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NEET PG / INI-CET - Subject-Wise High Yield Topics

Based on 5-Year PYQ Analysis (2021-2026)

Key Exam Trends (2021-2026):

• ~70% questions are now clinical vignette-based
• ~30-50% are image-based (histology, X-rays, ECG, fundoscopy, dermatology)
• ~30% are direct PYQ repeats
• Basic sciences are increasingly integrated into clinical contexts

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SUBJECT WEIGHTAGE AT A GLANCE

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1. MEDICINE (Highest Yield - 15%)

Cardiology

• Myocardial Infarction (Killip classification, STEMI management, biomarkers)
• Heart Failure (HFrEF vs HFpEF, BNP, management)
• Atrial Fibrillation (rate vs rhythm control, anticoagulation)
• Infective Endocarditis (Duke criteria, organisms by valve)
• Dilated/Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Endocrinology

• Diabetes Mellitus (HbA1c targets, insulin types, SGLT2 inhibitors)
• Thyroid disorders (Graves' disease, thyroid storm, Hashimoto's)
• Addison's Disease (cortisol, ACTH, adrenal crisis)
• Cushing syndrome (ACTH-dependent vs independent)
• Pheochromocytoma (diagnosis, management)
• Paget's disease of bone

Pulmonology

• ARDS (Berlin criteria, low tidal volume, high PEEP strategy)
• COPD exacerbation management
• Sarcoidosis (Kveim test, ACE levels)
• Pulmonary embolism (Wells score, D-dimer, CTPA)

Neurology

• Stroke (ischemic vs hemorrhagic, tPA window, lacunar infarcts)
• Seizure disorders (status epilepticus protocol)
• Meningitis (bacterial vs viral, CSF findings)
• Multiple Sclerosis (oligoclonal bands, MRI)
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome vs AIDP

Rheumatology

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Pannus, anti-CCP, DAS score)
• SLE (ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith, lupus nephritis)
• Gout (uric acid crystals, allopurinol vs febuxostat)
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (HLA-B27, bamboo spine)

Infectious Diseases

• HIV (CD4 count thresholds, IRIS in HIV-TB, ART initiation)
• Tuberculosis (drug regimens, MDR-TB, DOTS)
• Malaria (severe malaria criteria, artesunate, G6PD)
• Typhoid (Widal test, antibiotic of choice)
• Leptospirosis, Scrub typhus (Weil-Felix)

Nephrology

• CKD staging, complications, indications for dialysis
• Nephrotic vs Nephritic syndrome (differentiating features)
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKIN criteria, causes)
• Glomerulonephritis patterns on biopsy

Gastroenterology

• Liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score, MELD, complications)
• Hepatitis B & C (serology markers, treatment)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's vs UC)
• Peptic Ulcer Disease (H. pylori)
• Wilson's disease, Hemochromatosis

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2. OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY (10%)

Obstetrics

• Labor room emergencies (MOST REPEATED):
  • Cord prolapse (immediate C-section, Trendelenburg)
  • Shoulder dystocia (McRoberts maneuver, Zavanelli)
  • Atonic PPH (Bakri balloon, uterotonic drugs, compression sutures)
  • Amniotic fluid embolism
• Preeclampsia / Eclampsia (MgSO4 protocol, Pritchard regime)
• Antepartum hemorrhage (placenta previa vs abruptio)
• Ectopic pregnancy (management algorithms)
• PROM vs PPROM management
• Fetal monitoring (CTG interpretation, biophysical profile)
• Instrumental delivery (forceps vs vacuum criteria)
• Postpartum complications

Gynaecology

• Adenomyosis (MRI diagnosis, junctional zone >12mm)
• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (FSH elevated, AMH low)
• Cervical cancer (FIGO staging, HPV, Pap smear)
• Ovarian tumors (classification, tumor markers)
• Endometrial carcinoma (risk factors, staging)
• Infertility evaluation (HSG, laparoscopy, semen analysis)
• PCOS (Rotterdam criteria, management)
• Contraception (OCP mechanism, IUD types, failure rates)
• AUB evaluation (PALM-COEIN classification)

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3. SURGERY (9%)

General Surgery

• Hernias (inguinal anatomy, types, complications, Richter's hernia)
• Appendicitis (Alvarado score, perforation, appendicitis in pregnancy)
• Intestinal obstruction (adhesion, volvulus, intussusception)
• Achalasia cardia (manometry gold standard, Heller's myotomy)
• GI bleeding (upper vs lower, Rockall score, variceal)

