| In this article, you will find a complete guide to the NEET UG eligibility criteria 2026, including age limit, educational qualifications, minimum qualifying marks, category-wise age relaxation, nationality requirements, and attempt limits. Whether you are a first-time applicant or a repeat candidate, this guide will help you understand the latest NEET eligibility rules and complete your application process with confidence. |
The NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 outlines the essential requirements for candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses in India. Released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the eligibility guidelines cover age limit, nationality, educational qualifications, and subject requirements. Understanding the latest NEET eligibility rules for 2026 is crucial, as candidates who do not meet the prescribed criteria may face rejection during the examination or admission process.
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 Quick Overview
Candidates can check the NEET UG eligibility criteria 2026 mentioned below.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam for NEET 2026 | • Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects from a recognised board. • Class 12 appearing students are also eligible to apply. • Candidates who studied Biology as an additional subject after passing Class 12 are also eligible. |
| NEET Eligibility Marks 2026 | • The minimum percentage required in Class 12 varies by category. Marks are calculated for PCB subjects only: • UR (General): 50% • OBC/SC/ST: 40% • PwD: 40% |
| Maximum Number of Attempts | • There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET 2026. Aspirants can apply as many times as they meet the age and qualification requirements. |
OCI Candidates Revised
Understand the latest NEET UG eligibility criteria 2026 for OCI candidates, including key admission requirements and guidelines.
| Provision Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Existing Provision | • The Ministry of Home Affairs vide Notification dated 4 March 2021 specified the rights to which an OCI cardholder shall be entitled under the Citizenship Act, 1955. • Clause (4) (ii) of the Notification reads as under: (ii) appearing for the all-India entrance tests such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test and Joint Entrance Examination (Main), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), or such other test to make them eligible for admission only against any Non-Resident Indian seat or any supernumerary seat: Provided that the OCI cardholder shall not be exclusively for Indian citizens. • “The OCI Cardholder (including a PIO card holder) is a foreign national holding passport of a foreign country and is not a citizen of India.” • Similarly, the PIO cardholder and foreign nationals shall not be eligible for admission against any seat reserved exclusively for Indian citizens. • Hence, OCI/PIO will be treated as foreigners and eligible for NRI seats only and not for Indian National seats, including paid seats of deemed universities. |
| Amended Provision | • An Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will be eligible for admission to the Undergraduate Medical/Dental/Ayurveda/Unani/Siddha/Homeopathy Courses in India subject to the rules/regulations/notifications issued from time to time by the respective regulatory bodies/counselling Authorities/Admission Authorities in conformity with the policy decision of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and/or Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). |
Category-wise Age Limit
Accordingly, the lower age limit shall be as follows:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| General (UR) / General-EWS | Born on or before 31.12.2009 |
| SC / ST / OBC-NCL / PwBD | Born on or before 31.12.2009 |
Upper age limit: As per the latest NEET UG eligibility criteria, there is no upper age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts. Eligible candidates can appear for NEET multiple times to improve their chances of securing admission to top MBBS and BDS colleges.
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria for NRI / OCI / Foreign Nationals
- NRI, OCI, and Foreign National candidates are eligible for NEET UG 2026 admissions, subject to the rules of the Government of India, State Governments, and respective medical or dental institutions.
- OCI and NRI applicants must upload a valid certificate issued by the concerned Indian Diplomatic Mission as proof of their NRI/OCI status during the NEET application process.
- Foreign nationals are required to submit nationality proof, such as a valid passport or an official citizenship certificate issued by the competent authority of their country.
- Candidates should keep all original documents safely, as they must be produced during NEET counselling and admission verification.
- The eligibility of OCI cardholders for NEET UG is governed by the latest provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time.
NEET UG Qualification Criteria (Brief Description)
- Qualifying Examination – Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent (Higher/Senior Secondary or ISCE) after 12 years of study from a recognised board.
- Mandatory Subjects – Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects in the qualifying examination.
- Appearing Candidates Eligible – Students currently in Class 12 can also apply, provided they submit passing certificates with the required percentage at the time of the first counselling round.
- Open School & Private Candidates Welcome – NIOS, State Open Schools, and private candidates are fully eligible to appear for NEET 2026.
- Relaxed Marks for PwD (Locomotor Disability) – Candidates with locomotor disability of lower limbs need 45% aggregate in PCB (General‑PH) or 40% (SC‑PH/ST‑PH/OBC‑PH).
