How Many Times Can You Attempt NEET? Updated Guide on NEET Attempt Limit 2025

Hearing stories of people cracking NEET on their first attempt feels like urban legends, doesn’t it? But ask any real NEET aspirant and you’ll see: most folks need more than a single shot to get their dream medical seat. And yet, the burning question buzzing in every aspirant’s group chat right now is: NEET attempt limit — just how many bites at the apple do you actually get? Rumors float around like messages on a broken telephone. Some say three, others claim it’s infinite, and old schoolers still talk about mysterious age bars. Which ones are true after all the rule changes?

NEET Attempt Limit: What Are the Actual Rules for 2025?

Back when NEET was new (think 2016 and 2017), the number of allowed attempts used to cause chaos. Rules felt like they changed every few months. For a while, the government placed a cap at three attempts, and people panicked. Then age bars came in—25 years for general category—creating more confusion.

Now, here’s the actual, current law: as of 2025, there is no upper limit on the number of times you can appear for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). Yes, you heard right. If you want to try a fifth, sixth, or even tenth time, nothing in the latest National Medical Commission or NTA rulebook is stopping you. The age limit, last revised by NMC in May 2022, was officially scrapped. This means anyone who meets the academic eligibility criteria and is at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the admission year, can attempt NEET as many times as they like.

Here’s what the official policy boils down to:

• No maximum number of attempts.
• No upper age limit (before 2022, the upper limit was 25 for General, 30 for OBC/SC/ST, but now gone).
• You must be 17 by December 31, 2025.
• You need to meet the code-based academic requirements: generally 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, with at least 50% (General), 40% (OBC/SC/ST).

Many find this liberating; others feel it could turn into a time trap. The choice is up to you.

Why Did the NEET Attempt Limit Change so Much?

This wild back-and-forth isn’t without reason. Back in 2016, the government and Medical Council of India (MCI) tried to keep the exam competitive—hoping to reduce drop-year cycles, keep coaching factories in check, and promote freshers. But it backfired. Students from less privileged backgrounds, rural belts, or those who faced personal problems would lose the chance to fulfill their ambitions just because they hit the ‘limit’ too soon. After thousands of petitions, legal battles, and a lot of media spotlight, the authorities realized that the playing field needs to stay open—because medicine doesn’t pick favorites based on your first try.

So, in January 2019, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE—the previous exam body) abolished the attempt cap. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which now conducts NEET, kept this going after the NMC dropped the upper age cap in March 2022. This policy shift makes sense: why block good doctors from showing up just because they needed a little more time or preparation? The open-attempt approach now mirrors other global medical entrance exams.

Here’s a quick table of how rules evolved:

These changes shaped the NEET journey for lakhs of students, giving more hope to repeaters and late bloomers. Know what else? NEET is probably the only Indian competitive exam of its level to have no cap on attempts now.

What Does Unlimited NEET Attempts Mean for Aspirants?

At first glance, it sounds like a win, doesn’t it? No ticking clock. No fear that you’ll “run out” of tries. But the freedom comes with some real challenges to keep in mind.

For one, the average number of attempts among NEET qualifiers is still just 1-2, and outliers usually crack in their third or fourth try. Sure, there are cases of legendary persistence—like Anand Kumar, who took NEET six times before bagging a seat (turns out his story inspired a few memes and motivational reels last year). But the longer you stay in the rat race, the steeper the mental toll becomes. And with each attempt, the pressure only builds up.

Repeating NEET isn’t cheap. On average, NEET coaching in India can cost anywhere between ₹70,000 to ₹2 lakh a year. Add to that living expenses if you’re moving cities, mock test fees, and the unpredictable cost of mental health. Parental pressure, comparison with peers, and “aur kab tak doge?” (how many more times?) from relatives can really sting. There are even studies showing that prolonged attempts correlate with higher stress and anxiety scores among aspirants. Not to scare you—just keeping it real.

Still, a fresh attempt allows you to learn from your weak areas, try new strategies, and even outgrow old mistakes without feeling penalized by regulations. It’s easier to own your journey when you’re not forced to give up after a magical number of attempts. If you’re taking more than two years, try pausing to re-evaluate your approach—maybe try new mock strategies, change your study routine, seek mentorship, or switch coaching institutes. And don’t forget to check each year’s latest NEET information bulletin by NTA for surprise rule tweaks.

• Stay connected with official NEET updates – rule changes, syllabus tweaks, or new exam cities can impact your next attempt plans.
• Network with past repeaters on Telegram or Facebook groups—they have survival tips you won’t find in books.
• Take at least two full-length mock tests every month during your drop or repeat year—patterns, stamina, and analysis matter.
• Keep your academic certificates safe and double-check spelling and dates on forms every attempt—silly paperwork errors ruin dreams every year.
• If you’re feeling exhausted, talk honestly with family or a trusted teacher—sometimes, a break or a change of stream might be the right move.

Many repeaters come back stronger and score ranks in the top 1000. But it’s not just about time—it’s about how you plan each attempt.

Will Unlimited Attempts Always Remain? Future NEET Rule Trends

If there’s anything NEET veterans know, it’s that exam policies can and do change, sometimes overnight. While the current trend is towards keeping attempts open, pressure crops up from news channels and advocacy groups about bringing stricter eligibility or new patterns, especially as NEET applications crossed 24 lakh in 2024. Some education experts warn this could lead to even more intense competition, and huge coaching business booms, making it hard for underprivileged kids to break in. But right now, NTA and NMC seem set on leveling the field.

A tip: ignore most rumors on WhatsApp about ‘attempt limits coming back’ unless you see it in the official NEET information bulletin or national dailies. The NEET FAQ section on the NTA site is the most reliable source.

As the pool widens, experts suggest that unlimited attempts may actually push students to be more strategic—no rash attempts, just because you can. Make every attempt your best, not just your next.

To be honest, no one except the NMC and NTA can really promise the future. Maybe next year, the syllabus changes or stricter eligibility norms come in. Or maybe the free-for-all policy keeps going. The only thing aspirants can do is stay updated, stay flexible, and not get caught in endless loops if it’s burning you out. Remember, the goal is to get into medicine, not just to pass another attempt. If you’re reading this and wondering whether you should try NEET again, look at your own progress, not just the number of attempts left. The doors are open—but it’s your path to walk through them.