NEET eligibility criteria 2025 are essential for candidates applying for the exam. They must check and confirm their eligibility before submitting the NEET 2025 application form. Know the age limit, required qualifications, and minimum marks needed to appear for NEET 2025 here.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the NEET 2025 eligibility criteria on neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2025. As per the NEET 2025 eligibility, they should have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Biotechnology, and English as subjects before admission.
NEET eligibility criteria include required educational qualifications, age limits, nationality, and other key factors. Aspirants planning for NEET UG 2025 must check all eligibility details. Candidates who do not meet the criteria cannot submit the NEET application form. NEET is conducted for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc Nursing, and other medical courses. Read the full article for complete details on NEET 2025 eligibility.
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2025 Key Highlights
| Academic Qualification | 10+2 or its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. |
| NEET Eligibility Marks | General Category – 50% (PH – 45%) OBC/SC/ST – 40% (PH – 40%) Note: Mathematics scores are not considered for this examination. |
| Age Limit | Minimum: 17 Years Age Maximum: No upper age limit |
| Number of Attempts | No restrictions on the number of attempts. |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals NRIs, OCIs, PIOs & Foreign Nationals |
| Score Validity | One Academic Year |
Basic NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2025
Listed below are the essential eligibility criteria for NEET UG 2025.
- As per the NEET age criteria, candidates must be at least 17 years old at admission or by December 31, 2025. So, the minimum birth date should be December 31, 2008. There is no upper age limit for NEET as of last year, but NEET 2025 may have age restrictions.
- Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) aiming to study MBBS or BDS abroad must also qualify for NEET 2025.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Age Limit
The National Medical Commission (NMC) officially removed the upper age limit for NEET. Earlier, it was 25 years for General and 30 years for reserved categories. This rule was first applied in NEET 2022 and continued for NEET 2024.
| Category | Minimum Age Requirement | Maximum Age Requirement |
| Unreserved Category (UR) | Born on or before December 31, 2008 | No Longer Applicable |
| SC/ST/OBC |
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Qualifying Marks & Requirements
Below are the NEET 2024 eligibility rules based on educational qualifications or marks secured in the qualifying exam.
- Candidates must have individually passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English in the qualifying exam.
- These subjects should have been studied as core or additional subjects.
- General category candidates must score at least 50% in the qualifying examination.
- SC/ST/OBC candidates should secure a minimum of 40% in the qualifying exam.
- General category candidates applying under the PWD quota must have at least 45% marks in the qualifying exam.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Minimum Required Marks for Qualification
The table below shows the minimum total marks needed in the qualifying exam based on the evaluation criteria.
| Category | Minimum aggregate in the qualifying examination (PCB) |
|---|---|
| General | 50 per cent |
| General – PWD | 45 per cent |
| SC/ ST/ OBC/ Reserved-PWD | 40 per cent |
How Many Attempts for NEET?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET as per NTA guidelines. Candidates can appear for NEET as many times as they wish.
Until NEET 2023, only students with these subjects as core were allowed for the exam. NMC revised the NEET UG 2024 eligibility following court orders. As per the official NMC notice, “Candidates who have passed 10+2 or its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English are eligible for NEET-UG.”
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Candidates from UT of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh cannot apply for the 15% All India Quota seats. They can only apply for seats in Deemed Universities, ESIC, and AFMC.
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Candidates Applying for State/ Deemed/ Central/ ESIC/ AFMC Seats
The criteria mentioned below are based on different seat categories. Candidates must check them carefully before applying.
- Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs can apply for these seats.
- Foreign nationals must verify their eligibility before applying for NEET 2025.
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Candidates Applying for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) Seats
Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can apply for these seats. The table below shows the latest NEET reservation criteria for OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD categories under the 15% AIQ seats.
| Categories | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 7.5 |
| OBC | 27 |
| EWS | 10 |
| PwD | 5 |
On July 29, 2021, the Indian government announced a major change in NEET reservations. From the 2021-22 academic year, a 27% OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) quota and a 10% EWS quota apply to 15% UG AIQ seats (MBBS/BDS) from State/UT contributions to the Central Pool.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Central Universities
- Delhi University (MAMC, LHMC, UCMS): Like other universities, only 15% of seats in Delhi University-affiliated colleges will be filled through NEET counseling. The remaining 85% of seats will be allotted through DU NEET counseling. Candidates who have completed Class 11 and 12 from a school in Delhi can apply for these 85% seats.
- Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia: The institute provides 50 BDS seats, with 47 filled through MCC NEET counseling. The remaining three seats come under the institutional quota and are reserved for candidates who have completed Class 11 and 12 from JMI.
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU): The institute allocates 50% of its seats to candidates who have studied at AMU for the past three years. Only these candidates can apply for the institutional quota seats. The remaining 50% of seats will be filled through MCC NEET counseling.
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU): All candidates meeting the basic NEET MCC counseling eligibility can apply for seats at BHU. No special requirements are needed.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Qualifying Examination Codes
The table below provides a code-wise description of the candidate categories.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| Code 01 | The candidate is currently appearing for the qualifying exam or waiting for the results. They must submit the result during the first round of counselling. |
| Code 02 | The candidate passed Class 12 or its equivalent in 2024 or earlier and has not taken any other course since then. |
| Code 03 | The candidate has passed the Intermediate/Pre-degree Exam in Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Or the candidate has completed a Class 12 equivalent qualifying exam from a state board. |
| Code 04 | The candidate has passed a Pre-professional/Pre-medical exam after completing Higher Secondary/Pre-University or an equivalent exam with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. |
| Code 05 | The candidate is pursuing a three-year degree in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology and has successfully passed the first year, including practical exams. |
| Code 06 | The candidate holds a BSc degree from a recognized university with at least two subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany/Zoology), or Biotechnology. He/she must have passed Class 12 with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. |
| Code 07 | The candidate has passed an exam equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. Or, the candidate has completed the qualifying exam from a foreign university. |
NEET 2025 application forms are expected in the first week of March 2025. The last date to apply will likely be in the second week of April 2025. The exam is tentatively scheduled for May 4, 2025. Before applying, candidates must check the NEET 2025 eligibility criteria. If they fail to meet the criteria, their application will be rejected. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the revised NEET UG 2025 eligibility details in the information brochure along with the application form.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a mandatory exam for admission to medical and allied courses like MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH. The NEET 2024 eligibility criteria set the minimum qualifications required for candidates to apply for these courses.
NTA removed the upper age limit from NEET 2021 eligibility, allowing candidates above 25 years to apply. Aspirants must check their eligibility before filling out the NEET 2024 application form. If found ineligible, their admission may be canceled.
NEET UG 2025 Important Link
| NEET UG Notification 2025 | NEET UG Exam Pattern 2025 |
| NEET UG Result 2025 | NEET UG Syllabus 2025 |
| NEET UG Admit Card 2025 | NEET UG Cut-Off 2025 |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 | NEET UG Seat Matrix 2025 |
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025 FAQ’s
Q. What is the minimum age requirement for NEET 2025?
A. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2025, to be eligible for NEET UG 2025.
Q. Is there an upper age limit for NEET 2025?
A. No, the upper age limit for NEET has been removed, allowing candidates of any age to apply.
Q. What are the educational qualifications required for NEET 2025?
A. Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Q. What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 for NEET 2025?
A.
- General Category: 50% in PCB
- OBC/SC/ST Category: 40% in PCB
- PwD Category (General): 45% in PCB
Q. Can students with a gap year apply for NEET 2025?
A. Yes, candidates with a gap year between Class 11 and 12 can apply for NEET 2025.
Q. How many attempts are allowed for NEET?
A. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET.
Q. Are foreign nationals eligible for NEET 2025?
A. Yes, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can apply for NEET, but they must verify their eligibility with their respective colleges.
Q. Can students who studied Biology as an additional subject apply?
A. Yes, candidates who studied Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject in Class 12 are eligible for NEET.
Q. Are J&K and Ladakh candidates eligible for AIQ seats?
A. Candidates from J&K and Ladakh are not eligible for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, but they can apply for Deemed Universities, ESIC, and AFMC seats.
Q. Can open school students apply for NEET 2025?
A. Yes, candidates from open schools or private candidates are eligible, but they should check the latest NMC guidelines.