NEET Eligibility Criteria 2024 - Age Limit, Qualification Required, Number Of Attempt

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the NEET 2024 eligibility requirements for all prospective medical students on its official website, neet.nta.nic.in. According to a recent announcement by the NMC, students who have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as additional subjects after completing their Class 12 from recognized boards are eligible to take the NEET UG Test.

Those planning to take medical entrance exams should be fully aware of the NTA NEET 2024 eligibility requirements. Candidates who do not meet any of the eligibility criteria for NEET will not be permitted to sit for the entrance exam. It is compulsory for NEET candidates to be at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the admission year. Candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as main subjects. Information on NEET’s age limit, maximum attempts, and other crucial details are included in the NEET eligibility criteria.

The NEET 2024 eligibility criteria outline the necessary educational qualifications, age restrictions, nationality requirements, and other essential factors that determine eligibility for NEET. Any new updates on the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria will be posted here once they are released. Candidates should review the NEET eligibility criteria before completing the application form. It should be noted that no candidate will be allowed to complete the NEET 2024 application form if they do not meet the specified criteria.

The NEET exam is held for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc nursing, and other medical courses. If you are a medical student planning to take NEET 2024, please read the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria article below for detailed information on admission conditions, codes, qualifying criteria, NEET age limit, and other relevant details.

NEET-UG 2024 Eligibility Requirements - Comprehensive Information

Candidates who meet the following eligibility requirements for NEET and complete the application process by the specified deadline will be qualified to take the undergraduate medical entrance exam. Those who want to study medicine overseas but plan to return to India to practice must also take the NEET.

  • Minimum Age: Applicants must be at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the year of their admission.
  • NEET Exam Age Limit: There is no maximum age limit for the exam.
  • Citizenship: Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and foreign nationals are all eligible to take the exam.
NEET Eligibility Requirements by NTA - Qualifying Exam Prerequisites
Parameters Details
Qualifying Exam for NEET 2024 Applicants must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as main subjects from a recognized board.
Class 12 or equivalent appearing candidates are also eligible to apply for NEET.
Candidates who are studying Biology as an additional subject after passing class 12 are also eligible.
NEET eligibility marks 2024 The class 12 percentage required for NEET 2024 exam is separate for each category and can be listed as under. NEET eligibility marks in 12th to be considered are aggregate marks only for PCB subjects
UR - 50%
OBC/SC/ST - 40%
PWD - 40%
Maximum Number of Attempts for NTA NEET There are no restrictions on the number of NEET 2024 attempt limit
NEET 2024 eligibility criteria for NRI/Foreign students

For candidates who have completed their education abroad, they must meet the NEET eligibility criteria. Their final examination should be equivalent to a class 12 qualification in their home country. They should have studied and passed both the theory and practical tests in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, as well as English.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals can apply for admission in Medical/Dental Colleges, subject to the rules and regulations set by the respective State Governments, Institutions, and the Government of India.

NRI and OCI candidates must upload a certificate from the relevant Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country of residence, supporting their NRI/OCI status, along with their NEET UG 2024 online application form.

Foreign applicants for NEET 2024 must also upload documentary proof (like relevant pages of a valid passport or a certificate from the competent authority in their country confirming their citizenship status) in support of their nationality, along with their online NEET application form.

NEET Eligibility 2024 - What is the Upper age limit?

Previously, there were several restrictions on the NEET 2024 UG age limit, subjects, and type of school. However, according to the revised NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, these restrictions have been lifted. The health ministry’s latest update states that there is no upper age limit for the NEET 2024 exam. According to an announcement made by the NMC on March 9, 2022, the age restriction for NEET eligibility has been lifted. This means that candidates who are 17 years old or older can now apply for the NEET exam. Previously, the maximum age for the NEET exam was 25 years for general category candidates and 30 years for those in the reserved category.

How much percentage is required in 12th for NEET?

Regarding the percentage required in 12th grade for NEET, students must achieve a certain minimum pass percentage in 12th grade to be eligible for NEET 2024. The required percentage is 50% for the unreserved category, and 40% for OBC/SC/ST and PWD categories in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology combined. This minimum pass percentage is determined by the NTA. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2024.

NEET eligibility criteria 2024 for BSc Nursing admission

For those interested in BSc Nursing admission through NEET in 2024, the eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Minimum age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2024.
  • Qualifying examination: Candidates must have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as mandatory subjects. Those who have studied Biology as an additional subject after passing Class 12 are also eligible.
  • Minimum aggregate marks: General category candidates must have passed the qualifying examination with at least 45% marks, while SC/ST/OBC candidates must have at least 40% marks.
  • Reservation policy: 3% reservation will be given to Persons with Disability (PwD) candidates.

