Each year, medical aspirants in India wait for the NEET results eagerly. But this year, 2025, is even more critical. More than 22 lakh candidates competed for a seat, and just passing NEET is only the first step. The next marker? The NEET Merit List 2025, and what is crucial for several, the NEET 15% AIQ Merit List 2025, which provides access to centrally managed seats in India.
This merit list is not only a paper; it is the deciding key on where and how your medical career takes off. Having knowledge of its details and timeline is vital in making the appropriate decisions at counselling.
What Is the NEET Merit List 2025?
The NEET Merit List 2025 is a merit list of all successful candidates, released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 14, 2025, along with results. It contains:
- All India Ranks (AIR) of applicants on the basis of their NEET scores.
- Base for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 85% State Quota seats.
- Premise for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and their courses.
The merit list provides transparency and equal opportunity of selection, enabling students to compete at the national level. It is the most critical reference point for national as well as state-level seat allocation.
NEET 15% AIQ Merit List 2025
What Is the AIQ?
- 15% of total seats in government medical and dental colleges, approximately 21,000 seats this year, are kept under All India Quota (AIQ).
- The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), on behalf of DGHS, handles counseling and allotment of these AIQ seats.
- Standard reservation is applicable: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), and PwD (5% horizontal).
The AIQ system has been structured to provide candidates a chance to study in any place in India, regardless of their home state. To many students, this list is an opportunity at top institutions they may not otherwise get under state quotas.
Timeline: Key Events Leading Up to AIQ Counselling
| Event | Date |
| NEET UG Exam | May 4, 2025 |
| NTA Provisional Answer Key & OMR | June 3, 2025 |
| Final Answer Key, Results & NEET Merit List 2025 | June 14, 2025 |
| NEET 15% AIQ Merit List 2025 expected | Early July 2025 |
| MCC Round 1 AIQ Counselling | July 21–28, 2025 |
Following AIQ list publication, MCC opens registrations and choice filing for Round 1. Seat allotments will be declared by July 31, 2025. Being aware of these key dates can help students avoid missing critical deadlines during the high-pressure counselling period.
How to Download the NEET 2025 All India Quota AIQ Merit List
- Visit mcc.nic.in → “UG Medical Counselling”.
- Look for the link titled “NEET 15% All India Quota Merit List 2025 PDF”.
- Download the document to check your AIQ ranks and eligibility.
Be sure to save or note your All India Rank (AIR), caste category, and AIQ rank for counselling preparations. It is advisable to keep multiple copies (both digital and printed) of the merit list for future reference.
Seat Matrix: How Many Seats Under AIQ?
- The total government MBBS seats in India stand around 1.06 lakh
- AIQ contributes approximately 21,000–26,500 seats reserved for central allotment
- These seats span nearly 775 colleges, including government, deemed, and central universities.
Understanding the seat matrix helps students realistically assess their chances and plan backup options. It is also important to track state-wise availability if AIQ ranks are not sufficient.
Counselling Flow: From AIQ List to Final Allotment
- Round 1 (AIQ) registrations: July 21–28, 2025; choice filling: July 22–28.
- Allotment result: July 31, followed by document verification at allotted colleges from August 1–6.
- Other rounds: Additional MCC rounds follow until October 3, 2025.
- State quota counselling: Conducted in parallel by individual state bodies.
Each round is competitive, and candidates are advised to fill in as many valid preferences as possible. Prompt response during document verification can make or break an admission opportunity.
Difference Between Merit Lists
- NEET Merit List 2025: Nationwide rank list released by NTA; forms the foundation.
- NEET 2025 All India Quota AIQ Merit List: A curated list of eligible candidates from the NTA list, specifically for AIQ counselling.
- State Merit Lists: Managed by respective state authorities for 85% state quota seats.
Knowing the difference helps students avoid confusion when counselling dates for AIQ and state quotas overlap. It ensures that candidates plan their options more strategically.
Pro Tips for Aspirants
- Watch mcc.nic.in closely from early July 2025.
- Have necessary documents handy: NEET scorecard, category certificates, Aadhaar, 10th/12th certificates.
- Even if AIQ fails, high scorers can consider state quota, deemed universities, or AIIMS/JIPMER/ESIC seats.
Also, prepare a counselling checklist with deadlines, document requirements, and mock preference filling to prevent last-minute hassles.
Conclusion
The NEET Merit List 2025 was published by NTA on 14 June 2025. Now, the candidates are waiting for the NEET 15% AIQ Merit List 2025, which is soon due in early July. This milestone list marks the beginning of MCC’s central counselling, your pathway to a medical career. Be on your toes, keep documents handy, and prepare for seat allotment. Your rank isn’t merely a number; it’s your ticket to an enduring fantasy of being a doctor.
FAQs on NEET Merit List 2025
Likely in early July 2025, by MCC on mcc.nic.in
Round 1 registrations are set for July 21–28, 2025, with choice filling between July 22–28.
Visit mcc.nic.in, navigate to “UG Medical Counselling” → download the “NEET 15% All India Quota Merit List 2025 PDF”.
Approximately 21,000–26,500 MBBS/BDS seats are set aside under AIQ across central and deemed universities.
The overall merit list (by NTA) ranks all candidates. The AIQ merit list is a subset, listing only those eligible for 15% All India Quota and used for MCC’s central counselling.
