The National Testing Agency (NTA) on November 30 extended the deadline for registration for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate courses in the field of medicine and dentistry to December 7, 2018.

The newly-formed agency, which has taken over the task of conducting NEET from CBSE, took the decision after the Supreme Court order, which on Thursday had allowed aspirants above the age of 25 years of age to sit for the exams. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set the upper age limit at 25 years for one to be eligible for sitting for this exam. 

The Supreme Court in its order allowed the candidates of 25 years of age and above to sit for the exam only provisionally till final judgement comes in the matter. The previous deadline for the exam, scheduled to be held in May, 2019, was November 30. 

"In view of the Honorable Supreme Court order ... dated 29th November, 2018, the petitioners/candidates who are 25 years of age and above shall be entitled to apply and appear in NEET (UG)-2019 examination provisionally subject to final outcome of these matters," read the NTA notification.

"Accordingly last date for filing online application form has been extended by one week i.e. from November 30 to December 7 and fee payment from December 1 to December 8," it added. As per the NTA's current guidelines also, the upper age limit is 25 years with five years' relaxation for SC/ST/ OBC and persons with disability.