Is Domicile Certificate Required for NEET?- Check Here

What is Domicile Certificate for NEET?

A domicile certificate for NEET UG is an official document provided by the state government, confirming that a person is a permanent resident of that specific state or union territory. This NEET domicile certificate is necessary for individuals who wish to apply for state quota seats, which are set aside for residents of that state.

Is domicile certificate required for NEET registration?

A domicile certificate for NEET application form is not required. Candidates are simply required to select their domicile state while NEET UG registration 2026, however, they are not required to upload the domicile certificate while filling up the NEET application form 2026.

Documents required for NEET application form 2026

While a domicile certificate is not a mandatory NEET 2026 candidate ID requirement to fill the application form, here are some other documents that are required to fill the application form of NEET 2026.

• Class 10 marksheet

• 10th certificate for NEET

• Class 10 CGPA conversion/ Equivalent certificate issued by board

• Candidate's Signature

• Candidate's Left and Right thumb and fingers Impressions

• Photograph in Postcard Size

• Photograph in Passport Size

• Present and permanent address proof

• Identity proof

• Category certificate (if applicable)

• PwBD certificate

• EWS certificate for NEET

• Embassy/ Citizenship certificate

Is domicile certificate required for NEET?

Yes! A domicile certificate is required for NEET UG to get admission through NEET UG counselling. The requirement of a domicile certificate for NEET depends on the type of seats a candidate wishes to apply for -

1. All India Quota (AIQ) seats

The All India Quota (AIQ) refers to the 15% of medical seats in government colleges that are reserved for candidates from all over India. For these seats, candidates can apply regardless of their domicile status. No domicile certificate is required for the AIQ seats.

In the AIQ category, admission is based on the NEET merit list prepared by the NTA based on the result. The eligibility for these seats is open to all candidates who have qualified for NEET, without any state-based restrictions.

2. State quota seats

The remaining 85% of seats in government medical and dental colleges are reserved for state quota candidates. Each state and union territory has its own domicile rules for these state quota seats. In most cases, a domicile certificate is required for candidates who wish to apply for state quota seats.

The domicile certificate proves that the candidate is a resident of that state, making them eligible to apply for these reserved seats. The NEET domicile criteria vary from state to state:

• Some states require candidates to have completed their schooling (12th class) in that state to be eligible for the domicile certificate.

• Other states may allow students who have been residing in the state for a certain number of years to apply for the certificate.

• Certain states also issue a domicile certificate based on parental residency, meaning the candidate's parents must have been residing in the state for a stipulated period.

3. Private medical colleges

Private medical colleges may have their own admission process for MBBS/BDS courses, and their criteria may or may not include the requirement for a domicile certificate. Private colleges often allocate seats through both the management quota and the state quota.

• Management quota seats usually do not require a domicile certificate and are available to all NEET-qualified candidates.

• State quota seats in private colleges, however, may require the candidate to provide a domicile certificate for admission, depending on the state rules.

Why is domicile certificate mandatory for NEET exam?

The domicile certificate plays a significant role in securing admission under the state quota, especially when seats are reserved for candidates from that particular state. Some of the reasons why domicile certificate is mandatory for NEET exam are as following -

• Eligibility for State Quota: As mentioned earlier, the majority of medical seats are reserved for state residents. A domicile certificate is the official document that certifies a candidate’s eligibility for these seats.

• Reservation policies: Many states have reservation policies based on categories like Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and economically weaker sections (EWS). These reservations are typically available to residents of the state, and the domicile certificate acts as proof of eligibility.

• State-Specific benefits: Apart from reservation, a domicile certificate may also be required to avail of other state-specific benefits, including fee waivers or concessions provided by some states for local residents.

States with domicile certificate requirement

While the domicile certificate is required for state quota seats in most states, here are some examples of states that have specific rules related to the domicile certificate:

• Maharashtra: Maharashtra requires a domicile certificate for state quota seats. A candidate must have studied in the state for at least 10 years to be eligible.

• Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu follows a similar policy where a candidate must provide a domicile certificate if applying for the state quota in government medical colleges.

• Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, candidates must have resided in the state for at least 5 years to be eligible for the domicile certificate.

• Delhi: Delhi offers 85% state quota for students who have completed their schooling in Delhi or are permanent residents of the state.

How to apply for a NEET domicile certificate?

The process for obtaining a domicile certificate varies by state. The general steps involved in making a domicile certificate for NEET UG are as follows -

1. Check eligibility: Confirm the eligibility criteria for applying for a domicile certificate in your state, such as a minimum number of years of residence.

2. Gather required documents: Typically, documents such as proof of residence, school certificates, Aadhaar card, and family income details are needed.

3. Submit an application: Applications for domicile certificates can often be submitted online or in person at the local government office.

4. Verification process: The concerned authorities will verify the submitted documents, and the certificate will be issued after the approval process.