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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NEET eligibility criteria 2026 for medical aspirants in the information bulletin. The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria include the minimum requirements a candidate must fulfil to appear in the exam. The eligibility for NEET exam includes minimum age, educational qualification in class 12, and nationality.
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NEET exam is conducted for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc nursing, and other medical courses. The NEET exam eligibility 2026 specifies the mandatory educational qualifications, age limits, nationality requirements, and other key factors that determine eligibility for exam. Only such candidates who fulfil the eligibility as set by the NTA can fill out the NEET application form 2026. Read the full article to know comprehensive details about the NEET eligibility criteria 2026.
The NTA will release the eligibility criteria in the information bulletin of NEET 2026. Aspirants who fulfil the eligibility criteria can complete the application process and are eligible to appear for the undergraduate medical entrance test. The basic eligibility criteria for appearing in the NEET UG exam are as follows:
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As per the NEET exam age limit, a candidate should be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of admission or by December 31, 2026 to be eligible for NEET 2026. There is no upper age limit in the NEET exam. Any candidate of any age can appear for the NEET 2026, considering he/she is a minimum of 17 years old.
According to the NEET eligibility criteria 2026, a candidate must have passed class 12th to be eligible for NEET 2026 exam by the date of admission. Candidates should have passed class 12 or equivalent by securing the minimum percentage as set by the NTA with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
The 12th percentage required for NEET 2026 is separate for each category. The percentage required for NEET for the general category is 50%, 40% for the SC/ST/OBC category, and 40% for PwBD candidates.
Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and foreign nationals are eligible to appear in the exam. The eligibility criteria based on the citizenship of candidate is provided below.
Candidates who have completed their education from outside the country must fulfil the NEET eligibility criteria. The last examination that NRI/Foreign students should be equivalent to Class 12 qualification in their respective country. Candidates should have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and must have passed the theory and practical test in each of these subjects as well as English in the qualifying examination.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission in Medical /Dental Colleges subject to rules and regulations framed by the respective State Governments, Institutions, and the Government of India, as the case may be.
NRI and OCI Applicants/Candidates have to upload a certificate from the concerned Indian Diplomatic Mission in the country of their residence in support of their claim as an NRI/OCI Candidate, along with their online NEET UG 2026 application form.
Similarly, a foreign applicant for NEET 2026 shall also upload Documentary Proof (e.g. relevant pages of a valid passport or a Certificate from the Competent Authority in the country of his/her nationality regarding his/her citizenship status) in support of his/her Nationality, along with online NEET application form.
Video: Is NEET 2026 required for foreign admissions?
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According to the NEET eligibility criteria, the percentage required to appear in the NEET exam varies according to the category of the candidates. Check the category-wise minimum marks required to appear in the NEET exam based on the NEET 2026 eligbility criteria in the table below.
Minimum Percentage Required for NEET (Eligibility in Class 12)
Category | Minimum Percentage Required |
General (UR) | 50% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
OBC | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
SC | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
ST | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
PwD (General) | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
PwD (OBC/SC/ST) | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
With amendments in 2018 for NEET UG eligibility criteria, the restrictions on the number of attempts for NEET were removed. Therefore there is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET 2026. So, as per the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria, candidates are allowed to appear for the entrance exam as many times as they would like to, only if they are eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The age limit for NEET 2026 is the candidate should be 17 years old on the date of admission. There is no upper age limit for NEET 2026.
Candidates from general category must secure at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology, while the SC/ ST/ OBC students should have scored a minimum 40% marks. For PwD candidates, the required percentage in 12th is 45%.
There is no attempt limit in NEET UG exam. With amendments in 2018 for NEET eligibility criteria, the restrictions on the number of attempts for NEET were removed.
The National Testing Agency is the competent authority to specify the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria for all medical aspiring candidates.
Yes, candidates with a gap year is eligible for NEET 2026. Earlier, MCI made amendments to the “Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997” in which it was specified that a student must undergo continuous two years of study to become eligible to take NEET. However, this amendment was removed by the Delhi High Court and candidates with gap years can appear for NEET 2026 for now. The latest information brochure of NEET also specifies the same.
On Question asked by student community
For preparing NEET entrance exam in three months, you can check the link attached below:
https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-neet-in-3-months
Hi! As per the NEET eligibility criteria , you must be 17 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission. As you will complete the age criteria, you can definitely appear for NEET 2027. Do check the other eligibility criteria and apply for the NEET 2027
The NEET qualifying cutoff for ST category was 143-113. For ST (PWD) , the cut off marks 2025 was 126-113. As you have not mentioned the closing rank for a particular college. Here, we have provided the college wise 2025 MBBS closing rank for ST category.
Regards.
With 400-500 score in NEET, securing MBBS admission at CMC Vellore is highly challenging for students. With such score, you can apply for allied health science courses offered by the institute.
Regards,
Will you be appearing in NEET 2026 under any reserved category or general category as the NEET cutoff varies according to the category of student?
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