NEET UG 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Attempts & Qualifications
Introduction
The NEET UG 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the only medical entrance test in India for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, and Nursing courses. Every aspirant must meet the eligibility requirements set by NTA before applying for the exam. The eligibility criteria mainly include age limit, educational qualifications, nationality, and number of attempts.
Knowing these details beforehand prevents mistakes during registration and ensures a smooth admission process. The NEET UG 2025 eligibility requirements are fully explained in this article, which also covers the minimum age, upper age relaxation, academic requirements, & attempt limits.
NEET UG 2025 Age Limit
Minimum Age Requirement:
- Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of 31st December 2025 to be eligible.
Upper Age Limit:
- In 2022, the upper age restriction was removed, meaning there is no maximum age limit for NEET UG 2025.
- Both younger aspirants (meeting the minimum age) and older candidates can appear for the exam.
Example: If your date of birth is 31st December 2008 or earlier, you are eligible for NEET UG 2025.
NEET UG 2025 Number of Attempts
- Earlier, NEET had a restriction of three attempts.
- However, this rule has been scrapped.
- As long as they fulfil the minimum age and qualification requirements, candidates can now take the NEET UG 2025 exam as many times as they like.
This is a huge relief for candidates, especially repeaters, as it enables them to keep trying until they receive a high score.
NEET UG 2025 Educational Qualification
To apply for NEET UG 2025, aspirants must fulfil the academic criteria:
Qualifying ExamMustst have passed a recognised board's Class 12 (10+2) or comparable exam.
- Students appearing in Class 12 exams in 2025 are also eligible, but they must clear their board exams before admission.
Compulsory Subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology/Biotechnology
- English (as a core subject)
Minimum Marks in 12th Standard (PCB subjects):
- General Category: 50% aggregate
- OBC/SC/ST: 40% aggregate
- PwD (Persons with Disability): 45% aggregate
Important: Students with Biotechnology instead of Biology in Class 12 are also eligible.
NEET UG 2025 Nationality Criteria
Applicants must fit into the following categories:
- Indian Nationals
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
- Foreign Nationals
NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs can apply for NEET UG 2025 but must check the specific eligibility requirements of their preferred colleges, especially for state quota seats.
NEET UG 2025 Reservation Policy
The reservation system applies as per the Government of India rules:
- SC – 15%
- ST – 7.5%
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) – 27%
- EWS – 10%
- PwD – 5% (across all categories)
Documents Required for Eligibility Verification
During counselling, candidates must provide proof of eligibility. The essential documents include:
- copyright or Class 10 mark sheet (to verify age)
- Class 12 mark sheet (for qualification)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (for PwD candidates)
- Nationality/identity proof (Aadhaar card, copyright, or equivalent)
Conclusion
The NEET UG 2025 eligibility criteria are straightforward, focusing on minimum age, Class 12 qualifications, subject requirements, and nationality. With the removal of the upper age limit and attempt restrictions, more aspirants now have the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine. Before filling out the application form, candidates must carefully check whether they meet all conditions to avoid disqualification. By ensuring eligibility, students can focus entirely on their NEET UG 2025 preparation and secure a seat in top medical colleges across India.