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 in a course of their choice. However, there is no dearth of avenues in the medical or paramedical field with or without NEET.
Explore colleges based on NEET
NTA conducted the NEET 2025 exam on May 4, 2025. Out of 22,09,318 candidates who had appeared for the exam, 12,36,531 candidates have qualified. But what about the rest of the 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.
No, there is no upper age limit for NEET 2025. 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.
If you belong to SC /ST category, you can get a MBBS seat with 350. for OBC and general category, cut-off score is much more higher than 350. So, prepare well. All the best.
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 several medical courses after 12th without NEET that can be opted by them in case they are unable to crack the exam.
- NEET 2025 Cutoff
- Medical Courses without NEET: The Popular Ones
- Medical Courses without NEET: Other Popular Courses
- Medical Courses after 12th without NEET: Various Other Courses Related to the Field of Medicine
NEET 2025 Cutoff
The NEET 2025 cutoff has subsequently been reduced, owing to the high difficulty level of the exam. The following table brings the category-wise NEET cutoff 2025 scores and percentiles.
Category |
NEET 2025 Cutoff percentile |
NEET 2025 Cutoff score |
---|---|---|
UR/EWS |
50th |
686-144 |
OBC, SC, ST |
40th |
143-113 |
UR/EWS-PwD |
45th |
143-127 |
OBC/SC/St-PwD |
40th |
126-113 |
The highest score obtained in NEET 2025 is 686 out of 720. Hence, the NEET cutoff for admission is also likely to be reduced.
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 the 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 a 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
According to last year's NEET cutoff marks, a General or OBC category candidate should secure at least 500 marks to get an MBBS seat at a standard medical college in India. However, for a reserved category candidate, a score of 300 to 400 may get them an MBBS seat. Students must note that the minimum NEET score mentioned here is indicatie and not absolute. The minimum marks or the NEET cutoff marks will vary based on the qualifying cutoff, number of seats, number of aplications, andother factors. Candidates with a relatively low score must be patient and participate in multiple rounds of counselling untill they get the seat of their choice. Candidates may also participate in both national as well as state-level counsellings to expand their chances of admission.
There is no limit to the number of attempts to appear in the NTA NEET UG exam. While NEET UG is conducted once a year and candidates can appear only once in one year, an overall basis, an aspirant can appear for the exam as many times as he/she wishes to. Given the fact that the upper age limit has been removed, there is no barrier to the highest number of attempts.
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.
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.
A General category candidate of NEET lies at the highest competitive zone as not only is the qualifying cutoff the highest among the other categories, but the selection cutoff at the institutes as well. To ensure getting a seat at one of the top medical colleges in India, a safe NEET score for General category candidates would be 600 and above out of 720. While getting 650 or above would be an absolute safe score for admission to top medical colleges in India, scoring above 600 would also ensure a seat of choice. On the other hand, a NEET score above 500 would also be considered a good score for getting admission to a top ranked college.
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.
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
As a career, Psychology can be chosen by candidates from 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 requirements 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 can perform meaningful activities/occupations. They ensure that their patient can 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. Various institutions 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 based on 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 Science 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.
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
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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
Answered 13 hours ago
There are about 30+ NEET accepting BDS colleges in Tamil Nadu. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
---|---|
SIMTS | INR 43 lakh |
SRM Dental College, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai | INR 15.6 lakh |
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 24 lakh |
Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital | INR 5.2 lakh |
Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital | INE 10 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 14 hours ago
Yes, 385 marks in NEET in general category chance may be possible to get the government nursing college.
You should get counselling done and go till the last round,
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
With a NEET rank of 300,400, getting a government seat for BAMS is unlikely, especially in states with high competition. While some government colleges might have slightly lower cutoffs, your rank falls outside the range typically required for government institutions. You might have a better chance
B
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
With a NEET score of 300 and an All India Rank (AIR) of 442509, it's highly unlikely to get a BAMS seat in a government college, especially if you are from the general category. Government colleges typically have higher cutoffs, often requiring scores above 400 or even 500, depending on the state an
B
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
Only those candidates who will register for the Kerala NEET counselling process will be able to fill and lock choices. After logging in, they will have to select Course from the dropdown menu. From there, they have to choose "College" and click on update button. After filling all choices, they have
L
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
It all depends on your state category rank and cateogory seats and no. Of students who are participating in state quota seat from your category
For college you have to check the previous year cutt off list of medical college
H
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 4 days ago
The AIIMS Paramedical previous year cutoff varies for different categories. The overall AIIMS Paramedical cutoff rank for UR candidates in 2023 was 676, while it was 1370 in 2024 for UR categories. Applicants who are from other categories are advised to check the cutoff rank in the table.
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
To study MBBS in the Philippines, Indian students must qualify NEET exam. There is no minimum NEET score requirement, just passing marks is enough. But higher NEET marks can help in getting better universities.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The table below shows the top 10 Medical colleges in India through NEET along with their India Today ranking 2024:
Top Colleges | India Today Ranking 2024 |
---|---|
AIIMS Delhi | 1 |
JIPMER Puducherry | 2 |
CMC Vellore | 3 |
Armed Forces Medical College | 4 |
Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi | 5 |
Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU | 6 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the ranking body listed and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The requirement for NEET depends on the course applied by the candidates. MMU Solan considers NEET-UG scores for admission to MBBS programme whereas, NEET-PG scores is required for MD and MS courses. Aspirants with a valid NEET score need to participate in centralised counselling conducted by the Go
N
Guide-Level 15
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.