NEET 2020 Eligibility Criteria
"Am I eligible for NEET or not?"
If this is the question keeping you up at night, worry no more. Here is the answer to your question. All candidates must meet the required criteria as prescribed by the CBSE, and no exceptions should be there under any circumstances.
Every year lot of students prepare for NEET to turn their dream into reality and all they need is an accurate NEET syllabus to prepare. NEET Syllabus is divided into four subjects - Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. Students need to complete all 97 chapters of NEET Syllabus to score a good rank in the NEET Exam. Also, it is important to know the steps to register for the NEET application form.
Every year more than 14 lakh students appear for NEET Exam but how to know which college is good for you. A right college involves several factors such as college fees, location, facilities and faculties in each Department.
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
As is the case with nearly all of the entrance examinations, NEET also has certain requirements. The candidates must be in conformation with these specifications to be eligible for the examination. Also, Read some important things you need to know about NEET Cutoff and NEET Result. The eligibility evaluation of the candidate for the examination depends upon the following aspects:
1. Age Criteria
NEET is an offline exam conducted in the conventional pen and paper mode. The question booklet consists of 180 questions on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology) as prescribed in the NEET exam syllabus. As per the existing format, NEET is conducted in eight vernacular languages including Hindi, Urdu, and English. It has been notified unofficially that there will be no change in the paper pattern or syllabus of the medical exam. Check out the NEET Previous year papers here.
For NEET 2020, the candidates must conform to the age limit as per NTA, according to which:
| Category | Minimum Age Limit |
| General | Born on or before December 31, 2003 |
| SC/ST/OBC/PWD | Born on or before December 31, 2003 |
Note: There is no maximum age limit as per the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Click here to know about the NEET Application process.
2. Nationality Criteria
Indian or not, the nationality eligibility criteria, stands as follows:
| CATEGORY | ELIGIBILITY |
| Indian Nationals | Eligible |
| Non-Resident Indians (NRI) | Eligible |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Eligible |
| Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) | Eligible |
| Foreign Nationals (Depends upon the respective state) | Eligible |
3. Academic Qualification
Candidates with the following academic qualifications are eligible for NEET:
- Candidates who have already cleared the respective class XII qualifying exam.
- Candidates who are appearing for the class XII qualifying exam the same year when they wish to write the NEET.
- Candidates must have had the following subjects in their Class XII qualifying exam:
Required Subjects - Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-TechnologyEnglish - Candidates must have achieved the following necessary aggregate marks in the qualifying exam:
| Category | Minimum Marks |
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| General (Physically Handicapped) | 45% |
| OBC/SC/ST | 40% |
| OBC/SC/ST (Physically Handicapped) | 40% |
NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS
Previously, candidates could, in totality, apply 3-times for NEET. Exam regulations have been updated since. As such, the latest update says that there is no limit on the number of attempts by a candidate.
RESERVATION ELIGIBILITY
All-India Quota
Out of the total seats, 15% are reserved under the All India Quota. To be admitted under this quota, the prospective candidate is required to participate in NEET's Online Counselling which is conducted by MCC.
Furthermore, if any seats remain vacant under this quota even after 2 rounds of counseling, they will be transferred to the State Quota.
How the seats are reserved under AIQ:
| CATEGORY | PERCENTAGE (%) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27 |
| EWS | 10 |
| SC | 15 |
| ST | 7.5 |
| PwD | 3 |
Note: Applicants from Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are ineligible for AIQ, and, as such, are required to provide a self-declaration form. Furthermore, Candidates from the OBC (Creamy Layer) also do not have any reservation of seats under AIQ.
State Quota
Besides the 15% AIQ seats, the remainder of 85% of the seats follows the state counseling procedure, according to which:
- Candidates are required to have given their 10th and 12th examinations from the respective state.
- Candidates are required to possess a valid address proof of the respective state.
Moreover, the state quota extends to the candidates falling under the following categories:
| CATEGORY | ELIGIBILITY |
| Indian Nationals | Eligible |
| Non-Resident Indians (NRI) | Eligible |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Eligible |
| Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) | Eligible |
| Foreign Nationals (Depends upon the respective state) | Eligible |
Note: Admission through State Quota depends upon the reservation policy and eligibility criteria of the respective State or Union Territory. Also, candidates are required to contact the counseling authorities of the respective states for any further details.
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FAQs Regarding Eligibility
Q: What is the academic requirement for candidates belonging to the unreserved category?
A: 12th Qualifying Exam or equivalent, with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-Technology and English as the subjects, with 50% marks.
Q: What is the upper age limit for NEET?
A: There is no upper age limit for NEET Exam. You can write the exam at any age. (after 17 years of age)
Q: How many times can I sit for NEET?
A: Previously, a candidate could attempt NEET only 3 times. However, there is no cap on the number of attempts.
Q: What should my minimum age be to be eligible for NEET?
