NEET Eligibility 2025: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification, and NMC Guidelines

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Sahaj Anand

Content Writer | Journalism Graduate

NEET is the common entrance test in the country for undergraduate medical-related courses including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH. According to the eligibility criteria for NEET 2025, candidates must have an age of at least 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No age bar is defined for the application process.

Also, the applicants need to be class 12 pass out or appear for similar classes with physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects.

The NEET 2025 eligibility criteria relate to the qualifications concerning the academic requirements, amount of effort, and nationality to ensure that all applicants are inclusive and equal.

  • Educational Qualification: General category candidates must have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), while SC/ST/OBC candidates require 40%.
  • Attempts Limit: There is no restriction on the number of attempts. NEET is flexible for the candidates.
  • Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible to apply, so this exam is inclusive.

Check, out the latest updates related to NEET 2025:

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025

The NEET 2025 eligibility criteria ensure that applicants meet the minimum academic, age, and other requirements to apply for the medical program. Here's a quick overview:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025; No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed/appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Minimum Marks
  • General: 50% in PCB
  • SC/ST/OBC: 40%
  • PwD: 45%.
Nationality Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible.
Number of Attempts No limit on the number of attempts.

Who is Eligible for NEET 2025?

Understanding the eligibility criteria for NEET 2025 is a prime necessity for aspirants who are aspiring to get admission to undergraduate medical programs such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH courses, and others. The requirements differ according to age, nationality, educational qualification, and category.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Educational Qualification

To be eligible for NEET 2025, candidates must fulfill specific academic requirements related to their Class 12 or equivalent qualification. The eligibility varies across categories and requires candidates to have studied specific subjects and achieved the minimum percentage in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).

Here is a detailed explanation:

Criteria General Category SC/ST/OBC Category PwD Category
Subjects Required Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Minimum Marks in PCB 50% 40% 45%
Qualification Status Passed or appearing in Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. Passed or appearing in Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. Passed or appearing in Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board.
Accepted Boards CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or any recognized international boards. CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or any recognized international boards. CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or any recognized international boards.
Additional Notes Candidates must qualify for NEET 2025 with the required cut-off marks for admission. Reservation policies apply to this category. Relaxation of marks and specific policies for PwD candidates.

NEET 2025 Age Limit

The Age Limit requirements have been modified for NEET 2025, giving candidates greater options. There is no upper age limit for candidates to take the exam because the former upper age limit has been eliminated, although the minimum age requirement of 17 years old remains constant.

Criteria Details
Minimum Age 17 years as of December 31, 2025.
Maximum Age No upper age limit for NEET 2025.
Eligibility for Born in 2008? Eligible if the candidate turns 17 years by December 31, 2025.
Age Relaxation Not applicable as there is no upper age limit.

Also,check: NEET 2025 Age Limit

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for MBBS

Candidates seeking MBBS programs through NEET 2025 are required to satisfy certain eligibility criteria. These requirements include academic qualifications, age limits, nationality, and more to make candidates eligible for medical studies.

Below is a detailed table for NEET 2025 Eligibility criteria for MBBS:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Minimum Marks in PCB General: 50%; SC/ST/OBC: 40%; PwD: 45%.
Nationality Open to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
Board Recognized Candidates must have completed Class 12 from a recognized board (CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or international boards).
Attempts Limit No restrictions on the number of attempts.
Additional Requirement Must qualify for NEET 2025 with the required cut-off marks for MBBS admissions.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for BAMS/BSMS/BUMS/BHMS Courses

For AYUSH courses, candidates must meet some academic and qualifying exam requirements. All AYUSH programs in India require the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) to be taken. The specific requirements for prospective candidates are shown below.

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Minimum Marks in PCB General: 50%; SC/ST/OBC: 40%; PwD: 45%.
Nationality Open to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
Language Requirement For BUMS, proficiency in Urdu or Arabic is required in some programs.
Additional Requirement NEET qualification is mandatory for admission into AYUSH programs.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh

The following are the eligibilities for candidates from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for All India Quota and State quota seats candidates must meet specific requirements specified by the NEET authorities:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Minimum Marks in PCB General: 50%; SC/ST/OBC: 40%; PwD: 45%.
Nationality Indian citizens and residents of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Eligibility for AIQ Must submit a self-declaration form to participate in 15% AIQ seats.
State Quota Eligibility Eligible for state quota seats in their respective regions.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for NRI/OCI/Foreign Students

There are specific guidelines for NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and international students for NEET 2025. These academic requirements and required submission of documents for admission include:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Equivalent Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Minimum Marks in PCB General: 50%; SC/ST/OBC: 40%; PwD: 45%.
Nationality NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible.
Additional Documents An equivalency certificate and valid identification proof are required during counseling.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Category-wise Quota Seats

Reservation policies for different categories apply to ensure inclusivity in medical education.

