In another joyous moment for NEET 2022 aspirants, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has scrapped the upper age limit to apply for the entrance exam. While students are ardently waiting for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) 2022, NMC issued a letter announcing the relaxation in the age limit criterion. This letter, issued on March 09, 2022, directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to revise the information brochure according to the changes suggested. The NEET 2022 application form is expected to release soon, on the official website neet.nta.nic.in.
NEET 2022 NMC Writes To NTA
In the letter addressed to NTA, NMC indirectly provided two important developments pertaining to NEET 2022 information brochure – 1. the brochure draft is ready and expected to release soon, and 2. Fixed upper age limit has been removed. Accordingly, changes in regulations related to the Graduate Medical Education, 1997 have already been initiated.
Following is a copy of the letter by NMC denoted to NTA –
NEET 2022 Previous Age Limit
Last year, NMC had allowed candidates to appear for the NEET UG examination as many times as they please till they reach 25 years. This upper age limit was increased to 30 years for reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and PwD. The minimum age limit was decided at 17 years. Subsequently, the information brochure mentioned the following statement –
The upper age limit for NEET (UG) is 25 years as on the date of examination with a relaxation of 5 years for the candidates belonging to the SC/ST/OBC-NCL category and PwBD Candidates.
This decision, however, was widely criticized by candidates who had surpassed the upper age limit. They complained that by implementing this clause, several eligible and capable candidates would be rendered unfit. Furthermore, age must not be considered a factor for deciding a candidate’s eligibility for a medical entrance exam such as NEET UG. Countering this, others stated that implementing this clause can provide better opportunities to younger aspirants.
AJINSA Rejoice Over Victory
Although the upper age-limit clause was implemented last year, the same has been revoked for NEET UG 2022. So, all those candidates who were rendered ineligible can take another chance at pursuing their dreams of getting into a medical college.
As soon as NMC’s letter went public, students began rejoicing on Twitter. Following is a tweet by the All India JEE NEET Student’s Association (AJINSA) celebrating the center’s decision –
For AJINSA, this is yet another victory in the basket. More importantly, however, students can expect the NEET 2022 information brochure to release soon, along with clarity on the exact exam date.
