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NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, Qualifying Marks, Age Limit, No of Attempts

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria outlines the age limit, educational qualifications, nationality, and number of attempts required for candidates to appear in the medical entrance exam.
authorImageKrati Saraswat5 Jul, 2025
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NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

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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NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria 

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
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.

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria by NTA 

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.

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 for MBBS

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.

NEET 2025 Answer Key Code 45, 46, 47, 48 PDF Download

Free Answer Key PDF

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria in Hindi

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 2026 Eligibility Marks in 12th

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.

NEET Age Limit 2026

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

NEET Qualifying Marks 2026

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

NEET Attempt Limit 2026 for Different Categories 

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

NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 For NRIs/ OCI/Foreign Students

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

NEET Qualifying Codes 2026

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
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.

NEET Exam Important Links
NEET Previous Years Question Papers NEET Physics Syllabus
NEET Study Material NEET Chemistry Syllabus
NEET Biology Syllabus NEET Sample papers
NEET Exam Pattern NEET Biology MCQ
NEET Biology Notes NEET Physics Notes
NEET Chemistry Notes NEET Eligibility Criteria
NEET Physics MCQs Biology Diagrams for NEET

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs

Is there any limit on the number of attempts for NEET 2026?

No, there is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET 2026. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish.

Can I appear for NEET 2026 if I fail in NEET 2025?

Yes, you can appear for NEET 2026 even if you did not qualify NEET 2025. There are no restrictions on reappearing for the exam.

Are there different attempt limits for different categories in NEET 2026?

No, the attempt policy is the same for all categories including General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD. Everyone has unlimited attempts.

Is there any age-related restriction on the number of attempts in NEET 2026?

No, there is no maximum age limit or age-based restriction on the number of NEET attempts in 2026.
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