No Barrier to MBBS dreams: 3 Senior Citizens Crack NEET 2025, Seek admission in TN Medical Colleges

Speaking to TOI, a senior official associated with the admission process said that this year many graduates and professionals are vying for medical or dental seats. "However, this is the highest number of applicants from the middle-aged we have seen since 2017." Officials also confirmed that at least 25 candidates above the age of 35 have applied for undergraduate medical and dental seats in the state this year.

Meanwhile, all three senior candidates have applied for admission under Tamil Nadu's 7.5% government school quota, which offers subsidised or free MBBS seats in both government and private colleges to students studying in government schools. Some applicants have scored enough marks to gain admission under the 69% reservation policy.

However, the applications have thrown up technical inconsistencies, particularly in the documents submitted under the special quota. Officials say that in some cases, the certificates don’t conform to the current format or fail to meet the exact eligibility wording outlined in the prospectus, adds ET

Though these applicants have fulfilled the educational requirements, the main dilemma for the authorities now is whether adult graduates, who had pursued alternative careers and have now returned to education, should be allowed to avail the quota that was originally created to uplift underprivileged youth.