Eligibility of those aspiring to be doctors and paramedics in India is now determined solely by National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). It is now imperative for aspiring doctors and paramedics in India, since it is assessed only through the NEET. NEET is the only entrance test for admission to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses (which include BAMS, BUMS, BHMS) in government as well as private medical colleges.
In an era riddled with fierce competition and fewer seats, clarity on eligibility, cut-off qualification, counselling, and admission schedule is important for candidates.
Courses Offered via NEET 2025
Applicants appearing for NEET 2025 can apply to various courses for undergraduate programs.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
- Time: 4.5 years + 1 year internship
- Offered in NMC-approved medical colleges
- AIIMS and JIPMER also admit through NEET
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- Length of course: 5 years (Internship 1 year)
- Available at: Dental Council of India (DCI) recognized colleges
AYUSH Courses
- Add indigenous systems of medicine, such as:
- BAMS – Ayurveda
- BHMS – Homeopathy
- BUMS – Unani
- BSMS – Siddha
- BNYS – Naturopathy and Yoga
- Length of the program: 4.5–5.5 years (depending on the subject)
B.V.Sc. & A.H. (Veterinary Science)
- Some states consider NEET scores for veterinary science admissions
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria
NEET 2025: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria of NEET 2025 will be specified by the National Testing Agency (NTA), who conduct an entrance examination to grant admission to applicants interested in pursuing medical courses.
Nationality
- Eligible applicants include:
- Indian citizens
- NRIs, OCIs, PIOs
- Citizens of other ( for some private or deemed universities )
Age Requirement
- Age Limit: 17 Years on or before 31st December, 2025
- Upper Age Limit: None (as per the latest NMC norms).
Educational Qualification
Clear a Class 12 examination in the following: Biology/Biotechnology, English, Physics, and Chemistry, and have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Minimum required marks:
- General: 50%
- SC/ST/OBC: 40%
- PwD (General): 45%
Number of Attempts
There is no such restriction on the number of attempts for NEET.
NEET 2025 Qualifying Marks (Expected)
Category | Qualifying Percentile | Estimated Cut-off (2025) |
General (UR) | 50th Percentile | 720 – 138 |
OBC/SC/ST | 40th Percentile | 137 – 108 |
UR-PwD | 45th Percentile | 137 – 122 |
SC/ST/OBC PwD | 40th Percentile | 121 – 108 |
Note: Actual cut-off scores will be announced by NTA with NEET 2025 results.
NEET Counselling Dates 2025 (Tentative Schedule)
All India Quota is 15 Percent, which is also for candidates taking part in the MCC-run NEET counseling and selection process.
The other one is at the state level.
- Registration Opens: Probably July 2025
- Allocation to round 1 – Mid-July 2025
- Second Round & Mop-Up: July/August 2025
- Stray Round: September 2025
State Quota (85%) – Through Respective States
- There is a schedule and a portal for each state.
- Starts directly after AIQ counselling
States can also reserve seats for their domicile candidates, or people based on applicable criteria.
NEET 2025 Admission Process – Step by Step
Once the NEET results are out, candidates need to go through a multi-step admission journey:
1: Check Result and Rank
- You can download the NEET 2025 scorecard from ntaresults.nic.in
- Write down your percentile and All India Rank.
2: Register for Counselling
- For AIQ / central institutions, register on mcc.nic.in
- For the state quota, register through the state portals
3: Fill in the Choices
- Choose the colleges and courses in preferential order.
- Pick choices before the deadline
4: Seat Allotment Result
- Allotment on merit and preferences is issued by the MCC / State body
- Applicants may save the allotment letters
5: Reporting and Document Verification
- Go to the designated institute (or work online)
- File the original documents and pay the admission fee.
6: Upgradation and Next Round
- You may opt for seat upgradation in subsequent rounds
- Final admission is confirmed once you accept the seat
Documents Required for NEET Admission 2025
The following must be with you while going into counselling and final admission:
- NEET 2025 Admit Card and Score Card
- Marks Sheets & Certificates of class 10th and 12th
- Passport-size photos
- Photo identity card (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID)
- Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Residence certificate (for state quota)
- PwD certificate (if any).
NEET 2025 Seat Allotment Process
Seats are allotted based on:
- NEET score and AIR (All India Rank)
- Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST/EWS)
- Quota: AIQ, state, and NRI quota
- Availability at the college/course of your choice
Seat allotment is conducted in several rounds:
Round 1: High scorers usually get a preferred seat
Round 2: For those looking for upgrades
Mop-up Round: For vacant seats in medical/dental colleges
Stray Vacancy Round: Final round for leftover seats.
Tips for Candidates After NEET 2025
- Explore All Options
- Apply in multiple state counselling rounds where you meet the domicile or eligibility requirements.
- Keep Updated Documents Ready
- Scan and photocopy all important papers beforehand.
- Know the College Background
- Before locking in choices, check fee structures, NMC approvals, and infrastructure.
- Don’t Panic If You Miss Round 1
- Multiple rounds exist; many students secure seats in later rounds.
- Use Mock Counselling Tools
- Try college predictor tools to get a sense of admission chances.
FAQs on NEET 2025
Q1. Can I apply for both All India and state quota counselling?
Yes, it is stated that candidates can apply for both counselling systems separately.
Q2. What is the cut-off of the NEET score this year for being eligible for a government seat in an MBB course?
It changes, but in the past, nearly 600 has always been safe for general category government seats.
Q3. Do they also take in applicants for AYUSH courses through NEET?
Yes, all undergrad’ AYUSH courses, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, etc., are taken on the basis of the NEET score of candidates.
Q4. In 2025, competitive exams like AIIMS and JIPMER will be included?
Yes, they have since 2020 adopted a policy of being included in the NEET examination.
Q5. Is NEET required for MBBS in a foreign country?
Indeed, as stated by the NMC, to study in an Indian or foreign college, one is supposed to pass the NEET exam, irrespective of the number of candidates.
Conclusion
Getting good marks in the NEET 2025 examination requires not just doing well in the examination, but also understanding the process of counselling, requirements, and documents for approval. If you want to opt for MBBS, BDS, or any AYUSH, knowing about it can assist you in choosing an appropriate program with flexibility and increase admission.
Keep yourself updated, act promptly, and keep your options open. With proper preparation, one can achieve the dream of entering the domain of medicine using the NEET 2025 tool.
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