The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the single largest medical entrance examination in India. It serves as a gateway to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs in both government and private institutions. The NEET exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and its results are used for centralized counseling for admission into various medical colleges across India.
This article explains every stage of the NEET 2025 admission process – from eligibility to final college allotment – in a detailed and student-friendly manner.
1. NEET 2025: Basic Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for NEET 2025, candidates must ensure they meet the following eligibility conditions:
Age Requirement:
- Minimum Age: 17 years (on or before December 31, 2025).
- Maximum Age: There is no upper age limit as per the latest updates.
Academic Qualification:
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
- A minimum percentage in PCB (aggregate):
- General category: 50%
- OBC/SC/ST: 40%
- PwD (Persons with Disability): 45%
Number of Attempts:
- There is no cap on the number of attempts for appearing in NEET.
2. NEET 2025: Application Process
The NEET application form is filled online through the official NTA website.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Online Registration
- Visit the official NEET registration portal.
- Enter your name, contact number, email ID, and other basic details to generate login credentials.
Step 2: Filling the Application Form
- Log in using the generated credentials.
- Fill in personal, academic, and communication details.
- Select the exam center preferences and the medium of the exam.
Step 3: Uploading Documents
Upload scanned images in the specified format:
- Passport-size photograph
- Postcard-size photograph
- Signature
- Left-hand thumb impression
- Class 10 certificate
Step 4: Fee Payment
- Pay the application fee online via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- After successful payment, take a printout of the confirmation page.
3. NEET 2025: Admit Card
- The admit card is released a few weeks before the exam date.
- Candidates must download it from the official portal using their login credentials.
- It contains essential details like exam center, roll number, and instructions.
4. NEET 2025: Exam Pattern
- Mode: Offline (Pen-and-paper based).
- Duration: 3 hours and 20 minutes.
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany + Zoology).
- Total Questions: 200 (180 to be answered).
- Marking Scheme:
- +4 for each correct answer.
- -1 for each incorrect answer.
- 0 for unattempted questions.
- Maximum Marks: 720
5. NEET 2025: Result and Scorecard
- The result is declared in the form of a scorecard.
- It includes:
- Subject-wise marks.
- Total score.
- NEET All India Rank.
- Category rank.
- Qualifying cutoff.
NEET 2025 Cutoff (Expected):
- General: 50th percentile
- SC/ST/OBC: 40th percentile
- General-PwD: 45th percentile
6. NEET 2025: Counseling Process
NEET counseling is conducted at two levels:
- All India Quota (AIQ) – 15% of total seats.
- State Quota – 85% of total seats.
A. All India Quota (AIQ) Counseling
Conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) for:
- All Central Universities
- Deemed Universities
- AIIMS
- JIPMER
- ESIC and AFMC
Steps for AIQ Counseling:
- Online Registration: Create an account and pay the registration fee.
- Choice Filling: Select preferred colleges and courses.
- Seat Allotment Result: Based on NEET rank, preferences, and category.
- Reporting: Visit the allotted college for document verification and admission.
AIQ counseling has multiple rounds:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Mop-up Round
- Stray Vacancy Round
B. State Quota Counseling
- Conducted by the respective state authorities.
- Covers 85% of medical and dental seats in state government and private colleges.
- The process, dates, and registration portals vary from state to state.
7. Document Verification
Candidates need to carry the following documents at the time of reporting to the allotted college:
- NEET Admit Card
- NEET Scorecard/Rank Letter
- Class 10 Certificate (for age proof)
- Class 12 Marksheet and Certificate
- Identity Proof (Aadhar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile Certificate (for state quota)
- Passport-size photographs
- Provisional Allotment Letter
- Migration Certificate
- Gap Certificate (if applicable)
All documents should be in original and with two sets of photocopies.
8. Seat Allotment Process
The seat allotment is strictly based on:
- NEET Rank
- Choices filled
- Seat availability
- Reservation criteria (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD)
After seat allotment, candidates must report to the assigned college within the specified time.
9. Types of Seats Available Through NEET
| Type of Seat | Availability |
|---|---|
| Government Medical College Seats | AIQ (15%) + State Quota (85%) |
| Private Medical College Seats | Management Quota + State Quota + NRI Quota |
| Deemed University Seats | AIQ level admission through MCC |
| NRI Quota Seats | In select private/deemed colleges |
| AIIMS/JIPMER Seats | Now under NEET since 2020 |
10. Admission into Other Courses via NEET
A. BDS (Dental)
Admission to dental colleges follows the same procedure as MBBS through NEET.
B. AYUSH Courses
Includes:
- BAMS (Ayurveda)
- BHMS (Homeopathy)
- BUMS (Unani)
- BSMS (Siddha)
- BNYS (Naturopathy)
Admission to AYUSH colleges also requires NEET qualification.
C. B.V.Sc & AH (Veterinary)
Select veterinary colleges in India admit students via NEET.
11. Reservation Policy
Applicable to both AIQ and State Quota (with minor differences):
| Category | Reservation % |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC (Non-creamy) | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% (horizontal) |
12. Special Admission Categories
A. NRI Quota Admission
- Available in select private and deemed medical colleges.
- Requires a valid NEET score.
- Additional documents needed like passport, visa, and sponsor details.
B. Management Quota
- Available in most private medical colleges.
- Requires NEET qualification.
- Higher fees compared to state quota.
C. Institutional Quota
- Some private colleges reserve a few seats for internal students or direct admission.
13. NEET Counseling Mistakes to Avoid
- Not locking your choices before the deadline.
- Providing incorrect information during registration.
- Not checking counseling schedules regularly.
- Missing document verification deadlines.
- Not withdrawing from a seat before participating in another round.
14. NEET Admission Timeline (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| NEET 2025 Notification | January 2025 |
| Application Form Release | February 2025 |
| Admit Card Download | April 2025 |
| NEET Exam Date | May 2025 |
| Result Declaration | June 2025 |
| AIQ Counseling (Round 1) | July 2025 |
| State Counseling Begins | July/August 2025 |
| Final Admissions | August/September |
Conclusion
The NEET 2025 admission procedure is systematic and structured to ensure merit-based and transparent seat allocation. From the initial eligibility criteria to final seat allotment and admission, every step plays a crucial role in shaping a medical aspirant’s future.
To secure a seat in a good medical college, candidates must focus on:
- Scoring well in NEET.
- Staying updated on counseling dates.
- Ensuring all documents are ready.
- Making well-thought-out choices during counseling.
With timely preparation and awareness, students can smoothly navigate the NEET admission process and step into the medical field successfully.