There is no upper age limit for NEET-UG. The minimum is 17 years as on 31 December of the admission year, and there is no cap on the number of attempts either. The upper age limit that older articles mention (25 years, 30 for reserved categories) was struck down and is no longer applied — but candidates above the old limit have at times been admitted subject to the outcome of litigation, so always read the current notification.
Two rules, one of which changed and confuses everyone.
The position now #
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 17 years as on 31 December of the admission year |
| Maximum age | None |
| Attempt limit | None |
| Class 12 must be passed | Yes, with the required subjects and marks |
| Appearing in Class 12 | Allowed — result required before admission |
The minimum age, precisely #
You must turn 17 on or before 31 December of the year of admission. A candidate born on 31 December 2010 is eligible for the 2027 cycle; one born 1 January 2011 is not. This trips up students who finish Class 12 early.
- There is no limit on attempts. Droppers, second-time and third-time candidates are all eligible, and a substantial share of every admitted batch consists of droppers.
- The old 25-year cap was removed, so working professionals and career-changers are eligible.
- Age is calculated from your Class 10 certificate date of birth. A mismatch with any other document is a common rejection cause — fix it before applying.
Eligibility beyond age #
| Requirement | General | SC/ST/OBC | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 12 aggregate in PCB + English | 50% | 40% | 45% |
| Compulsory subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English | Same | Same |
| Qualifying percentile in NEET | 50th | 40th | 45th (General-PwD) |
Note the two different 50s: 50% in Class 12 is a board requirement; the 50th percentile in NEET is an exam requirement. They are unrelated and both must be met.
NEET age limit — frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for NEET?
How many attempts are allowed in NEET?
Can I give NEET at 16?
Is there an upper age limit for NEET for general category?
What marks do I need in Class 12 for NEET?
Including dedicated dropper batches.
Disclaimer: Age and eligibility rules have been subject to litigation and revision. Always confirm on the current official NTA NEET notification before applying.
