NEET UG · 1,406 ideas · 2017–2026
What NEET asks again
Inside each topic we tagged the exact idea every question tested. Here is which ideas came back, in which chapters, in what form and after how long.
- Ideas tested
- 1,406
- in 10 papers
- Asked only once
- 76%
- 1067 ideas
- Asked twice or more
- 339
- across 90 chapters
- Asked three times or more
- 92
- 22 of them four times or more
Key findings
- 01
Of the 1,406 ideas NEET tested in ten years, 1067 (76%) were asked only once.
- 02
Only 92 ideas have been asked three or more times, and 1 reached 7.
- 03
In 2026, 41% of questions went back to an idea from an earlier paper, up from 5% in 2018.
- 04
When an idea returns, the most common gap is 1 year; 48% of returns come within two years.
- 05
Molecular Basis of Inheritance holds the most repeating ideas (12). Subjects are close: Physics 27%, Chemistry 23%, Biology 24% of ideas asked again.
24%
of ideas came back at least once
- One paper1,08477%
- Two papers24017%
- Three papers665%
- Four or more161%
1,406 ideas by how many of the ten papers asked them.
48%
of returns came within two years
- 1 yr11026%
- 2 yrs9748%
- 3 yrs6563%
- 4 yrs6478%
- 5 yrs4188%
- 6 yrs2593%
- 7 yrs1497%
- 8 yrs13100%
- 9 yrs1100%
Years between two papers asking the same idea, 430 returns; plus 39 times an idea was asked twice in one paper.
41%
of 2026 questions went back to an earlier idea
Share of each paper testing an idea asked before. It rises partly because each year has more past papers behind it.
The most repeated
Ideas asked in three papers or more
82 ideas came back in three or more of the ten papers, 16 of them in four or more. They are the closest thing NEET has to a fixed question. Open any row to see every question that tested it.
| Idea | Subject | Papers | Span | ’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Chordate FeaturesAnimal Kingdom › Chordate Classes | Biology | 6 | 2020–26 | |
| Magnetic Moment and Colour of d- and f-Block IonsThe d- and f-Block Elements › d- and f-Block Elements | Chemistry | 57 questions | 2018–26 | |
Where it sits Usually asked as One-line MCQ · Application What each paper asked
The 7 questions
| ||||
| Polarisation and Malus's LawWave Optics › Single Slit Diffraction | Physics | 56 questions | 2017–25 | |
| Diseases and Their PathogensHuman Health and Disease › Human Diseases, Cancer and Drug Abuse | Biology | 56 questions | 2019–24 | |
| Stoichiometric CalculationsSome Basic Concepts of Chemistry › Mole Concept | Chemistry | 5 | 2018–26 | |
| Endocrine DisordersChemical Coordination and Integration › Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action | Biology | 5 | 2017–26 | |
| Displacement CurrentElectromagnetic Waves | Physics | 5 | 2019–25 | |
| Combined Circuit Truth TablesSemiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits › Logic Gates | Physics | 5 | 2017–25 | |
| Microbe-Product MatchingMicrobes in Human Welfare | Biology | 5 | 2017–25 | |
| Ideal Gas EquationKinetic Theory › Kinetic Theory of Gases | Physics | 45 questions | 2020–25 | |
| Bioactive MoleculesMicrobes in Human Welfare | Biology | 4 | 2019–26 | |
| Calculating Oxidation NumbersRedox Reactions | Chemistry | 4 | 2018–26 | |
| p-n Junction: Depletion Region and BiasingSemiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits › Semiconductor Devices | Physics | 4 | 2017–26 | |
| First Order Integrated Rate LawChemical Kinetics | Chemistry | 4 | 2017–25 | |
| Distinctive Structures of PhylaAnimal Kingdom › Animal Kingdom: Basis of Classification and Non-chordates | Biology | 4 | 2019–24 | |
| de Broglie Wavelength of ParticlesDual Nature of Radiation and Matter › Photoelectric Effect | Physics | 4 | 2017–24 | |
| Events of G1, S and G2Cell Cycle and Cell Division › Mitotic Division | Biology | 35 questions | 2020–23 | |
| Origin of Replication (ori)Biotechnology: Principles and Processes › Cloning Vectors | Biology | 34 questions | 2020–26 | |
| Down, Klinefelter and Turner SyndromesPrinciples of Inheritance and Variation › Sex Determination and Genetic Disorders | Biology | 34 questions | 2019–26 | |
| Parallel Resistors and Current DividerCurrent Electricity › Ohm's Law and Resistance | Physics | 34 questions | 2018–25 | |
