NEET Eligibility 2024 & Other Exam Details

NEET, or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), is a medical entrance exam for aspirants who wish to join MBBS or BDS programs in India or abroad. In 2022,  18 lakh candidates registered for NEET, of which around 10 lakh were female. The test is conducted by NTA - the National Testing Agency, and they roll out the information on NEET eligibility and other exam details every year. Let’s look at the criteria in this article.

NEET-UG 2024 Eligibility Criteria for Indian Nationals

To appear for NEET, all aspirants must register before the last date and meet the eligibility requirements. The NEET eligibility criteria 2024 for Indian nationals are as below:

Age Limit

All the aspiring candidates must be of 17 years as of December 31st, 2024. So, if you are born on or before December 31st, 2007, you will be eligible to sit for the NEET exam 2024.

There is no upper NEET exam age limit as per the NTA, so candidates of all ages can apply for NEET.

Minimum percentage required in 12th for NEET

Candidates applying for NEET must have cleared or are in the middle of completing their 10+2 exam or equivalent through a recognized board. The students' core subjects should be English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, or Biotechnology.

As for the minimum percentage required in 12th for NEET, General category students should have secured a minimum of 50% marks in PCB, while SC/ST candidates must have a minimum of 45%.

Nationality

People who are Indian Nationals, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origins (PIOs), and all foreign nationals can apply for NEET. Candidates who are J&K migrants are also eligible with a 15% All India Quota by filling self-declaration. NEET is required to be given by anyone who wishes to study MBBS in a foreign university and wants to practice it after coming to India.

NEET Eligibility Criteria for NRI/Foreign Students

As mentioned above, NEET can be given by Non-Resident Indians and other foreign nationals who wish to appear for the UG medical exam. Below are the NEET exam eligibility criteria for them. 

Educational Qualification

All the NRI, OCI, PIO, and foreign nationals must have completed their final exam equivalent to 10+2 in their country. Additionally, they must have studied Chemistry, Physics, and Biology and cleared the practical and theoretical exams of each subject in the English language.
 

Age Limit

The NEET exam age limit for NRIs and other foreign candidates is similar to that of National aspirants, 17 years as of December 31st, 2024. Also, there is no maximum or upper limit for taking the NEET exam.

NEET Eligibility Criteria by NTA - Qualifying Exam Requirements

Below are the NEET eligibility criteria as laid by the NTA:

NEET Eligibility Criteria - Age Limit

The NEET exam age limit for every candidate appearing for NEET is 17 years. The candidates must have completed 17 years on or before 31st December 2024. Additionally, candidates applying for the NEET exams have no upper age limit.

NEET Eligibility Criteria - Minimum Required Percentage 

To apply for NEET, aspiring students must study Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Biotechnology, and English as the core subjects and clear or appear for 10+2 from a recognized board. Below are the minimum percentage required in 12th for NEET:

Wrapping Up

National Eligibility Entrance Test is mandatory for every Indian citizen who wishes to study MBBS or BDS courses. The National Testing Agency conducts it once a year for all the students, and it is a national-level entrance exam. The exam is also open for NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals. Therefore, understanding the NEET eligibility criteria is of utmost importance.