The NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 outlines the mandatory requirements for candidates planning to take the medical entrance examination. Based on the official guidelines, applicants must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. A major relief for many aspirants is that the upper age limit has been completely removed.
Academically, you need to have passed or be appearing for your Class 12 board exams with Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Biotechnology), and English. You must also secure a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in PCB if you belong to the General category. For SC/ST/OBC candidates, the minimum requirement is 40%, and for PwD candidates, it is 45%.
Below, we have broken down all the essential details regarding age requirements, academic qualifications, and category-wise criteria to help you understand your eligibility.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 17 years on or before 31.12.2026 |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit |
| Educational Qualification | Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English |
| Minimum Marks (PCB) | 50% (General), 40% (SC/ST/OBC), 45% (PwD) |
| Number of Attempts | No Limit |
| Nationality | Indian, NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Official Website | https://neet.nta.nic.in |
NEET 2026 Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age Requirement | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| All Categories | 17 years on or before 31 December 2026 | No upper age limit |
Important Fact: To satisfy the minimum age criteria, you must be born on or before December 31, 2009.
Category-Wise Age Relaxation (OBC, SC, ST, Girls)
There is absolutely no category-wise age relaxation for NEET 2026. The minimum age threshold of 17 years applies uniformly across all categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD, and Girls). Furthermore, the removal of the upper age limit applies to everyone equally.
NEET Educational Qualification 2026
To be eligible, you must have cleared your Class 12 (or equivalent) board exams from a recognized board, featuring Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. If you are appearing for your Class 12 exams in 2026, you can apply provisionally, provided you pass before the counselling process begins.
Students who completed their Class 12 schooling abroad must possess qualifications certified as equivalent by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Additionally, B.Sc. graduates who studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are eligible to apply if they meet the percentage requirements.
Minimum Marks Required in Class 12
| Category | Minimum Percentage in PCB (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50% |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40% |
| PwD (General) | 45% |
| PwD (OBC / SC / ST) | 40% |
Eligibility for NEET 2026: Number of Attempts
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET 2026. Candidates are free to take the exam as many times as they need, provided they fulfill the age and academic parameters.
Who is Eligible for NEET 2026 Counselling?
Any candidate who scores equal to or higher than the designated cutoff marks will qualify for the counselling process. This covers admissions for the 15% All India Quota, 85% State Quota, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER. Qualified students will need to register on the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) portal for All India seats, or through their respective state authorities for state quota admissions.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Duration | 3 Hours 20 Minutes |
| Number of Questions | 200 (Need to attempt 180) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Total Marks | 720 |
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How do I submit my application for NEET 2026?
Ans. You can fill out your application directly on the official NTA website at neet.nta.nic.in. The process involves registering online, filling in your details, uploading required documents, and paying the application fee.
Q2. What is the deadline for NEET 2026 registration?
Ans. The exact closing date will be confirmed once the official notification drops. Keep an eye on neet.nta.nic.in for the official schedule.
Q3. Are there any age relaxations for reserved categories like SC or ST?
Ans. No, there isn’t any category-wise age relaxation for NEET. Every applicant, regardless of category, must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. Also, the upper age limit has been completely removed for everyone.
Q4. How many times can I attempt the NEET exam?
Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts. As long as you meet the basic age and educational requirements, you can take the exam as many times as you want.
Q5. Which subjects do I need in Class 12 to be eligible?
Ans. You must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Biotechnology), and English as core subjects during your 10+2 education.
Q6. When does the counselling process begin?
Ans. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities will kick off the counselling sessions shortly after the NTA declares the final exam results.
Q7. Which organization is responsible for conducting NEET?
Ans. The National Testing Agency (NTA) handles everything related to conducting the exam, from registrations to result declarations.
