NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Number of Attempt & Qualification

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Number of Attempt & Qualification

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Deep PathakUpdated on 19 Dec 2025, 11:24 AM IST
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the NEET eligibility criteria 2026 for medical aspirants in the information bulletin. The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria includes 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.

This Story also Contains

  1. NEET eligibility criteria 2026
  2. NEET 2026 eligibility criteria: Citizenship-wise
  3. Eligibility criteria for NEET: Attempt limit
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Number of Attempt & Qualification
NEET Eligibility Criteria

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.

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 following:

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NEET eligibility age 2026

As per the age limit, a candidate should be of minimum 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 NEET exam. Any candidate of any age can appear for the NEET 2026, considering he/she is of minimum 17 years.

NEET eligibility marks in 12th

A candidate must have passed class 12th to be eligible for NEET 2026 exam by the date of admission. Candidates should have passed the 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 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.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the age limit for NEET 2026?
A:

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.

Q: How many percentage is required in NEET 2026 in 12th?
A:

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%.

Q: Is there any attempt limit in NEET UG?
A:

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. 

Q: Who specifies the NEET eligibility criteria 2026?
A:

The National Testing Agency is the competent authority to specify the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria for all medical aspiring candidates.

Q: I have a gap year between Class 11 and 12. Will I be eligible for NEET 2026?
A:

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.

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Questions related to NEET

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The expected date for neet UG 2026 is 3 may 2026 the registration form are likely to be opened from February 2026 to March 2026 the official date will be released by NTA soon

For more details you can check the below links:


NEET 2026 Exam: Registration Date, Syllabus

Hello Anchal. You won't face any problem if the sequence of the name is different. While applying for NEET form you have to enter the details according to your 10th marksheet. Adhaar card is just used as a mode of verification while entering the centre. After you give your NEET

If you want give mock test for NEET you have many option online and offline. First you can use official NTA NEET website ,They give free mock test and it is very helpful because pattern and difficulty same like real exam. Then you can use online platform and apps like

If you score 666 marks in NEET 2026 your chances of getting a government MBBS or BAMS seat are extremely high because 666 out of 720 is a near perfect score. With this score you will almost certainly get a government MBBS seat in any state in India including top

Hello Allmeen. There are various centres for neet in different states. From various colleges to schools and other institutions neet happens at a lot of centres all over india. Your centre will surely be from the state that you belong. Your centre notice will be provided on your admit card