NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Attempts & Required Marks
Know the complete NEET 2026 eligibility criteria including minimum and maximum age limit, qualification requirements, 12th PCB marks, number of attempts, category-wise rules, NMC updates, exam guidelines, and who can apply for NEET 2026. Clear breakdown for General, OBC, SC, ST and PwD candidates.
Krati Saraswat27 Nov, 2025
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NEET eligibility criteria 2026 provide the required guidelines that each student needs to follow to appear for the NEET exam. This involves age, subjects of class 12th, and marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and attempts. The NEET exam eligibility helps you know if you can appear for NEET 2026 or not. It also ensures that only the deserving candidates can pursue medicine in India or abroad. Let’s understand the NEET eligibility criteria 2026 in a simple and clear way.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview
NEET eligibility criteria 2026 include all the essential rules every aspirant must meet before applying for the exam. These criteria cover the required age, subjects studied in Class 12, minimum marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, attempts allowed, and category-wise relaxations. Understanding the NEET 2026 eligibility helps you know whether you can appear for the exam and ensures that only qualified candidates pursue medical courses in India or abroad.
The table below provides a simple overview of the NEET 2026 eligibility:
| NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria | |
| Criteria | Details |
| Qualification Required | Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology |
| Minimum Age Limit | 17 years on or before 31st December 2026 |
| Maximum Age Limit | No upper age limit (as per NMC rule, 2022) |
| Attempts Allowed | No limit on the number of NEET attempts |
| Category Relaxation | Marks and age relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates |
| Subjects Required | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English |
|
Exam Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
NEET Qualification Requirement 2026
Candidates must fulfill the educational qualifications set by NTA to appear for NEET 2026. This ensures that all students have studied the core science subjects required for medical education.
Minimum 12th Marks Required for NEET
To appear for NEET 2026, students must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as core subjects. These subjects form the foundation of the NEET syllabus and determine your eligibility.
|
NEET Eligibility Marks in 12th |
||
|
Category |
Subjects Considered (PCB) |
Minimum Percentage Required |
|
General / Unreserved (UR) |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
50% marks in total of PCB subjects |
|
OBC / SC / ST |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
40% marks in total of PCB subjects |
|
PwD (Persons with Disabilities) |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
45% marks in total of PCB subjects |
Also Check: NEET Previous Year Question Papers
Is Maths Required for NEET?
No, Mathematics is not required for NEET. Only Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Biotechnology are compulsory subjects. Even if a student took Maths as an additional subject, it does not affect NEET eligibility — as long as PCB subjects are cleared.
Is Calculator Allowed in NEET 2026?
No, calculators are not allowed in NEET 2026. As per NTA guidelines, candidates cannot carry calculators, smart watches, mobile phones, or any electronic device inside the exam hall. NEET is conducted in pen-and-paper mode using an OMR sheet, and all calculations must be done manually. This ensures uniformity and fairness during the exam.
NEET 2026 Age Limit
Age plays an important role in NEET eligibility. Students must reach the minimum required age before the end of the year of examination.
Minimum and Maximum Age Limit
Students must be 17 years old on or before 31st December 2026 to be eligible.
There is no upper age limit for NEET as per the NMC’s 2022 update. Candidates of any age can attempt NEET, provided they meet educational requirements.
| Minimum and Maximum Age Limit | |
| Age Limit Type | Requirement |
| Minimum Age | Must be 17 years old by 31st December 2026 |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit (as per NMC notification 2022) |
This means even if you are above 25 years, you can still appear for the NEET exam. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has removed the age cap, giving every student a fair chance to become a doctor.
Category-Wise Age Relaxation (OBC, SC, ST, Girls)
Since there is no upper age limit, category-based age relaxations are no longer applicable. Earlier rules mentioned relaxations, but the NMC removed the age cap to help all aspirants pursue medical careers.
Proof Documents for Date of Birth (DOB)
Accepted DOB documents include:
-
Class 10th mark sheet
-
Aadhaar card
-
Birth certificate
-
Passport
NEET 2026 Attempt Limit
There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as needed, as long as they meet age and qualification criteria.
| NEET 2026 Attempt Limit | |||
| Year/Rule | Number of Attempts for NEET | Current Status | Remarks |
| Before 2018 | Limited to 3 attempts | Old Rule | Attempt restriction applied earlier |
| After 2018 (NTA Update) | Unlimited attempts | Active Rule | Students can appear any number of times |
| NEET 2026 | Unlimited | Final Rule | No restriction on NEET attempts |
Also Check: NEET Biology Chapter wise Weightage
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus Overview
NEET 2026 will be conducted in offline mode with 180 compulsory questions, as per recent NTA updates. Section B has been removed, and all questions must be attempted. The syllabus includes core topics from Class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Students should review the latest NTA syllabus PDF for topic-wise weightage.
NEET Exam Date and Registration 2026
The NEET 2026 exam is expected to be held in May 2026. Registration usually begins in January or February. Candidates must fill the online form, upload required documents and pay the application fee before the last date. Admit cards will be released a few weeks before the exam.
Also Check:
- NEET Exam Pattern 2026
- NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026
- NEET 2026 Exam Centres
- NEET Candidate Login 2026
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign/NRI Students
Foreign nationals, OCIs and NRIs can also appear for NEET 2026 if they meet the subject and qualification criteria.
| NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 For NRIs/ OCI/Foreign Students | ||
| Eligibility Criteria | NRIs | OCI/Foreign Students |
| Educational Qualifications | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from a recognized board | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English |
| Age Limit | Same as Indian nationals | Same as Indian nationals |
| NEET Qualification | Mandatory to qualify for the NEET exam | Mandatory to qualify for the NEET exam |
Important NEET 2026 Guidelines
NTA has prescribed several rules for exam-day conduct to ensure smooth proceedings and fairness.
| Important NEET 2026 Guidelines | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | NEET 2026 will be held in offline (pen and paper) mode. Candidates must mark answers on an OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen provided at the center. |
| Removal of Section B | Section B, which had few optional questions has been scrapped from NEET 2026. Candidates will now have to answer all 180 questions. There are no choices or flexibility. |
| Exam time | Exam time is now 3 hours, each subject has single compulsory section like the old pre-COVID pattern. |
| Admit Card Requirements | Students must carry a printed copy of the NEET 2026 Admit Card, a passport-size photograph, and a valid photo ID (like Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport). |
| Reporting Time | Candidates must reach the centre at least 2 hours before the exam begins. Late entry is strictly prohibited. |
| Dress Code | As per the NTA guidelines for NEET 2026, candidates should wear light clothes without big buttons, jewellery, or metallic items. Shoes are not allowed; only slippers or sandals are permitted. |
| Prohibited Items | Electronic gadgets like mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, notes, and stationery other than the pen provided by the centre are strictly banned. |
|
Language of Paper |
The exam will be conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, and regional languages. |
Also Check: NEET Physics Chapter wise Weightage
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
What is the age limit for NEET 2026?
What is the minimum percentage required for NEET?
Can I give NEET after 12th?
How many attempts are allowed in NEET?
Is calculator allowed in NEET 2026?
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