The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the essential gateway for those aiming to pursue medical studies in India. It encompasses various courses and opens up promising opportunities for successful candidates. NEET plays a crucial role in upholding the quality of medical education throughout the country. It is the primary requirement for admission into both medical and dental colleges nationwide. Yet, after taking the NEET 2025 exam, many students find themselves at a crossroads, uncertain about the next steps—from reviewing their answers to awaiting results, and then navigating the complex counselling and admission process.
Prospective NEET 2025 students often ponder the actions they need to undertake to secure a spot in MBBS/BDS programs. It is crucial to note that only those who surpass the NEET cutoff mark qualify for admission. In government colleges, a portion of seats is allocated under the All India Quota (AIQ), while state quotas fill the remaining seats.
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For students meeting state-specific residency requirements, opportunities are also available in private colleges through the state quota. This blog serves as a guide to ‘What After NEET 2025?’ providing insights into career paths for those with lower NEET scores. It explores options such as studying MBBS overseas and the potential benefits of taking a gap year for those targeting a government MBBS seat in India.
For students who score lower in NEET 2025, there are still plenty of course options available, such as BSc Physiotherapy, BSc Biotechnology, BSc Radiotherapy, BSc Medical Lab Technology, BSc Dialysis Therapy, and BSc Critical Care Technology. These alternatives offer students opportunities to pursue medical courses without needing top scores in the NEET exam. Often, students consider taking a year off to improve their NEET scores. However, these courses aligned with NEET ranks ensure students can continue their education without a gap year, choosing a course that fits their interests from the rank-wise list of NEET courses.
The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) is one of India’s toughest exams and is recognized globally. Due to its widespread popularity and large number of participants, candidates often look for other courses, especially if they don’t get a high score in NEET 2025. While many students still aim for traditional medical courses, not everyone gets the rank they want.
Also Check: NEET 2025 Rank Predictor
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Besides NEET, there are several other career paths for medical students offered by leading medical colleges in India, such as AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, and various state-run medical colleges. Here are some career alternatives for those with lower NEET scores:
Allied Health Science experts are different from those in medicine and nursing. Their work focuses on detecting, assessing, and preventing illnesses and conditions. This field covers a range of services including nutrition, dietary management, rehabilitation, health systems management, dental hygiene, medical technology, diagnostic sonography, and radiography.
Here’s a list of the leading paramedical or Allied Health Sciences courses you might consider:
| Paramedical Course | Duration | Eligibility | Fee | Average Salary Package |
| BOT – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy | 4 Years | 10+2 with PCB | INR 4 Lacs | INR 1.2 LPA – INR 7.2 LPA |
| B Sc (Audiology and Speech Therapy) | 4 Years | 10+2 with PCM/ B | INR 10,000 – INR 5 Lacs | INR 2 Lacs – INR 7.5 LPA |
| B Sc (Radiography) | 3 Years | 10+2 with Science | INR 2 Lacs – INR 10 Lacs | INR 85,000 – INR 2 LPA |
| B Sc (Medical Lab Technology) | 3 Years | 10+2 with Science | INR 3 Lacs – INR 4 Lacs | INR 1 LPA – INR 6 LPA |
| B Sc (Ophthalmic Technology) | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 2 Lacs – INR 6 Lacs | INR 2 LPA – INR 9 LPA |
| B Sc (Allied Health Services) | 4 Years | 10+2 | INR 2.6 Lacs – INR 4 Lacs | – |
| B Sc in Critical Care Technology | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 1.2 Lacs – INR 3.5 Lacs | INR 2.2 LPA |
| B Sc in Dialysis Therapy | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 20,000 – INR 3 Lacs | INR 2.4 LPA – INR 3.4 LPA |
| B Sc. in Nuclear Medicine | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 2 Lacs – INR 5 Lacs | INR 1.8 LPA |
| B Sc in Operation Theatre Technology | 3 Years | 10+2 or Equivalent | INR 5,000 – INR 10 Lacs | INR 2 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
| B Sc (Nuclear Medicine) | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR. 4 Lacs – NR. 5 Lacs | INR 2 LPA – INR 9 LPA |
| B Sc (Respiratory Therapy Technology) | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 2 Lacs – INR 4 Lacs | INR 2 LPA – INR 15 LPA |
| B Sc in Critical Care Technology | 3 Years | 10+2 | INR 1.25 Lacs – INR 3.5 Lacs | INR 4 LPA – INR 16 LPA |
| Institute Name | Location | Average Course Fee |
| AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 50,000 approx. |
| JIPMER | Puducherry | INR 1 LPA approx. |
| AFMC | Pune | INR 1.5 LPA approx. |
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi | INR 3.5 LPA approx. |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | INR 75,000 approx. |
A Bachelor in Pharmacy is a great option for science students looking for a career-oriented course after completing their 12th grade. This course focuses on the study of drugs and medicines, including subjects like Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering. Once students finish this course, they can find numerous job opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Below are some Pharmacy courses you might consider instead of MBBS:
| Courses | Duration | Fee |
| B.Pharm | 4 Years | INR 15,000 – INR 1.5 Lacs |
| B.Pharm + M.B.A. (Dual Degree) | 5 Years | INR 70,000 – INR 1.2 Lacs |
| D.Pharm | 2 Years | INR 4,000 to INR 4 Lacs |
| Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy | 2 Years | INR 4,000 to INR 4 Lacs |
| Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management | 2 Years | INR 10,000 – INR 95,000 |
| Institute Name | Location | Average Course Fee |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Karnataka | INR 4 LPA approx. |
| Bombay College of Pharmacy | Maharashtra | INR 3.7 LPA approx. |
| Panjab University | Chandigarh | INR 4.5 LPA approx. |
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi | INR 1 LPA approx. |
| Amity University | Noida | INR 5 LPA approx. |
Biotechnology, as implied by its name, is a field where technology meets biology. It uses cellular and biomolecular processes to create products and technologies that enhance the health of living beings and the characteristics of plants. This area is growing in India and offers many job opportunities because the courses are designed to be career-focused.