Hepatobiliary

• Courvoisier's Law (painless jaundice, CBD obstruction)
• Carcinoma head of pancreas (Whipple's procedure)
• Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis (Murphy's sign, Charcot's triad)
• Portal hypertension management

Trauma

• Diffuse axonal injury (RTA, CT findings)
• Splenic injuries (classification, non-operative management)
• ATLS protocol (primary, secondary survey)
• Pneumothorax / Hemothorax (needle decompression, chest drain)

Colorectal

• Carcinoma colon (Duke's/TNM staging, right vs left sided features)
• Anal fistula (Parks classification)
• Hemorrhoids (Goligher's classification)

Thyroid / Breast

• Thyroid cancer types (PTC most common, papillary features)
• Breast cancer (staging, types, BRCA, sentinel node biopsy)
• Fibroadenoma vs cyst vs malignancy (FNAC, triple assessment)

Paediatric Surgery

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek vs Morgagni)
• Intussusception (target sign, air enema)
• Hirschsprung disease (Swenson pull-through)
• Pyloric stenosis (ultrasound, Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy)

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4. PATHOLOGY (6-8%)

General Pathology (MOST REPEATED AREA)

• Cell injury mechanisms (reversible vs irreversible)
• Apoptosis vs necrosis (key differences, caspases)
• Inflammation mediators (role of PGs, leukotrienes, cytokines)
• Wound healing (primary vs secondary intention)
• Amyloidosis (types, Congo red staining, apple-green birefringence)

Hematopathology

• Anemia (iron deficiency vs B12/folate vs hemolytic - blood films)
• AML M3 (t15;17, PML-RARA, DIC association)
• CML (Philadelphia chromosome, BCR-ABL, imatinib)
• Follicular lymphoma (t14;18, BCL-2)
• Multiple myeloma (M-spike, Bence-Jones protein)
• Hodgkin lymphoma (Reed-Sternberg cell, classification)

Systemic Pathology

• Renal pathology (IgA nephropathy, minimal change disease, FSGS)
• Liver pathology (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma)
• Lung pathology (adenocarcinoma most common, SCLC features)
• Tumor markers (CEA, AFP, CA-125, PSA, CA 19-9)
• Primary biliary cholangitis (AMA positive)

Neoplasia

• Tumor classification (benign vs malignant features)
• Proto-oncogenes & tumor suppressor genes (p53, RB, BRCA)
• Paraneoplastic syndromes

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5. PHARMACOLOGY (7.5%)

Autonomic Nervous System

• Alpha/beta adrenergic drugs (classification, clinical uses)
• Cholinergic drugs (pilocarpine, neostigmine)
• Anticholinergic side effects (atropine, scopolamine)
• Ganglion blockers

Cardiovascular Drugs

• Antihypertensives (ACE inhibitors - avoid in pregnancy/bilateral RAS)
• Anti-arrhythmics (Vaughan-Williams classification)
• Antithrombotics (Warfarin interactions, heparin monitoring)
• Statins (mechanism, side effects, rhabdomyolysis)
• Digoxin toxicity

Antimicrobials (Most Tested Group)

• Antibiotic mechanisms and classes
• Drug of choice for common infections
• Resistance mechanisms (MRSA, ESBL, MDR-TB)
• Aminoglycoside toxicity (nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity)
• Tetracycline vs doxycycline differences
• Antibiotic use in pregnancy (safe vs contraindicated)

CNS Drugs

• Antiepileptic drugs (mechanism, drug interactions, teratogenicity)
• Antidepressants (SSRIs - paroxetine has shortest half-life, MAOIs)
• Antipsychotics (EPS side effects, NMS, clozapine agranulocytosis)
• Benzodiazepines (mechanism, reversal agent - flumazenil)

Other High Yield

• Anticancer drugs (MTX mechanism, cisplatin nephrotoxicity)
• Drug interactions (warfarin, metformin, anti-epileptics)
• Drugs to avoid in G6PD deficiency
• Drugs in renal/hepatic failure (dose adjustments)
• Adverse drug reactions (Stevens-Johnson, fixed drug eruption)

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6. MICROBIOLOGY (6%)

Bacteriology

• Staphylococcus (aureus vs epidermidis, toxins, MRSA)
• Streptococcus (group A, B, S. pneumoniae)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ZN staining, culture, drug sensitivity)
• Clostridium (tetanus, botulism, C. difficile, gas gangrene)
• E. coli (ETEC, EPEC, EHEC - toxins, diarrhea types)
• Vibrio cholerae (El Tor biotype, rice water stools)
• H. pylori (urease positive, CLO test, gastric cancer association)

