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    Defence Quota in NEET 2026: Eligibility, Priority, Merit List, Counselling

    Defence Quota in NEET 2026: Eligibility, Priority, Merit List, Counselling

    #NEET
    Manisha TiwariUpdated on 12 Aug 2026, 04:25 PM IST

    The Defence Quota in NEET 2026 is an opportunity to eligible wards and dependents of serving and retired Armed Forces personnel to get admission into MBBS and BDS courses. However, candidates should note that defence quota in NEET 2026 is not applicable to all medical colleges across India. The NEET 2026 defence quota admission rules, number of seats, eligibility conditions and counselling authority depend on the particular quota or state.

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    This Story also Contains

    1. What Is Defence Quota In NEET 2026?
    2. NEET 2026 Defence Quota: Eligibility
    3. NEET 2026 Defence Quota Admission: Application Form Process
    4. Defence Quota In NEET 2026 Merit List
    5. NEET 2026 Defence Quota Counselling
    6. NEET 2026 Defence Quota Counselling: Documents Required
    Defence Quota in NEET 2026: Eligibility, Priority, Merit List, Counselling
    Defence Quota in NEET 2026: Eligibility, Priority, Merit List, Counselling

    For NEET UG 2026, the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) conducts counselling for MBBS and BDS seats available under the Central Pool Quota for eligible wards of defence personnel. Some states have their own defence-related reservation provisions in state counselling. Read the full article to know more about defence quota in NEET 2026, counselling process, eligibility criteria and other details.

    What Is Defence Quota In NEET 2026?

    Defence quota in NEET UG refers to the reservation benefits provided to eligible candidates belonging to specified categories of defence personnel and their dependents. This includes wards of serving personnel, ex-servicemen, personnel died or disabled in action and other categories, depending on the applicable rules.

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    The Central Pool Quota is different from the regular 15% All India Quota (AIQ). Therefore, simply being the child of a defence employee does not automatically provide a separate seat in every government medical college. Candidates must check their eligibility before applying for Defence Quota in NEET 2026.

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    NEET 2026 Defence Quota: Eligibility

    To apply for the Defence Quota in NEET UG 2026, candidates can check their eligibility from the points below.

    Eligibility Criteria For Defence Quota In NEET 2026

    • The applicant must be an Indian citizen.

    • Candidates must have qualified the entrance exam by securing marks equal to or above the prescribed NEET cutoff.

    • The quota is open only to eligible wards, widows and wives of personnel serving in or retired from the Army, Navy or Air Force, as per the applicable rules.

    • Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year of admission.

    • Sons of serving defence personnel or ex-servicemen who are above 25 years of age are not eligible for this benefit.

    • Married daughters who are no longer financially dependent on the defence personnel cannot claim admission under this quota.

    • Children/wards of civilians, civilian employees of AFHQ, Ministry of Defence, DRDO, paramilitary organisations or CAPFs are not covered under this quota.

    • The Defence Quota benefit can be availed only once by one eligible member of a family.

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    NEET 2026 Defence Quota Admission: Application Form Process

    The application form for Defence Quota in NEET is released by the Kendriya Sainik Board. To fill NEET 2026 Defence Quota application form, candidates have to follow the below mentioned steps.

    Defence Quota NEET 2026 Application Form Filling

    • Go to the official website: ksb.gov.in.

    • Find and select the ‘Click Here For MBBS/BDS Registration 2026-27’ option available on the homepage.

    • Fill in the application form with the required personal information, academic qualifications and NEET UG 2026 details.

    • Provide your preferred states where you wish to seek admission to MBBS or BDS colleges.

    • Upload the candidate’s photograph and all necessary supporting documents in the prescribed format.

    • Carefully review the complete application form to ensure that all information and uploaded documents are correct.

    • After verifying the details, submit the application form and retain a copy of the submitted form for future reference.

    Defence Quota In NEET 2026 Merit List

    The merit list for Defence quota in NEET is prepared based on the Priority list provided by the authority along with the consideration of entrance exam scores. The NEET Defence Quota priority list is provided in the below table.

    NEET Defence Quota Priority List

    Priority number

    Consideration

    Priority I

    Widows/Wards of Defence personnel killed in action

    Priority II

    Wards of disabled in action and boarded out from service

    Priority III

    Widows/Wards of Defence personnel who died while in service with death attributable to military service

    Priority IV

    Wards of disabled in service and boarded out with disability attributable to military service

    Priority V

    Wards of Ex-Servicemen and serving personnel who are in receipt of Gallantry Awards:-

    • Param Vir Chakra

    • Ashok Chakra

    • Maha Vir Chakra

    • Kirti Chakra

    • Vir Chakra

    • Shaurya Chakra

    • Sena, Nau Sena, Vayu Sena Medal

    • Mention-in-Dispatches

    Priority VI

    Wards of Ex-Servicemen

    Priority VII

    Wives of:

    • Defence personnel disabled in action and boarded out from service.

    • Defence personnel disabled in action and boarded out with disability attributable to military service.

    • Ex-servicemen and serving personnel who are in receipt of Gallantry Awards

    Priority VIII

    Wards of Serving Personnel

    Priority IX

    Wives of Serving Personnel

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    NEET 2026 Defence Quota Counselling

    The Defence Quota NEET 2026 counselling begins after the merit list is released. Shortlisted candidates are informed about the counselling schedule through email or telephone and must confirm their willingness to participate within the specified deadline. Candidates called for counselling must appear with their original documents for verification. Seat allotment is based on the candidate’s defence priority category, NEET UG 2026 score and seat availability. Failure to respond or attend counselling within the prescribed timeline may lead to cancellation of candidature, with the vacant seat offered to the next eligible candidate. Candidates allotted a seat are required to report at the institutes for admission confirmation.

    NEET 2026 Defence Quota Counselling: Documents Required

    Candidates allotted seats in KSB NEET counselling should carry the following documents along with selfattested photocopy and four passport size photographs at the time of counselling.

    • Deceased Soldier Certificate/Book (IAFY-1940) issued by Record Office and Service particulars book for officer- For P-I & P-III

    • Battle casualty Certificate - For P-I & P-II

    • Educational Concession Card issued by Records/ MP-5&6/Service HQs- For BC Pers

    • Eligibility Certificate signed by RSB/ZSB - For P-I to P-VII

    • Eligibility Certificate for serving personnel to be signed by CO/OC/Records Office- For P-V, P-VIII & P-IX

    • PPO initial/subsequent - For P-I to P-IX

    • Widow I-Card issued by RSB/ZSB - For P-I & P-III)

    • ESM I-Card issued by RSB/ZSB - For P-II, IV, V, VI&VII

    • ECHS Card - For all ESM

    • Aadhar Card - For P-I to P-IX

    • Class 10 and class 12 marksheet - For P-I to P-IX

    • Invalidment Medical Board Proceedings - For P-II & P-IV

    • Death Certificate of the Defence Personnel - For P-III

    • (an) Gazette Notification alongwith Pt II Order to check Category of Awards- For P-V& P-VII

    • Service Certificate - For serving personnel

    • CTC copy of Sheet Roll showing family details alongwith Pt II Order - For serving personnel

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