In a rare case, three senior citizens aged 60+ cleared NEET 2025 and applied for MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu under the govt school quota.
In a remarkable and unexpected development that’s sparked both admiration and debate, three senior citizens aged 68, 67, and 60 have successfully cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2025 and applied for MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu’s government medical colleges. The candidates, including two practicing lawyers, have applied under the 7.5% special government school quota, typically aimed at supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Their applications are currently under review by the state’s medical admissions selection committee, which finds itself navigating uncharted territory. The situation has raised a series of complex questions—ranging from eligibility and age-related policies to deeper ethical considerations around resource allocation, long-term healthcare contributions, and the original spirit of reservation schemes.
Breaking Age Barriers in Medicine
Traditionally, medical education in India has been viewed as a path for students in their late teens or early twenties. However, that landscape began to shift in 2022, when the National Medical Commission (NMC) officially removed the upper age limit for NEET. The move was heralded as a step toward democratizing access to medical education—encouraging lifelong learning and allowing people of all ages to pursue their dreams of serving in the healthcare sector.
While this policy change did open the door for older aspirants, few expected such a significant uptick in senior citizen participation. According to admissions officials in Tamil Nadu, this is the first year they’ve seen applicants in their late 60s qualify for and actively seek MBBS admission.
A senior official associated with the process told The Economic Times, “We’ve seen a rising number of non-traditional candidates over the years, but this year has set a new record. At least 25 applicants aged 35 and above have applied for undergraduate medical and dental courses in the state.”
The Legal and Ethical Dilemma
Although the NEET score makes these candidates academically eligible, the admissions committee must now assess procedural and practical issues—such as career feasibility, long-term return on public investment in medical education, and whether the inclusion of senior citizens under reserved quotas could potentially impact younger aspirants from marginalized backgrounds.
The government school quota, under which these applications were filed, was designed to level the playing field for students from under-resourced public schools—many of whom face significant structural disadvantages. Critics argue that while senior applicants may meet the eligibility criteria, they may not align with the spirit of social justice that underpins this reservation.
On the other hand, supporters argue that lifelong learning should be encouraged, and that excluding individuals based solely on age could be discriminatory. The scenario has thus prompted an intense debate among policymakers, legal experts, and educators.
More Than Just a Personal Victory
Beyond the technicalities, the stories of these senior applicants speak volumes about resilience, aspiration, and second chances. For many, clearing NEET is a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment—one that demands not just academic excellence but immense mental strength and determination. For senior citizens, the feat becomes all the more admirable given the generational gap in learning styles, the demanding syllabus, and the intense competition from younger candidates.
Whether or not these individuals eventually secure MBBS seats, their applications have sparked an important national conversation: Should age be a barrier to education? And how can policies evolve to promote both fairness and inclusion, while staying true to their intended purpose?
A Policy Crossroads Ahead
As Tamil Nadu’s selection committee deliberates the next steps, this moment may well shape future admissions frameworks and reservation policies. One thing is clear: NEET 2025 has not only tested biology, physics, and chemistry—but also challenged society’s assumptions about age, ambition, and access to opportunity.
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