Students taking the NEET 2026 entrance exam must first ensure they meet the requirements. It's essential to understand the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria, including age limits, required qualifications, and minimum scores, before applying. This article will guide you through all the details needed for the exam.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET 2026 exam for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses. Before applying for the exam, candidates must be aware of the NEET eligibility criteria to appear for NEET UG. As per the basic eligibility requirements, applicants must be at least 17 years old. However, the upper age limit for NEET UG applicants has been waived. Candidates are generally required to have passed the 10+2 (or equivalent) examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects, approved by a recognized board. Indian citizens, Overseas Indians (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and foreign nationals are generally eligibility to apply for NEET UG. Specific rules and reservations may apply depending on nationality. Refer to the article below for full details related to the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria.
The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria define who is eligible to sit for the entrance exam. These criteria are crucial to ensuring a fair and uniform admissions process across all medical colleges in India. A table summarizing the key criteria is presented below:
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NEET Eligibility 2026 Criteria |
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|
Criteria |
Details |
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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. |
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Educational Qualification |
Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. |
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Minimum Marks in Qualifying Exam |
General category: 50%, OBC/SC/ST: 40%, PwD: 45% |
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Number of Attempts |
No limit on the number of attempts. |
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Year of Passing |
Candidates who are appearing for their qualifying exam in 2026 are also eligible to apply. |
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has established criteria to standardize the selection process for MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programs across India. Candidates must understand these crucial standards (covering nationality, age, educational background, and number of attempts) to confirm their eligibility before taking the exam. See the eligibility criteria for NEET 2026 below.
Nationality - Specific nationality requirements for NEET 2026 are outlined to determine who is eligible to apply for these courses in India. This typically includes Indian citizens, non-resident Indians (NRIs), overseas Indian citizens (OCIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs), and foreigners, each with their own requirements.
NEET 2026 Age Limit - The NTA has set the minimum age limit for candidates. Every student appearing for the NEET 2026 exam must be at least 17 years old, meaning they must have been born on or before December 31, 2009. The upper age limit for candidates has been removed, meaning there is no upper age limit for NEET exam.
NEET 2026 Educational Qualifications -Candidates must meet a specific level of academic achievement, primarily related to their performance on entrance examinations, such as the 10+2 or equivalent. This typically includes requirements for specific subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English) and a minimum overall grade in those subjects.
NEET 2026 Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate can take for the NEET exam.
To pursue a medical degree, candidates must meet the following NEET eligibility criteria :
Pass the 10+2 exam or equivalent from a recognized board with:
Minimum marks:
Must be 17 years of age by December 31, 2026.
In the NEET, the entrance marks are the minimum scores a student must obtain to be admitted to medical courses such as MBBS and BDS. These marks are determined 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 score; instead, it announces the cut-off percentiles by category annually. These percentiles are converted into actual minimum scores based on the candidates' overall performance.
Obtaining the required scores means the candidate is eligible to participate in the NEET counseling process, but it does not guarantee admission, as public universities typically require much higher scores. Cut-off scores can also change each year depending on the difficulty level of the exam.
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NEET 2026 Percentile |
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Category |
NEET 2026 Cut-off Percentile |
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General |
50th |
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General-PH |
45th |
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SC/ST/OBC |
40th |
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SC/OBC-PH |
40th |
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ST-PH |
40th |
The NEET 2026 attempt limit imposes no restrictions on the number of attempts candidates can take. Under the current policy of the National Testing Agency (NTA), students can take the NEET undergraduate exam multiple times without limit. This decision benefits candidates, providing them with ample opportunities to improve their scores and gain admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical programs.
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NEET Attempt Limit 2026 |
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Category |
Previous Attempt Limit |
Current Attempt Limit |
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General |
3 Attempts |
Unlimited |
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OBC |
3 Attempts |
Unlimited |
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SC/ST |
3 Attempts |
Unlimited |
The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria for NRIs and overseas students (OCIs) are designed to ensure that candidates meet specific educational requirements and age limits to be admitted to medical school in India. Both NRIs and overseas students (OCIs) must have completed their 10+2 years of education with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English taught by a recognized board.
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NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 For NRIs/ OCI/Foreign Students |
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Eligibility Criteria |
NRIs |
OCI/Foreign Students |
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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 |
NEET 2026 score codes categorize candidates' various educational qualifications. These codes help the NTA identify and verify candidates' eligibility based on their academic background. Understanding NEET 2026 score codes is essential for correctly completing the application form. These codes ensure that all candidates meet the educational requirements for the exam.
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NEET Qualifying Codes 2026 |
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Code |
Description |
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01 |
Applicants must be taking or have taken the 2026 Grade 12 exams and be awaiting results. A passing grade of this year's Grade 12 board exam is required. |
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02 |
Passed class 12 exams before 2026. |
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03 |
Passed the Bachelor of Science Examination from an Indian university or board, covering subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, including practical exams. Applies to those who have completed Grade 12 from a state board. |
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04 |
Passed any pre-professional/pre-medical exam after completing class 12, including practical tests. |
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05 |
Currently in the first year of a three-year degree course. |
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06 |
Completed a bachelor's degree with at least two subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Passed the A-levels exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) and English as core subjects. |
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07 |
Appeared for any other exam except the Grade 12 exam (e.g., Pre-University), which includes practical exams. Suitable for NEET candidates who have taken a qualifying exam abroad. |
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