The National Testing Agency (NTA) will organize NEET UG 2026 for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical programs across India. Although the official NEET 2026 information bulletin is yet to be released, aspirants can refer to the NEET 2025 eligibility criteria available at neet.nta.nic.in, as the fundamental eligibility requirements generally remain consistent each year.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria outline the requirements for candidates seeking to appear for the entrance exam. These guidelines are essential to maintain a fair and standardized admission process across all medical colleges in India. Below is a table highlighting 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, established by the NTA, outline the essential requirements for candidates to appear for the exam. These include nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, and permissible attempts. It is important for aspirants to thoroughly understand these criteria to ensure they meet the necessary conditions before applying. These guidelines play a vital role in streamlining the admission process for MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programs 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 2026 Eligibility Marks in 12th
The NEET eligibility marks in Class 12 play a key role for aspirants planning to take the exam. General category candidates must secure at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology, while the minimum requirement is 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates and 45% for PwD candidates. These criteria ensure that applicants possess a solid foundation in the core subjects, which is vital for performing well in the examination.
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 |
NEET Qualifying Marks 2026
In NEET, qualifying marks refer to the minimum scores candidates must obtain to be considered eligible for admission to medical courses such as MBBS and BDS. These marks are determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) using a percentile-based system and differ across categories like General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD. Instead of a fixed score, the NTA announces category-wise percentile cutoffs each year, which are then converted into actual scores based on candidates’ overall performance.
Achieving the qualifying marks makes a candidate eligible for the NEET counseling process, though it does not ensure admission, as government medical colleges typically require much higher scores. Additionally, these cut-offs may fluctuate annually depending on the exam’s difficulty level.
| 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 |
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 |
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. |
Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of 31st December 2026 to appear for the NEET exam.
Currently, there is no upper age limit for NEET, as per NMC guidelines.
Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Yes, candidates appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 are eligible to apply, provided they meet all other criteria.
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET.
As per NMC guidelines, candidates who studied Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject may be eligible, but final decisions depend on NMC rules at the time of admission.
