The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET UG 2024) is an annual examination held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to medical colleges in India. With the exam slated for May 5 this year, potential candidates are looking for clarification on eligibility requirements and rules. To avoid confusion, we provide important information on eligibility and recent changes.
To apply for the NEET UG, a student must have finished Class 12 in the Science stream, with Biology as a subject. Students taking the Class 12 Board examinations can also apply, as long as they present their passing certificate later.
One area of recurrent uncertainty among students is eligibility when Biology is taken as an extra subject in Class 12 rather than as one of the main subjects. Recent revisions from the National Medical Commission (NMC) provide clarity on this issue.
Traditionally, students who completed Classes 11 and 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, among other major topics, were qualified for NEET UG. However, in November 2023, the NMC changed this rule to accommodate students who take Biology as an additional subject.
Previously, the Medical Council of India required two years of continuous study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English in Class 11 and 12, completed at regular schools (not open schools). Furthermore, the study of Biology or Biotechnology as a required subject was not permitted as an extra subject after Class 12.
The NMC acknowledged the changing educational landscape in a public notification dated November 22, 2023, and resolved to reconsider the eligibility standards. Given the flexibility provided by the New Education Policy, candidates can now study the required disciplines (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English) as supplementary subjects after graduating Class 12 from recognised boards.
According to the new guidelines, candidates who match these criteria will be authorised to take the NEET-UG Test and, as a result, will be entitled for a 'Eligibility Certificate.' This progressive step coincides with the changing dynamics of educational policies, giving students more freedom to choose their academic path while ensuring inclusivity in the NEET UG exam.
As a result of these changes, aspiring candidates with Biology as an additional subject can confidently apply for NEET UG 2024, promoting a more open and adaptive approach to medical entrance exams.