| Series Resistors and Voltage DividerCurrent Electricity › Ohm's Law and Resistance | Physics | 34 questions | 2021–24 | |
| Trends in Groups 15 to 18The p-Block Elements (Class 12) › p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18) | Chemistry | 34 questions | 2018–24 | |
| Pituitary GlandChemical Coordination and Integration › Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action | Biology | 3 | 2024–26 | |
| Primary and Secondary Lymphoid OrgansHuman Health and Disease › Immunity and Lymphoid Organs | Biology | 3 | 2024–26 | |
| Photon Momentum and Effective MassDual Nature of Radiation and Matter › Photoelectric Effect | Physics | 3 | 2024–26 | |
| Positive and Negative DeviationsSolutions › Solutions and Colligative Properties | Chemistry | 3 | 2020–26 | |
| Kepler's LawsGravitation | Physics | 3 | 2018–26 | |
| Arrhenius Plot InterpretationChemical Kinetics | Chemistry | 3 | 2021–26 | |
| Molecular Shape PredictionChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure › VSEPR Theory | Chemistry | 3 | 2021–26 | |
| Sequence of Cell Cycle PhasesCell Cycle and Cell Division › Mitotic Division | Biology | 3 | 2019–26 | |
| Colostrum and IgAHuman Health and Disease › Immunity and Lymphoid Organs | Biology | 3 | 2019–26 | |
| Members of the Endomembrane SystemCell: The Unit of Life › Endomembrane System and Cell Theory | Biology | 3 | 2021–26 | |
| Blood CoagulationBody Fluids and Circulation › Blood Composition, Groups and Coagulation | Biology | 3 | 2021–26 | |
| Balancing Redox EquationsRedox Reactions | Chemistry | 3 | 2018–26 | |
| Spectrochemical Series UsageCoordination Compounds › Crystal Field Theory | Chemistry | 3 | 2020–26 | |
| Pancreatic HormonesChemical Coordination and Integration › Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action | Biology | 3 | 2019–26 | |
| Degrees of Freedom and Internal EnergyKinetic Theory › Kinetic Theory of Gases | Physics | 3 | 2017–26 | |
| OpioidsHuman Health and Disease › Human Diseases, Cancer and Drug Abuse | Biology | 3 | 2018–26 | |
| ABO Blood Group InheritancePrinciples of Inheritance and Variation › Mendelian Inheritance | Biology | 3 | 2017–26 | |
| Rectifiers and FiltersSemiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits › Semiconductor Devices | Physics | 3 | 2022–25 | |
| BioreactorsBiotechnology: Principles and Processes › Cloning Vectors | Biology | 3 | 2019–25 | |
| Enzyme Prosthetic GroupsBiomolecules › Biomolecule Structure | Biology | 3 | 2019–25 | |
| Ionization Enthalpy TrendsClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties › Periodic Properties | Chemistry | 3 | 2019–25 | |
| Hormones of Heart, Kidney and GutChemical Coordination and Integration › Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action | Biology | 3 | 2021–25 | |
| Chemical Classes of HormonesChemical Coordination and Integration › Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action | Biology | 3 | 2018–25 | |
| Error Propagation in Power FunctionsUnits and Measurements › Units and Dimensions | Physics | 3 | 2019–25 | |
| Self InductanceElectromagnetic Induction › Faraday's Law | Physics | 3 | 2018–25 | |
| Open Organ Pipe HarmonicsWaves › Standing Waves, Organ Pipes and Beats | Physics | 3 | 2018–25 | |
| Transverse Nature and E x B DirectionElectromagnetic Waves | Physics | 3 | 2018–25 | |
| Variation of g and Force with HeightGravitation | Physics | 3 | 2017–25 | |
| Asthma and EmphysemaBreathing and Exchange of Gases › Mechanism of Breathing | Biology | 3 | 2018–25 | |
| Velocity in SHMOscillations › Simple Harmonic Motion | Physics | 3 | 2017–25 | |
| RNA Polymerase III FunctionMolecular Basis of Inheritance › Transcription Process | Biology | 3 | 2021–24 | |
| Dedifferentiation and RedifferentiationPlant Growth and Development › Plant Growth and Differentiation | Biology | 3 | 2021–24 | |
| Ideal TransformerAlternating Current › LCR Circuits | Physics | 3 | 2021–24 | |
| lac z, y and a Gene ProductsMolecular Basis of Inheritance › Gene Regulation and the lac Operon | Biology | 3 | 2019–24 | |
| Pulmonary CapacitiesBreathing and Exchange of Gases › Mechanism of Breathing | Biology | 3 | 2019–24 | |
