NEET UG Eligibility
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) — 2025 Criteria
NEET UG is the single entrance test for all MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and other medical/dental programmes in India. Eligibility rules changed significantly after Supreme Court judgments — know the exact current rules.
Age Limits by Category
| Category | Min Age | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
All categories Minimum age: 17 years on or before 31 December of the year of admission. No upper age limit — the Supreme Court struck down the 25-year cap in 2022. | 17 | No limit |
Qualification Requirements
10+2 (Class 12)
Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects.
Marks: General: 50% aggregate in PCB. OBC/SC/ST: 40%. PH: 45%.
Candidates appearing in Class 12 in the exam year are also eligible to appear (provisional).
Biology as additional subject
Candidates who took Biology as an additional subject (not as a main subject) in Class 11 and 12 are also eligible.
Subject must appear in the Class 12 marksheet, even if listed as additional.
Attempt Limits by Category
All categories
UnlimitedNo limit on number of attempts as per current rules. The Supreme Court in 2018 struck down the 3-attempt cap. Candidates can appear every year until they secure admission or choose to stop.
Nationality & Domicile
Physical Requirements
- No specific physical fitness requirement for appearing in NEET UG.
- Specific medical institutes may have fitness criteria at the admission stage — check respective college prospectus.
Other Requirements
Common Misconceptions — Busted
Myth: The upper age limit for NEET is 25 years
Fact: The Supreme Court of India struck down the upper age limit in July 2022. There is currently no maximum age for NEET UG. Candidates of any age above 17 can appear.
Myth: You can only attempt NEET 3 times
Fact: There is no attempt limit. The 3-attempt cap was challenged and effectively removed. Candidates continue appearing until admission is secured or they choose to stop.
Myth: Private medical college seats are outside NEET
Fact: All MBBS/BDS seats in India — government and private — are filled via NEET UG. No private college can run its own entrance test for these programmes.
Myth: You need 60% in Class 12 to appear for NEET
Fact: The minimum is 50% in PCB for General category (40% for SC/ST/OBC). The 60% figure is sometimes cited by coaching institutes but is not the official NTA criterion.
Recent Rule Changes
Supreme Court struck down the 25-year upper age limit cap, making NEET open-ended for all ages above 17.
NEET made mandatory for AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BNYS) nationwide.
NEET replaced all state-level medical entrance tests — AIIMS and JIPMER merged into NEET from 2020.
Supreme Court struck down the 3-attempt limit, making attempts unlimited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 30-year-old appear for NEET UG 2025?
Yes. As long as you are at least 17 years old on 31 December 2025 and meet the Class 12 qualification criteria, there is no upper age bar.
I am from a state board. Am I eligible for NEET?
Yes. All recognized state boards are accepted. Your Class 12 must include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English with at least 50% in PCB (40% for SC/ST/OBC).
Can I appear for NEET if I took Biology only as an additional subject?
Yes, provided Biology is listed in your Class 12 marksheet. The NTA accepts Biology as an additional/optional subject for NEET eligibility.
How many times can I appear for NEET if I keep failing?
Unlimited times, per current Supreme Court rulings. There is no attempt cap. Plan carefully however — each year of preparation has an opportunity cost.
Confirm your eligibility with a cleared NEET UG guide
A SkillMonster Guide who has cleared NEET UG will verify your attempt count, map your age window, and build a preparation plan that uses every attempt strategically.