NEET 2022: Age Limit - Check Upper and Lower Age Criteria
Content Curator | Updated On - May 7, 2022
NEET 2022 Age Criteria: Candidates completing 17 years of age on or before December 31st, 2022 are eligible to fil the NEET 2022 application form. The recent notice from the National Medical Commission (NMC) has removed the upper age limit for the candidates appearing for the NEET 2022.
Apart from the age criteria, candidates willing to appear for NEET should have cleared Class 12 from a recognized Board with a minimum of 50% aggregate (for General/EWS candidates), 45% for PwD, and 40% for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC. Check NEET 2022 Eligibility
NEET 2022 Age Limit Criteria
- Candidates having completed 17 years of age on or before December 31 are considered eligible for appearing for the NEET 2022.
- The NMC has removed the upper age limit for the candidates willing to appear for NEET 2022. Previously, there was an upper age cap of 25 years of age.
The reactions have been a blend of positive and negative. With the majority of the reactions being in the favour of the decision, there are a few who disagree with the same. The critics were answered by various stakeholders and a few have expressed how the decision will encourage more candidates to pursue their degrees and help serve the nation and curb the shortage of doctors in the country.
| NEET Lower Age Limit | 17 years (on or before 31st December 2022) |
| NEET Upper Age Limit | No Upper cap on the age |
The below letter is the official notification from the NMC that was released on 9th March 2022.
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NEET 2022 Age Limit: General Information
- From the beginning, there were no age limits/ upper age caps for the aspirants of NEET. However, this decision was challenged by a few aspirants and the decision was made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court to put a cap on the upper age limit.
- The decision was challenged because there was unfair competition among the candidates as per the sources.
- There was competition among the candidates who had just cleared their 12th Boards and had a good grasp of the topics, whereas others had spent years preparing for the exams.
- To beat this competition, the decision of putting a cap on the upper age limit was made and the maximum age to apply was set to 25 years (for General candidates) and 30 years for candidates belonging to the reserved categories.
- After analyzing many situations and considering the challenges faced by many candidates, the NMC in its meeting on October 21, 2021, and the agreements announced on 4th March 2022 decided that there should not be a cap on the Upper Age Limit for the candidates appearing for NEET.
NEET 2022 Age Limit Scenario
- As per the latest updates, candidates who are of 17 years or more on or before 31st December 2022 are considered eligible to apply for the NEET exam.
- The decision on the Upper Age limit is yet to be finalized in the hon’ble court and a decision can be made considering the various factors. However, as of now, there is no cap on the Upper age for the candidates willing to appear for NEET 2022.
NEET UG: FAQs
Ques: What is the seat reservation for reserved and unreserved candidates for NEET?
Ans: Candidates can find the seat reservation for the reserved and unreserved candidates below:
- General - EWS 10%
- Scheduled Caste 15%
- Scheduled Tribe 7.5%
- PWD 3%
- OBCs 27%
Ques: What are the minimum marks required for reserved candidates to be eligible for NEET?
Ans: The minimum qualifying marks for the reserved and unreserved candidates are as follows:
- General candidates - 50% marks in 12th standard
- SC /ST/ OBCs - 40% in 12th standard
- PwD - 45% in 12th standard
Ques. What was the Supremen court desicion on NEET AGE Limit 2022?
Ans. Supreme court has scrapped the upper age limit criteria to appear for NEET 2022.
Ques: How many attempts can a general category candidate make for NEET?
Ans: There is no limitation on the number of attempts for NEET (for both reserved and unreserved candidates).
Ques: Can a 35-year-old candidate appear for NEET 2022?
Ans: YES, as per the latest update by the NMC, there is no cap on the upper age limit for the candidates.
Ques: Can a 17-year-old aspirant appear for NEET 2022?
Ans: No, as per the guidelines and the eligibility criteria, candidates completing 17 years of age on or before 31st December 2022 will only be eligible to appear for NEET 2022.
Ques: Are the candidates with a 1-year gap in their studies eligible for NEET 2022?
Ans: Yes, candidates satisfying the minimum age eligibility will be eligible to appear for NEET 2022.
Ques: I completed my 12th from NIOS, am I eligible for NEET 2022?
Ans: Yes, candidates who have cleared their 12th from a recognized Board with the requirements of the minimum mark are eligible to appear for NEET 2022.
Ques: I appeared for NEET in 2019, and now wish to re-appear for NEET in 2022. Am I eligible?
Ans: Yes, you may appear for NEET 2022 after checking the revised eligibility criteria for the minimum marks required (if any). Also, there are no limitations on the number of attempts for NEET.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
