Under the Graduate Medical Education Board, National Medical Commission has decided to remove the fixed upper age limit for appearing in the NEET-UG examination. The upper age cap put by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 2017 was 25 years for unreserved candidates and 30 years for reserved candidates.

Earlier, the age limit was 25 years for general category candidates and 30 years in the case of reserved category candidates.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to Twitter to share the “good news” for the NEET UG 2022 applicants.

“The decision will immensely benefit aspiring doctors and further help in strengthening medical education in the country,” his post on the micro-blogging site read.

The CBSE said in a directive, “the upper age limit for NEET-UG is 25 years as on the date of examination with relaxation of five years for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC category”.

Meanwhile, a recent directive by the NMC stated, it has been decided in the 4th NMC meeting that there should not be any fixed upper age limit for appearing in the NEET-UG examination.

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

With the age limit criteria removed, aspirants can now appear in the medical entrance exam as many times and even after taking admission to other courses, an official said.

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has welcomed the step adding that it will give a fair opportunity to maximum candidates willing to pursue MBBS.