How Many Attempts for NEET UG?

Despite the passing of time, confusion persists among NEET aspirants regarding the number of attempts and age criteria. In the past, there were limitations on the number of times candidates could attempt the NEET exam and the age limit to apply.

However, the court's decision on the restrictions imposed earlier still holds until the court revises its verdict. Aspiring NEET candidates need to obtain clarity on the NEET attempt limit and the age limit set by the NTA to ensure that they fulfil all eligibility requirements. Hence, read further to learn more about the limit for attempts in NEET and the age limit.

Age Limit for Attempts in NEET UG 2024

The Letter No. U 11022/2/2023-UGMEB was received from the National Medical Commission (NMC) on 9th March 2023 regarding the age limit for admission to the Undergraduate Medical Course. According to the letter, candidates who are 17 years of age or will be before the 31st of December in that particular year will be allowed to apply for the exam.

The letter also clarifies that there is no upper age limit for admission to the course, as decided in the fourth NMC meeting held on 21st October 2022, as communicated by the Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB).

How Many Attempts for NEET UG? Know about the Changes Since 2017

During the NEET exam in 2017, significant controversy arose when CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) unexpectedly introduced an upper age limit in addition to the maximum number of attempts for NEET exams without prior notification.

According to the upper age limit rule for the NEET exams, reserved students who are below the age of 30 are allowed and unreserved students below the age of 25 will be allowed to give the NEET examination. The attempt limit was up to three times.

However, in 2017, the Supreme Court revoked this rule, and it was reintroduced with a clause in the NEET exam in 2018. The NEET attempt limit was initially restricted to three attempts in NEET. Still, it was then removed, and henceforth, candidates were allowed to attempt the NEET exam as many times as authorized.

Another significant issue arose during NEET 2019 concerning the exclusion of open school students and students from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) from taking the exam. The students were allowed to sit in the NEET examination before but that was only until 2017. However, the Medical Council of India (MCI) made the decision to not allow the students to take the exam in 2018. However, this rule was later revoked in the NEET eligibility criteria in 2019, and open-school students were permitted to take the NEET exam.

Apart from this, there was another significant issue related to Biology as an additional subject. Initially, candidates who studied Biology as an additional subject in classes 11 and 12 were deemed ineligible to take the NEET exam. However, the clause was revoked, and such candidates could participate in NEET 2019 exams. Overall, these controversies have contributed to the evolution of the NEET eligibility criteria over the years.

Attempt Limit for NEET in 2024 UG

According to the regulatory board for NEET exams, the National Testing Agency (NTA), there is no longer any restriction on the number of attempts allowed for NEET exams.

Furthermore, CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has endorsed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's letter number U.12023/16/2010-ME-II, dated 6th December 2017, which confirms the removal of the attempt limit.

Therefore, the previous limit on the number of attempts for NEET exams, which was previously implied by CBSE and restricted candidates to three attempts, is no longer applicable. Candidates can now attempt the NEET exam as many times as they are authorised to do so. We hope this answers the question: how many attempts for NEET?

Revised Age Limit for NEET in 2024

The official notice on NEET eligibility criteria specifies the following regulations regarding the upper and lower age limits for candidates:

• Lower Age Limit - Candidates who have crossed 17 years of age during the time of application will be allowed to apply. Also, students who will complete 17 years on or before 31st December of the year in which they are seeking admission to the first year of the Undergraduate Medical course.

• Upper Age Limit - Previously, there was an upper age limit of 25 years for candidates appearing for NEET. However, there was a relaxation period of 5 years for candidates belonging to the SC/ST/OBC-NCL and PwD categories. However, given the recent circumstances, students don’t have an upper age limit. Any candidate at least 17 years of age is eligible to appear for NEET, regardless of their age, and they can attempt the exam as many times as authorised.