Indian students in UAE urged to take NEET before medical studies abroad

Indian students in the UAE must take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) before starting medical degrees abroad if they intend to practice in India later, career experts warned on Sunday, 18 October. Speaking at Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026, Asanul Ameen, Head of Operations at Unique World Education, clarified that while NEET is not mandatory for admission to MBBS programmes within the UAE, it is a legal prerequisite for Indian nationals who wish to return to their home country as licensed medical practitioners. The directive applies to those seeking careers in MBBS, BDS, and Ayush programmes. Strategic planning from Grade 11 Preparation for competitive Indian entrance exams should begin in Grade 11, as the curriculum for both NEET and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering is split equally between Grade 11 and Grade 12 syllabi. Ameen noted that subject choices made immediately after Grade 10 dictate eligibility for these specific career pathways. The scale of competition remains a primary concern for the diaspora. Approximately 2.2 million students sit for NEET annually, while JEE Main attracts between 1.5 million and 2 million candidates. For engineering aspirants, qualifying for a National Institute of Technology (NIT) requires a high JEE Main score, while admission to an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) necessitates passing both JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Licensing and eligibility requirements The advice comes as UAE-based Indian families…