Securing a coveted seat in a medical college is the dream of countless aspiring doctors in India. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the gateway to this dream, but understanding its complex structure, including the reservation criteria, is crucial for success.
Every year, lakhs of students appear for NEET, competing for a limited number of seats in government and private institutions. To promote inclusivity and equal opportunities, the NEET reservation criteria ensure that students from various socio-economic and marginalized backgrounds receive due consideration.
The reservation system in NEET is crucial for ensuring that education reaches all sections of society. It provides seat allocations under different categories, including OBC reservation in NEET, SC ST reservation in NEET, EWS reservation in NEET, and NEET reservation for general category students.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the NEET 2025 reservation criteria, covering the All-India Quota (AIQ), State Quota, and category-specific reservations. If you’re an aspirant, understanding these guidelines will help you plan your admissions better.
NEET 2025 Reservation Structure
The NEET reservation policy applies to both All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota seats.
1. All India Quota (AIQ) – 15% of Total Seats
Under the All-India Quota (AIQ), 15% of seats in government medical and dental colleges are available to students from across the country, regardless of their state of residence. The reservation breakdown for AIQ seats is:
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
- Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): 27%
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10%
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 5% (horizontal reservation)
The OBC reservation in NEET and EWS reservation in NEET were introduced to ensure greater access to education for disadvantaged groups.
2. State Quota – 85% of Total Seats
The remaining 85% of government medical seats are allocated under the State Quota. The NEET reservation criteria under the State Quota differ from state to state. Each state reserves a percentage of seats for local candidates and applies its own reservation policy. These typically align with national guidelines but can have additional provisions.
Candidates must check with their respective state counselling authorities to understand NEET reservation for general category, OBC, SC, ST, and other groups under the State Quota.
Category-Specific NEET Reservation Criteria
1. OBC Reservation in NEET (27%)
Candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) category are eligible for 27% reservation under AIQ and State Quota. To claim this reservation, candidates must:
- Select OBC-NCL while filling out the NEET application form.
- Present a valid OBC-NCL certificate during counselling.
It is important to note that only non-creamy layer (NCL) OBC candidates qualify for this reservation. OBC candidates belonging to the creamy layer will be treated as General category candidates.
2. EWS Reservation in NEET (10%)
The Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category was introduced in 2019 to help students from financially weaker backgrounds who do not fall under any other reserved category. The EWS reservation in NEET stands at 10% under AIQ and State Quota.
To qualify for EWS reservation in NEET, a candidate’s family must meet these conditions:
- Annual family income must be less than ₹8,00,000.
- The family should not own agricultural land above 5 acres.
- Residential property ownership should not exceed 1,000 sq. ft.
- The family should not own a flat larger than 100 sq. meters in municipal areas.
Candidates must submit an EWS certificate issued by a competent authority during counselling.
3. SC ST Reservation in NEET
The SC ST reservation in NEET provides the following seat allocations:
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
To claim the SC ST reservation in NEET, candidates must:
- Declare their category during NEET registration.
- Submit a valid SC/ST certificate at the time of counselling.
This reservation helps students from historically marginalized communities gain access to quality medical education.
4. NEET Reservation for General Category
There is no specific NEET reservation for general category candidates. However, unreserved (UR) candidates compete for merit-based seats not allocated to reserved categories.
Additionally, general category candidates from financially weaker backgrounds can benefit from the EWS reservation in NEET (10%).
5. Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
A 5% horizontal reservation is provided for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) across all categories.
Eligibility criteria for PwD reservation:
- Candidates must have a benchmark disability as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- A valid disability certificate from an authorized medical board is mandatory.
6. Reservation for Girls in NEET
At the national level, there is no special reservation for female candidates under AIQ. However, certain states offer NEET reservation for girls under their State Quota. Female candidates should check their state’s policies during counselling.
Additional Considerations for NEET Reservation
1. Domicile Requirements
For the 85% State Quota, candidates typically need to fulfil domicile requirements as defined by their respective states. However, for the 15% AIQ seats, there are no domicile restrictions, meaning candidates can apply nationwide.
2. NEET Reservation in Government Colleges
Government colleges follow the AIQ and State Quota reservation policies strictly. The exact number of seats available under reservation categories varies by state and institution. Candidates should check with individual colleges for precise details.
Conclusion
Understanding NEET reservation criteria is essential for every medical aspirant. The reservation in NEET ensures that students from all backgrounds have equal access to opportunities in medical education. Candidates should carefully review their eligibility for OBC reservation in NEET, SC ST reservation in NEET, EWS reservation in NEET, and State Quota rules before applying.
By staying informed and planning strategically, candidates can maximize their chances of securing a government medical seat in NEET 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, NEET has reservation criteria for various categories, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates.
There is no central reservation for female candidates under AIQ, but some states offer NEET reservation for girls under their State Quota policies.
There is no fixed NEET reservation for general category candidates, but they compete for seats not allocated to reserved categories.
Cutoffs vary each year and depend on AIQ and State Quota reservation policies. Candidates should check official counselling updates for specific cutoffs.
SC candidates get 15% reservation, while ST candidates get 7.5% reservation under AIQ.
Domicile is not required for AIQ seats but is mandatory for State Quota seats. Each state has specific domicile requirements.
Each government medical college follows the NEET reservation criteria, allocating seats based on AIQ and State Quota reservations
NEET reservation covers SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD, and state-specific categories, ensuring equitable access to medical education.
