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NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 is determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It states that all medical aspirants who wish to appear for the exam must satisfy NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria related to age, nationality, academic qualifications, and other prerequisites to appear for NEET. In addition, the NEET eligibility marks in 12th have been set for an aggregate of 40% to 50% for candidates from different categories.
The conducting body has revised the NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 for NRI candidates. According to the revised criteria, Indian nationals, Non-Residental Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and foreign nationals are eligible for admission into different medical streams.
In the last few years, NTA has introduced several changes in the NEET exam eligibility clause, such as altering the upper age limit for NEET UG and allowing students with biology as an additional subject to appear for the NEET exam.
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NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025
NEET eligibility criteria 2025 seeks candidates to meet the criteria to apply for the exam. Aspirants seeking admission to the Medical, Dental, and AYUSH courses at the undergraduate level are suggested to go through the complete NEET exam eligibility. They must specify the NEET exam age limit, academic qualifications, nationality, and other mandatory requirements that all aspirants must meet.
Officials confirmed that from the previous year, the Jammu and Kashmir Tribal Affairs Department would begin a new initiative to coach talented tribal students preparing for the NEET and JEE admission tests.
Authorities stated that the department would cover the training costs and that individuals who complete the National Eligibility Completion Entrance Test (NEET) after receiving coaching will also be awarded scholarships.
For programs like MBBS, BVSc and AH, BDS, BAMS, BE, BTech, and other professional courses, the candidate will receive an annual scholarship of INR 70,000–75,000, totaling around INR 4 lakh.
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As per the interim orders passed by the Delhi High Court on Feb 26, 2020, and Feb 28, 2020, all candidates can now complete the NEET application.
It includes the candidates from open schools/ NIOS or those who have completed schooling with Biology as an additional subject. In addition, the candidates who completed their education privately or with a year gap between 11th and 12th can also appear for the exam per the NEET eligibility criteria 2025.
NEET has become mandatory to avail of the MBBS seats in India. Hence, it has also become one of the most competitive exams in India. The NEET UG eligibility criteria highlights are below to reference all the aspirants who wish to pursue a career in this field.
| Criteria | Eligibility |
| Domicile | Indian Citizens can apply for NEET 2025 |
| NRIs, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and foreign nationals are now eligible based on the revised eligibility criteria. | |
| Minimum Age Criteria | 17 years |
| Maximum Age Limit | Maximum Age Limit for NEET Removed by NMC |
| Minimum Qualification | The candidate must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, PWD-45%, and SC/ST-40% |
| Maximum Number of Attempts | There is no limit on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit for NEET. |
| Aadhaar Card is Not Mandatory | As per the Supreme court order, a candidate doesn't need to have an Adhaar card to apply for NEET 2025. Hence, non-residents of India can also appear for this exam. |
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Category-Wise Age Criteria for NEET 2025
For various categories, the NEET eligibility criteria 2025 are based on age. Therefore, if the candidates satisfy the below-mentioned category-wise NEET age limit 2025, they can apply for the exam.
| Criteria | Description |
| Upper Age Limit (Maximum Age) | There is no upper age limit. |
| Lower Age Limit (Minimum Age) | Candidates must be 17 years of age at the time of admission or before 31st December of the year of a candidate's admission into the MBBS/BDS Course. |
| Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories | For SC/ ST/ OBC candidates, the upper age limit is 30 years. |
Moreover, Aspirants under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, shall also enjoy certain age relaxation for the NEET exam.
That is, the maximum age limit for these candidates is 30 years, as specified in the NEET exam eligibility criteria laid out by NTA. In addition, the maximum age limit for NEET was removed by the conducting body.
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NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria Based on Educational Qualification
Following are NEET 2025 eligibility criteria based on the candidate's educational qualifications. In addition, the section informs of various things, such as the ideal subject combination and marks in 12th that an applicant must have obtained to fill the application form, as per NEET eligibility criteria 2025.
| Criteria | Description |
| Minimum Qualification | Candidates must have passed their 10+2 or any equivalent examination with a minimum of 50% aggregate of marks to meet NEET eligibility criteria 2025. |
| Subjects Combination in 10+2 | A candidate must have studied the curriculum in 10+2 which includes Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as compulsory subjects. |
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Required Percentage
If appearing for NEET 2025, students must score the minimum percentage of marks in the subject combination: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. However, the minimum percentage of marks is different for all categories.
The table shows the NEET eligibility criteria 2025 12th marks for the applicants to appear for the NEET 2025 examination.
| Category | Requirement |
| General | 50% in PCB |
| PH/PWD | 45% in PCB |
| SC/ ST/ OBC | 40% in PCB |
Note: Candidates' class 10th and 12th percentage required for NEET 2025.
