Owing to the competition that exists in NEET and the pressure that a candidate is subjected to, during the exam's preparation, many resort to alternate career options in the field of medicine. Such candidates can find here the list of medical courses they can opt for without NEET.
What are the Medical courses after 12th without NEET? This is one of the topmost queries in the minds of candidates who could not qualify for NEET. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one of the largest medical entrance tests in India. Being one of the most competitive medical entrance exams and limited number of MBBS seats, it is often not possible for test takers to enrol on a course of their choice. However, there is no dearth of avenues in the medical or paramedical field with or without NEET.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.NTA will conduct the NEET 2024 exam on May 5. Over 20 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the test. As per the last year's data, only 56 per cent of candidates qualified for the exam. But what about the rest of the 44 per cent candidates? Do they not stand any chance of medical admission? While they may not be eligible to participate in the NEET counselling process, they have a number of avenues to tread without NEET scores. Are there any Medical courses after 12th without NEET? Let us find out.
Q: How many times can I appear for NEET?
According to NTA a candidate can appear for NEET any number of times. There is no restriction on the number of attempts permitted. Moreover, ever since the upper age limit of NEET has been removed, there is even more flexibility in terms of the number of NEET attempts.
The exam is conducted once a year, hence candidates can appear only once in an academic year. But unless candidates fulfil the eligibility criteria, they would not be able to get admission even if they score the qualifying cutoff marks for NEET.
Q: Can a class 12 student appear for NEET?
A Class 12 student can appear for NEET, provided he/she fulfills the eligibility criteria for the exam stated by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam conducting body. Although there is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET, but the lower age limit is still applicable. A candidate must of at least 17 years as of December 31 of the academic year. Unless candidates meet the lower age limit criterion, they would not be considered eligible to appear for NEET for the particular year. The other factors of eligibility include studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects.
Q: Can I get MBBS admission with a 300 score in NEET 2024?
It is possible to get admission to a private medical college with a score of 300 in NEET 2023. For government medical college, one should ideally obtain a score above 600. The NEET cutoff for the Government medical colleges vary as per the institute rank and round of counselling. Hence, it can be said that a score of 300 in NEET 2023 may not be sufficient for admission to Government medical colleges. As per past years' trends, a score between 500 to 700 or above is in the cutoff marks for NEET.
Qualifying in NEET gives a candidate the option to choose from a variety of courses, such as MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing and AYUSH. But appearing for NEET and qualifying for this entrance test is not easy. It takes years of preparation and dedicated efforts to clear this examination. Many students, already burdened with their board exams and other competitive national or state-level entrance exams, are not able to cope with this challenge. However, this does not mean that they need to give up on their dream of pursuing a career in the field of medicine. There are a number of medical courses after 12th without NEET which can be opted by them in case they are unable to crack the exam.
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Medical Courses without NEET: The Popular Ones
Here we list some of the top and popular medical and paramedical courses that a medical aspirant can opt for even without NEET. Take a look at the medical courses list without NEET below:
Nursing
Even though several BSc Nursing courses have been replaced with NEET exam, there are still a number of institutes which conduct their own Nursing entrance exams to conduct admission for their BSc Nursing courses. Hence, if you are keen on pursuing Nursing course after Class 12, you need not appear for NEET, but can do so by appearing in the institute's Nursing entrance tests. Some of the top Nursing entrance exams include AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam, RUHS Nursing Entrance Exam, to name a few.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects
Duration of the course: 4 years
Popular Colleges:
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
- AIIMS Delhi
- KGMU Lucknow
- Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi
Physiotherapy
A Bachelor of Physiotherapy is also one of the most sought-after career options. Physiotherapy, or Physical therapy, aims at curing illnesses or injuries that limit a person’s day-to-day activities. The scope of Physiotherapy is endless. After completing the Bachelor’s degree, candidates can opt for a career in various fields such as sports, military, education, research and insurance agencies.
Q: Is there any age limit for NEET exam?
The upper age limit criterion was removed by NMC on March 9, 2022, based on the judgment made by the Supreme Court of India. Earlier, the case was under trial in the apex court. However, there is a lower age limit of 17 years as of December 31 of the academic year. Unless candidates meet the lower age limit criterion, they would not be considered eligible to appear for NEET.
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for NEET?
As per the eligibility criteria of NEET candidates should pass the Class 12th Board exam from a recognised institute and board from the Science stream with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate (40 per cent for OBC/SC/ST and 45 per cent for PwD category candidates). The candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English subjects in Class 11 and Class 12. There has been a change in the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria. Till last year, Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology subjects had to be studied as core subjects in order to be eligible to appear for the exam. This year, the National Medical Commission has revised the eligibility criteria, which states that candidates may study these subjects as additional papers. The minimum age limit is 17 years as on December 31 of the year of admission. The upper age limit criteria has been removed in the year 2022.
Q: How many candidates appeared for NEET 2024?
