NEET Eligibility 2026: National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct NEET UG 2026. Admission into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses in India is done based on NEET UG score. Although the official notification for NEET 2026 has not yet been released. Candidates can refer to NEET 2025 eligibility rules, as the criteria usually remain unchanged each year.
NEET eligibility criteria cover age limit, educational qualifications, category-wise marks, nationality requirements, and attempt limits. Understanding these requirements is important for candidates to fulfil their eligibility before applying. Fulfilling the criteria makes a smooth application process and increases the chances of pursuing an MBBS or medical career.
NEET eligibility 2026 is set by NTA. It ensures that candidates fulfill the required age, nationality, and academic standards. These rules help maintain a uniform admission process across all medical colleges in India. The table below contains the NEET 2026 eligibility overview:
NEET Eligibility 2026 |
|
---|---|
Criteria |
Details |
Nationality |
Indian, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs & Foreign Nationals |
Minimum Age |
17 years (by Dec 31, 2026) |
Maximum Age |
No upper age limit |
Qualification |
10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotech & English |
Marks in 12th |
Gen – 50%, OBC/SC/ST – 40%, PwD – 45% |
Attempts |
Unlimited |
Year of Passing |
Students appearing in Class 12 in 2026 are also eligible |
NEET eligibility criteria 2026 are set by NTA. To be eligible for admission, candidates must required to full fill the criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NEET 2026 eligibility includes nationality, age, education, and attempts. Understanding these criteria is important, especially for candidates applying for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in India and abroad.
Marks in Class 12 (PCB subjects) are important for NEET eligibility. Candidates must secure a minimum percentage based on their category. The table below contains NEET eligibility marks in 12th:
NEET Eligibility Marks in 12th |
|
---|---|
Category |
Required Marks in PCB |
General |
50% |
OBC/SC/ST |
40% |
PwD |
45% |
NEET age limit 2026 defines the minimum and maximum age requirements for candidates planning to appear in the exam. As per the latest NTA guidelines, the minimum age for all categories is 17 years, which candidates must complete on or before December 31, 2026.
One of the most important updates continuing in 2026 is the removal of the upper age limit, meaning candidates from all categories, i.e., General, OBC, SC, ST, and others, can apply for NEET without any maximum age restriction. The table below contains the category-wise NEET age limit 2026:
NEET Eligibility 2026 Age Limit |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Category |
Minimum Age |
Previous Max Age |
Current Max Age |
General |
17 years |
25 years |
No limit |
OBC |
17 years |
30 years |
No limit |
SC/ST |
17 years |
30 years |
No limit |
Others |
17 years |
30 years |
No limit |
Earlier, NEET had attempt restrictions, but now the rules are more flexible. This benefits students who may take the exam multiple times to improve their rank. Below is are attempt policy for 2026:
NEET 2026 Attempt Limit |
||
---|---|---|
Category |
Earlier Limit |
Current Limit |
General |
3 Attempts |
Unlimite |
OBC |
3 Attempts |
Unlimited |
SC/ST |
3 Attempts |
Unlimited |
NEET 2026 eligibility rules also apply to students from abroad, including NRIs, OCIs, and foreign nationals. To be eligible for medical admissions in India, they must meet the same standards of age and education as Indian students. Qualifying NEET is also mandatory for these categories. Below are NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 for NRI, OCI, and Foreign students:
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 for NRI, OCI and Foreign students |
||
---|---|---|
Eligibility Criteria |
NRIs |
OCI/Foreign Students |
Educational Qualification |
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 |
Must qualify NEET 2026 |
Must qualify NEET 2026 |
Unlike board exams with fixed pass marks, NEET qualifying criteria are based on percentiles. This ensures fairness depending on the overall performance of candidates each year. Below are NEET qualifying percentiles 2026:
NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks |
|
---|---|
Category |
NEET Percentile |
General |
50th percentile |
General-PwD |
45th percentile |
OBC/SC/ST |
40th percentile |
OBC/SC/ST-PwD |
40th percentile |
While filling out the NEET 2026 application form, candidates must select the correct qualifying code that matches their academic background. The table below contains NEET qualifying codes:
NEET Qualifying Codes 2026 |
|
---|---|
Code |
Descriptio |
01 |
Appearing in Class 12 in 2026 |
02 |
Passed Class 12 before 2026 |
03 |
Pre-degree science exam with PCB & English |
04 |
Pre-professional/pre-medical exam after 12th |
05 |
First year of 3-year degree course |
06 |
Completed B.Sc. with two subjects from PCB + 12th with PCB & English |
07 |
Equivalent qualifying exam from a foreign country |