Virology

• Hepatitis (HAV, HBV serology markers, HCV genotyping, HDV)
• HIV (CD4 thresholds, Western blot confirmation, ELISA)
• Herpes viruses (HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV - immunocompromised)
• Dengue (NS1 antigen, IgM/IgG, serotypes, DHF criteria)
• COVID-19 updates (variants, vaccines, mRNA vaccines)
• Rabies (Negri bodies, pre/post-exposure prophylaxis)

Immunology

• Hypersensitivity reactions (Type I-IV - classic examples)
• Vaccines (live vs killed, cold chain, schedule)
• Complement system (classical vs alternate pathway)
• Immunodeficiency disorders (SCID, DiGeorge, Bruton's)

Mycology

• Candida (thrush, invasive candidiasis, treatment)
• Aspergillus (acute angle septate hyphae, galactomannan test)
• Cryptococcus (India ink, CSF, AIDS patients)

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7. PSM / COMMUNITY MEDICINE (8%)

Biostatistics & Epidemiology (Most Tested)

• Study designs (RCT, cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)
• Bias types (selection, information, recall, Berkson's)
• Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV (2x2 table calculations)
• Odds ratio vs Relative Risk (case-control vs cohort)
• Confidence intervals, p-value, type I/II errors
• Screening criteria (Wilson & Jungner criteria)

National Health Programs

• Immunization schedule (UIP, new vaccines added)
• NHM programs (RMNCHA+, Ayushman Bharat)
• TB programs (NTEP - formerly RNTCP)
• Malaria programs (NVBDCP)
• MCH programs (Janani Suraksha Yojana, PMJAY)

Nutrition

• PEM (Marasmus vs Kwashiorkor)
• Vitamin deficiencies (A, D, B12, folate, C)
• Iodine deficiency (cretinism, goiter)
• ICDS program, mid-day meal scheme

Demography & Vital Statistics

• Census data interpretation
• Crude death rate, infant mortality rate
• Demographic transition theory
• MMR, IMR, NMR (current Indian statistics)

Environmental Health

• Air pollution (RSPM, PM2.5, PM10)
• Water quality standards
• Disinfection methods (chlorination, UV)
• Occupational health hazards

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8. BIOCHEMISTRY (7.5%)

Molecular Biology (RISING TREND)

• DNA replication, repair mechanisms (mismatch repair, NER)
• PCR types and applications (RT-PCR, real-time PCR)
• Blotting techniques (Southern - DNA, Northern - RNA, Western - protein)
• Gene expression regulation (operons)
• CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism
• Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Metabolism

• Glycolysis, TCA cycle (regulatory enzymes, products)
• Gluconeogenesis (key enzymes - PEPCK, FBPase)
• Fed vs fasting state (insulin vs glucagon effects)
• Fatty acid oxidation (beta oxidation, ketone bodies)
• Cholesterol synthesis (HMG-CoA reductase - statin target)

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

• Lysosomal storage diseases (Gaucher, Niemann-Pick, Tay-Sachs)
• Glycogen storage diseases (von Gierke, Pompe, McArdle)
• Phenylketonuria, Maple syrup urine disease, Alkaptonuria
• Familial dyslipidemias (Fredrickson classification)

Vitamins & Minerals

• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K - deficiencies & toxicities)
• Water-soluble vitamins (B1 Wernicke's, B3 Pellagra, B12 anemia)
• Trace elements (zinc, selenium, copper - Wilson's disease)
• Cardiac biomarkers (Troponin, CK-MB, LDH)

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9. ANATOMY (4.5%)

Neuroanatomy (HIGHEST YIELD IN ANATOMY)

• Cranial nerves (complete - nuclei, foramina, functions)
• Internal capsule (blood supply, fiber organization)
• Cerebellum (connections, syndrome)
• Brainstem lesions (crossed paralyses)
• Corpus callosum (parts, clinical relevance)
• Limbic system

Head & Neck

• Triangles of neck (contents, important structures)
• Thyroid gland (blood supply, parathyroid gland position)
• Parotid gland (facial nerve, Stensen's duct)
• Tonsils (Waldeyer's ring, blood supply)
• Orbit and eye muscles (CN III, IV, VI palsy)

Embryology (COMMONLY TESTED)

