NEET Eligibility 2026 Criteria, Age Limit, Marks, Attempts

NEET Eligibility 2026, including age limit, class 12 marks, nationality, and attempt rules. Know who can apply for MBBS and medical admission this year.
authorImageJiya Tyagi6 Sept, 2025
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NEET Eligibility 2026

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

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.

NEET Eligibility 2026 Marks in 12th

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 Eligibility 2026 Age Limit

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

 

NEET 2026 Attempt 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 UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 for NRIs/OCI/Foreign Students

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

NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks

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

NEET Qualifying Codes 2026

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

 

NEET Eligibility 2026 FAQs

Can postgraduate degree holders like MSc apply for NEET?

Yes, candidates with higher degrees, such as an MSc, can apply for NEET 2026. If they meet the NEET eligibility criteria 2026, i.e., age and class 12 requirements. There is no upper age limit.

What is the minimum age for NEET 2026?

According to the NEET eligibility criteria 2026, the minimum age is 17 years as of December 31, 2026.

Is there an upper age limit for NEET 2026?

No, there is no maximum age restriction for any category.

What marks are required in class 12 for NEET 2026?

Candidates must score 50 percent for General, 40 percent for OBC, SC, ST, and 45 percent for PwD in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

How many attempts are allowed in NEET 2026?

There is no limit on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear multiple times.

Are class 12 appearing students eligible for NEET 2026?

Yes, students appearing in class 12 in 2026 can also apply.

Will medical universities accept students with compartment results?

Students with compartment results can apply if they clear all subjects and achieve the required percentage before admission.

What is the NEET Eligibility 2026 for OBC category candidates?

OBC candidates must have passed 10+2 with PCB and English, be at least 17 years old, and meet the 40th percentile NEET qualifying marks.
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