The Central Sanskrit University (CSU) has introduced the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test – Pre Ayurveda (NEET-PA) for the 2026-27 academic session, creating a new admission pathway for Class X graduates to pursue an integrated Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) programme. Approved by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), the entrance examination will facilitate admissions to Ayurveda Gurukuls affiliated with the university.
NEET-PA is a national-level entrance examination for admission to a seven-and-a-half-year integrated Ayurveda programme offered through affiliated Ayurveda Gurukuls. The programme comprises two years of Pre-Ayurveda Gurukulam education, followed by four-and-a-half years of BAMS studies and a one-year compulsory rotary internship. Upon successful completion, students will qualify as Ayurveda physicians under the regulatory framework prescribed by NCISM.
Registration and Exam Details
According to the university, online registration for NEET-PA will commence in the third week of July 2026. The examination is expected to be held in the last week of August or the first week of September 2026, with the final schedule to be announced separately.
The examination will be conducted in offline (OMR-based) mode and will have a duration of 150 minutes. The question paper will comprise 120 multiple-choice questions carrying one mark each, making it a total of 120 marks. There will be no negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates will be able to take the examination in Sanskrit, Hindi or English.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have passed Class X from a recognised board, State Sanskrit Board or an equivalent recognised board. General category candidates must have secured at least 50 per cent marks, while candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC and PwD categories must have obtained a minimum of 40 per cent marks.
Applicants should be between 15 and 25 years of age as on December 31, 2026. No relaxation in the upper age limit will be available for any category.
Syllabus
The university has also released the NEET-PA syllabus, which covers topics related to the Indian Knowledge System, including Sanskrit literature, Vyakarana (grammar), Darshana (philosophy), Itihasa, Puranas and other foundational subjects.
The university said detailed admission guidelines, model question papers and information on counselling and participating Ayurveda Gurukuls will be released on its official website in the coming weeks.