Minimum Marks/ Percentage Required
| Category | PCB Aggregate Marks in the Qualifying Examination |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | 50% |
| SC/ST/OBC/Reserved-PH | 40% |
| Unreserved-PH | 45% |
Eligibility Criteria for B.Sc. Nursing
The B.Sc Nursing Eligibility Criteria 2026, as prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC), outlines the required age limit, educational qualifications, and admission conditions for candidates seeking admission to B.Sc Nursing and B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing programmes in India.
| Particular | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | • The minimum age for admission shall be 17 years as of 31 December of the year admission is sought. |
| Minimum Education | • (i) A candidate should have passed the subjects of PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and English individually and must have obtained a minimum of 45% marks taken together in PCB at the qualifying examination (Class 12). • (ii) Candidates are also eligible for State Open Schools recognized by the State Government and the National Institute of Open Schools (NIOS) by the Central Government, having science subjects and English only. • (iii) For a candidate belonging to SC/ST or OBC, the marks obtained in PCB taken together in the qualifying examination are 40% instead of 45%. • (iv) English is a compulsory subject in Class 12 to be eligible for admission to B.Sc. Nursing / B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing. |
| Reservation Policy | • For Divyangjan candidates, 3% disability reservation is to be considered with a disability of locomotor to the tune of 40% to 50% of the lower extremity. • Other eligibility criteria concerning age and qualification will be the same as prescribed for each Nursing program. |
NOTE: The B.Sc Nursing eligibility criteria 2026 mentioned here are the minimum requirements prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC). Candidates are advised to verify the latest eligibility rules, admission requirements, and selection criteria directly from their preferred nursing colleges, universities, or institutes. NTA only conducts the examination and does not determine admission eligibility conditions.
NEET UG Reservation Eligibility Criteria
After the completion of the NEET UG 2026 exam, NTA prepares the All India Merit List based on candidates’ scores. The agency also releases the All India Rank (AIR), which helps students participate in AIQ counselling, state counselling, and medical college admissions across India.
Category-wise seat reservation
| Category | Percentage of Reservation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 27% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Physically Handicapped (PH) | 3% |
NEET Qualifying Examination Codes 2026
| Sl. No. | NEET Qualifying Codes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Code 01 |
| 2 | Code 02 |
| 3 | Code 03 |
| 4 | Code 04 |
| 5 | Code 05 |
| 6 | Code 06 |
| 7 | Code 07 |
Details for Qualifying Examination Codes for NEET UG 2026
| Code | Eligibility Description (SEO‑Friendly) |
|---|---|
| Code 01 | Candidates appearing for Class 12 board exams in 2026 awaiting results. Must qualify 10+2 with required subjects before admission; otherwise, candidature stands invalid. |
| Code 02 | Candidates who have passed or are appearing in 10+2 (CBSE/ICSE/state boards) with PCB, Mathematics/any elective, and English as core subject. Includes repeaters/droppers. |
| Code 03 | Completed Intermediate/Pre‑degree Science from an Indian university/board with PCB and English, including practical tests in science subjects. |
| Code 04 | Completed Pre‑professional / Pre‑medical exam after 10+2 or Pre‑university with PCB and English, including practical tests. |
| Code 05 | Three‑year degree course (with PCB as major subjects) – passed first year including practicals, AND also qualified 10+2 with PCB and English. |
| Code 06 | Passed B.Sc. from a recognised Indian university with at least two subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany/Zoology)/Biotechnology, AND passed 10+2 with PCB and English. |
| Code 07 | Passed an equivalent qualifying examination from a foreign country (last two years including PCB and English with practical tests). Such qualification must be recognised as equivalent to Indian 10+2. |
NEET UG Resources
| NEET UG Notification | NEET UG Exam Pattern |
| NEET UG Result | NEET UG Syllabus |
| NEET UG Admit Card | NEET UG Cut-Off |
| NEET UG Counselling | NEET UG Seat Matrix |
NEET Eligibility Criteria FAQs 2026:
Q. What is the minimum age requirement for NEET UG 2026?
A. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by 31 December 2026 to be eligible for NEET UG admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses.
Q. Which subjects are mandatory in Class 12 for NEET UG 2026?
A. Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects in their Class 12 or equivalent examination.
Q. Can students from open schools apply for NEET UG 2026?
A. Yes, candidates who have completed their qualifying examination through a recognized open school or board can apply for NEET UG 2026, subject to NTA eligibility guidelines.
Q. Is there any limit on the number of NEET UG attempts?
A. No, there is currently no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET UG. Eligible candidates can appear for the exam multiple times.
Q. Are NRI, OCI, and foreign nationals eligible for NEET UG 2026?
A. Yes, NRI, OCI, PIO, and foreign national candidates can appear for NEET UG 2026, provided they meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by NTA and relevant authorities.
Q. How do I choose the correct examination code in the NEET UG application form?
A. The examination code depends on your academic status, such as appearing in Class 12, passed Class 12, pursuing higher studies, or holding a degree. Candidates should carefully select the code that matches their qualification.
Q. Can a candidate with a gap year apply for NEET UG 2026?
A. Yes, students who have taken a gap year after Class 12 are eligible to apply for NEET UG 2026, provided they fulfil all other eligibility criteria.
Q. Can students who studied Biology as an additional subject apply?
A. Yes, candidates who studied Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject in Class 12 are eligible for NEET.
Q. Are J&K and Ladakh candidates eligible for AIQ seats?
A. Candidates from J&K and Ladakh are not eligible for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, but they can apply for Deemed Universities, ESIC, and AFMC seats.
| Disclaimer: The information shared here is collected from multiple reliable sources for educational and informational purposes. While we strive to provide accurate and updated details, some information may change over time. If you notice any incorrect data or discrepancies, please contact us at mbbsenquiry1[@]gmail.com so our team can review and update the information accordingly. Read More |