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Below are some well-known undergraduate courses in Biotechnology that you can explore in India.
| Course Features | Diploma in Biotechnology | B Sc Biotechnology | B Tech in Biotechnology | B Tech in Molecular and Cellular Engineering | B Tech in Industrial Microbiology |
| Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years | 4 Years | 4 Years |
| Course Fee | INR 50,000 – INR 4 Lacs | ||||
| Eligibility | 10th or 10+2 in Science Stream | 10+2 in Science Stream | 10+2 in Science Stream | 10+2 in Science Stream | 10+2 in Science Stream |
| Skills Required | Complex problem solving, analytical skills, teamwork, attentional to detail, strong communication skills, innovative thinking | ||||
| Career Options | Biotechnology Engineer, Lab Technician, Teacher, Instructor, Scientist, Project Manager | ||||
| Job Sectors | Pharmaceutical Firms, Laboratories, Research Firms, Fertilizer Manufacturers, Hospitals, Food Production Firms, Clinical Research Firms, Chemical Manufacturers, Educational Institutes, Consultation Agencies | ||||
| Salary Package | INR 2.2 LPA – INR 12 LPA | ||||
NEET scores can also qualify students for Biotechnology courses, which are available for those with lower ranks in NEET 2025. Here are some of the leading colleges in India that offer Biotechnology courses for students to consider:
| Institute Name | Location | Average Course Fee |
| University of Delhi (DU) | New Delhi | INR 5 LPA approx. |
| Indian Institute of Technology, IIT | Roorkee | INR 5.6 LPA approx. |
| Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | Chennai | INR 7 LPA approx. |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT) | Tiruchirappalli | INR 3.5 LPA approx. |
| Delhi Technology University (DTU) | Delhi | INR 4 LPA approx. |
Physiotherapy is a field focused on helping people prevent, treat, and recover from physical disabilities and challenges. A certified physiotherapist often uses “Dr” before their name. This autonomous healthcare profession primarily aims to improve or prevent issues with physical movement. Below are some physiotherapy programs in India that you can consider as alternatives to studying MBBS.
| Course Features | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (B P T) | B Sc Physiotherapy | Diploma in Physiotherapy (D P T) |
| Duration | 4 ½ years (including internship) | 4 ½ years (including internship) | 3 years |
| Course Fee | IINR 2 Lacs – INR 7 Lacs | INR 1 Lacs – INR 5 Lacs | INR 10,000 – INR 5 Lacs |
| Eligibility | 10+2 | 10+2 | 10+2 |
| Skills Required | Empathy, confidence, fluency in English, good presentation skills, convincing, understanding problems of patients, Good communication and persuasive, etc | ||
| Career Options | Physiotherapist, Lecturer, Researcher, Home Care Physiotherapist, Medical Coding Analyst, Sports Physio Rehabilitator, Osteopath, Customer Care Assistant, Therapy Manager | ||
| Salary Package | INR 2 LPA – INR 20 LPA | ||
| Institute Name | Location | Average Course Fee |
| St. Johns Medical College | Bangalore | INR 6 LPA approx. |
| Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research | New Delhi | INR 5 LPA approx. |
| Madras Medical College | Chennai | INR 6 LPA approx. |
| Institute of Medical Sciences BHU | Varanasi | INR 3.5 LPA approx. |
| MS Ramaiah Medical College | Bangalore | INR 4 LPA approx. |
These alternative courses offer great chances for NEET 2025 candidates to discover different areas in the healthcare sector.
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Choosing the right course after getting a low NEET score can seem tough. Yet, there are many alternative paths in healthcare to consider. Here are some tips to help you choose:
No. Although physiotherapists might use 'Dr.' before their names, it doesn't mean they are medical doctors. Physiotherapy primarily focuses on preventing or reducing physical difficulties and can be an alternative to studying MBBS.
Yes. Nursing is a highly popular healthcare field in India, following medicine and dentistry. The salary for nurses varies, typically ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 4.5 lakh per annum, depending on their qualifications.
No. Professionals in Allied Health Sciences are separate from those in medicine and nursing. This field involves various services like dietary and nutrition services, radiography, diagnostic sonography, rehabilitation, and more.
Career options in physiotherapy include roles such as Physiotherapist, Lecturer, Researcher, Home Care Physiotherapist, Medical Coding Analyst, Sports Physio Rehabilitator, Osteopath, Customer Care Assistant, and Therapy Manager.
Once you pass the NEET exam and meet or exceed the cutoff scores, you can seek admission into medical, dental, or other allied health courses like BAMS, BHMS, BVSc. Admissions to government colleges are split between 15% through the All India Quota and 85% through state quotas.
No, as of 2024, NEET remains the only entrance exam for admission to MBBS programs in India.