The National Medical Commission (NMC) has made an important decision, allowing class 12 students who have studied physics, chemistry, biology, or biotechnology along with English as an additional subject to participate in the NEET-UG examination. This decision is applicable even to students whose applications were previously rejected.
Previously, the Medical Council of India (MCI) had regulations specifying that undergraduates must have completed two years of regular or continuous study of physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology, and English in Class 11 and 12 with practical components. However, the NMC noted that these provisions were challenged and quashed by the Delhi High Court in May 2018.
Considering the flexibility introduced by the New Education Policy and the changing approach towards the study of various subjects in Class 12, the NMC has revisited the previous regulations.
As per the updated regulations (Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023), candidates who have passed 10+2 or its equivalent with subjects including physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English are eligible for appearing in NEET-UG.
This decision is applicable retrospectively, even for candidates whose eligibility applications were previously rejected. However, candidates becoming eligible after the present notice’s date will be permitted to appear in NEET-UG 2024.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has also uploaded the NEET UG syllabus for reference.