Latest news with #NationalEligibilitycumEntranceTest–Undergraduate


News18
3 hours ago
- General
- News18
'Wake Up At 5:30 AM, Study, Play, Repeat': NEET AIR 2 Utkarsh's Winning Formula
Last Updated: Utkarsh Awadhiya, who secured AIR 2 in NEET 2025, credits NCERT, coaching, mock tests, and disciplined preparation for his success. Utkarsh Awadhiya from Madhya Pradesh has secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET UG 2025) with an outstanding 99.9999095 percentile. He narrowly missed the top spot, as NEET topper Mahesh Kumar secured 99.9999547 percentile. Both secured 99.99 percentile, but a marginal difference in scores placed Utkarsh at the second position. Speaking with Utkarsh opened up about his preparation journey, daily routine, and how he remained motivated throughout the demanding two-year process. Utkarsh, who has been living in Indore for the past decade, comes from a supportive family. His father, Alok Awadhiya, works as a branch manager at HDFC Bank, while his mother, Ashi Awadhiya, is a homemaker. He also has a younger brother. Reflecting on his preparation, Utkarsh shared that his serious NEET journey began in Class 11. 'I joined coaching in Class 10, but my focused NEET preparation started two years ago when I entered Class 11. I mainly followed the NCERT books," he said. Staying disciplined was key for Utkarsh. He would start his day early, waking up around 5:30 to 6:00 AM. 'I used to study for 1-2 hours in the morning before beginning my daily routine. After breakfast, I attended coaching classes for 6-10 hours. Once I returned home by evening, I made sure to take out some time for leisure activities like playing volleyball or badminton. This helped me stay fresh and balanced," he said. Despite the pressure associated with competitive exams, Utkarsh maintained a stress-free approach towards his studies. 'I genuinely enjoyed studying. I would often get into a flow state where I wouldn't even realise how time passed. While my friends, family, and teachers were a huge support, my internal motivation was the biggest factor that kept me going," he explained. Utkarsh highlighted the crucial role of mock tests and previous year papers in his preparation. According to him, the structured curriculum and regular testing allowed him to cover his syllabus systematically and revise it thoroughly. 'I was always aware of the upcoming tests and topics well in advance, which helped me stay organised. I managed to revise the syllabus two to three times before the actual exam. Regular practice with mock tests helped me identify my weak areas and work on them efficiently," he added. For future NEET aspirants, Utkarsh had clear and practical advice. For repeaters, he suggests focusing on analysing past mistakes and correcting them with targeted preparation. For freshers starting in Class 11 or 12, his advice is to stay attentive in class and absorb as much as possible during lectures. 'Try to understand at least 50-60% of the concepts in class itself. After that, revise regularly as per the planner. If your coaching institute doesn't provide a detailed plan, create one for yourself and follow it strictly," he advised. He also stressed the importance of daily problem-solving after studying a topic. 'Solving questions helps you evaluate your understanding. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask your teachers for help," he said. Now, with NEET behind him, Utkarsh has his sights set on AIIMS — his next big goal.


Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Indian Express
NEET-UG 2025: Noida STF arrests 3 Delhi residents for demanding money from medical aspirants, their families
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested three people for allegedly offering National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) candidates help to crack the examination through unfair means in exchange for money. According to an official statement issued by the Noida unit of the STF on Sunday, the three accused have been identified as Vikram Kumar Shah, Aniket Kumar, and Dharampal Singh. Shah and Kumar are residents of Lakshmi Nagar in Delhi, whereas Singh stays in the Sagarpur area of the national capital. The police said the accused were arrested based on a tip-off, and the three of them ran an office in Noida's Sector-3. 'On Saturday, we received a tipoff from informants that some suspects were calling relatives of NEET aspirants and offering them deals to pass the test. We then raided the office in Sector-3 at night and arrested the three men and also seized 10 mobile phones, an Apple MacBook, credit, PAN, and Aadhaar cards, examination ID cards, a Fortuner car, and data sheets of candidates from their possession,' said the police. Vikram Kumar Shah, 30, has purportedly told the interrogators that he met Aniket Kumar at the Vinayaka Missions University, Chennai, while he was studying Biotechnology there in 2011. Shah also allegedly told the police that they started helping candidates obtain admission at the university for a commission. 'After completing their post-graduation in Chennai, they came to Delhi, where they met the third accused, Dharampal,' reads the official statement. The three registered a company called Admission View. They would collect details of MBBS candidates and offer them deals to secure a seat for Rs 5 lakh. They would tell the candidates to only write down answers that they knew during the exam, and leave the rest blank, saying they would get the answer sheets changed. If the candidate managed to pass, they would take all the money, the Uttar Pradesh Police said. 'In case the candidate could not clear the exam, we would simply ignore their calls or at times change the location and then move to find new targets,' the accused allegedly told the police. With complaints piling up against the company, the suspects shut it down in 2023 and started a new firm, Shreyanvi Edu OPC Pvt Ltd, in Noida to continue duping NEET aspirants. A First Information Report in the matter has been registered under sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 336, 337, 338, and 340 (all related to forgery), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. More than 22 lakh medical aspirants took the NEET-UG test across the country on Sunday.

Gulf News
04-05-2025
- Gulf News
Why UAE schools deployed metal detectors, CCTV for over 2,000 Indian expat students' NEET exam
Dubai: More than 2,000 aspiring medical students sat for India's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test –Undergraduate (NEET-UG) in the UAE on Sunday under tight security measures designed to ensure the integrity of the high-stakes examination. Centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah implemented rigorous protocols, including the use of highly sensitive metal detectors, full CCTV coverage and videography of candidates, aligning with directives from India's National Testing Agency (NTA). The intensified scrutiny follows the 2024 NEET scandal in India, which prompted national outrage over alleged malpractices. In response, the NTA rolled out robust reforms this year. In India, more than 2.27 million students appeared for the exam under similar surveillance, aiming to restore trust in one of the world's largest professional entrance tests. However, biometric attendance verification, which became mandatory in India, was not enforced in the centres abroad, including in the UAE. 3 UAE centres One of the largest NEET venues outside India, The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai, accommodated around 900 candidates. 'This year, approximately 900 aspiring medical students took the exam in our halls, and we had meticulously prepared around 40 examination halls to meet the stringent specifications set by the National Testing Agency, India,' said Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools. 'To ensure integrity, we deployed close to 110 trained staff members, including coordinators, supervisors, invigilators, and support personnel. Comprehensive security measures were in place, including extensive frisking with highly sensitive metal detectors, temperature checks, and continuous CCTV surveillance.' Students were videographed throughout the exam for verification purposes. Additionally, a dedicated photo studio was set up at the centre to assist students with missing photos, ensuring a smooth registration process. Exam papers were unsealed under CCTV surveillance in the presence of multiple examiners to prevent tampering. 'We aim to provide a safe, secure, and stress-free environment,' Vasu said. Counsellors and medical staff were also on site, while students of determination were given extended time in compliance with NTA guidelines. At Sharjah Indian School, around 730 students appeared for the exam. 'Each and every child had to pass through metal detectors. We ensured CCTV coverage, videography, and photography,' said Principal Pramod Mahajan. In Abu Dhabi, 517 students appeared at Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS). Principal Neeraj Bharagava confirmed that all materials, including recordings and answer sheets, were 'packed in diplomatic bags under the supervision of Indian missions,' to be sent to India.