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Reservation SC: 15%; ST: 7.5%; OBC-NCL: 27%; EWS: 10%; PwD: 5%.
Nationality Indian citizens and applicable to eligible categories.

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: 15% for AIQ Seats

The All India Quota (AIQ) seats are open to candidates across India, except for certain exclusions.

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Nationality Open to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
Eligibility Open to all NEET-qualified candidates, excluding Jammu & Kashmir candidates (unless declared eligible).

NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: For State Quota Seats

State quota seats account for 85% of medical seats within a state, governed by domicile and reservation rules.

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit.
Educational Qualification Passed or appeared in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Nationality Indian citizens with valid state domicile.
Reservation State-specific reservation policies apply.

NEET Eligibility for Private and Open School Students 2025

Students from private schools or open schooling systems face several questions regarding their eligibility for NEET 2025. The NMC makes sure that all candidates are treated equally irrespective of the schooling system they follow as long as they fulfill the academic and other eligibility criteria.

Below is an overview of NEET eligibility for private and open-school students:

Criteria Details
Educational Qualification Private and open school students must have completed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Both regular and private candidates are eligible.
Minimum Marks Required General Category: 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology combined. SC/ST/OBC: 40%. PwD candidates: 45%.
Examination Board Private school students must ensure that their board is recognized by the NMC and their certificates are valid for NEET eligibility. This applies to CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, and other equivalent boards.
Mode of Study Candidates from open schools (such as NIOS or equivalent) are eligible provided they meet the NEET subject requirements (PCB and English). Distance education and private study options are acceptable.
Age Limit Private and open school students must fulfill the age criteria: at least 17 years by December 31, 2025. There is no upper age limit.
Nationality Candidates must be Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, or PIOs to apply, with valid proof of nationality if applicable.
Documentation Required Private and open school students need to submit valid documents such as their 12th mark sheet, age proof, and other required certificates (as mentioned in NEET 2025 guidelines).

Recent Updates and Guidelines for NEET 2025

The NEET 2025 examination is, therefore, under new updates to enhance accessibility and standardization. These include great changes in the eligibility that are going to govern the candidates, the role of the National Medical Commission, and many more clarifications meant for those born in the year 2008.

Are Candidates Born in 2008 Eligible for NEET 2025?

The candidate is eligible for NEET 2025 if he/she is born on or before December 31, 2008, and has completed all the academic and nationality criteria. It means that the candidates who would be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2025, would only be able to participate in this exam.

Will NMC conduct NEET 2025?

National Medical Commission (NMC) shall monitor NEET 2025 for uniform regulation in medical college admissions. Admission into MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH shall be conducted through a process made smooth with NMC.

Recent Guidelines and Changes by NMC for NEET 2025

Guideline/Update Details
Minimum Age for NEET 2025 Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2025, to ensure readiness for medical studies.
No Upper Age Limit There is no maximum age restriction, allowing broader participation across age groups.
Eligibility for Class 12 Students Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English are eligible.
Foreign Nationals NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can apply, provided they meet equivalency requirements.
Language Options for NEET NEET 2025 will be conducted in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse candidates.
No Restriction on Attempts Candidates can attempt NEET as many times as required, as no attempt limit exists.
AIQ and State Quota Clarifications The 15% AIQ and 85% state quota will follow respective reservation and eligibility guidelines.
Introduction of the Next Exam While NEET remains the UG entrance exam, NExT will be implemented as the qualifying exam for PG admissions.

NEET Eligibility for Repeaters: What Changed in 2025?

NEET 2025 has good news for repeaters. NMC has always been flexible about the number of attempts candidates make to pass the exam. All repeaters have had equal chances of pursuing their medical dreams. The repeaters do not need to worry about a limit on attempts. The following are the eligibility criteria for repeaters in 2025:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Minimum: 17 years as of December 31, 2025. No upper age limit applies, giving repeaters flexibility to reattempt.
Educational Qualification Repeaters must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Minimum Marks in PCB General: 50%; SC/ST/OBC: 40%; PwD: 45%.
Number of Attempts No restrictions on the number of attempts; candidates can reapply until they meet their goal.
Nationality Open to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals.
NEET Score Validity A NEET score is valid only for the admission year. Repeaters must appear in NEET 2025 to qualify for the current cycle.
Other Requirements Repeaters must ensure all previous certificates, documents, and eligibility proof are up to date.

