Nepal has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for Indian and international students seeking to pursue MBBS abroad. With affordable tuition fees, globally recognized medical colleges, cultural similarities with India, and quality education, Nepal is a natural choice for many aspiring doctors.
However, gaining admission to an MBBS program in Nepal requires students to pass a medical entrance examination conducted by the Medical Education Commission (MEC) of Nepal. This entrance test ensures that only qualified candidates with adequate academic preparation and aptitude for medical sciences gain entry into medical universities.
For students planning their career in medicine, it is crucial to understand the exam format and eligibility criteria for MBBS entrance tests in Nepal. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the entrance system, from eligibility and registration to exam structure, syllabus, and evaluation.
Course Duration: 5.5 years (4.5 years of classroom learning + 1-year internship).
Medium of Instruction: English.
Recognitions: Medical colleges in Nepal are approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India, WHO, and other global medical councils.
Intakes: Generally in August/September every year.
Admission Requirement: Qualifying the MEC Entrance Test.
The Medical Education Commission (MEC) is the sole regulatory authority that manages MBBS admissions in Nepal. It conducts the common entrance examination for all applicants, both Nepalese and foreign, ensuring transparency and uniformity in medical admissions.
The exam is called the Common Entrance Examination for Medical Education (CEE).
Without qualifying CEE, students cannot secure a seat in any recognized medical college in Nepal.
Seats are allocated based on merit ranking, preferences, and quota systems (for Nepalese students).
To appear for the MBBS entrance test in Nepal, students must fulfill certain academic, age, and qualification requirements. These include:
Students must have completed 10+2 or equivalent education.
Compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).
Minimum aggregate requirement:
General category: At least 50% marks in aggregate in PCB.
Alternative: CGPA equivalent to 2.4 or more (on a 4.0 scale).
Indian students must also qualify NEET-UG as per NMC guidelines.
Even if they clear the Nepal entrance exam, NEET qualification is mandatory for practicing in India after MBBS.
Minimum age: 17 years (as of 31st December in the admission year).
No upper age limit has been strictly enforced, but universities follow their admission rules.
The exam is open for both Nepalese citizens and foreign students (including Indians).
Foreign students usually compete under the self-financing quota.
The application process for CEE is done online through the MEC’s official portal.
Online Registration
Candidates must create an account on the MEC website.
Fill in personal, academic, and contact details carefully.
Document Upload
Required documents include:
Passport/ Citizenship Certificate.
Recent passport-size photograph.
Academic transcripts (10th and 12th).
NEET scorecard (for Indian students).
Proof of payment.
Application Fee Payment
The fee is generally paid online via card or bank transfer.
Fee ranges from NPR 5000 – 8000 depending on applicant category.
Admit Card Download
Once the application is verified, candidates can download their admit card for the exam.
The CEE exam is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge in science subjects and aptitude for medical studies.
Mode of Exam: Offline (paper-based) or computer-based, depending on MEC arrangements.
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
Total Questions: 200 MCQs.
Duration: 3 hours.
Marking Scheme:
Each correct answer: 1 mark.
No negative marking.
Language: English.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 50 | 25% |
| Chemistry | 50 | 25% |
| Biology | 100 | 50% |
This clearly shows the dominance of Biology, as it contributes 50% of the exam weightage, aligning with global MBBS entrance standards.
The exam syllabus is largely based on the Nepalese Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) curriculum and is similar to the Indian NCERT syllabus.
Mechanics (Motion, Laws, Gravitation).
Thermodynamics and Heat.
Electricity and Magnetism.
Optics.
Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductors).
Atomic Structure.
Chemical Bonding and Periodicity.
Organic Chemistry (Hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Aldehydes).
Inorganic Chemistry (s-Block, p-Block, d-Block).
Physical Chemistry (Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry).
Cell Biology.
Human Physiology.
Plant Physiology.
Genetics and Evolution.
Ecology and Environment.
Human Health and Diseases.
Biotechnology.
The exam is scored out of 200 marks.
Candidates are ranked based on their total score.
In case of ties, Biology marks are considered first, followed by Chemistry, then Physics.
A minimum cutoff score is required to qualify.
After results are declared, seat allocation happens in the following manner:
Merit List Publication – MEC releases a common merit list.
Counseling Process – Students select their preferred colleges based on ranking.
Quota Distribution – Seats are distributed among:
General category (merit-based).
Scholarship quota (for Nepalese citizens).
Foreign self-financing quota (for international students, including Indians).
Final Admission – Students report to colleges with original documents for verification.
For Indian students, the Nepal MBBS entrance exam holds special significance:
Transparency in Admission: It prevents backdoor admissions or donations.
Merit-Based Selection: Ensures academically strong students enter medical colleges.
NEET Parallelism: The exam is aligned with NEET, so students find the syllabus familiar.
Practice for NEXT/FMGE: Clearing this exam boosts confidence for licensing exams later.
Focus on NCERT Textbooks: As the syllabus overlaps with NCERT, mastering them gives an edge.
Prioritize Biology: Since it carries 50% weightage, strengthen topics like Human Physiology and Genetics.
Practice Previous Papers: Helps understand question trends and difficulty level.
Time Management: Practice solving 200 questions in 3 hours.
Mock Tests: Simulate real exam conditions for accuracy and speed.
Applying late and missing registration deadlines.
Ignoring Physics and Chemistry while over-focusing on Biology.
Not verifying documents properly before submission.
Relying only on coaching without self-study.
NMC-Recognized Colleges: Degrees valid in India.
Affordable Fees: Much lower than private colleges in India.
Cultural Similarities: Easy adaptation for Indian students.
No Language Barrier: English is the medium of instruction.
Close to India: Easy travel for students and parents.
The MBBS entrance exam in Nepal is a gateway to securing admission into top medical universities of the country. Conducted by the Medical Education Commission (MEC), the exam evaluates students on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, with Biology carrying maximum weightage.
To be eligible, candidates must have scored at least 50% in PCB in 12th grade, be 17 years or older, and for Indian students, NEET qualification is mandatory.
The exam format—200 MCQs in 3 hours—closely mirrors NEET, making it familiar for Indian aspirants. With proper preparation, early registration, and a clear understanding of the process, students can successfully begin their medical journey in Nepal.