NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 (Out): Age Limit, Number of Attempt & Qualification

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:

NEET eligibility age 2026

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.

What is the NEET eligibility marks in 12th?

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.

NEET 2026 eligibility criteria: Citizenship-wise

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.

NEET exam eligibility: NRI/Foreign students

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?

Also Check:

• Document required for NEET application form
• NEET exam pattern 2026
• NEET 2026 exam centres list

How much percentage is required for NEET?

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)

Eligibility criteria for NEET: Attempt limit

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.