019, AIIMS exams were considered tougher due to their higher difficulty level, analytical nature, and additional General Knowledge section. The conceptual difficulty was considered greater.
- After 2019, AIIMS no longer conducts a separate entrance exam. Instead, the admissions are based on NEET scores, which have become the standard exam for medical college admissions across India, including AIIMS.
3. Syllabus:
Both AIIMS (before 2019) and NEET have a similar syllabus that is largely based on the NCERT curriculum for class 11 and 12. However, before 2019, AIIMS had some key differences in terms of the depth and application of knowledge:
- AIIMS (pre-2019) included a more analytical approach with deeper questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. AIIMS had a reputation for being more conceptually challenging, especially in subjects like Physics.
- NEET tends to focus on more straightforward questions from the prescribed syllabus, with an emphasis on ensuring students have a good foundation in the basics of the subjects.
Now, since AIIMS admissions are based on NEET, the syllabus overlap is nearly identical, so students preparing for NEET will also be preparing for admission to AIIMS.
4. Competitiveness:
AIIMS (Before 2019): The AIIMS exam, especially for AIIMS Delhi, was considered one of the most competitive medical entrance exams. Due to the limited number of seats at each campus and the prestige associated with AIIMS, the competition was incredibly intense. It attracted the top students who sought to study at one of the best medical institutions in India.
NEET: NEET is the largest medical entrance exam in India, with more than 18 lakh candidates appearing each year. While the competition is still very tough due to the sheer number of applicants, the larger number of seats across multiple medical colleges (compared to the limited seats at AIIMS) makes it slightly less competitive than the AIIMS exam (pre-2019). However, the NEET exam is still extremely competitive, as it serves as the gateway to a large number of medical colleges.
5. Seat Availability and Choice of Institutions:
AIIMS: As of 2025, there are 22 AIIMS campuses across India. Each campus offers approximately 50-100 MBBS seats. AIIMS Delhi remains the most prestigious, with 100 seats. Since AIIMS no longer conducts its own entrance exam and follows NEET scores, candidates must secure a high NEET rank to get into AIIMS institutions.
NEET: NEET offers admission to a much larger number of medical colleges across the country, with over 80,000 MBBS seats available, including in private and state medical colleges. Though the competition is intense, the availability of more seats gives NEET aspirants a slightly higher chance of securing admission compared to AIIMS.
Conclusion:
- Before 2019, AIIMS was generally considered tougher than NEET because of its higher difficulty level, the inclusion of a General Knowledge section, and a more analytical approach to subjects like Physics and Chemistry.
- Since 2019, AIIMS no longer conducts its own entrance exam. Instead, AIIMS admissions are based on the NEET exam. Therefore, the difficulty level between AIIMS and NEET is now the same, as AIIMS accepts NEET scores for MBBS admission.
- NEET remains the standard medical entrance exam for medical colleges across India, including AIIMS, and continues to be highly competitive with over 18 lakh candidates appearing each year for a much larger number of available seats.
In summary, AIIMS used to be tougher than NEET in terms of conceptual depth and exam format. However, with the merger of AIIMS and NEET after 2019, the question no longer applies since both exams are the same. Candidates aiming for AIIMS must now focus on achieving a high NEET score to secure admission.