| IUD ClassificationsReproductive Health › Contraceptive Methods | Biology | 3 | 2021–24 | |
| Group 16 HydridesThe p-Block Elements (Class 12) › p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18) | Chemistry | 3 | 2019–24 | |
| Alveolar Conditions for OxyhemoglobinBreathing and Exchange of Gases › Oxygen Dissociation Curve | Biology | 3 | 2020–24 | |
| Autoimmune DisordersHuman Health and Disease › Immunity and Lymphoid Organs | Biology | 3 | 2018–24 | |
| Entropy Change PredictionThermodynamics › Gibbs Free Energy | Chemistry | 3 | 2019–24 | |
| Moment of Inertia of Standard BodiesSystem of Particles and Rotational Motion › Rotational Motion | Physics | 3 | 2018–24 | |
| Astronomical TelescopeRay Optics and Optical Instruments › Prisms, Dispersion and Optical Instruments | Physics | 3 | 2018–24 | |
| Parenchyma, Collenchyma and SclerenchymaAnatomy of Flowering Plants › Plant Tissues and Anatomy | Biology | 3 | 2017–24 | |
| Mole-Mass-Particle ConversionsSome Basic Concepts of Chemistry › Mole Concept | Chemistry | 3 | 2018–24 | |
| Ciliated Epithelium Location and FunctionStructural Organisation in Animals › Animal Tissues | Biology | 3 | 2019–23 | |
| Spring Wood, Autumn Wood and Annual RingsAnatomy of Flowering Plants › Plant Tissues and Anatomy | Biology | 3 | 2019–23 | |
| Critical Angle and TIRRay Optics and Optical Instruments › Snell's Law | Physics | 3 | 2019–23 | |
| UV Visualization of DNABiotechnology: Principles and Processes › Restriction Enzymes | Biology | 3 | 2020–23 | |
| DNA Precipitation with Chilled EthanolBiotechnology: Principles and Processes › Restriction Enzymes | Biology | 3 | 2019–23 | |
| Carbon Resistor Color CodingCurrent Electricity › Ohm's Law and Resistance | Physics | 3 | 2018–23 | |
| Cleavage of Ethers by HIAlcohols, Phenols and Ethers › Alcohols and Phenols | Chemistry | 3 | 2017–23 | |
| Hypothalamus and Limbic SystemNeural Control and Coordination › Neural System and Brain | Biology | 3 | 2018–23 | |
| Manganese in Photolysis of WaterMineral Nutrition | Biology | 3 | 2020–23 | |
| Muscular DisordersLocomotion and Movement › Human Skeleton and Musculoskeletal Disorders | Biology | 3 | 2019–22 | |
| AvesAnimal Kingdom › Chordate Classes | Biology | 3 | 2018–22 | |
| Heartwood versus SapwoodAnatomy of Flowering Plants › Plant Tissues and Anatomy | Biology | 3 | 2017–22 | |
| Phyla Sharing Combined FeaturesAnimal Kingdom › Animal Kingdom: Basis of Classification and Non-chordates | Biology | 3 | 2019–21 | |
| Classification of Amino AcidsBiomolecules › Biomolecules (Chemistry) | Chemistry | 3 | 2018–20 | |
| ViroidsBiological Classification › Viruses, Viroids, Prions and Lichens | Biology | 3 | 2017–20 | |
| Bipolar Junction TransistorSemiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits › Semiconductor Devices | Physics | 3 | 2017–20 | |
Where it sits
Usually asked as
One-line MCQ · Application
What each paper asked
- match list on magnetic moments of ions
- identify ion by d-d transition and magnetism
The 7 questions
- 2026 · Q67The lanthanide ion having four unpaired electrons is (Given : Atomic numbers of Ce = 58, Nd = 60, Tb = 65 and Ho = 67)
mediumOne-line MCQAsked the year before
- 2025 · Q71Given below are two statements : Statement I : Ferromagnetism is considered as an extreme form of paramagnetism. Statement II : The number…
mediumTwo statementsAsked the year before
- 2024 · Q67'Spin only' magnetic moment is same for which of the following ions? A. Ti B. Cr C. Mn D. Fe E. Sc…
mediumOther
- 2024 · Q94The pair of lanthanoid ions which are diamagnetic is
hardOne-line MCQ
- 2020 · Q103The calculated spin only magnetic moment of ion is :
easyNumerical
- 2018 · Q69Match the metal ions given in Column I with the spin magnetic moments of the ions given in Column II and assign the correct code : Column…
mediumMatch the listsNew idea
- 2018 · Q70Which one of the following ions exhibits d-d transition and paramagnetism as well ?
mediumOne-line MCQNew idea
Papers counts the different years that asked the idea. Squares are the ten papers, 2017 to 2026; a number means the idea was asked more than once that year.
