NEET Eligibility Criteria 2024: Everything About Age Limit, Educational Qualifications, & Much More!
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4th June 2024
Introduction
NEET, the pivotal medical entrance exam in India, was conducted on May 5, 2024 To qualify, candidates must meet specific eligibility prerequisites laid down by the NTA. These include being at least 17 years old by December 31, 2024. For Class 12 board exams, General/EWS applicants need a minimum of 50% marks, while SC/ST/OBC applicants require 40%.
The NEET 2024 registration reopened briefly from April 9 to April 10. Only aspirants meeting the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria should apply. It’s crucial for medical aspirants to thoroughly understand these criteria before filling out the application form.
The NTA released the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, emphasizing mandatory educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality requirements. A recent notice from the NMC stated that candidates with additional subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, along with English after Class 12, are eligible for NEET 2024. However, biology in Class 12 remains mandatory as per NMC guidelines.
Science students with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12 are eligible for NEET. Even those with PCM and biology as an additional subject can apply. Biology in Class 12 is a prerequisite to fulfill NEET eligibility criteria.
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Overview of NEET Exam Eligibility Criteria
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a crucial examination for aspiring medical and dental students in India. To appear for NEET UG 2024, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Dental Council of India (DCI). This guide outlines the detailed eligibility requirements for NEET (UG) – 2024, covering age limits, nationality, educational qualifications, and other essential aspects.
Age Criteria for NEET (UG) - 2024
2. Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must have completed 17 years of age at the time of admission or will reach that age on or before December 31st of the admission year
- General (UR)/General-EWS Category: Born on or before December 31, 2007
- SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD Category: No specific age limit mentioned.
2. No Upper Age Limit: As per NMC’s communication, there is no upper age limit for NEET (UG) – 2024.
Nationality Criteria for NEET (UG) - 2024
- Indian Citizens/Overseas Citizens of India (OCI): Indian citizens and OCI holders are eligible to appear for NEET (UG) - 2024.
- Foreign Nationals: Foreign nationals can also apply for NEET (UG) - 2024, subject to regulations set by Indian authorities.
Eligibility for NRI / OCI / Foreign Nationals
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals aspiring to pursue medical or dental education in India, adhering to the NEET eligibility criteria is crucial. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the eligibility requirements for NRI/OCI/Foreign Nationals seeking admission to Medical/Dental Colleges in India through NEET UG 2024.
Equivalence to Class 12 Qualification
- Candidates who have completed their education outside India must ensure that their last examination is equivalent to Class 12 qualification in their respective country.
- The curriculum should include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, with both theory and practical tests in each subject.
Eligibility for Admission
- NRIs, OCIs, and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission to Medical/Dental Colleges in India, subject to the rules and regulations framed by State Governments, Institutions, and the Government of India.
Documentation Requirements
- NRI and OCI applicants must provide a certificate from the concerned Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country of residence to support their claim.
- Foreign applicants need to upload documentary proof, such as relevant pages of a valid passport or a Certificate from the Competent Authority in their country of nationality, to establish their citizenship status.
Qualifications and Qualifying Examination Codes
Qualifications and Qualifying Examination Codes
To streamline the application process for NEET 2024, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced specific qualifying examination codes. These codes help
Details of Qualifying Examination Codes
Code 01
Designed for candidates awaiting their Class 12 board exam results in 2024. However, they must have met the specified criteria by the time of admission.
Code 02
Applicable to aspirants studying for higher/senior secondary examination or Indian School Certificate Examination (ISCE), equivalent to Class 12. This includes a focus on science subjects along with Mathematics or other electives and English as a core subject. Droppers can also use this code if they meet the criteria.
Code 03
Intended for candidates completing their Intermediate/Pre-degree Examination in Science from an Indian University/Board, ensuring inclusion of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, along with practical tests in science subjects.
Code 04
reservation for aspirants who have completed a Pre-professional/Pre-medical Examination after passing the Higher Secondary Examination or equivalent. This examination must include practical tests in mentioned subjects, along with English as a compulsory subject.
Code 05
Applicable to candidates pursuing a three-year degree course from a recognized University, having qualified in the first year, including practical tests in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. The qualifying exam should have been a University Examination, and the candidate must have passed 10+2 in the specified subjects.
Code 06
For individuals who have qualified for the BSc Examination from an Indian recognized University, ensuring English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as part of the curriculum during their earlier qualifying examination.
Code 07
Meant for candidates who have qualified for any other examination equivalent to the Intermediate Science Examination of an Indian University/Board. This includes those completing their qualifying examination from a foreign country, provided it aligns with the scope and standard outlined.
Minimum Qualifying Marks and Merit List
The NEET exam assesses candidates’ proficiency in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, and sets specific criteria for each category of applicants.
- Unreserved Category: Candidates belonging to the Unreserved category must secure a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology individually in their Class 12 or Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. This criterion ensures that candidates demonstrate proficiency in all core subjects relevant to medical studies.
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes/OBC Candidates: For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC), the qualifying marks are relaxed to 40% in aggregate for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. This provision aims to promote inclusivity and provide opportunities to candidates from marginalized communities.
- Candidates with Locomotor Disability: Medical aspirants with lower limb locomotor disability are required to secure a minimum of 45% marks for General-PH and 40% marks for SC-PH/ST-PH/OBC-PH categories in aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. This ensures equitable access to education for candidates with disabilities, recognizing their potential and abilities.
State Quota Eligibility and Other Considerations
Understanding the allocation of seats under the All India Quota and State Quota is essential for NEET aspirants aiming to secure admission into medical and dental colleges across India. This section outlines the eligibility criteria for both categories, shedding light on the nuances of seat allocation and counseling procedures.
15% All India Quota Seats and Other Institutions
- Aspirants who successfully qualify for the NEET UG 2024 exam are eligible to apply for the 15% All India Quota seats, along with 100% of seats in Deemed universities, Central Universities, ESIC, and AFMC colleges.
- Counseling for these seats is conducted at an All India level by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
- Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) candidates can avail themselves of the 15% All India Quota seats by submitting a self-declaration form along with their NEET application. This form indicates their willingness to participate in the All India Quota counselling, thereby forgoing home-state counselling. Consequently, these candidates become eligible for seats in Deemed Universities, ESIC, and AFMC colleges.
State Quota Seats
- The 85% state quota seats encompass seats in all government colleges of the respective states or union territories.
- Counselling for these seats is conducted by the respective state authorities.
- To apply for state quota seats, candidates must fulfill the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria stipulated by each state or union territory authority. This includes meeting domicile conditions specified by the concerned authorities.
- Admission to private medical and dental colleges through NEET is subject to the policies of the State or Union Territory where the institution is located.
For more information read the information bulletin released by NTA – https://exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/images/neet-ug-2024-draft-ib.pdf
FAQs
What is the eligibility of the NEET exam?
The eligibility criteria for the NEET exam include being at least 17 years old by December 31 of the examination year, passing the 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects, and meeting the required percentage of marks in the qualifying examination based on category.
How many attempts for the NEET exam are allowed?
There are no restrictions on the number of attempts for the NEET exam. Candidates can appear for the NEET exam as many times as they wish to improve their scores or qualify for admission.
How many marks of class 12th are required for the NEET exam?
For the NEET exam, candidates need to achieve a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology combined in their Class 12th examination. However, for candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC/ST/OBC, the minimum aggregate required is 40%.
Is there any age limit for the NEET exam?
No, there is no upper age limit for the NEET exam. Candidates must only meet the minimum age requirement of being at least 17 years old by December 31 of the examination year to be eligible to appear for the NEET exam.