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

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.

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.