CENTAC 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for CENTAC Central Admission Committee 2025-26, it’s important to check the age criteria set by the Centralised Admission Committee, Government of Puducherry. For MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BVSc & AH courses, candidates must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2025. While there is no strict upper age limit for MBBS and BDS courses as per NEET UG norms, for BAMS and BVSc & AH, candidates should generally not be more than 25 years old as of December 31 of the admission year. For B.Tech courses, an upper age limit of 21 years as of July 1, 2024, was specified for the 2024-25 academic year. Age relaxations are applicable for certain categories for courses with an upper age limit. Specifically, a 5-year relaxation is provided for SC, ST, OBC, and disabled candidates for courses like BAMS and BVSc & AH, extending the maximum age to 30 years. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures applicants meet the permitted criteria and can take full advantage of any applicable relaxation benefits.

CENTAC Central Admission Committee 2025-26 offers relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per the Centralised Admission Committee, Government of Puducherry guidelines. These benefits may include reduced qualifying marks, extended age limits for certain courses, or fee concessions. For instance, while General category candidates typically require 50% marks, reserved categories like OBC, BCM, MBC, EBC, BT, SC, and ST may only need 40%, and General-PwD candidates 45%. Seat reservations are also implemented based on Puducherry Government norms, with vertical reservations for categories such as General (50%), OBC (11%), BCM (2%), MBC (18%), EBC (2%), SC (15%), and ST (7.5%). Additionally, a 5% horizontal reservation is allocated for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) within each category. To avail these benefits, candidates must upload valid and up-to-date category certificates, such as caste, EWS, or PwD certificates, along with a Puducherry Residence Certificate and potentially an affidavit, issued by a competent authority, during the online registration process. Verification of these documents will follow the official protocol set by the authority during counselling. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for CENTAC.

CENTAC Central Admission Committee 2025-26 is primarily open to Indian citizens and valid OCI/PIO card holders as per the Centralised Admission Committee, Government of Puducherry rules. For state-level admissions, a domicile certificate of the Union Territory of Puducherry is often required for candidates seeking admission under the Government quota, as residents of Puducherry are given preference. This certificate, along with an affidavit for residence, must be furnished. Non-Puducherry candidates, however, can apply for All India Quota seats, Management quota, or Self-supporting seats, where domicile requirements might be relaxed or not applicable. French Nationals who possess a 'Certificate of Registration' issued by the French Consulate at Puducherry may also be considered without needing a separate Residence Certificate. Specific quotas, such as the NRI quota, are available for certain courses, including MBBS, BDS, and BVSc & AH, which cater to Non-Resident Indian and foreign applicants. These candidates should verify their specific eligibility directly with the individual colleges or CENTAC for detailed guidelines and fee structures. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for CENTAC Central Admission Committee 2025-26, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. For most admissions facilitated by CENTAC, such as BSc Nursing, there is generally no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can make, provided they continue to meet other eligibility criteria, including any applicable age limits. This allows candidates the flexibility to apply multiple times to enhance their chances of admission. For courses where admission is based on national-level examinations like NEET UG, the number of attempts for CENTAC counselling aligns with the guidelines of the respective entrance exam. NEET UG, for instance, does not impose any limit on the number of attempts. While a past policy for B.Tech courses mentioned a specific limit on application attempts (two for general and three for SC candidates) for the 2024-25 academic year, the general trend for CENTAC admissions leans towards unlimited attempts for most programs. Being aware of any course-specific attempt limits helps applicants plan their preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting their chances prematurely.

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