Where repeats live
Chapters that keep asking the same ideas
90 chapters have at least one idea asked in two papers. Size alone does not explain it: some small chapters bring back most of what they ask, some big ones almost never repeat.
Every chapter, by size and by repeat rate
Bubble size: ideas asked again. Dashed lines: the median chapter. Chapters with fewer than 5 ideas left out.
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Most repeating ideas
Top ten chapters. The bar splits each chapter’s ideas into asked again and asked once.
- 01Molecular Basis of Inheritance12 of 47
- 02System of Particles and Rotational Motion9 of 15
- 03Human Health and Disease9 of 16
- 04Animal Kingdom9 of 17
- 05Principles of Inheritance and Variation9 of 31
- 06Biotechnology: Principles and Processes8 of 32
- 07Chemical Coordination and Integration7 of 10
- 08Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits7 of 13
- 09Anatomy of Flowering Plants7 of 15
- 10Coordination Compounds7 of 19
50%
of all repeating ideas are Biology, from 50% of the ideas
Physics27% came back · 337 ideas
24766Most asked: Polarisation and Malus's Law, in 5 papers.
Chemistry21% came back · 359 ideas
28360Most asked: Magnetic Moment and Colour of d- and f-Block Ions, in 5 papers.
Biology22% came back · 710 ideas
554114Most asked: Fundamental Chordate Features, in 6 papers.
- Once
- 2 papers
- 3 papers
- 4+
Each subject’s ideas by how many of the ten papers asked them.
32%
of calculation ideas came back, the most of any skill
- Calculation202 ideas32%
- Application163 ideas29%
- Concept288 ideas25%
- Recall629 ideas21%
- Data or graph26 ideas19%
- Multi-step85 ideas18%
- Figure reading13 ideas8%
All ideas: 24% asked again. Dot size: number of ideas.
Share of ideas asked again, by the skill the question tested.
Form
The shape repeated ideas take
Match the lists ideas come back most often: 40% of them were asked again. A line that climbs means the format is over-represented among the ideas NEET reuses.
Share of all ideas against share of repeating ideas
Navy: formats NEET reuses more than it asks. Light: formats it brings back less. Square-root scale.
Chance a format’s idea is asked again
Formats with at least 10 ideas.
- Match the lists125 ideas40%
- Assertion–reason34 ideas38%
- Numerical236 ideas28%
- Figure-based93 ideas25%
- One-line MCQ788 ideas21%
- Other83 ideas20%
- Two statements47 ideas4%
All ideas: 24% asked again. Dot size: number of ideas.
Repetition explorer
Every idea asked twice or more
Filter by subject or by how often, search by name, and sort by times asked, recency or the historical chance of coming back.
339 ideas · 808 questions
- Magnetic Moment and Colour of d- and f-Block Ions7×
d- and f-Block Elements · Chemistry
“match list on magnetic moments of ions”
last 2026 · every 2.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Fundamental Chordate Features6×
Chordate Classes · Biology
“count correct statements on chordate features”
last 2026 · every 1.2 yrs · Other - Polarisation and Malus's Law6×
Single Slit Diffraction · Physics
“true statement selection on brewster's angle”
last 2025 · every 2.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Diseases and Their Pathogens6×
Human Diseases, Cancer and Drug Abuse · Biology
“match list on diseases and pathogens”
last 2024 · every 1.3 yrs · Match the lists - Stoichiometric Calculations5×
Mole Concept · Chemistry
“numerical”
last 2026 · every 2.0 yrs · Numerical - Endocrine Disorders5×
Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action · Biology
“match list on endocrine glands and disorders”
last 2026 · every 2.3 yrs · Match the lists - Ideal Gas Equation5×
Kinetic Theory of Gases · Physics
“graph interpretation of gas isobars”
last 2025 · every 1.7 yrs · Numerical - Displacement Current5×
Electromagnetic Waves · Physics
“effect of frequency on capacitor reactance and displacement current”
last 2025 · every 1.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Combined Circuit Truth Tables5×
Logic Gates · Physics
“truth table of combined gate circuit”
last 2025 · every 2.0 yrs · Figure-based - Microbe-Product Matching5×
Microbes in Human Welfare · Biology
“match list on microbes and products”
last 2025 · every 2.0 yrs · Match the lists - Events of G1, S and G25×
Mitotic Division · Biology
“true statement selection on cell cycle phase”
last 2023 · every 1.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Origin of Replication (ori)4×
Cloning Vectors · Biology
“identify vector feature by function”
last 2026 · every 3.0 yrs · Figure-based - Bioactive Molecules4×