• Cardiac development (ASD, VSD, TGA embryology)
• Gut derivatives (foregut, midgut, hindgut)
• Branchial arch derivatives (I-VI arches)
• Neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly)
• Urogenital development (undescended testis, hypospadias)

Upper & Lower Limb

• Brachial plexus (roots, trunks, cords, terminal branches)
• Nerve injuries (radial nerve - Saturday night palsy, ulnar nerve, carpal tunnel)
• Dermatomes and myotomes
• Rotator cuff muscles (SITS)
• Knee joint anatomy (cruciate ligaments, menisci)

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10. PHYSIOLOGY (2.5-5%)

• Cardiac cycle (pressure-volume loops, heart sounds, JVP waveforms)
• Respiratory physiology (spirometry values, V/Q ratio, oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve)
• Renal physiology (GFR calculation, tubular reabsorption, concentration/dilution)
• Nerve physiology (action potential, conduction velocity, neuromuscular junction)
• Blood pressure regulation (RAAS, baroreceptors, autoregulation)
• Endocrine physiology (hypothalamus-pituitary axis, second messengers)
• Exercise physiology (VO2 max, cardiovascular responses)
• Gastrointestinal physiology (gastric acid secretion, motility disorders)

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11. FORENSIC MEDICINE & TOXICOLOGY (3%)

Forensic Medicine

• IPC sections for medical professionals (304A, 302, 376 - most repeated)
• MLC (medico-legal case) documentation
• Post-mortem findings (rigor mortis, livor mortis, decomposition)
• Age estimation (teeth, bones, Gustafson's method)
• Sexual assault examination
• Wound examination (incised, lacerated, gunshot)
• Hanging vs strangulation (post-mortem findings)

Toxicology

• Organophosphorus poisoning (SLUDGE, management, atropine + pralidoxime)
• Alcohol (Widmark formula, forensic aspects, Wernicke-Korsakoff)
• Snake bite (neurotoxic vs hemotoxic, ASV, 20-minute whole blood clotting test)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning (cherry-red discoloration)
• Arsenic poisoning (Reinsch test, Marsh test)
• Corrosive poisoning (acid vs alkali, signs)

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12. PEDIATRICS (2.5-5%)

• Growth & development milestones (social smile, head control, walking, language)
• Neonatal jaundice (physiological vs pathological, exchange transfusion criteria)
• Neonatal sepsis (early vs late onset, organisms)
• Respiratory distress syndrome (surfactant therapy, CPAP)
• Nutritional disorders (Marasmus vs Kwashiorkor, Vitamin D rickets)
• Immunization schedule (UIP, catch-up vaccination)
• Febrile seizures (simple vs complex, management)
• Congenital heart diseases (cyanotic vs acyanotic, ASD/VSD/PDA features)
• Pediatric malignancies (ALL most common, Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma)
• Developmental dysplasia of hip

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13. RADIOLOGY (2.5-4%)

• Chest X-ray interpretation (consolidation, pleural effusion, pneumothorax)
• CT scan patterns (head CT - hyperdense vs hypodense lesions, epidural vs subdural)
• MRI indications (MS plaques, spinal cord, soft tissue)
• Abdominal radiology (bowel obstruction air-fluid levels, calcification patterns)
• Interventional radiology (PTCA, embolization)
• Breast imaging (BI-RADS classification, mammography vs ultrasound)
• Barium studies (lead pipe colon in UC, string sign in Crohn's)
• Ultrasound (obstetric USG dating, anomaly scan markers)

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14. DERMATOLOGY (4%)

• Leprosy (WHO classification, reactions, treatment regimens - MOST REPEATED)
• Psoriasis (Auspitz sign, Koebner phenomenon, Munro's microabscess)
• Pemphigus vulgaris (Nikolsky sign, direct immunofluorescence - chicken wire)
• Bullous pemphigoid (subepidermal, linear IgG)
• Vitiligo (autoimmune, Wood's lamp)
• Acne vulgaris (microcomedones, Propionibacterium, isotretinoin)
• Herpes zoster (dermatome distribution, Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
• SJS/TEN (drug causes, SCORTEN score)
• Fixed drug eruption (same site recurrence)
• Leishmaniasis (cutaneous vs visceral, treatment)
• Dermatomyositis (heliotrope rash, Gottron papules)

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15. OPHTHALMOLOGY (2.5-3%)

