NEET UG Eligibility Criteria Relaxed by NMC, Biology Allowed as Additional Subject

Senior Content Writer

The NMC's decision revised the previous norms, creating a new opportunity for students aspiring to pursue a medical degree, even if biology/biotechnology was not their core subject in Classes XI-XII.

NEET UG Eligibility Criteria Relaxed by NMC

New Delhi: As per a recent public notice from NMC, students who opt for physics, chemistry, and mathematics as optional subjects in class 10+2 exams can also pursue a medical career by appearing for the NEET UG exam.

Under the new NMC guidelines, candidates who have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, as additional subjects after passing Class 12th, will now be eligible to appear for the NEET UG entrance exam for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in India.

Moreover, such candidates will also be provided with an eligibility certificate by NMC that will serve as legal proof of a candidate's eligibility to pursue undergraduate medical courses abroad.

Check: NEET 2024 Syllabus Revised, Check Chapters Added and Deleted

Previously, NMC has mandated two years of regular/continuous/co-terminus study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology in Class XI and XII, complete with Practicals and English, to be eligible for MBBS or BDS. Study needs to be completed at a regular school and not through any open school or as a 'private' candidate.

The NMC's recent decision revised the previous norms, creating a new opportunity for students aspiring to pursue a medical degree, even if Biology/Biotechnology was not their core subject in Classes XI-XII.

Check: NEET 2024 Registration from Jan 24, Check Latest Updates and Process

The earlier rules stipulated that studying Biology/Biotechnology or any other requisite subject should not be an additional subject after passing Class XII. The NMC's revised criteria for NEET UG has now reversed this restriction, providing a window of opportunity for individuals with a passion for medicine.

This decision of NMC was taken after deliberations on June 14, 2023. The NMC justified this move by citing the flexibility in studying various subjects in Class XII, as the National Education Policy (NEP) permitted. This change aligns with the evolving educational landscape and opens doors for more diverse individuals to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors.

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