NEET 2025 Age Limit – Eligibility for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH Admission 2025-26 NEET Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Attempts, Marks, and Subjects for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH Courses. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) remains the gateway to India’s medical and dental programs. For NEET 2025, understanding the eligibility requirements is crucial for all aspiring medical students. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET serves as a unified entrance exam for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS, and other undergraduate AYUSH courses in both government and private institutions across India.

To ensure that students meet the necessary standards, the NTA has set specific eligibility criteria, covering the minimum and maximum age, educational qualifications, subject requirements, and minimum marks for different categories. Here’s a breakdown of the NEET 2025 eligibility criteria to help you determine if you qualify to take this exam and pursue your dream career in medicine.

NEET 2025 Age Limit Criteria: Minimum and Maximum Age Requirements

To apply for NEET 2025, candidates need to meet the following age requirements:

Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2025. This means that anyone born on or before December 31, 2008, is eligible to apply for NEET 2025. This minimum age requirement ensures that candidates are mature enough to handle the demanding medical education and training.
Upper Age Limit: As of recent guidelines, there is no upper age limit for NEET aspirants. This change allows students of all ages to pursue medical education, regardless of how many years may have passed since they completed their Class 12 education. The decision to remove the upper age limit makes NEET more accessible, enabling a wider range of candidates to take the exam.

NEET 2025 Number of Attempts Allowed

One of the most encouraging changes in NEET eligibility criteria is the removal of the attempt limit. Previously, candidates were restricted to a set number of NEET attempts, which added pressure on students to perform within a limited timeframe. For NEET 2025, however, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they want, provided they continue to meet all other eligibility requirements, including age and educational qualifications. This change allows candidates to improve their scores over multiple attempts if necessary.

Educational Qualifications and Subject Requirements for NEET 2025

To be eligible for NEET 2025, candidates need to have completed their 10+2 (Class 12) education with specific subjects and from a recognized board, such as CBSE, ICSE, or any state board. Here’s a breakdown of the subject and educational requirements:

Compulsory Subjects: Candidates must have completed their Class 12 education with:

Physics
Chemistry
Biology/Biotechnology
English

These four subjects are essential because they provide the foundational knowledge required for medical studies. Candidates should have studied these subjects in both Class 11 and Class 12 to ensure they have a well-rounded background in the core sciences.

Accepted Educational Boards: NEET accepts candidates from both regular school boards and recognized open schooling systems, such as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). This is an inclusive step, ensuring that students who completed their education through non-traditional channels are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the subject and marks requirements.

NEET 2025 – Private and Open School Candidates

In recent years, NEET eligibility rules have evolved to accommodate students from open schools and private candidates. If you’ve completed Class 12 through an open school like NIOS, you can still apply for NEET 2025, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements related to subjects and marks.

NEET 2025 Marks Requirement by Category

NEET has specific minimum marks requirements that vary based on your category. To be eligible, candidates must meet these minimum aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. Here’s a breakdown of the marks requirement:

General Category Candidates:

Minimum Marks: 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
This threshold ensures that candidates from the general category have a robust understanding of the core science subjects essential for a career in medicine.

Reserved Categories (SC/ST/OBC):

Minimum Marks: 40% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
This relaxation acknowledges educational disparities and is intended to create fairer access to medical education for candidates from underrepresented communities.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):

Minimum Marks: 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
This adjusted criterion is in place to support PwBD candidates who may have faced additional challenges in their academic journey.

International Candidates:

Indian nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) planning to pursue medical studies abroad must also qualify for NEET with at least 50% aggregate in the core subjects. This ensures that international applicants meet the same academic standards as those studying in India.

NEET 2025 Exam Pattern and Expected Changes

The NEET 2025 exam pattern may undergo some changes, and candidates should stay updated on the latest guidelines. Some potential changes include:

Two-Phase Exam Structure:

Similar to the JEE, NEET 2025 may introduce a two-phase format: NEET Prelims (Phase-I) and NEET Advance (Phase-II). This structure would allow students to demonstrate their grasp of subjects across different levels of difficulty, making the assessment process more comprehensive.
Exam Mode:

While NEET has traditionally been a pen-and-paper-based test, discussions are ongoing about moving to an online format. This shift may be implemented to enhance exam security and transparency, addressing concerns about potential paper leaks or cheating incidents. An online exam would also streamline the process for students and make administration easier for NTA.
Exam Syllabus:

Candidates should study Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT textbooks thoroughly, as NEET is heavily based on the NCERT syllabus. Topics covered in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are foundational, so students are advised to prepare comprehensively and avoid skipping any topics.

FAQs on NEET Eligibility 2025

Ques1: What is the minimum age to apply for NEET 2025?
Ans1: Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2025, to be eligible for NEET 2025.

Ques2: Is there an upper age limit for NEET 2025?
Ans2: No, as per current guidelines, there is no upper age limit for NEET 2025, allowing students of all ages to apply.

Ques3: Can open school students apply for NEET 2025?
Ans3: Yes, students from recognized open schools like NIOS can apply, provided they meet the required subject and marks criteria.

Ques4: What are the minimum Class 12 marks required for NEET?
Ans4: General category candidates need 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology; SC/ST/OBC candidates need 40%, and PwBD candidates need 45%.

Ques5: Will NEET 2025 be conducted online?
Ans5: While NEET has traditionally been conducted offline, the exam may shift to an online format for better security, though this is yet to be confirmed

NTA Eligibility 2025 – Complete Keypoints

Here’s the NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria in a tabular format for easy reference:

Eligibility Criteria	Details
Minimum Age Requirement	17 years by December 31, 2025
Upper Age Limit	No upper age limit
Number of Attempts	Unlimited; candidates can appear for NEET multiple times
Educational Qualifications	Completion of Class 12 with the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from a recognized board
Eligibility for Open School Students	Students from recognized open schools (like NIOS) are eligible if they meet subject and marks requirements
Marks Requirement	General: 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology SC/ST/OBC: 40% aggregate PwBD: 45% aggregate
Eligibility for International Candidates	Indian Nationals and OCIs planning to study abroad must meet minimum marks requirements for equivalency
Exam Pattern Changes	Possible two-phase format: Phase-I (Prelims) and Phase-II (Advance); potential shift to online mode for improved security
Syllabus	Based on Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Preparation Tip	Stay updated on eligibility and other exam updates at www.ntaneet2025.in and NTA’s official website

Conclusion
The NEET eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that aspiring medical students have the necessary background and commitment to succeed in a demanding field. With flexible age requirements, no restrictions on the number of attempts, and accommodations for open-school candidates, NEET 2025 is accessible to a wide range of candidates. Understanding the eligibility criteria early on can help you plan your preparation effectively and avoid any issues during the application process. For the latest updates, stay tuned to www.ntaneet2025.in and the official NTA website.

NEET Eligibility – NTA NEET 2025 Age Limit, Attempts, Subject, Marks Eligibility