NEET is the largest entrance exam in India for the entrance to undergraduate courses in the
medical stream. Thousands of students eagerly wait for the exam every year. NTA has released
directions regarding the syllabus, eligibility, and other related aspects of the NEET exam. NTA
has released guidelines regarding the eligibility for NEET exam 2025.
Eligibility criteria covers many factors including age limit, educational qualification, and
nationality.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizens, OCI, NRI, and foreign nationals |
| Lower age limit |
|
| Upper Limit | No upper age limit |
| Educational Qualification (unreserved and general candidate) |
|
| Educational Qualification (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Classes (NCL)) |
|
| Students with education outside India | 50% marks in Physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English in class 12 and their equivalency determined by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) |
NEET eligibility criteria for age defines the minimum and maximum age to appear for the NEET exam.
| Category | Minimum Age Limit | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General | Born on or before 31.12.2008 | No Longer Applicable |
| SC Category | ||
| ST Category | ||
| OBC-NCL Category | ||
| OBC-NCL Category |
NTA removed the restrictions on the number of attempts for NEET in 2018. Candidates can appear for NEET multiple times. They should satisfy the eligibility criteria for NEET.
The candidates must have cleared 10+2 exam with individual passing grades in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology chosen as main subjects from any recognized Indian board. Otherwise, they must have cleared any exam equivalent to 10+2 exam from recognized Indian board with passing marks in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs), Foreign Nationals, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) can also apply for NEET to get admission to the Indian Medical Colleges.
• Code 01:
This code is for the students studying in class 12th, awaiting their 12th final exam results. They are
eligible to appear in the NEET exam. However, admission in any of the undergraduate medical courses is
subject to marks obtained in the 12th final exam. They need to get the required passing percentage before
the first round of counseling.
• Code 02:
The students who have appeared for the Higher/Senior Secondary Examination or the Indian School Certificate
Examination that holds equal significance to the class 12 Higher/Senior Secondary Examination can opt for
this code. Students should have completed 12 years of study with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology
as subjects in the last two years. These subjects should also include their practical tests. Also, they must
have studied English, as prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT),
and an elective subject including Mathematics in the last two years.
Students who have cleared class 12 from an open university or private students will not be eligible to
appear for NEET. The students who study Biology/Biotechnology as an elective subject will not be eligible
for the NEET exam.
• Code 03:
This code is for students studying on the State Board. Students who have cleared the Intermediate/Pre-degree
examination from an Indian university/board or any recognized examination with Physics, Chemistry,
Biology/Biotechnology, and English compulsory subjects are eligible for NEET.
• Code 04:
This code is for the students who have cleared a pre-professional/pre-medical examination after passing a
higher secondary examination or any equivalent examination. In such cases, the students should have cleared
the pre-professional/pre-medical examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as
compulsory subjects.
• Code 05:
The students enrolled in the three-year degree course with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology can
opt for this code. These students must have passed the 1st year of this three-year degree course including
the practical tests in the three subjects. They should have cleared the earlier qualifying exam with
Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as the main subjects.
• Code 06:
Students who have completed their B.Sc. can opt for this code. As per the rules, the candidates should have
passed the B.Sc. exam from an Indian university with at least two of the subjects from Physics, Chemistry,
and Biology (Botany, Zoology)/Biotechnology. The candidate should have passed the earlier qualifying
examination with the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
• Code 07:
Students who have pursued education from other universities or foreign universities can opt for this code.
The candidate should have cleared any examination equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination of an
Indian University/Board with subjects English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology including
practical tests in each of these subjects.
