General Pathology: 10 things MOST LIKELY to be tested in NEET MDS 2026
The Philosophy
"General Pathology isn’t about memorising lines - it’s about understanding mechanisms and patterns."
A targeted breakdown of the highest priority topics based on recent question patterns and examiner logic.
1. Cell Injury
High PriorityCore Focus
- Reversible vs irreversible injury
- ATP depletion & Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Cell membrane integrity & Ca2+ influx
NEET MDS Logic
They test the conceptual threshold. You must know exactly when a cell crosses into "irreversible" status.
Framing: "At which point does cell injury become irreversible?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2023: Which of the following indicates irreversible cell injury?
- NEET MDS 2021: Sequence of biochemical events in cell injury.
- NEET MDS 2019: First cellular change in hypoxia.
- NEET MDS 2018: Most common cause of cell injury.
- INI-CET 2022: Role of massive calcium influx in irreversible cell injury.
- NEET MDS 2020: Hallmark of reversible cell injury.
- AIIMS 2017: Example of irreversible mitochondrial damage.
- NEET MDS 2016: Enzyme released during membrane damage.
2. Apoptosis vs Necrosis
Core Focus
- Caspases & intrinsic/extrinsic pathways
- Inflammatory response (Absence vs Presence)
- Physiological vs pathological apoptosis
NEET MDS Logic
Straight contrast. They love to twist options around inflammation.
Framing: "Which type of cell death does NOT evoke inflammation?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2024: A mechanism of cell death that does not produce inflammation.
- NEET MDS 2020: Features distinguishing apoptosis from necrosis.
- NEET MDS 2019: Caspase activation is a hallmark of?
- INI-CET 2023: Apoptotic bodies are typically phagocytosed by?
- NEET MDS 2018: Example of physiological apoptosis.
- AIIMS 2019: Key executioner caspase in apoptosis.
- NEET MDS 2017: Type of necrosis seen in tuberculosis.
- NEET MDS 2022: Liquefactive necrosis is typically seen in which organ?
3. Free Radical & Oxidative Stress
Core Focus
- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) & Antioxidants
- Lipid peroxidation & Ischemia-reperfusion injury
NEET MDS Logic
Integrates with inflammation and reperfusion injury concepts.
Framing: "Primary mechanism in reperfusion injury?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2025: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is primarily caused by?
- Earlier patterns: identification of specific ROS effects.
- NEET MDS 2021: Most potent reactive oxygen species.
- NEET MDS 2018: Fenton reaction produces which free radical?
- INI-CET 2022: Cellular defense mechanism against superoxide.
- NEET MDS 2019: Free radical induced lipid peroxidation results in?
- AIIMS 2020: Enzyme responsible for converting hydrogen peroxide to water.
- NEET MDS 2020: Vitamin acting as a major antioxidant.
4. Acute Inflammation
Core Focus
- Vascular response & Chemical mediators
- Leukocyte adhesion cascade (Sequence is vital)
- Chemotaxis & diapedesis
NEET MDS Logic
Mechanism questions are extremely popular. Master the chronological order of cell migration.
Framing: "Correct order of steps in leukocyte migration:"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2021: Arrange steps of leukocyte extravasation.
- Variants: Mediators of acute inflammation.
- NEET MDS 2022: Primary cell involved in acute inflammation.
- INI-CET 2021: Selectin's role in the leukocyte adhesion cascade.
- NEET MDS 2019: Most potent chemotactic factor for neutrophils.
- AIIMS 2018: Vascular permeability is primarily increased by?
- NEET MDS 2020: First vascular response to injury.
- NEET MDS 2017: Opsonins enhancing phagocytosis include?
5. Chronic Inflammation & Granulomas
Core Focus
- Macrophage role & Th1 / IFN-? (gamma) axis
- Caseating vs non-caseating granulomas
NEET MDS Logic
Checks your understanding of immune-mediated responses. Pay attention to Cytokines.
Framing: "Which cytokine is essential for granuloma formation?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2022: Cytokine most essential for granuloma formation.
- NEET MDS 2020: Epithelioid cells are derived from?
- INI-CET 2023: Classic example of a disease with caseating granulomas.
- NEET MDS 2019: Langhans giant cells are typically seen in?
- AIIMS 2021: Primary mediator released by Th1 cells to activate macrophages.
- NEET MDS 2018: Condition characterized by non-caseating granulomas.
- NEET MDS 2021: Role of multinucleated giant cells in chronic inflammation.
- NEET MDS 2017: Defining morphological feature of chronic inflammation.
