NEET UG 2026 Eligibility: Age, Qualification, Marks & Attempt Rules

NEET eligibility 2026 is an important consideration for any student who intends to take the NEET exam 2026 and be admitted to MBBS and other medical programs. As per guidelines expected from the National Testing Agency, candidates must satisfy age, academic, and category-based conditions to apply for NEET UG 2026. The NEET minimum age limit 2026 is 17 years by the admission year, while there is no upper age cap. The requirement is that the students need to have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English in a recognised board. NEET Eligibility criteria 2026 12th marks require a minimum aggregate in PCB subjects: 50% for General, 40% for SC/ST/OBC, and 40% for PwD candidates. This also defines the NEET eligibility 2026 for OBC and other reserved categories in 2026.

For NEET eligibility 2026 for MBBS, candidates appearing in Class 12 are also provisionally eligible. NEET eligibility marks in 12th are calculated only from PCB subjects, not overall percentage. Applicants should also stay updated about NEET 2026 registration fees, nationality rules, and attempt limits, though attempts remain unrestricted. Learning about eligibility at a young age will enable the students to prepare in time and not face problems related to application at the last moment.

According to the NEET eligibility criteria, the candidate must have completed class 12 by admission and studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Use the free NEET College Predictor to predict your chances of admission to top medical universities in India.

Check Out -  NEET UG 2026 Registration, How to Approach NEET 2026 Application Form

NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2025

The NTA announced the NEET Exam Dates and eligibility requirements in the NEET 2025 information bulletin.  Candidates who match the eligibility criteria for NEET 2025, given below, and complete the application process by the deadline are eligible to take the undergraduate medical entrance exam.  The criteria for sitting the NEET UG test are:

NEET Eligibility 2026 Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for NEET 2025. There are no age restrictions for the NEET exam. The NEET 2025 examination is open to all applicants, regardless of age. The candidate must be 17 years old at the time of admission or by December 31, 2025. The lower age limit for candidates is determined by their birth date. For General (UR)/General-EWS candidates, as well as those belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/PwD categories, individuals must have been born on or before December 31, 2008.

Also Read: Aadhaar-Based Identity Checks and Live Photo Requirement Introduced for NEET UG 2026 Applicants

NEET Qualification Marks in the 12th  

The NEET Eligibility criteria 2026 12th marks vary by category. To be eligible for the NEET 2025 exam, students must obtain a certain aggregate percentage in their Class 12 marks.

Limit on NEET Attempts

In 2018, changes to the NEET UG eligibility standards removed the limit on the number of NEET tries.  As a result, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts for NEET 2025.  Candidates may take the NEET 2025 entrance exam as many times as they desire, as long as they match the qualifying requirements.

NEET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Courses

NEET UG 2026 is conducted for admission into undergraduate medical and allied health science programs across India.

Also Read: How to Prepare for NEET Exam

Also Read: NEET UG 2026 Syllabus Out: NMC Confirms Updated Curriculum for Medical Aspirants

NEET 2025 Eligibility Requirements for NRI/International Students

Candidates who have completed their studies abroad must meet the NEET eligibility standards. The final assessment for NRI/foreign students must correspond to the Class 12 qualification in their home country. Candidates must have finished studies in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and have passed the theory and practical assessments in each of these disciplines, as well as English, in the qualifying exam.

• Non-resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission to Medical/Dental Colleges, provided they follow the norms and regulations issued by the respective State Governments, Institutions, and the Government of India, as applicable. 
• NRI and OCI Applicants/Candidates must submit a certificate from the relevant Indian Diplomatic Mission in their place of residency to authenticate their status as an NRI/OCI Candidate in addition to their online NEET UG 2025 application form. 
• Similarly, a foreign candidate applying for NEET 2025 must submit Documentary Proof (such as relevant pages of a valid passport or a certificate from the Competent Authority in their home country confirming their citizenship status) to verify their nationality in addition to the online NEET application form.

NEET Examination Eligibility Codes 2025

For NEET UG 2025, examination codes (01-07) are used to categorise candidates based on their academic credentials.  Code 1 pertains to pupils who will take Class 12 in 2025, Code 2 to those who have already graduated from Class 12, and Code 3 to those who have completed a 10+2 equivalent or pre-degree test.

Conclusion of NEET Eligibility Criteria 2025: Age Limit & Qualification

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2025 is important for Indian medical aspirants seeking admission to various medical programs.  Eligibility is determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and includes age, educational qualifications (Class 12 with specific subjects and minimum marks), and nationality. There is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que 1. What are the qualifications for NEET 2025?

Ans. The basic qualifying conditions vary depending on the category.  The barrier for the General and EWS categories is established at the 50th percentile (a score of 261 out of 960).  Candidates in the General PwBD category must score at the 45th percentile, or 244.

Que 2. Is a 75% criterion necessary for NEET?

Ans. No, there is no 75% eligibility criteria for NEET 2025.  In contrast to other engineering admission exams like JEE Main, NEET UG does not require a 75% overall in Class 12.

Que 3. How many attempts may we make at NEET?

Ans. In 2018, changes to the NEET qualifying criteria resulted in the removal of NEET attempt restrictions.  As a result, there are no restrictions on the number of attempts for the NEET exam.

Que 4. What percentage is required for MBBS in India?

Ans. The percentage required for NEET in class 12 varies by category and can be summarised below.  The eligibility criteria for NEET in the 12th grade will solely take into account the aggregate marks from PCB subjects: UR 50%, OBC/SC/ST 40%, and PWD 40%. 

Que 5. Who is eligible for the NEET exam?

Ans. Candidates who meet the NTA's eligibility standards can take the NEET exam.

Que 6. What are the regulations for the NEET exam?  

Ans. The authority has established precise regulations and criteria that an applicant must follow to be considered for the admission procedure. The applicant can review the guidelines contained in the information booklet to help them comply with it.

Que 7. I will take a year off between grades 11 and 12. Am I qualified for the NEET 2025?

Ans. Yes, individuals who have taken a gap year are qualified for NEET 2025. Previously, MCI updated the "Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997", which stated that a student must finish a continuous two-year study term to be eligible for NEET. Nonetheless, the Delhi High Court struck down this modification, allowing candidates with gap years to take NEET 2025 for the time being. The most recent NEET information leaflet also mentions this.

Que 8. Is it possible for me to take NEET 2026 if I do not pass the NEET 2025?

Ans. You are eligible to sit for NEET 2026 even if you did not pass NEET 2025.  There are no limitations to retaking the exam.

Que 9. Will there be varying attempt limits for various categories in NEET 2026?

Ans. No, the policy regarding attempts is the same across all categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD.  Every individual has limitless opportunities.

Que 10. If I am younger than 17 years old, may I apply for the NEET Exam 2026?

Ans. No, the minimum age for NEET 2026 is 17 years as of January 31, 2026.