NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria is very important for every medical aspirant to know before applying for the NEET Exam 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has fixed certain rules for NEET 2026 regarding age limit, educational qualifications and other eligibility requirements. Let’s go through all the eligibility rules in simple words.
NEET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview
To appear for NEET UG 2026, candidates must meet all the eligibility criteria set by NTA and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). A brief overview is here
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, Foreign Nationals |
| Minimum Age | 17 years (as on 31st December 2026) |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit |
| Educational Qualification | 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% for General, 45% for SC/ST/OBC, 40% for PwD |
NEET 2026 Age Limit
Minimum Age Requirement
To appear for NEET UG 2026, you must be at least 17 years old. Candidates should be at least 17 years old by 31st December 2026. This means you can apply for NEET 2026 if you were born on or before 31st December 2009.
Maximum Age Limit
Good news for all aspirants! You don’t need to worry about any upper age limit for NEET UG 2026. This rule came into effect after the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018. If you are 18, 25, 30 or even any age above 17 years, you are eligible to give the NEET exam.
Age Calculation
| Birth Year | Eligible for NEET 2026? |
|---|---|
| Born on/before 31 Dec 2009 | Yes – Eligible |
| Born in 2010 (Jan-Dec) | No – Not Eligible |
| Born in 2011 or after | No – Not Eligible |
For example, if your date of birth is 15th August 2009, then by 31st December 2026 you will be 17 years and 4 months old. So, you will be eligible for NEET 2026.
NEET 2026 Educational Qualification
Class 12th Requirements
Students should have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with these subjects:
Compulsory Subjects
- Physics (Mandatory)
- Chemistry (Mandatory)
- Biology or Biotechnology (Mandatory)
- English (as per state requirements)
Important: In Class 12th, you must study all three subjects – Physics, Chemistry and Biology – together. If you have studied them separately or through distance learning, you may face problems during counselling.
Minimum Marks Required
The minimum percentage required is different for each category
| Category | Minimum Percentage Required |
|---|---|
| General (UR/EWS) | 50% in PCB combined |
| OBC/SC/ST | 40% in PCB combined (5% relaxation) |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) | 45% in PCB combined |
Note: The percentage is calculated by adding marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology. Practical marks are included as well.
Qualifying Examination Details
Students who have passed or are currently appearing in these exams are eligible
- Completed Class 12th from any recognized Central or State Board, like CBSE or other State Boards.
- Intermediate (Class 12) or Pre-Degree Exam
- Class 12 Board Exam
- Higher Secondary Examination
- NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
- Any other exam that MCI/NMC accepts as equivalent
For 2026 Students: Those appearing in Class 12 in 2026 can also apply for NEET 2026. But they need to clear the qualifying exam before getting admission to medical colleges.
Eligibility for Different Categories
For Indian Nationals
All Indian citizens who meet the age and educational requirements can apply for NEET UG 2026. They can apply for::
- All India Quota (15% seats)
- State Quota (85% seats)
- Private and deemed university seats
- Central universities (AIIMS, JIPMER merged with NEET)
For NRI/OCI/PIO Candidates
Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are eligible to appear for NEET 2026. They are allowed to:
- NRI quota seats in private and deemed universities
- Management quota seats
- Not eligible for All India or State quota counselling.
For Foreign Nationals
Students from other countries can also appear for NEET UG 2026. They can only apply for seats in private and deemed universities under the foreign national quota, which is limited to 15% of the total seats. They are not eligible to take part in the government quota counselling.
NEET Total Attempts
There is no limit on how many times you can appear for the NEET exam. You can take the NEET exam as many times as you like, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements each time.
Earlier, candidates could attempt NEET only 3 times and the upper age limit was 25 years, but now these restrictions have been removed. Now students can appear for the exam multiple times until they get the score they want.
State wise Domicile Requirements
NEET eligibility is the same all over India, but each state has its own rules for domicile when it comes to state quota seats.
- State Quota Counselling: Domicile Certificate is Required
- Years of Residence: Most states ask you to have lived there for 10–15 years.
- Educational Qualification: In some states, you need to have completed Class 11 and 12 from the same state.
Note: You only need to meet domicile requirements at the time of counselling, not to take the NEET exam.
Documents Required for NEET 2026
Students should keep these documents ready
- Class 10th Marksheet and Certificate (Used as Age Proof)
- Your Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
- Aadhaar Card
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS – if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Recent Passport size photographs
- Valid ID proof
Mistakes to Avoid While Checking Eligibility
Students often make these common mistakes while checking their eligibility
- Age Calculation Error: Your age is counted as on 31st December 2026, not on the exam day.
- Percentage Confusion: Calculate Your Percentage Using Only PCB Marks, Not All Subjects
- Compartment Students: If you have a compartment in any of the PCB subjects, you are not eligible.
- Improvement Exam: Students can apply for the improvement exam but their original marks will be counted.
- Subject Combination: You can not replace Biology with Mathematics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the age limit to apply for NEET 2026?
You must be at least 17 years old by 31st December 2026 to apply for NEET 2026. There is no maximum age limit for the exam.
Q2. I was born in January 2010, can I apply for NEET 2026?
No, students born in 2010 or later cannot apply for NEET 2026 because they will not turn 17 years old by 31st December 2026.
Q3. What is the minimum marks or percentage needed to qualify for NEET 2026?
General category students must score at least 50% marks in PCB subjects, while OBC, SC andST students need 40% and PwD students should have 45% marks in their Class 12 PCB subjects.
Q4. Can students who are in Class 12 also apply for NEET 2026?
Yes, students who will be giving their Class 12 exams in 2026 can apply for NEET 2026. But they need to pass the exam before getting admission to any medical college.
Q5. Can I use my improvement exam marks to become eligible for NEET?
You can take the NEET exam with your improvement results, but your first (original) marks will be counted to check your eligibility.
Q6. What happens if I get a compartment in one subject?
Students who have a compartment in Physics, Chemistry and Biology can not apply for NEET unless they pass their compartment exam first.
Important Points to Remember
- You must meet all eligibility conditions when applying and also at the time of admission.
- Giving false information in the form can lead to your application being cancelled.
- Keep all your original documents ready for verification during counselling.
- Check the eligibility rules for your state if you are applying under the state quota.
- A medical fitness certificate will be needed at the time of admission.
- Make sure your category certificate is valid and issued by the proper authority.
Tips for NEET 2026 Students
- Check Eligibility Early: Before you start preparing, make sure you meet all the eligibility rules.
- Keep Documents Ready: Collect and arrange all your certificates and ID proofs in advance.
- Focus on Studies: Once you’re sure you’re eligible, give your full attention to your preparation.
- Stay Informed: Regularly visit the NTA website neet.nta.nic.in to know about any updates or changes.
- Calculate Marks Properly: Remember, only Physics, Chemistry and Biology marks count for your NEET percentage.
- Take Care of Your Health: Staying healthy is important, as medical fitness is needed for admission.