6. Healing & Repair
Core Focus
- Primary vs secondary intention
- Growth factors & Angiogenesis
- Factors delaying healing (Local/Systemic)
NEET MDS Logic
Often underrated but high yield. They focus on the biological triggers of angiogenesis.
Framing: "Which factor delays wound healing?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2024: Factor most likely to delay wound healing.
- NEET MDS 2021: Most common systemic cause of delayed wound healing.
- INI-CET 2022: Vitamin essential for collagen cross-linking.
- NEET MDS 2019: Key difference between Primary and Secondary intention healing.
- AIIMS 2020: Most important angiogenic factor in granulation tissue.
- NEET MDS 2018: Type of collagen in early granulation tissue.
- NEET MDS 2020: Granulation tissue is visually characterized by?
- NEET MDS 2023: Role of myofibroblasts in wound contraction.
7. Hemodynamic Disorders
Core Focus
- Edema mechanisms & Thrombosis (Virchow’s triad)
- Embolism & Infarction (Red vs White)
NEET MDS Logic
Highly logical. They test the specific organ patterns (e.g., dual blood supply effects).
Framing: "Which organ is most likely to show a red infarct?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2023: Organ most likely to develop a red infarct.
- Earlier variants: Virchow’s triad elements.
- NEET MDS 2022: Most common site for white infarct.
- INI-CET 2021: Primary cause of dependent edema in right heart failure.
- NEET MDS 2019: Most common source of systemic emboli.
- AIIMS 2018: Paradoxical embolism occurs due to?
- NEET MDS 2020: Feature distinguishing antemortem from postmortem thrombus.
- NEET MDS 2021: Primary mechanism of edema in nephrotic syndrome.
8. Neoplasia – Basic Concepts
Core Focus
- Benign vs malignant characteristics
- Local invasion & Metastasis hallmarks
NEET MDS Logic
Foundational concepts that recur almost every year. Know the "best indicator" of malignancy.
Framing: "Feature best differentiating malignant tumors:"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2025: Feature most indicative of malignancy.
- NEET MDS 2022: Hallmark of a benign tumor.
- INI-CET 2023: Most definitive criteria for malignancy microscopically.
- NEET MDS 2019: Common route of metastasis for carcinomas.
- AIIMS 2021: Sarcomas typically spread via which route?
- NEET MDS 2020: Meaning of the term 'carcinoma in situ'.
- NEET MDS 2018: Tumor staging vs grading - which is generally more prognostic?
- NEET MDS 2021: Identify the paraneoplastic syndrome from the given clinical scenario.
9. Molecular Basis of Cancer
Core Focus
- Oncogenes vs Tumor suppressors (p53, Rb)
- DNA repair & Cell cycle checkpoints
NEET MDS Logic
Modern exams trend toward concept-heavy molecular biology. p53 is a frequent target.
Framing: "Which of the following is the most commonly mutated tumor suppressor gene in human cancers?"
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2024: Mutation of a gene leading to genomic instability.
- NEET MDS 2022: Most commonly mutated tumor suppressor gene in human cancers.
- INI-CET 2021: Primary role of Rb gene in the cell cycle.
- NEET MDS 2019: Anti-apoptotic gene overexpression commonly seen in lymphomas.
- AIIMS 2020: Function of normal p53 protein following DNA damage.
- NEET MDS 2018: HPV E6 and E7 proteins inactivate which host proteins?.
- NEET MDS 2020: Example of an oncogene activated by point mutation.
- NEET MDS 2023: Mismatch repair gene defects lead to which syndrome?
10. Amyloidosis
Core Focus
- AL vs AA amyloid proteins
- Organ involvement & Congo red staining
NEET MDS Logic
Short, direct, and repeatedly tested. Visual identification descriptions are common.
Framing: "A biopsy stained with Congo red shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light. The deposit is..."
Past Question Patterns
- NEET MDS 2023: Identify stain that shows apple-green birefringence.
- NEET MDS 2021: Most common organ involved in systemic amyloidosis.
- INI-CET 2022: AL amyloid is derived from which precursor protein?
- NEET MDS 2020: AA amyloid is associated with which chronic condition?
- AIIMS 2019: Protein structure characteristic of amyloid.
- NEET MDS 2018: Biopsy site of choice for systemic amyloidosis diagnosis.
- NEET MDS 2019: Senile cardiac amyloidosis involves which protein?
- NEET MDS 2022: Appearance of amyloid on H&E stain.
Topper Logic
Focus on the reasoning why a cell dies. Logic beats memory. Revise in short, frequent cycles.
Updated Mar 24, 2026.