Microbes in Human Welfare · Biology
“identify microbial source of a drug”
last 2026 · every 2.3 yrs · One-line MCQ - Calculating Oxidation Numbers4×
Redox Reactions · Chemistry
“order of oxidation states”
last 2026 · every 2.7 yrs · One-line MCQ - Down, Klinefelter and Turner Syndromes4×
Sex Determination and Genetic Disorders · Biology
“count correct statements on a genetic disorder”
last 2026 · every 3.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - p-n Junction: Depletion Region and Biasing4×
Semiconductor Devices · Physics
“effect of bias on depletion region”
last 2026 · every 3.0 yrs · Figure-based - Parallel Resistors and Current Divider4×
Ohm's Law and Resistance · Physics
“current ratio in series-parallel network”
last 2025 · every 3.5 yrs · Figure-based - First Order Integrated Rate Law4×
Chemical Kinetics · Chemistry
“numerical”
last 2025 · every 2.7 yrs · Numerical - Series Resistors and Voltage Divider4×
Ohm's Law and Resistance · Physics
“numerical”
last 2024 · every 1.5 yrs · Numerical - Distinctive Structures of Phyla4×
Animal Kingdom: Basis of Classification and Non-chordates · Biology
“match list on animal phyla features”
last 2024 · every 1.7 yrs · Match the lists - Trends in Groups 15 to 184×
p-Block Elements (Groups 15-18) · Chemistry
“incorrect statement on halogens”
last 2024 · every 3.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - de Broglie Wavelength of Particles4×
Photoelectric Effect · Physics
“graph interpretation of de broglie wavelength”
last 2024 · every 2.3 yrs · Figure-based - Potential and Energy near a Charged Sphere3×
Electrostatic Potential · Physics
“numerical”
last 2026 · every 2.0 yrs · Numerical - Pituitary Gland3×
Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action · Biology
“assertion-reason on reproductive hormones”
last 2026 · every 1.0 yrs · Assertion–reason - Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs3×
Immunity and Lymphoid Organs · Biology
“count correct statements on lymphoid organs”
last 2026 · every 1.0 yrs · Other - Photon Momentum and Effective Mass3×
Photoelectric Effect · Physics
“count correct statements on photon properties”
last 2026 · every 1.0 yrs · Numerical - Positive and Negative Deviations3×
Solutions and Colligative Properties · Chemistry
“identify mixture showing deviation”
last 2026 · every 3.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Kepler's Laws3×
Gravitation · Physics
“order of kinetic energy at orbit positions”
last 2026 · every 4.0 yrs · Figure-based - Arrhenius Plot Interpretation3×
Chemical Kinetics · Chemistry
“graph interpretation of arrhenius plot”
last 2026 · every 2.5 yrs · Figure-based - Molecular Shape Prediction3×
VSEPR Theory · Chemistry
“match list on molecular shapes”
last 2026 · every 2.5 yrs · Match the lists - Sequence of Cell Cycle Phases3×
Mitotic Division · Biology
“order of steps in a process”
last 2026 · every 3.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Colostrum and IgA3×
Immunity and Lymphoid Organs · Biology
“identify component giving immunity”
last 2026 · every 3.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Members of the Endomembrane System3×
Endomembrane System and Cell Theory · Biology
“count correct examples of a cell system”
last 2026 · every 2.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Blood Coagulation3×
Blood Composition, Groups and Coagulation · Biology
“statement i/ii on blood”
last 2026 · every 2.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Balancing Redox Equations3×
Redox Reactions · Chemistry
“balance redox reaction coefficients”
last 2026 · every 4.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Spectrochemical Series Usage3×
Crystal Field Theory · Chemistry
“order/ranking of ligand field strength”
last 2026 · every 3.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Escape Velocity3×
Gravitation · Physics
“escape velocity for different planet radius”
last 2026 · every 5.0 yrs · One-line MCQ - Pancreatic Hormones3×
Endocrine Glands and Hormone Action · Biology
“true statement selection on hormone action”
last 2026 · every 3.5 yrs · One-line MCQ - Degrees of Freedom and Internal Energy3×
Kinetic Theory of Gases · Physics
“match list on kinetic theory formulas”
last 2026 · every 4.5 yrs · Numerical - Opioids3×
Human Diseases, Cancer and Drug Abuse · Biology
“identify source of drug”
last 2026 · every 4.0 yrs · One-line MCQ
Chance next is the calibrated historical rate at which ideas with the same record came back in the following paper. For single ideas it is low, a few percent at most. How we compute it.
Method