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    NEET Tie Breaking Policy 2026 by NTA - New Tie Breaking Criteria Introduced

    NEET Tie Breaking Policy 2026 by NTA - New Tie Breaking Criteria Introduced

    Deep PathakUpdated on 06 Nov 2025, 04:19 PM IST

    The NTA releases the NEET tie breaking policy 2026. As per the new tie-breaking criteria for NEET exam, when all the rules are exhausted to resolve tie, the authority will resolve it through a random process with guidance of an independent expert committee. Check the NEET 2026 tie breaking rules from the article below.

    This Story also Contains

    1. NEET new tie breaking policy 2026
    2. Controversies related to NEET tie-breaking policy
    3. NEET 2026 revised tie-breaking policy age factor
    NEET Tie Breaking Policy 2026 by NTA - New Tie Breaking Criteria Introduced
    NEET 2026 Tie-breaking policy

    The tie-breaking criteria is an important factor and can decide the fate of many candidates. In the event of a tie in NEET-UG 2026 marks, the respective marks obtained in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics will be considered in that order. If the tie remains even after this, eligible candidates will be chosen based on their number of incorrect and correct responses in NEET exam. Read the full article to know all the details regarding the NEET tie breaking policy 2026.

    NEET new tie breaking policy 2026

    The National Testing Agency mentions the NEET 2026 tie breaking rules in its revised NEET information bulletin. This criteria is applicable in case there is a tie in scores of two or more candidates. The detailed explanation of this NEET 2026 tie breaking policy is as follows -

    • Marks in Biology: In case there is a tie in total marks obtained in the NEET 2026 exam, the candidate with higher marks in Biology will be given the preference. As NEET UG is primarily meant for medical admissions, this criterion ensures that candidates with a stronger foundation in biological sciences are given an advantage.

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    • Marks in Chemistry: After Biology, the next determining factor is the marks obtained in the Chemistry section. Candidates with higher marks in this subject are given preference in the tie-breaking process.

    • Marks in Physics: If the tie still exists, then the candidate having higher marks in Physics will be given preference.

    • Less incorrect answer in overall exam: If the tie still exists, then the candidate with lesser number of incorrect answers in the overall NEET 2026 exam will be given preference

    • Less incorrect answer in Biology: If the tie still persists, then the candidate with the lesser number of incorrect responses in Biology will be preferred.

    • Less incorrect answer in Chemistry: In case the tie still exists, then the candidate with less incorrect answers in Chemistry will be given preference.

    • Less incorrect answer in Physics: If the tie still exists, then finally the candidate with lesser number of incorrect answers in Physics will be placed higher in the NEET 2026 merit list.

    • Random process: If the tie still exists, it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.

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    Controversies related to NEET tie-breaking policy

    There have been many controversies regarding the NEET tie-breaking criteria in the past. Until 2023 there used to be an age factor in NEET tie-breaking criteria. The candidate with the higher age used to get the preference in case of a tie in the marks in subjects.

    In 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) released a notification on June 13, 2023 stating the new NEET tie breaking policy in the Gazette of India and changed the subjects preference order to Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from the NTA’s preference order of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. As per the information bulletin of NEET 2024, the NTA has mentioned the order of subjects for tie-breaking criteria in the order of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

    In 2024, the NEET tie breaking policy remains the centre of attention. The NTA released the NEET 2024 information bulletin on February 9, and removed the incorrect and correct answer factor from its tie breaking policy. In place of it, the NTA introduced a computerised draw to decide the NEET 2024 tie breaking criteria. However, on March 9, 2024, NTA uploaded the revised information bulletin. Now as per the latest information bulletin, the computerised draw has been removed from the NEET tie breaking policy.

    Note: Even though the National Medical Commission in its notification released in 2023 stated that the subject order preference will be Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, the NTA in its NEET 2024 information bulletin mentioned the subject order preference as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The aspirants are advised to consider the tie-breaking criteria of the NTA as of now. Any update regarding this will be provided in this article from time to time.

    NEET 2026 revised tie-breaking policy age factor

    Till 2023, the age of the candidate used to be one of the factors for resolving the tie. If there exists a tie even after considering the marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, the candidate with higher age used to have the upper edge. This is how the NEET 2020 topper was decided.

    The National Medical Commission in 2023 released a notification and revised the NEET tie breaking policy and removed the age factor. The age factor no longer exists and will not be considered in NEET 2026 tie breaking policy.

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    Questions related to NEET

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NEET ?

    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?