NEET UG 2025: Tight Rules for Documents, Dress, and What Not to Bring
The pressure was on for NEET UG 2025 aspirants, not just to score well, but to navigate the exam’s strict rules. This year’s test ran from 2 PM to 5 PM on May 4, and even before a single question was answered, students had to pass a thorough screening process at the exam center gate. Security, fairness, and order were the priorities — so the list of must-haves and must-nots was long and non-negotiable. Here’s what really mattered.
First up, the admit card was the golden ticket. But it wasn’t enough to just bring a printout. Each admit card needed a passport photo already stuck to it — and not just any photo, but the very one candidates uploaded with their registration form. Forget to bring an extra passport-sized copy of that same photo? Risk being sent home. On top of that, you needed a real, government-issued photo ID. This could be a PAN card, driver’s license, voter ID, passport, Aadhaar, a ration card, or even your Class 12 admit card, as long as it has your picture. No digital copies or expired IDs allowed.
Given past incidents of cheating and impersonation, it’s easy to see why these rules were put in place. But many students still found themselves scrambling last minute to gather documents, with no tolerance for excuses at the gate. Turned up with the wrong photo? Entry denied. No ID? No discussion.
Dress Code and Banned Objects: Zero Wiggle Room
The next hurdle was the infamous dress code. If you’re thinking your regular jeans and sneakers would work, think again. The exam rules called for light, simple clothes — think plain t-shirts or kurtis. Anything with metal, like zippers, buttons, designer embroidery, or even underwire in bras, was a no-go. No belts, no fancy accessories. Most shocking for some: only open-toed footwear such as slippers or sandals were allowed. This policy, originally put in place in previous years to speed up frisking and reduce hiding places for cheats, is now a permanent part of the exam routine.
Forget about wearing a watch, ring, or even bringing a bottle of juice. The list of prohibited items is tough: no mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, or any kind of electronics, not even wired earphones. Stationery was also banned; candidates had to use only the blue or black ballpoint pens given at the center for filling out the OMR answer sheet. You couldn’t bring your own pens, pencils, erasers, or even a sheet of paper. The only exception was a transparent water bottle. It might sound excessive, but strictness is meant to keep things fair for everyone.
- No electronic gadgets, including phones, calculators, or wearables
- No personal stationery items of any kind
- No food or drinks, apart from a clear water bottle
- No heavy or metallic jewelry, hair clips, or even handbags
Arriving on time was another big deal, with gates shut up to 30 minutes before the exam to allow for security checks. Anyone running late due to long frisking lines was simply out of luck. COVID-19 controls were still in place, too: masks, sanitizer, and social distancing weren’t optional. Those not following the protocols faced swift action, as centers made efforts to prevent crowding among thousands of nervous aspirants.
Applications for NEET UG 2025 opened from February 7 to March 7, giving a one-month window, and admit cards dropped just a few days before the big date. When all’s said and done, candidates are now waiting for results, due in several weeks.
So for anyone prepping for next year, it’s not just about the biology and physics textbooks. The secret might lie in just how well you follow these exam guidelines — because at NEET, even the smallest detail can decide whether you even get to take your seat.
