NEET 2020 number of attempts and age limit

NEET 2020 number of attempts and age limit - A good amount of confusion regarding the number of attempts and age limit for NEET 2020 exists for applicants of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Since its introduction and subsequent changes, the confusion on the NEET 2020 number of attempts and age limit still exists. While there earlier was a restriction on the number of attempts for NEET and age limit, it was struck down by the court and as on date the clause is not prevalent till the court decides otherwise. More clarity will be given with the NEET notification which is to be released on December 2, 2019, for the 2020 exam. Know more about the NEET 2020 number of attempts and age limit below
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Knowing the maximum attempts and age limit for NEET is important for all candidates, especially those who have appeared for NEET in the past and intend to do so again. Major changes made to the attempts and age rule in 2018 were struck down after the court was petitioned. The restrictions on number of attempts and age limit for NEET 2020 is not expected to be there considering the uproar raised by students about them.

The sequence of events for NEET Number of Attempts and Age Limit since 2017:
A major controversy cropped up in NEET 2017 when CBSE introduced an upper age cap along with a maximum attempts limit number in without any warning. NEET upper age rule then specified that only unreserved candidates below the age of 25 and reserved candidates below the age of 30 would be allowed to appear for NEET while the maximum attempts limit was set to three times.This rule was revoked by the Supreme Court in 2017. It was re-introduced again in NEET 2018 with a twist. The cap on the NEET number of attempts (where candidates could only attempt NEET three times ) was removed. Candidates could now apply for NEET as many times as permissible and this was to be determined by the upper age limit criterion.

Another major controversy in NEET 2019 was the ineligibility of NIOS/open school students. While they were allowed to appear for NEET until 2017, MCI decided to bar them from appearing in NEET from 2018 onwards. This clause in the NEET eligibility criteria in 2019 was later revoked and open school students allowed to appear for the exam. The other controversy was regarding the question of Biology as an additional subject. Students who had studied Biology as an additional subject in class 11 and 12 were deemed ineligible. Again this clause was revoked and such students allowed for the exam in 2019.

NEET is a single window All India level national level entrance examination held annually for admissions to approximately 75893 MBBS seats in 529 colleges and 26693 BDS seats in 313 colleges including EWS category seats introduced in 2019. Admissions to all AYUSH courses across all states are also on the basis of NEET scores. NEET replaced the erstwhile All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) from 2017 onwards. More than 16 lakh candidates are expected to appear in NEET 2020.

NEET Attempts Limit

National Testing Agency (NTA) which is now the conducting body for NEET, there is currently no limits to the number of attempts for NEET 2020. This is in accordance with the ertswhile conducting body Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) statement on its NEET website, "There is no cap for the number of attempts". Then, CBSE had cited the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's letter no. U.12023/16/2010-ME-II dated December 6, 2017 for this. Therefore, the cap on the number of attempts no longer exists till further notice.

The three attempt limit rule introduced by the CBSE in the year 2017 no longer applies. Therefore, all candidates can appear for NEET as many times as they wish to.

NEET Upper age and Lower age limits as in 2019

In 2019, NEET eligibility criteria as per official information bulletin specified that unreserved candidates who were less than or 25 years of age as on the date of examination could apply for NEET. While there was a relaxation of 5 years for the aspirants belonging to SC/ST/OBC, which meant candidates should have been 30 years old as on May 5, 2019. The lower age limit rule specifies that candidates should have completed 17 years of age by December 31, 2019. The dates were given as below

The above upper age limit clause was removed after students protested and challenged the same in the courts. In 2018, the upper age limit clause of NEET was upheld by the Delhi High Court and then it was further challenged in the Supreme Court. The MCI's decision to reintroduce an upper age limit in NEET was first revealed via a Gazette of India notification published on January 23, 2018.

NEET Upper Age Limit and Maximum Attempts Controversy

The confusion about the upper age limit and number of attempts in NEET began after the CBSE issued a notification in the year 2017 and also mentioned that “The number of attempts which a candidate can avail at NEET-UG examination shall be limited to 3 (three) uniformly to all the candidates. The previous attempts in AIPMT/NEET will be counted against these 3 permissible attempts. Candidates who have already exhausted their allowed 3 attempts are not eligible to apply for NEET (UG) 2017”. CBSE also set an upper age limit for unreserved candidates at 25 years and reserved candidates at 30 years stating that, “The upper age limit for NEET-UG is 25 years as on the date of examination with relaxation of 5 years for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC category”.

The introduction of these rules led to tremendous controversy and led to an uproar among NEET aspirants. Within a week of introducing the NEET maximum attempts rule, MCI scrapped it. While clarifying on the revised eligibility, MCI communicated to MHFW that the attempts made by candidates for AIPMT/NEET prior to 2017 would not be counted. Later, upper age limit clause was removed in March after a Supreme Court order on the same. CBSE was forced to re-open the application form window for candidates deemed ineligible by these rules and the court case verdicts also led to a delay in the release of the NEET admit cards in May.

In the year 2018, the upper age limit was reintroduced. Such candidates were allowed not only to appear for the exam but also participate in addmissions. For NEET 2020, there is no indication that these rules may be reinforced. The court judgment is still awaited on these issues and candidates must check the eligibility before applying.