Can Open School Students Appear in NEET? Here is What NMC Says

New Delhi: Clarifying on the eligibility of the open school students to appear in the National Eligibility-Entrance Test, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has specified that as per the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER) 2023 regulations, such students are allowed to appear in the MBBS entrance examination.

The Commission further clarified that the students are allowed to study an additional subject from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with the condition that the study needs to be carried out from any authorized institution.

NMC UG Board offered this clarification after taking cognisance of the uncertainties regarding the NEET UG Bulletin released by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Referring to this, the Apex Medical Commission added, "It has come to the notice that a confusion has been created stating that National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued NEET-UG Bulletin 2025, which is not as per NMC Regulations. In this regard, it is to clarified that the reply has been furnished to the applicant who seeks reply in regard to studying through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)/ State Open Schools or Private candidate."

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In this regard, NMC offered point-wise clarification regarding this subject. NMC clarified whether the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Board is valid for the National Eligibility-Entrance Test (NEET), whether students pursue MBBS after studying only Biology as an additional subject from (NIOS) National Institute of Open Schooling, whether NIOS students can appear in NEET exam and pursue MBBS as per revised NMC policies, whether students who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English be eligible for NEET as per the New Policy/Guidelines 2023, and whether students who did not take Biology in 12th but have taken Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Additionally Biology from NIOS Board also appear for NEET UG Exam or not.

Addressing these queries, the Commission clarified, "As per GMER-23 regulation’s on studying through NIOS is allowed for appearing for NEET UG Examinations. The students are permitted to study an additional subject from NIOS with the condition that the study needs to be carried out from any authorized institutions."

However, offering clarification on whether the mark Sheet obtained from NIOS Board valid for further studies and employment anywhere in India and abroad, NMC said, "As per Section 2 (f) of RTI Act, 2005, this is beyond the purview of RTI Act, 2005, since, it is query based."

NMC UG Board further added in the notice dated 22.02.2025, "In view of the above, it is seen that NTA is following the Regulations notified from the time to time by National Medical Commission."

Sharing the UG Board's clarification, NMC mentioned in the notice dated 26.02.2025, "Public Notice of even number dated 22-02-2025 issued by the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) on the subject mentioned above is enclosed herewith. All concerned stakeholders are requested to kindly take note of the same."

Previously, candidates who have passed their 10+2 exam from open schools were barred from appearing in the NEET exam under Regulation 4(2)(a) of the Medical Council of India Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997.

After the 2017 amendment, Regulation 4(2)(a), which stipulated the eligibility criteria had a proviso clause stating "…two years of regular and continuous study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology taken together shall be required at 10+2 level for all the candidates. Candidates who have passed 10+2 from Open Schools or as Private candidates shall not be eligible to appear for National Eligibility-Entrance Test."

Back in 2018, the Delhi High Court bench had struck down this provision as it defined it to be unconstitutional. It was noted by the HC bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar that the Medical Council had proceeded the assumption that the students/candidates who do not attend regular schools, because of financial hardship and social reasons, are inferior and less deserving and turn-downs.

At that time, the HC bench had stated in its order that such presumptions must be resoundingly rejected as contrary to the constitutional ethos and would violate both Article 14 and right to opportunity to acquire professional degree.

Challenging this decision, the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), now the National Medical Commission (NMC) filed the appeal before the Supreme Court bench.

Last year, while considering the matter, the Supreme Court bench held that all the open schools recognized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the State Education Board would now be recognized by the NMC for the entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical courses.

Also Read:Now Open School students eligible for MBBS entrance exam- Open schools recognized by CBSE and State Education Boards shall be recognized by NMC for NEET: SC