• Glaucoma (primary open angle vs angle closure - gonioscopy)
• Cataract (nuclear vs cortical vs PSC, surgical techniques)
• Diabetic retinopathy (ETDRS classification, laser photocoagulation)
• Age-related macular degeneration (drusen, wet vs dry)
• Retinal detachment (RRD vs TRD vs ERD)
• Uveitis (anterior vs posterior, HLA-B27 association)
• Paralytic squint (CN III, IV, VI palsies)
• Retinoblastoma (leukocoria, Rb gene, trilateral)
• Optic neuritis (MS association, RAPD)
• Trachoma (SAFE strategy, C. trachomatis)

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16. ENT (2.5%)

• Chronic suppurative otitis media (tubotympanic vs atticoantral)
• Hearing tests (Rinne's, Weber's - interpretation)
• Pure tone audiometry (air-bone gap, sensorineural vs conductive)
• Tympanometry (type A, B, C patterns)
• Cholesteatoma (management, complications)
• Otosclerosis (stapedial fixation, Carhart notch)
• Nasal polyps (ethmoidal vs antrochoanal)
• Laryngeal carcinoma (glottic vs supraglottic, voice change)
• Cochlear implant (indications, eligibility criteria)
• Sinusitis (ABRS vs CBRS, cavernous sinus thrombosis)

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17. ORTHOPAEDICS (2.5-3%)

• Fractures (classification, management - Salter Harris, Gustilo-Anderson)
• Nerve injuries (Seddon's - neuropraxia/axonotmesis/neurotmesis)
• Shoulder (rotator cuff tears, dislocation - anterior most common)
• Knee injuries (ACL tear - Lachman test, McMurray test for meniscus)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve, Phalen's/Tinel's test)
• Bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma features on X-ray)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (HLA-B27, bamboo spine, RF negative)
• Paediatric orthopedics (DDH, Perthes disease, SUFE)
• Osteoporosis (DEXA scan, T-score interpretation)

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18. PSYCHIATRY (2%)

• ICD-11 / DSM-5 criteria and timelines (schizophrenia 1 month, GAD 6 months)
• Schizophrenia (first-rank symptoms, Schneider's, antipsychotics)
• Bipolar disorder (manic episode criteria, mood stabilizers)
• Depression (PHQ-9, ECT indications)
• Substance use disorders (opioid withdrawal, Wernicke-Korsakoff)
• Sleep disorders (polysomnography, narcolepsy - cataplexy)
• SSRI pharmacology (mechanism, discontinuation syndrome, serotonin syndrome)
• Defense mechanisms (mature vs immature - sublimation, projection)
• Autism spectrum disorder (M-CHAT, joint attention, triad)
• Alzheimer's disease (early memory, hippocampus, donepezil)

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19. ANAESTHESIA (2%)

• Local anesthetics (amide vs ester, maximum safe doses, toxicity)
• General anesthesia (stages, MAC value, fluorinated agents - sevoflurane, desflurane)
• Neuromuscular blockers (depolarizing - succinylcholine, non-depolarizing)
• Spinal vs epidural (level of injection, complications, high spinal)
• Mechanical ventilation (modes - SIMV, CPAP, pressure support, parameters)
• ACLS/BLS protocols (compression ratios, drug doses - adrenaline 1mg, amiodarone)
• Capnography (waveform interpretation, ETCO2 in CPR)
• Difficult airway (ASA difficult airway algorithm)
• Air embolism / Amniotic fluid embolism (mechanisms, management)

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QUICK REVISION PRIORITY GRID

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PRO TIPS FROM 5-YEAR TREND ANALYSIS

1. PYQ repeats are gold - 30% of NEET PG questions are direct or modified repeats from previous years
2. Clinical vignettes dominate - 70% of questions are scenario-based; learn to apply concepts, not just memorize
3. Image-based questions are increasing - Practice histopathology slides, ECGs, X-rays, fundus images every day
4. Integrated questions - A single question may test Pathology + Pharmacology + Medicine together
5. Short subjects are rank boosters - ENT, Ophthalmology, Anaesthesia, FMT - scoring is easier with focused revision
6. High-risk drug groups to master - Warfarin interactions, teratogenic drugs, drugs in renal failure, G6PD
7. National programs for PSM - Always check updated Indian statistics (MMR, IMR, vaccine schedule)

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What's inside the PDF

7 Sections covered:

Design highlights:

• Each question has a colour-coded section badge for quick navigation
• Correct answers are shown immediately below each question (no flipping pages)
• Explanations include why wrong options are wrong - a key NEET PG exam skill
• The back page clinical pearls serve as a standalone rapid revision sheet