According to the reports, this year saw the highest number of NEET applications and appearance for the exam. A total of 24,06,079 candidates applied for the exam, out of which 23,33,297 candidates appeared. The exam was originally conducted on May 5, 2024, in 571 cities across India and abroad. A re-test for 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks on May 5, was conducted on June 23, 2024. In this exam, 813 candidates had appeared.
Q: Which courses can I pursue after appearing for NEET exam?
NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national level medical entrance exam for undergraduate courses. It is the gateway to admission to multiple medical and paramedical courses. Although earlier NEET scores were considered for MBBS and BDS courses only, but now, there are multiple courses including medical, dental, nursing and other paramedical courses, the admission to which are conducted through NEET scores. The course names are listed below:
1. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
2. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
3. BSc Nursing
4. Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
5. Bachelor of Uninani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
6. Bachelor Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
7. Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS)
8. Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
9. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOTh)
10. Bachelor of Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology (BASLP)
11. Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
These courses are offered at various colleges across India, and the admission is based on the NEET UG exam scores.
Q: Am I eligible for NEET 2024? I got 46 marks in Chemistry in Class 12.
As per the eligibility criteria of NEET, PWD candidates from General category should secure minimum 45 per cent aggregate and those from the reserved category (SC, ST, OBC) should secure 40 per cent aggregate. Hence, if you have secured the requisite aggregate, then you will be eligible to appear for NEET 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) does not consider the subject-wise percentage. Hence, if you are fulfilling the other factors of the NEET 2024 eligibility criteria, then you can appear for the exam.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects
Duration of the course: 4 years
Popular colleges:
- Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
- Lovely Professional University, New Delhi
- Manipal School of Allied Sciences
- Dr D Y Patil College of Physiotherapy
Fee Range: INR 2,000 to INR 6 lakh
Also Read: Physiotherapy Colleges in India
Veterinary Sciences
Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences (BVSc) is the study of prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of ailments or wounds in animals. BVSc also deals with the breeding, rearing and nutrition of animals. Apart from the clinical applications, BVSc has a very good scope in the field of research and education.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English as core subjects
Duration of the course: 5 years
Popular colleges:
- Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Rajasthan
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
- Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU)
Fee Range: INR 2.8 lakh to INR 6 lakh
Pharmacy
A graduate in Pharmacy has diversified career options. A BPharma graduate can choose to be a pharmacist, lecturer, researcher, salesperson, or counsellor. The course imparts knowledge about the production, usage, effects, safety and disposal of drugs. Combined with a Master’s degree, Pharmacy can be a very lucrative career option for those who wish to pursue a career in medicine.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Mathematics in a few institutes) as core subjects
Duration of the course: 4 years
Popular colleges:
- Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Dr D Y Patil College of Pharmacy
- Jamia Hamdard University
- BITS Pilani
Fee Range: INR 4 lakh to INR 14 lakh
Also Read: BPharma Colleges in India
Psychology
Psychology, as a career, can be chosen by candidates belonging to different disciplines. Psychology, the study of mind and behaviour, is also a very interesting career option. Graduates in Psychology are trained to study the behaviour of individuals are communities. After completing the bachelor’s degree, candidates can opt for careers in various fields such as education, military, sports, forensics, legal and politics.
Courses: BSc Psychology, BA Psychology
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent
Duration of the course: 3 years
Popular colleges:
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women
- Indira Gandhi National Open University Delhi
- Amity University Mumbai
- Delhi University
Fee Range: INR 21,000 to INR 13 lakh
Also Read: Psychology Colleges in India
Nutritionist/Dietician
A nutritionist is an expert in human nutrition. They regulate the diets to balance the diet of the patients as per the requirement of their bodies. Nutritionists are registered healthcare workers who can diagnose and treat nutritional problems in individuals.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent
Duration of the course: 3 years
Popular colleges:
- National Institute of Nutrition, Andhra Pradesh
- Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Hyderabad
- Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Kolkata
Courses: BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics, BSc in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition
Fee Range: INR 3,000 to INR 7 lakh
Also Read: Dietetics/Nutrition Colleges in India
Occupation Therapy
Occupational Therapy is also a growing career option. An Occupational Therapist works with people from various strata and ensures that they are able to perform meaningful activities/occupations. They ensure that their patient is able to recover from an injury or shock and resume the activities that they used to perform before the incident. Candidates can choose whether they want to pursue a Diploma course in Occupational Therapy or a Bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility: Pass in Class 12 Board exam with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent
Duration of the course: 4.5 years (BOTh)
Popular colleges:
- Manipal School of Allied Health Sciences
- Aryabhatta Knowledge University
- NIMS University, Jaipur
- University of Technology, Jaipur
Clinical Research
Clinical researchers are scientists who ensure that the medical equipment, drugs, treatments and any other devices used by humans are safe for them. They perform clinical trials for such devices or drugs.
Eligibility: A Bachelor's degree in Life Science, Pharmacy, Medicine or Biosciences
Duration of the course: 3 years
Fee Range: Up to INR 5 lakh
Also Read: Clinical Research Colleges in India
Medical Transcription
Medical Transcription courses have gained popularity over the past few years. A medical transcriber translates the treatment notes dictated by a medical practitioner, nurse, or any healthcare worker. The purpose of translating these voice-recorded medical reports is to create files for the treatment history of patients. There are various institutions that offer full-time/Certificate courses for medical transcription. The course can also be completed through distance learning.