A: The minimum age limit for NEET stands at 17.
Q: What are the minimum marks required to be eligible for NEET?
A: To be eligible for NEET, you should have passed in all subjects and your marks in 12th class qualifying exam (PCB) needs to be:
| Category | Minimum Marks |
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| General (Physically Handicapped) | 45% |
| OBC/SC/ST | 40% |
| OBC/SC/ST (Physically Handicapped) | 40% |
Q: Am I eligible for NEET if I am 26 years old and from the unreserved category?
A: Yes. There is no upper age limit.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the 15% All India Quota?
A: The residential criteria for AIQ is:
| CATEGORY | ELIGIBILITY |
| Indian Nationals | ELIGIBLE |
| Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) | |
| Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) | |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) | |
| Foreign Nationals |
Q: If I opt for Oriya as my mode of language, will I be eligible for AIQ?
A: Yes. You will be eligible for all quotas irrespective of your chosen language medium.
Q: If I have already appeared thrice in NEET, will I be allowed to sit for NEET 2020?
A: Yes. From NEET 2019 onwards, the cap on the number of attempts for NEET has been removed.
Q: Can I be admitted to any MBBS or BDS seat without appearing for NEET exam?
A: The admission to all MBBS and BDS seats will be done through NEET. However, AIIMS and JIPMER follow their separate entrance exams.
Q: Can I get admission in AIIMS through NEET?
A: Yes, From 2020 onwards, Admissions to Colleges in AIIMS and JIPMER would also happen based on your NEET Score.
Q: I have successfully cleared my class 12th exam, but instead of Biology, I have studied Biotechnology. Will I be eligible for NEET?
A: Yes.
Q: I have cleared my class 12th exam, but had neither Biology nor Biotechnology in my curriculum. What is my eligibility for NEET?
A: It is necessary to have studied either Biology or Biotechnology. You are, therefore, ineligible for the exam.
Q: I took a gap year after my class 12th examinations. Will I be eligible for NEET?
A: Yes, provided you meet all the other criteria.
PLEASE NOTE - THERE HAS BEEN AN UPDATE FROM NTA - ATTEMPTS LIMIT HAS BEEN REMOVED
NEET 2020 Eligibility Age
The candidate must be of 17 years (completed) on 31st December 2020. There is no maximum age limit as per the judgment of the Supreme Court.
NEET Eligibility Marks
Your subjects in 11th and 12th must include the following: Physics, Chemistry & Biology (or Biotechnology) and English and clearing all of them is mandatory. The minimum qualifying marks by category are as follows (aggregately in PCB):
General: 50%
SC/ST/OBC: 45%
General-PH: 45%
SC/ST/OBC-PH: 45%
EWS: 50%
NEET Qualifying Marks
Minimum qualifying marks are evaluated by calculating the cumulative marks across Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Bio-technology) as a percentage of the total mark marks possible across the 3 subjects.
- A student appearing for class 12th also can appear for NEET examination in case they qualify the eligibility criteria
2. Candidates from J&K, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh are ineligible for 15%All India Quota seats as these states have opted out of NEET exam
3. Under the 15% All India quota the quota seats are reserved as follows:
- SC candidates: 15%
- OBC candidates.: 27%
- ST candidates: 7.5%
- PH: 3%
- EWS: 10%
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NEET Qualifications and Qualifying Examination Codes
| Qualifying Examination Codes | Qualifications |
| Code 1 | Students who will be appearing in Class 12 Board Examinations or whose result is awaited are eligible to appear for NEET 2018. In case a candidate is unable to pass the qualifying examination with the required marks, then they will not be eligible for admissions. |
| Code 2 | The Senior Secondary Education or the Indian School Certificate examination after 12 years’ study, where the last two years of such study consist of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology or Mathematics or any other elective subject with core-level English. |
| Code 3 | The Intermediate/Pre-degree Examination in science as offered by an Indian University/Board or other recognized examining body with Physics, Chemistry, Biology /Bio-technology and also English as compulsory subjects. |
| Code 4 | The Pre-professional/Pre-medical examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-technology & English after passing either the Higher Secondary Examination or the Pre-University or an equivalent examination. It includes all the practice tests in these subjects and English has been made a compulsory subject. |
| Code 5 | The first year of the three years’ degree course from a recognized University with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Bio-technology including practical tests and core-level English. |
| Code 6 | Candidate should have passed B.Sc. from an Indian University with not less than two of the subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany & Zoology)/Bio-technology.Apart from this, it is necessary that the candidate should have cleared the earlier qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. |
| Code 7 | Apart from the above-mentioned examinations, any exam which is found to be equivalent to the intermediate science examination of an Indian University/Board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as compulsory subjects will be considered. It also consists of practical tests in each subject. |
Note - There is no change in the syllabus of all four sections of the exam. zoology syllabus, botany syllabus, chemistry syllabus, and physics syllabus are still the same.