Step-by-Step NEET Counselling Process and Course Choices
The concept of What After NEET is essential for every medical aspirant. It explains the pathways, processes, and smart decisions students must make after appearing for the NEET exam to secure admissions and future careers in the medical field.
Understanding What After NEET
What After NEET refers to the step-by-step journey a student takes after the NEET exam, including result checking, counselling, admission into courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and exploring career options and alternatives. This concept is important in fields like post-NEET medical counselling, course selection, and future medical career planning.
Step-by-Step Process: What After NEET?
After the NEET exam, every aspirant should follow these essential steps:
- Check NEET results and download your scorecard from the NTA website.
- Use the answer key to verify your marks.
- Confirm if you meet the NEET cutoff for your category.
- Register for UG/PG medical counselling (All India/State/Private/Deemed) as per score.
- Take part in the seat allotment rounds and fill choices of colleges and courses.
- Accept and report to the allotted college for admission, document verification, and fee payment.
Types of Medical Seats After NEET
Here's a helpful table to understand the seat allocation after NEET counselling at a glance:
| Seat Type | Eligibility | Counselling Authority |
|---|---|---|
| All India Quota (AIQ - 15%) | All NEET qualifiers (except J&K, unless self-declared) | DGHS/MCC |
| State Quota (85%) | Domicile in respective state | State Medical Counselling |
| Deemed/Central Universities | All India; separate criteria for some institutes | DGHS/MCC |
| Private Colleges | All NEET qualifiers (may vary by state) | Respective State |
| NRI/Management Quota | Specific guidelines, high fee structure | Respective College/State |
Courses Available After NEET
The main medical and allied courses you can opt for after qualifying NEET are:
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery)
- BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery)
- BUMS, BSMS, BYMS (Unani, Siddha, Yoga & Naturopathy courses)
- B.V.Sc & AH (Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry)
- B.Sc Nursing (in some government/army colleges through NEET)
- Courses after NEET other than MBBS (like Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Paramedical)
What If You Miss or Score Low in NEET?
Not everyone qualifies on the first attempt or scores very high. Here’s what you can do if your NEET score is low or if you don’t clear the exam:
- Reattempt NEET: There is no attempt limit as per latest NTA rules.
- Explore AYUSH, Veterinary, and paramedical courses available for lower ranks.
- Go for allied health sciences: Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Lab Technician, Physiotherapy, Clinical Psychology, etc.
- Pursue B.Sc. Biology, Biotechnology, or related sciences: Many research and pharma career options open up.
- Consider jobs or certifications in the medical sector while preparing again.
Job Roles & Salary Expectations After NEET Courses
Here’s a simple salary overview for popular medical professions after completing courses through NEET:
| Profession | Starting Salary (per annum) | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS Doctor | INR 6–12 lac | Resident/Junior Doctor, General Physician |
| Dentist (BDS) | INR 4–8 lac | Dental Surgeon, Associate Dentist |
| AYUSH Doctor (BAMS/BHMS/BUMS) | INR 3–7 lac | Healthcare Practitioner, Consultant |
| Veterinarian (BVSc) | INR 5–8 lac | Animal Doctor, Vet Consultant |
| Biotechnologist/Biomedical | INR 3–8 lac | R&D, Lab Scientist |
Quick Revision: Admission Steps After NEET
- Verify NEET result and scorecard
- Calculate your percentile and check eligibility
- Choose preferred courses and colleges
- Register for the correct counselling portal (AIQ/State/Deemed)
- Prepare required documents
- Fill and lock your choices
- Follow seat allotment and confirm admission
Example Questions on What After NEET
- Which counselling authority is responsible for AIQ seats after NEET?
- List documents needed for NEET-UG admission in a state government college.
- What if a student misses the NEET mop-up round?
- How does the NEET cutoff differ for SC/ST vs General category?
Essential Resources for What After NEET UG/PG
- NEET Syllabus 2026 – for those preparing for next attempt
- NEET Eligibility Criteria – to understand minimum required marks and qualifying exams
- MBBS/BDS Admission Process – for Kalps and document details
- Courses List Rank Wise – explore alternate NEET courses and options
- Tamil Nadu MBBS Counselling – Example state counselling page
- NEET Rank Predictor Tool – to estimate chances and plan strategy
- NEET Previous Year Question Papers
- NEET Important Notes
In this article, we explored What After NEET, covering the stepwise post-exam process, seat allocation types, all courses open after NEET (including MBBS/BDS/AYUSH and others), handling a low score, jobs and salary outlook, and preparation resources. Remember, every NEET aspirant can find their ideal career path with proper guidance and planning. For more stepwise guides, live resources, and expert mentorship, keep visiting Vedantu’s NEET section and keep practicing confidently!