Fee Range: INR 5,000 to INR 50,000
Also Read: Medical Transcription Colleges in India
Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences
Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Science is covered under the AYUSH courses. Where most colleges accept students on the basis of NEET scores, many still admit students on the basis of the marks obtained in Class 12 Board exam. Many universities also offer 1-year Certificate Courses for Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences.
Popular Colleges:
College of Ayurved, Bharati Vidyapeeth
Indian Institute of Professional Universities, Lucknow
Forensic Sciences
Forensic sciences is a developing career prospect in India. The course deals with the collection, analysis, and preservation of evidence during an investigation. The course duration for BSc in Forensic Science is three years. Candidates often pursue a master’s degree for better options.
Fee Range: INR 11,000 to INR 8 lakh
Also Read: Forensic Sciences Colleges in India
Medical Courses without NEET: Other Popular Courses
A few other courses which are as popular as the ones given above are listed here. Medical courses without NEET that have been listed below are not entirely related to Medicine. Thus, they have been listed separately.
- Biomedical Engineering
- Food Technology
- Agricultural Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Fisheries
- Biotechnology
- Dairy Technology
Medical Courses after 12th without NEET: Various Other Courses Related to the Field of Medicine
Check the list of medical courses without NEET such as non-MBBS or paramedical courses one can opt for if they want to pursue higher studies in the Medicine domain.
- Bachelor’s in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Technology
- Bachelor’s in Audiometric Technology
- Bachelor’s in Optometry and Ophthalmic Technologies
- Bachelor’s in Public Health
- Bachelors in Audiology Speech-Language Therapy
- Bachelor's in Physician Assistantship Training
- Bachelors in Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Bachelor's in Rehabilitation Therapy
- BSc Anatomy
- BSc Blood Banking Technology
- BSc Blood Transfusion Technology
- BSc Cardiac Technology
- BSc Cardiovascular Technologies
- BSc Dialysis Technologies
- BSc Emergency and Critical Care Technologies
- BSc Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Imaging Technologies
- BSc in Genetics
- BSc in Medical Imaging Technology
- BSc in Orthopedic Technology
- BSc Medical Laboratory Technology
- BSc Medical Microbiology
- BSc Medical Records Science and Health Information Management
- BSc Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy Technologies
- BSc Operation Theatre and Anaesthesia Technologies
- BSc Paramedical Technology
- BSc Perfusion Technology
- BSc Physiology
- BSc Radiology and Imaging Technology
- BSc Radiotherapy Technology
- BSc Respiratory Care Technology
Read More:
Different options to go with if NEET score is low
List of Courses Offered Through NEET
Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Dear Siva,
To be eligible for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India, candidates must have completed their 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Since you have completed 12th with only Physics and Chemistry, you would need to fulfill the Biology requirement.
In Singapor
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
The application for NEET UG 2025 will be available from January 2025, and the examination is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2025;
Important Dates
Application Form Issued: January 2025
Application Last Date: February 2025
Correction Window: March 2025
Admit Card Release: April 2025
Exam Date: May 4, 2025
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is one of the most sought-after undergraduate courses in the medical stream. In India, admission to this program generally requires candidates to qualify for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG);
NEET-UG Qualifying Marks for General Category (2024)
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
Hi Dr Saab,
Admission to the BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science) programme in India, including Shimla, requires NEET as per the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) guidelines. Without a valid NEET score, admission to BVSc is not possible in government veterinary colleges.
However, some private unive
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 days ago
As per BHU cutoff 2024 for the last-round seat allotment, the minimum rank stood at 1098 for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course for the General AI category candidates. Similarly, for the OBC category, the minimum rank stood at 1585 for the MBBS course.
N
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
You can apply for NEET with a United States high school Diploma if you have AIU equivalence and meet all required criteria. Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English must be included in your curriculum. Minimum PCB scores (50%, adjusted for reserved categories and PwD); and age 17 by De
H
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, NEET is mandatory for Indian students seeking admission to MBBS programs in Russia. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a mandatory entrance exam for medical courses in India, and it's also recognised by many foreign universities, including those in Russia. Even though other st
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
The NEET UG score plays a crucial role in the BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) admission process. It serves as the primary criterion for determining eligibility for dental colleges across India.
Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying score in NEET-UG to be considered for admission to the BDS co
L
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates who have scored 300 marks and wish to pursue MBBS or BDS programs can only apply through the paid seat quota.
This option allows admission by paying a higher fee, unlike the regular merit-based admission process.
K
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conduct a seperate entrance exam for admission to the AIIMS BSc nursing programme. This score is accepted for admission to all 20 AIIMS campuses in India. All nursing aspirants who wish to seek admission to the AIIMS BSc nursing and Post BSc nursing ex
N
Contributor-Level 10
Are there any biology bridging programs available before I can take NEET as currently passed 12th physics and chemistry only in Singapore.