NEET UG exam 2022: Govt removes upper age limit for NEET aspirants, details here

The scrapping of the upper age limit has come as a relief for many NEET aspirants.

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New Delhi: In a big update, the Under Graduate Medical Education Board, National Medical Commission (NMC) on Wednesday (March 9) removed the upper age limit for those appearing in NEET-Under Graduate (NEET-UG) exam, PTI reported. 

Earlier, the maximum age limit was 25 years for unreserved candidates and 30 years for reserved candidates imposed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 2017. 

In an official notification, NMC said, "I would like to inform that it has been decided in the 4th NMC meeting held on 21st Oct, 2021 that there should not be any fixed upper age limit for appearing in the NEET-UG examination. Therefore, the information bulletin may be modified accordingly." 

Under Graduate Medical Education Board, National Medical Commission removes the fixed upper age limit for appearing in the NEET-UG examination. pic.twitter.com/wTc3akQBDh — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2022

"Further, the process for official notification to suitably amend the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997 to this effect has been initiated," a notice by Dr Pulkesh Kumar, Secretary NMC to Dr Devvrat, Office of Senior Director, National Testing Agency, read. 

The age criteria for NEET UG had often been questioned in the Supreme Court and high courts of the country.

The scrapping of the upper age limit comes as a relief for many NEET aspirants as they can now appear in the medical entrance exam as many times and even after taking admission to other courses, an official told PTI. It will also benefit those seeking admission in foreign countries.

Welcoming the decision, Dr Manish, FORDA president, was quoted as saying by ANI, "Upper age limit was 25 years and it has now been removed. It's a welcome step and I thank NMC. There's already a shortage of doctors in country, with this step more and more people will get an opportunity to pursue MBBS. Our country can then have more doctors."

(With agency inputs)