FAQs on Your Complete Guide on What to Do After NEET: Courses, Counselling & Careers
1. What is the next step after NEET exam?
After the NEET exam, the immediate next steps are to check your NEET result and download your scorecard. Then, use the official answer keys and OMR sheets to verify your marks. Confirm if you meet the qualifying cutoff for your category. Qualified candidates must register for the NEET counselling process (AIQ/State/Private), participate in seat allotment rounds, and finally choose and confirm admission in a medical or dental college.
2. Which is the best course after NEET?
The best course after NEET depends on your rank, interests, and eligibility. Popular options include MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BYMS, and specialized postgraduate medical courses like MD, MS, or MDS. For lower ranks or alternate interests, allied healthcare courses or opting for biomedical sciences and veterinary science can also be excellent choices with promising career prospects.
3. What is the salary of a NEET student?
Salaries after completing courses through NEET admissions vary widely by specialty and experience. Fresh MBBS graduates may start with a salary ranging between ₹3 to ₹8 lakhs per annum, while specialists or doctors with postgraduate degrees can earn significantly more. Allied medical and paramedical professionals have different pay scales, typically starting from ₹2 lakhs onwards depending on the role and sector.
4. What if my NEET score is low or I fail?
If you score below the NEET cutoff or fail to qualify, you can reattempt the exam as there is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts as per the latest guidelines. Additionally, you can explore alternate medical and allied health courses such as nursing, biomedical engineering, optometry, clinical psychology, and others that do not require NEET scores but have great career potential. Continue preparing strategically to improve your score in the next attempt.
5. How is the NEET counselling process conducted?
The NEET counselling process is conducted by the DGHS (Medical Counselling Committee) for All India Quota (AIQ) seats, central/deemed universities, and some special seats, while state authorities handle state quota seats and private colleges. Counselling involves registration, choice filling, seat allotment in multiple rounds, document verification, and admission confirmation. It is essential to stay updated with the respective counselling authority’s notifications and prepare required documents in advance.
6. Why do students miss seat allotment even after qualifying?
Students may miss seat allotment due to delayed or incomplete counselling registration, incorrect or late submission of choices, missing counselling deadlines, lack of proper document verification, or insufficient rank for available seats. It is vital to complete all counselling formalities promptly, keep track of timelines, and fulfill eligibility criteria to avoid losing admission opportunities.
7. How can I maximize chances in mop-up rounds?
To maximize chances in mop-up counselling rounds, register for all subsequent rounds, remain flexible in seat choices, fill broad but prioritized preferences, and ensure all documents are ready for verification. Stay updated on counselling schedules and seat matrix changes. Mop-up rounds often provide a second chance for seats left vacant after earlier rounds.
8. Is it possible to switch from MBBS to other medical courses after NEET?
Direct switching from MBBS to other courses like BDS, BAMS, or allied medical streams is not allowed after counselling. However, candidates who do not secure MBBS seats may opt to apply separately for other medical or allied courses through their respective counselling or admission procedures. Planning and counselling must be managed carefully during the admission phase to avoid missing options.
9. What documents do candidates often forget during counselling?
Commonly forgotten counselling documents include valid photo ID proof, NEET Admit Card, NEET rank letter, class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates, caste/category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate, and state domicile proof (for state quota seats). Missing any of these can delay or disqualify admission. Candidates should carefully check and arrange all mandatory documents before counselling.
10. Are state and AIQ cutoffs very different for NEET?
Yes, state quota cutoffs and All India Quota (AIQ) cutoffs often differ due to varying seat availability, competition levels, and reserved category policies within states. Generally, state quota cutoffs may be lower or higher depending on the state’s competitiveness and seat matrix. Candidates should review both cutoffs when planning applications to maximize admission chances.
11. What are some alternate careers after NEET if I don't get MBBS?
If you do not get admission to MBBS, alternate careers include BDS (Dentistry), BAMS (Ayurveda), BHMS (Homeopathy), BYMS (Yoga and Naturopathy), Veterinary Sciences, as well as allied health sciences like Nursing, Optometry, Medical Lab Technology, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering. These fields offer rewarding career paths in healthcare and medical research.
12. How can I track my NEET results and admission status?
You can track your NEET results on the official NTA NEET website, where scorecards and rank letters are uploaded. For admission status, monitor updates from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for AIQ and Deemed Universities and your respective state counselling authority portals. Using tools like the NEET Rank Predictor can also help estimate probable colleges and admission chances.