Essential Documents to Prove NEET 2025 Eligibility

Candidates seeking admission to NEET 2025 are required to submit several documents to prove their eligibility. These documents are a must for the application process and ensure that every candidate fulfills the eligibility criteria.

Below is a comprehensive list of documents required for NEET 2025 eligibility:

Document Purpose/Explanation
Class 12th/Equivalent Examination Marksheet Proof of passing Class 12 or equivalent with the required subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
Date of Birth Proof (Birth Certificate/10th Marksheet) To verify the candidate’s age, ensure they meet the minimum age requirement of 17 years by December 31, 2025.
Passport-sized Photographs 4-6 recent passport-sized color photographs for the NEET application form and admit card.
Signature A scanned image of the candidate’s signature for the application form and admit card.
Category Certificate (if applicable) SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate issued by a competent authority if applying under reserved categories.
Disability Certificate (if applicable) Certificate issued by a government medical board if applying under the PwD (Persons with Disability) category.
Aadhaar Card (if applicable) For Indian candidates, Aadhaar can be used as proof of identity and is required for completing the NEET application.
Class 10th/Equivalent Examination Marksheet For candidates who wish to provide proof of their educational qualification or require it for additional eligibility purposes.
Domicile Certificate (for State Quota) For candidates applying under the state quota, a domicile certificate is required to prove residency in the state.
Nationality Proof (for Foreign Candidates) Passport or relevant documents to verify nationality for foreign nationals, NRIs, and OCIs.
Gap Certificate (if applicable) If there’s a gap between studies (e.g., candidates who took a year off after Class 12), a gap certificate may be required.
Equivalence Certificate (for Foreign Education) For candidates who have completed their schooling from a foreign institution, an equivalency certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is needed.

NEET 2025 Qualifying Exam Codes and Criteria

Candidates must know the NEET 2025 qualifying exam codes when filling up the application forms. This code shows the highest qualification attained for the NEET eligibility test and thus proves whether a candidate fulfills the academic requirement.

Detailed information regarding NEET 2025 qualifying exam codes is described below:

Code Criteria
Code 01 Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2025 and awaiting results. They must pass the exam with the required percentage before the admission process.
Code 02 Candidates who have completed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Suitable for most school pass-outs.
Code 03 Candidates who completed their intermediate/pre-degree examination in science (including practical tests) with PCB and English. Often includes university preparatory programs.
Code 04 Candidates who completed a pre-professional or pre-medical course with PCB and English after passing Class 12 or equivalent.
Code 05 Candidates with a three-year degree from a recognized university with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology as core subjects and passed the practical tests.
Code 06 Candidates with a B.Sc. degree from an Indian university who passed the first year of their degree in PCB and English, after completing Class 12.
Code 07 Candidates completing foreign education equivalent to Class 12 (recognized by the Association of Indian Universities) with PCB and English as core subjects.

Check NEET Previous Year Cutoff (2024 - 2023)

College
2024
2023
47
57
141
1556
151
1012
374
534
510
621
655
603
676
2353
731
931
778
635
826
5081
953
1264
1010
1962
1031
485684
1098
1084
1098
1084

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Fees Structure

Structure based on different categories

CategoriesState
General1700
sc1000
pwd1000

Note: General EWS and OBC Category Fees- INR 1600

In case of any inaccuracy, Notify Us! 

Comments


Found 3 Comments

P
prashun dwivedi
May 1, 2024 15:33
Along with age does academic qualification also required?
A
amit
May 3, 2024 19:47

Yes, the candidates should have passed their 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and must have completed 17 years of age.

A
ayesha
Dec 5, 2022 21:07
Are those giving Physics, Chemistry and Biology exams from Nios On Demand examination are eligible for NEET?
S
sinbad chongtham
Dec 7, 2022 12:20

Yes, students who have passed their Class XII examination from NIOS are eligible to register and take NEET. They must have passed the examination with PCB subjects and a minimum 50% marks in aggregate.

M
muhtasimul hoque
Oct 12, 2022 23:24
Dear Sir, I have got 28 marks in Physics, 63 marks in Chemistry, 66 marks in Biology. I have given Improvement exam only in Physics & now I have got 58 marks in Physics. So, can I eligible to give the exam of NEET?
S
sinbad chongtham
Oct 13, 2022 17:23

If you have passed Class XII examination from a recognized board taking PCB subjects and score at least 50% marks in aggregate, you are eligible to register and take NEET. The registration process for NEET 2023 is expected to start in the month of April 2023.


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