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NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for All India Quota Seats
The candidates who successfully qualify for NEET 2025 eligibility must apply for the 15% All India Quota Seats. They will also be eligible to pursue MBBS from all the Deemed Universities, ESIC, AFMC, and Central Universities.
The MCI is responsible for counseling such candidates at an All-India Level. The following are NEET eligibility criteria 2025 for the reserved 15% All India Quota Seats.
- Candidates eligible for 15% All India Quota Seats
- Indian Nationals
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
- Foreign Nationals are eligible for 15% NEET 2025 All India Quota Seats
Q. What is the NEET age limit for OBC category?
Ans. The NEET age limit for general, OBC, SC, ST, or any other category is the same, that is, 17 years as of Dec 31, 2025. However, there is no upper age limit set by the authority.
NEET Eligibility Criteria for ESIC and AFMC
NEET eligibility criteria 2025 for ESIC, AFMC, DU, BHU, and AMU slightly differ from the general NEET exam eligibility criteria discussed above. Therefore, DGHS will conduct the proceeding admission process for ESIC, Delhi University, BHU, and AMU.
The reservation policy and the specifications of the eligibility criteria will be based on the concerned University. Aspirants must register on the official website of their respective colleges to get admission.
Admission into AFMC, Pune, will follow norms framed by the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Selected candidates have to appear for another screening test by AFMC. Candidates have to see the official website for further details: www.afmc.nic.in.
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NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 for State Quota
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 for state quote includes 85% of the seats in Medical and Dental courses of all the government colleges reserved for the candidates who meet NEET State Quota Eligibility Criteria.
The government colleges reserve these seats for the candidates who have resided in that state for a specific period and have documents to present as proof of residence.
To occupy these seats, the aspiring candidates must be residents of India and have completed their class 12 from the state where they are willing to pursue their education.
NEET State Quota Eligibility Criteria Exceptions
Candidates must check the details for the NEET State Quota Eligibility exceptions shared below.
- States Not Eligible for Quota Seats: Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir are not eligible for 15% All India Quota Seats, as this state has opted out of the NEET 2025 All India Scheme since its NEET was introduced.
- Colleges for J & K Candidates: Aspirants from Jammu & Kashmir can appear for NEET for admission to Private Medical/Dental Colleges or any Private/Deemed University and Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune if they fulfill all NEET eligibility conditions.
- Self-Declaration: If a candidate from Jammu & Kashmir claims eligibility for 15% All India Quota Seats, they must submit an online Self-Declaration. This will be generated and printed along with the confirmation page of the NEET 2025 application for the record. And this should be presented during NEET 2025 counselling.
- Verification of Documents: This online self-declaration of all applicants will be verified during counselling. If found to be false at any time, it shall cancel the admission of such aspirants immediately and might initiate criminal proceedings against them.
Q. What are the NEET eligibility marks in 12th 2025 for the SC category?
Ans. Candidates belonging to SC/ ST or reserved category must score at leats 40% marks to qualify for NEET exam eligibility 12th marks for the academic year 2025.
NEET 2025 Tie-Breaking for Inter-State Merit
In the case of two or more candidates obtaining equal marks in NEET 2025, the inter-state-merit of such candidates shall be determined in order of the following preference:
- Wrong Attempts: Candidates with fewer total wrong answers in all the subjects in the NEET Test.
- Age preference: Aspirants older in age will be given preference
- Marks Preference: Candidates obtaining higher marks in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test.
- Marks in Chemistry: Test-takers scoring higher marks in Chemistry in the NEET 2025 exam.
NEET 2025 Eligibility for J&K Students
Aspirants applying from Jammu and Kashmir shall not come under the 15% as mentioned above reservation quota. It is because Jammu and Kashmir have opted out since its inception. Therefore, if students from J&K claim NEET eligibility criteria 2025, they must submit a self-declaration form at the time of application form filling.
It will be available on the official website (in Appendix III). However, candidates will be able to verify that online self-declaration form during counselling. If it is found false, authorities will cancel that person's candidature.
Therefore, candidates from Jammu and Kashmir can get admission to Private Medical or Dental colleges in India only when they fulfill the specified NEET eligibility criteria 2025.
Also Read: Minimum Marks Required in NEET for MBBS
NEET 2025 Qualifying Examination Codes
As per NEET eligibility criteria 2025 framed by NTA, the candidates must have surpassed the educational standards below to be eligible to appear for the NEET 2025 examination. Specific codes correspond to the specifications that a candidate must adhere to in the NEET exam eligibility process.
