NEET 2026 Eligibility for Class 12 Students
NEET 2026 Eligibility for Class 12 Students: The National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, is responsible for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (UG), known as NEET (UG). This examination serves as a common and uniform pathway for admission into various undergraduate medical and dental programs across India. The official NEET 2026 notification provides critical information, including essential dates and the specific NEET 2026 eligibility for Class 12 candidates.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Class 12 Candidates
Understanding the NEET 2026 eligibility for Class 12 students is crucial. Candidates currently appearing for their Class 12 examinations are provisionally eligible under specific conditions.
Candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026. There is currently no upper age limit for the NEET (UG) examination. For those appearing in Class 12 in 2026, it is essential to select Qualifying Code 01 during the application process. This code signifies that the candidate is awaiting their final qualifying examination results. However, admission remains contingent on passing the Class 12 examination at the time of the first round of counselling. Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology, along with English, as core subjects or even as additional subjects.
NEET Eligibility for Class 12 Appearing
If you are currently in Class 12, you are fully eligible to appear for NEET UG 2026. The NTA allows students from all recognized boards (CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards) to take the exam provided they are scheduled to complete their 10+2 education in the same year. This enables students to transition directly from their board exams to medical entrance without losing an academic year. However, final admission is contingent on passing the 12th board exams with the required aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Can Class 12 Students Apply for NEET?
Yes, Class 12 students can and most frequently do apply for NEET while their board exams are ongoing or even before they have started. During the application process, these candidates must select Qualifying Code 01, which marks them as "Appearing" candidates. This status allows you to download the admit card and sit for the entrance test on May 3, 2026, even without having your final marksheet in hand.
NEET Provisional Eligibility Rules
Under the provisional eligibility rules, the NTA grants you a "conditional" permit to take the examination. This means that your NEET result will be declared, but your eligibility for seat allotment is "provisional" until verified against your 12th-grade marks. You must meet the category-wise cutoff (50% for General, 40% for SC/ST/OBC) in your board results to convert this provisional status into a permanent admission.
NEET Eligibility without Class 12 Result
You do not need your Class 12 result at the time of filling out the NEET application form. The NTA portal is designed to skip the "Marks" and "Percentage" fields for candidates who select the Appearing status. While you won't need to upload a 12th marksheet now, keep your Class 10 certificate ready for age and name verification, as that remains a mandatory document for all applicants regardless of their current grade.