Eligibility for NEET: Who Can Take the Exam and What You Need to Know

When it comes to getting into medical school in India, eligibility for NEET, the national entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS. Also known as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, it’s the only gateway for over 20 lakh students each year. If you’re aiming for a medical career, this isn’t just another exam—it’s the gatekeeper. Without meeting the basic criteria, you can’t even register, no matter how hard you study.

So, who exactly can apply? First, you need to have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (or Biotechnology) as core subjects. You also need to have scored at least 50% in these subjects if you’re in the general category—40% for OBC/SC/ST, and 45% for PwD candidates. The exam doesn’t care if you took PCB from CBSE, ICSE, or a state board—as long as it’s recognized by the NTA. Your school doesn’t matter. Your board doesn’t matter. What matters is that you passed with the right subjects and minimum marks.

Age is another big factor. You must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the exam year. There’s no upper age limit anymore—yes, even someone in their 30s can apply if they meet the academic criteria. That change opened doors for many who took a different path first. But here’s the catch: if you’ve already taken NEET three times before, you can’t sit for it again. That’s it. Three attempts, lifetime. No exceptions.

And what about nationality? Indian citizens, NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and even foreign nationals can apply. But foreign candidates have separate seats and different cutoffs. If you’re an NRI living abroad, you still need to have studied the Indian curriculum or its equivalent. You can’t just show up with a foreign diploma and expect to qualify under the Indian quota.

What you don’t need? Coaching. Private tuition. A fancy school. A connection. The rules are the same for everyone. A student from a rural government school with a 50% score has the same eligibility as someone from a private elite institute. The system doesn’t care where you came from—it only checks if you met the bar.

You also don’t need to have taken Biology in Class 11. Just passing Class 12 with the required subjects is enough. And if you’re a repeater? You’re not penalized. You can take NEET again and again—up to three times—as long as you’re under the age limit and haven’t used all your attempts.

There’s one thing that trips people up: compartmental exams. If you cleared your Class 12 through a compartment or improvement exam, you’re still eligible—as long as you passed before the NEET application deadline. But if you’re still waiting for your results, you can’t apply. You need proof of passing.

And yes, NEET is the only exam you need. No state-level tests, no private university entrance exams—unless you’re applying outside India. For MBBS in India, NEET is mandatory. Period.

Below, you’ll find real posts from students and educators who’ve been through this exact process. Some cracked it on the first try. Others took two or three attempts. Some were told they didn’t qualify—until they checked the rules again. The truth? Most people fail not because they’re not smart enough, but because they didn’t know the eligibility rules clearly. Don’t make that mistake.