BAMS Admissions: NCISM Drops 50 percent PCB Marks Requirement, NEET Remains Mandatory
New Delhi: In a relief to BAMS aspirants, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has removed the previous criteria of the candidates scoring a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in Class 12.
The Apex Medical Commission for the Indian System of Medicine has removed this eligibility criterion starting from the 2025 academic year. Under the new guidelines, candidates must pass their Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology to apply for BAMS programmes.
Previously, the eligibility norms mandated a minimum score of 50% in PCB subjects for the general category and 40% for those belonging to SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds to be eligible for admission to BAMS courses. NCIMS has now clarified that the percentage-based cut-offs would no longer be applicable for students seeking admission to BAMS. Under the revised rules, the Commission has also recognized Biotechnology as a qualifying subject alongside Biology.
Even though NCISM has offered the aspirants a major relaxation regarding their marks in Class 12 examination, clearing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination remains a compulsory requirement for admission to Ayurveda colleges.
Therefore, now candidates from diverse academic streams who have passed Class 12 with the required subjects will be eligible for BAMS admission, provided they clear the UG medical entrance examination i.e., NEET-UG. Due to the revised policy, rigid academic cut-off has been removed and now NEET-UG remains the sole screening mechanism for admission.
This year, more than 22 lakh students appeared in the NEET UG 2025 examination. There are more than 40,000 BAMS seats available in 598 Ayurveda Medical Colleges across the country.
As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the AYUSH Medical Association has supported the NCISM's decision to offer relaxation in the eligibility criteria. Commenting on this, Rakesh Pandey, National Spokesperson of the AYUSH Medical Association, said, "Thousands of students will benefit from this decision."
He further mentioned that NEET counselling is expected to take place as scheduled and will proceed without disruption.
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