The National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined the eligibility criteria for NEET 2024 in its official information brochure, available on the neet.nta.nic.in website. As the year 2024 approaches, it is vital for aspiring candidates to acquaint themselves with the NEET eligibility standards to ensure they meet the prerequisites and enhance their chances of success.
Prospective medical aspirants can find the NEET 2024 eligibility requirements provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the informational pamphlet on the neet.nta.nic.in website. Understanding the NEET eligibility criteria is crucial as 2024 approaches to ensure that you fulfill the conditions and improve your prospects of success.
The NEET eligibility criteria for 2024 encompass compulsory educational prerequisites, age limitations, nationality requirements, and other essential criteria that establish eligibility for the NEET examination. Any recent updates to the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria will be promptly posted here. Candidates must thoroughly review the NEET eligibility criteria before submitting their applications. It’s imperative to emphasize that candidates failing to meet the requisite eligibility criteria will not be permitted to submit a NEET application for 2024.
Admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc nursing, and various other medical programs hinge on NEET exam results. If you aspire to become a medical student and plan to take the NEET 2024 exam, read on to discover more about admission prerequisites, codes, age limits, and other critical factors.
NEET-UG 2024 Eligibility Criteria – A Comprehensive Overview
Candidates who satisfy the NEET eligibility criteria listed below and submit their applications within the specified deadline will be eligible to sit for the undergraduate medical entrance examination. NEET is now mandatory for those who wish to pursue medical studies abroad but intend to return to India for practice. To be eligible for the NEET UG exam in 2024, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Age Requirement:
- Applicants must be at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the year of admission.
- There is no upper age limit for the exam.
- Nationality:
- Candidates appearing for the exam can be Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
Official NEET Eligibility Criteria
| Details | Elaboration |
| NEET Qualifying Exam for 2024 | Applicants must have completed the 10+2 programme, or an equivalent, with core courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from an accredited board. Aspirants who are taking the Class 12 or an equivalent exam are also eligible to apply for NEET. |
| NEET eligibility marks for 2024 | Each category’s needed class 12 percentage for the NEET 2024 exam is different and can be listed as follows. The 12th grade aggregate marks that count towards NEET eligibility are only for PCB subjects.UR – 50%,OBC/SC/ST – 40%,PWD – 40% |
| Maximum times for Attempting NTA NEET | The maximum number of NEET 2024 attempts is unrestricted. |
NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria for International Students
For those students who completed their education abroad, adhering to the NEET eligibility requirements is essential. NRI/foreign students must have passed the final examination equivalent to a Class 12 diploma in their home country. Additionally, candidates are required to have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and must successfully clear the theory and practical examinations in each of these subjects, along with English.
Foreign nationals, Overseas Indian Citizens (OCI), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and OCIs are all eligible for admission to medical and dental colleges. The admission policies and guidelines are determined by the respective State Governments, Institutions, and the Indian Government, as applicable.
To establish their status as an NRI or OCI candidate, NRI and OCI applicants are required to upload a Certificate from the relevant Indian diplomatic mission in their country of residence along with their online NEET UG 2024 application form. Similarly, foreign applicants must provide Documentary Proof supporting their nationality along with their online NEET application form, such as pertinent pages from a valid passport or a certificate from the competent authority in their home country confirming their citizenship status.
NEET Eligibility 2024 – Age Limit
The updated NEET eligibility criteria for 2024 remove all previous restrictions related to age limit, subject requirements, and school type. According to the latest update from the health ministry, there is no upper age limit for the NEET exam in 2024. The eligibility criteria for NEET 2024 no longer include a maximum age limit.
In accordance with the official announcement by the NMC on March 9, 2022, the age requirement for NEET eligibility has been abolished. Therefore, candidates can apply for the NEET exam as long as they are at least 17 years old. Previously, the NEET exam had an upper age limit of 30 years for reserved category students and 25 years for general category candidates.
Minimum Percentage Required in 12th for NEET
To be eligible to appear for the NEET 2024 exam, aspirants must attain the minimum required pass percentage in their 12th-grade examinations. The organizing authority has set the qualifying scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology at 50% for unreserved category candidates, 40% for OBC/SC/ST, and PWD categories. NTA is responsible for determining the required passing percentage. Additionally, applicants must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2024.
NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria – Minimum Age Limit
The primary concern regarding NEET eligibility requirements in 2024 pertains to the age restriction for candidates. According to the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, applicants must have reached at least 17 years of age at the time of admission or by December 31, 2024.
Category-wise Age Criteria for NEET 2024
| Category | DOB for minimum age |
| For Candidates of Unreserved Category (UR) | Born on or before December 31, 2007 |
| For Candidates of SC/ST/OBC Category |
Qualifying Score for NEET 2024
- According to the requirements for NEET 2024, applicants must have passed each of the four qualifying exams—10+2 or an equivalent—in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
- The minimum needed percentage of marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in the Class 12 or HSC examination is 50% for those who fall under the Unreserved category.
- Candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Classes (OBC) must have obtained 40% of the required marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology combined on the qualifying test to qualify.
- Candidates for medicine who have a locomotor handicap in their lower limbs must have obtained an overall average in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology of at least 45% for General-PH candidates and 40% for SC-PH, ST-PH, and OBC-PH candidates.
NEET Eligibility Criteria – Minimum Percentage
| Category | Marks required for NEET 2024 |
| Unreserved | 50% |
| SC/ST/OBC/Reserved-PH | 40% |
| Unreserved- PH | 45% |
NEET 2024 Eligibility Criteria – How Many Attempts?
With the modifications to the NEET UG eligibility criteria in 2018, the restrictions on the number of attempts for NEET were lifted. Consequently, there is no limit to the number of attempts for NEET 2024. As a result, students who satisfy the NEET 2024 eligibility requirements will be allowed to take the entrance exam as many times as they wish.
In Summary
In summary, the age limit for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) represents a critical eligibility criterion for prospective candidates to consider. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the age limit for NEET is capped at a maximum of 25 years for general category candidates and 30 years for reserved category candidates (SC/ST/OBC/NCL/PwD). Additionally, candidates are required to have reached the age of 17 by the time of admission.
It is imperative for candidates to meticulously review and adhere to the age limit criteria established by the conducting authorities. This ensures that candidates fulfill the eligibility criteria for the NEET examination and can proceed with their application process accordingly.
Regularly monitoring the official NEET website or authoritative sources is advisable to stay informed about any updates or modifications to the age limit criteria. Staying updated regarding the age limit empowers aspiring candidates to plan their NEET preparation effectively and ensure compliance with the examination’s eligibility requirements.
Candidates falling within the stipulated age limit can focus their efforts on NEET preparation with determination and confidence, aspiring to achieve a commendable rank and pursue their desired careers in the medical field.
However, it’s important to note that age limit criteria may be subject to change, and it is always prudent to refer to the latest official notifications and information provided by the conducting authorities for accurate and up-to-date details concerning the NEET age limit.