NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET UG 2026 for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses in India. While the NEET 2026 information bulletin is yet to be officially released, candidates can refer to the NEET 2025 eligibility norms (as published at neet.nta.nic.in) since the core eligibility requirements remain largely unchanged every year.
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The eligibility criteria for NEET 2026 define who can apply for the entrance examination. These conditions are crucial to ensure a fair and uniform admission process across all medical colleges in India. Here's a table summarizing the key criteria:
NEET Eligibility 2026 Criteria | |
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Criteria | Details |
Nationality | Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals are eligible to apply. |
Age Limit | Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. No upper age limit as per the Supreme Court's order. |
Educational Qualification | Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. |
Minimum Marks in Qualifying Exam | General category: 50%, OBC/SC/ST: 40%, PwD: 45% |
Number of Attempts | No limit on the number of attempts. |
Year of Passing | Candidates who are appearing for their qualifying exam in 2026 are also eligible to apply. |
The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria set by NTA ensure that candidates meet specific standards to apply for the exam. These criteria include nationality, age, educational qualifications, and the number of attempts. Understanding the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria is crucial for all aspirants to confirm their eligibility before applying. These standards help standardize the selection process for admissions into MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical courses across India.
To pursue an MBBS course, candidates must meet the following academic requirements:
Pass 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology/Biotechnology
English as a core subject
Minimum marks:
General: 50%
SC/ST/OBC: 40%
PwD: 45%
Must be 17 years of age by December 31, 2026.
Free Answer Key PDF
NEET 2026 के लिए उम्मीदवार की आयु 31 दिसंबर 2026 तक कम से कम 17 वर्ष होनी चाहिए और अधिकतम आयु सीमा नहीं है। शैक्षिक योग्यता के अनुसार, उम्मीदवारों को मान्यता प्राप्त बोर्ड से 10+2 या समकक्ष परीक्षा भौतिकी, रसायन विज्ञान, जीवविज्ञान/बायोटेक्नोलॉजी और अंग्रेजी विषयों के साथ पास करनी चाहिए। सामान्य श्रेणी के उम्मीदवारों को इन विषयों में कम से कम 50% अंक प्राप्त करने चाहिए, जबकि SC/ST/OBC श्रेणी के लिए 40% और PwD उम्मीदवारों के लिए 45% अंक आवश्यक हैं। भारतीय नागरिकों के अलावा NRI, OCI, PIO, और विदेशी नागरिक भी NEET 2026 के लिए आवेदन कर सकते हैं।
NEET eligibility marks in 12th are crucial for candidates aiming to appear for the exam. For General category students, a minimum of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology is required. For SC/ST/OBC candidates, the minimum is 40%, and for PwD candidates, it is 45%. These NEET eligibility marks in 12th ensure that candidates have a strong foundational knowledge in the core subjects, which is essential for success in the exam.
The NEET age limit 2026 outlines the age criteria for candidates aspiring to appear for the exam. According to the latest guidelines by the NTA, the minimum age required for all categories is 17 years, which candidates must attain by December 31, 2026. A key update that remains applicable in NEET 2026 is the removal of the maximum age limit across all categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and others.
NEET Age Limit 2026 | |||
Category | NEET Minimum Age Limit 2026 | Previous Upper Age Limit in NEET | NEET Upper Age Limit 2026 (Maximum Age Limit) |
General Category (UR) | 17 years | 25 years | No maximum age |
OBC Category | 17 years | 30 years | No maximum age |
SC Category | 17 years | 30 years | No maximum age |
ST Category | 17 years | 30 years | No maximum age |
Other Categories | 17 years | 30 years | No maximum age |
Also Check: NEET Previous Year Question Papers
In NEET, qualifying marks are the minimum scores a student must achieve to be eligible for admission to medical courses like MBBS and BDS. These marks are decided by the National Testing Agency (NTA) based on a percentile system and vary for different categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD. The NTA does not declare a fixed qualifying score; instead, it announces category-wise percentile cut-offs every year. These percentiles are then converted into actual minimum scores depending on the overall performance of candidates.
Scoring the qualifying marks means the candidate is eligible to participate in the NEET counseling process, but it does not guarantee admission, as government colleges usually require much higher marks. The qualifying cut-offs may also change each year depending on the difficulty level of the exam.
NEET 2026 Percentile |
|
Category |
NEET 2026 Cut-off Percentile |
General |
50th |
General-PH |
45th |
SC/ST/OBC |
40th |
SC/OBC-PH |
40th |
ST-PH |
40th |
The NEET attempt limit 2026 does not impose any restrictions on the number of attempts for candidates. As per the current policy by the National Testing Agency (NTA), students can appear for the NEET UG exam multiple times without any cap. This decision benefits aspirants by providing them ample opportunities to improve their scores and secure admission in MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses.
NEET Attempt Limit 2026 | ||
Category | Previous Attempt Limit | Current Attempt Limit |
General | 3 Attempts | Unlimited |
OBC | 3 Attempts | Unlimited |
SC/ST | 3 Attempts | Unlimited |
Also Check: NEET Biology Chapter wise Weightage
The NEET eligibility criteria for 2026 for NRIs and OCI/Foreign students are designed to ensure that candidates meet specific educational qualifications and age limits to be eligible for medical admissions in India. Both NRIs and OCI/Foreign students must have completed their 10+2 education with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English from a recognized board.
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 NEET exam | Mandatory to qualify for NEET exam |
Also Check: NEET Physics Chapter wise Weightage
The NEET qualifying codes 2026 categorize the different educational qualifications of candidates. These codes help NTA to identify and verify the eligibility of candidates based on their academic backgrounds. Understanding the NEET qualifying codes 2026 is essential for correctly filling out the application form. These codes ensure that all candidates meet the necessary educational requirements for the exam.
NEET Qualifying Codes 2026 | |
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Code | Description |
01 | Currently appearing or have appeared in class 12 exams 2026 and awaiting results. Successful passing of class 12 board examinations this year is required. |
02 | Passed class 12 exams before 2026. |
03 | Passed pre-degree exam in science from an Indian University/Board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, including practical tests. Applicable to those who completed class 12 from a state board. |
04 | Passed any pre-professional/pre-medical exam after completing class 12, including practical tests. |
05 | Currently in the first year of a three-year degree course. |
06 | Completed B.Sc. with at least two subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Passed class 12 qualifying examination with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and English as core subjects. |
07 | Appeared for any other exam besides class 12 (e.g., Pre-University College) with conducted practical exams. Eligible for NEET aspirants who appeared in a qualifying exam in a foreign country. |
Overall, meeting the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria is essential for candidates to be fully prepared for the exam. Ensuring the correct age, educational qualifications and required marks is mandatory. Understanding these criteria helps candidates steer their preparation in the right direction. For guidance and comprehensive study materials, join PW NEET Online Courses.