In terms of the qualifying examination codes for NEET eligibility in 2024, the required pass percentage for 12th grade is 50% for general category candidates and 40% for reserved categories. When filling out the application form, candidates must select the NEET 2024 qualification codes for the qualifying examination. It’s important for candidates to familiarize themselves with these codes. The following list provides the identification codes that are necessary for the NTA NEET 2024 qualifying examination:

  • Code 01
  • Code 02
  • Code 03
  • Code 04
  • Code 05
  • Code 06
  • Code 07

These codes are crucial for the qualification process. Code 01: This code is for students who will be sitting for their Class 12 board exam in 2024 and are awaiting their results. However, they must have passed their Class 12 according to the set criteria by the time of admission, otherwise, they will be disqualified.

Code 02: This code is for students who are preparing for the higher/senior secondary examination or Indian School Certificate Examination (ISCE), which is equivalent to the Class 12 examination and requires 12 years of study. According to the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), the final two years of study should include science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and Mathematics or any other elective subjects with English as a core subject. This code also applies to those who have previously passed the qualifying examination from CBSE/ICSE or any state board in the year 2020, but wish to sit for NEET 2024.

Code 03: This code is for students who have completed their Intermediate/Pre-degree Examination in Science from an Indian University/Board or other recognized body with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as a compulsory subject. The course should include a practical test in science subjects. This code also applies to candidates who have completed their class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination from a state board.

Code 04: This code is for students who have completed a Pre-professional/Pre-medical Examination after passing either the Higher Secondary Examination or the Pre-University or an equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English. The Pre-professional/Pre-medical examination should include practical tests in these subjects and English as a compulsory subject.

Code 05: This code is for students who are pursuing a three-year degree course from a recognized University and have passed the first year including practical tests in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. The qualifying exam must be a University Examination and candidates should have passed the previous qualifying examination, i.e., 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology with English as a core course.

Code 06: This code is for students who have passed the BSc Examination from an Indian recognized University with at least two of the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany, Zoology)/Bio-technology. They must also have passed the previous qualifying examination (10+2) with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Code 07: This code is for students who have passed any other examination which in scope and standard (Last two years of 10+2 Study comprising of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology; which shall include practical test in these subjects) is equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination of an Indian University/Board. This code also applies to students who have completed the qualifying examination from a foreign country.

NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria - Minimum Age Limit

The primary concern for every aspirant is the age limit for the NEET exam. As per the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, candidates must be at least 17 years old either at the time of admission or before December 31, 2024.

Age Criteria for NEET 2024 by Category
Category Date of Birth for Minimum Age
Unreserved Category (UR) Candidates Born on or before December 31, 2007
SC/ST/OBC Category Candidates Born on or before December 31, 2007
Qualifying Marks for NEET 2024
  • Candidates must pass Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English individually in the qualifying examination, which is 10+2 or equivalent, as per NEET 2024 eligibility criteria.

  • Unreserved category candidates must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in their Class 12 or HSC examination.

  • Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates should have scored 40% of passing marks in Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in aggregate in the qualifying examination. Medical students with lower limb locomotor disabilities need to achieve at least 45% marks for General-PH and 40% marks for SC-PH/ST-PH/OBC-PH collectively in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.

What are the qualifying marks for NEET 2024?

The minimum percentage required for NEET 2024 eligibility varies by category. For the unreserved category, the aggregate marks required are 50%. For SC/ST/OBC/Reserved-PH, the required marks are 40%, and for Unreserved-PH, the required marks are 45%.

Regarding the number of attempts for NEET 2024, there is no limit. The minimum passing percentage in Class 12th must be 50% marks, while reserved candidates require 40% marks. After changes to the NEET UG eligibility criteria in 2018, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts. Therefore, candidates can take the entrance exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

For the 15% All India Quota seats/Deemed Universities/Central Universities/ESIC and AFMC colleges, candidates who pass the NEET UG 2024 exam can apply. The counselling for these seats will be conducted at a national level by MCI.

Candidates from J&K are not eligible for the 15% All India Quota seats unless they submit a self-declaration form with their NEET 2024 application. This declaration indicates that the candidate wants to participate in the counselling for the 15% All India Quota seats and will give up the home state counselling in return. These candidates will be eligible for seats in Deemed Universities, ESIC, and AFMC colleges according to the NEET eligibility criteria.