The candidates must study these codes and choose the one that best describes their academic situation. These codes must be mentioned in the application forms submitted by the candidates. NEET qualifying examination codes are shared below in complete detail.
Code 1:
- A candidate appearing for the qualifying examination, i.e., 12th Standard in 2018, and awaiting their results may apply and take the NEET exam.
- But if that candidate does not pass that examination with the required pass percentage of marks at the time of the first round of Counselling, they shall not be eligible for admission to the MBBS or BDS courses.
Code 2:
- A student must have taken the Higher/Senior Secondary Examination or the Indian School Certificate Examination, equivalent to the 10+2 Higher Secondary exam.
- The last two years of study must comprise Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and Mathematics or any other elective subject in English.
- It is prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training after introducing the 10+2+3 educational structure recommended by the National Committee on Education.
Note: Where the course content is not as prescribed for the 10+2 education structure of the National Committee, those candidates must undergo a one-year pre-professional training before admission to the Medical Colleges.
Code 3:
- Students must have taken an Intermediate/Pre-degree Examination in Science at an Indian University or other recognized exam body with Physics, Chemistry, Biology /Biotechnology, and English as mandatory subjects.
Code 4:
- Aspirants must be from a Pre-professional/ taken Pre-medical Examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English after passing the Higher Secondary Examination or Pre-University exam.
- The Pre-professional/Pre-medical examination should include the practical test in these subjects and English as an essential subject.
Code 5:
- In this, the first year of a three-year degree course from a recognized University with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/ Biotechnology, including practice tests, also provided the examination is a University Examination.
- A candidate must have passed the earlier final examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Biotechnology with English at a level not less than the mainstream course.
Code 6:
- Aspirants must have written B.Sc. Examination of an Indian University provided that they have qualified in the B.Sc. Examination with subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany, Zoology)/Biotechnology.
- In addition, they should have passed the earlier qualifying examination along with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
Code 7:
- Any other examination in this scope and standard (such as the Last 02 years of 10+2 Study comprising Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. which shall include a practical test in these subjects) is found to be equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination.
- A Condition to be eligible for the competitive entrance examination is that a candidate should have passed one of the qualifying examinations listed above.
- They also provided that an aspirant should have individually passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English to be eligible for the competitive Entrance Test.
- They should have obtained at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in a final examination listed in clause (2) of regulation four on Graduate Medical Education 1997.
- Further, that candidate must have come on the merit list of NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY ENTRANCE TEST (UG) – 2017 for admission to MBBS/BDS courses.
- For candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Classes, the marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology taken together in a final exam shall be 40% marks instead of 50% for general candidates.
- Additionally, for persons with locomotory disability of lower limbs, a minimum of 45% marks for Gen-PH and 40% marks for SC-PH/ST-PH/OBC-PH is mandatory.
- Moreover, those students educated abroad seeking admission into Indian medical colleges through NEET must have passed the subjects that include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Biotechnology, and English up to the 12th-grade level with 50% marks.
- Also, they must fulfill the laid down conditions of the concerned University or College.
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NEET 2025 Reservation Criteria
NTA follows the government's proposed reservation policy to ensure all candidates receive equal opportunity. Following are the reservation criteria for NEET 2025 in 15% All India Quota Seats:
| Category | Reservation |
| SC Candidates | 15% of seats are reserved for SC candidates |
| General (EWS) | 10 % of the seats are reserved for economically weaker sections of the General category. |
| ST Candidates | 7.5% seats are reserved for ST candidates |
| OBC Candidates | 27% seats as per Central Act are reserved for non-creamy layer OBC candidates only in Central Educational Institutions |
| PH Candidates | 3% seats are reserved on a horizontal basis for Physically Handicapped candidates |
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FAQs on NEET Eligibility Criteria
Q: How many attempts for NEET 2025?
A: There is no limit on the number of attempts within the prescribed age limit for NEET. Candidates can attempt NEET as many times as they want.
Q: What is the age eligibility for NEET 2025?
A: The minimum age limit for NEET 2025 is 17 years, but NMC removed the maximum age limit for NEET.
Q: Are there 75 criteria for NEET 2025?
A: Candidates must score at least 50% marks for the general category, 40% for SC/ST/OBC, and 40% marks (SC/ST/OBC-PH) as aggregate scores in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Q: Has the NEET eligibility criteria 2025 changed?
A: NMC has removed the maximum age limit for NEET 2025. And the minimum percentage required by the unreserved category is 45% now.
Q: What is the NEET eligibility criteria 2025 12th marks required to appear for the exam?
A: NEET eligibility criteria 2025 percentage for 12th is set to be 50% for general, 45% for OBC, and 40% for reserved category candidates.
