Before you start preparing for NEET 2026, the first question to answer is: am I eligible?The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets clear eligibility rules covering age, educational qualifications, minimum marks, number of attempts, and nationality. This guide covers every criterion in full, including updates from the Supreme Court's landmark 2021 ruling that changed two of the most common restrictions.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria at a Glance
Here is a complete summary before we break down each criterion in detail:
| Criterion | Requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 17 years as of December 31, 2026 | Required |
| Upper Age Limit | None — removed by Supreme Court (2021) | Removed |
| Education | 10+2 passed/appearing with Physics, Chemistry, Biology + English | Required |
| Min. Marks — General/EWS | 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Required |
| Min. Marks — SC/ST/OBC-NCL | 40% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Required |
| Min. Marks — PwD (General) | 45% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Required |
| Min. Marks — PwD (SC/ST/OBC) | 40% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology | Required |
| Number of Attempts | Unlimited — no cap since 2021 | No limit |
| Nationality | Indian / NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign National | Required |
Age Limit for NEET 2026
17 years
As of December 31, 2026
Born on or before December 31, 2009No limit
Removed by Supreme Court (2021)
Previously: 25 years (30 for reserved)The minimum age to appear in NEET is 17 years, calculated as of December 31 of the exam year. For NEET 2026, candidates must be born on or before December 31, 2009.
Supreme Court ruling (2021): The upper age limit of 25 years (30 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) was struck down by the Supreme Court of India. Any eligible Indian citizen above 17 can now appear in NEET, regardless of age. This opened the exam to older candidates who previously aged out.
Educational Qualifications Required
You must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent with the following subjects as compulsory:
Physics
CompulsoryChemistry
CompulsoryBiology / Biotechnology
Compulsory (either/both)English
CompulsoryBoards and Qualifications Accepted
CBSE Class 12
Accepted — most commonISC (Indian School Certificate)
AcceptedAny State Board 10+2
Accepted if recognized by COBSE/MHRDNIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
Accepted if PCB subjects studiedInternational Baccalaureate (IB)
Accepted if equivalent confirmed by NIOS/AIU10+2 failed / not passed
Not accepted — must have passed or be appearingCommerce/Arts 10+2 without Biology
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Minimum Marks Required by Category
The minimum marks criterion applies to the aggregate of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12. Individual subject marks do not matter — only the combined PCB percentage counts.
| Category | Min. PCB Aggregate | Visual Bar |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50% | 50% |
| OBC-NCL | 40% | 40% |
| SC | 40% | 40% |
| ST | 40% | 40% |
| PwD — General/EWS | 45% | 45% |
| PwD — SC/ST/OBC | 40% | 40% |
Important distinction: These are the minimum marks to appear in NEET — not the cutoff for MBBS admission. MBBS/BDS seats require a much higher NEET score (typically 550+ for government medical colleges in most states).
Number of Attempts Allowed
As of 2021, there is no limit on the number of NEET attempts. A candidate can appear in NEET as many times as they wish, provided they continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.
History of NEET Attempt Limits
3 attempts maximum
Attempts increased, limit debated
Supreme Court ruling — no attempt limit
Unlimited attempts confirmed by NTA
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Nationality and Domicile Requirements
NEET is open to the following categories of candidates:
Indian Citizens
Fully eligible for All India Quota + state quota seats
NRI (Non-Resident Indians)
Eligible; may apply under NRI quota in private colleges
OCI (Overseas Citizens of India)
Eligible under NRI/OCI category in private institutions
PIO (Persons of Indian Origin)
Eligible under NRI/OCI/PIO category
Foreign Nationals
Eligible for 15% All India Quota seats reserved for foreign nationals, subject to Ministry of Health guidelines
Domicile note: NEET itself has no domicile requirement — any Indian citizen from any state can appear. However, state quota MBBS/BDS seats (85% of seats in state government colleges) have domicile/bonafide student requirements set by individual states. This is a counselling-stage restriction, not an NTA exam-stage restriction.
Check Your NEET 2026 Eligibility — Interactive Tool
Use the tool below to instantly check whether you meet all NEET 2026 eligibility requirements based on your specific situation:
NEET 2026 Eligibility Checker
Answer 4 quick questions to see if you qualify for NEET 2026.
What year were you born?
Minimum age: 17 years as of December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2009).
Birth Year
2007
5 Common NEET Eligibility Misconceptions
MYTH: There is an upper age limit of 25 years for NEET
FACT: False. The Supreme Court struck down the upper age limit in 2021. Any candidate above 17 can now appear in NEET regardless of age.
MYTH: I can only attempt NEET 3 times
FACT: False. The attempt limit was removed. You can appear in NEET as many times as you want, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria.
MYTH: I passed Class 12 in 2019 — there is a gap year restriction
FACT: False. NTA has no gap year restriction for NEET. The year you passed Class 12 does not affect eligibility.
MYTH: I need 50% marks in each individual subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology separately)
FACT: False. The 50% minimum applies to the aggregate of PCB combined — not individual subjects. A student with 45% in Physics but 58% in Chemistry and 60% in Biology (aggregate ~54%) is eligible under General category.
MYTH: Commerce students cannot appear in NEET
FACT: Partially true. Commerce students who studied Biology/Biotechnology as an additional subject along with their commerce subjects in Class 12 ARE eligible, provided they also have Physics and Chemistry.
What to Do After Confirming Your Eligibility
Once you have confirmed you meet the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria, the next step is building a structured preparation plan. Here is the priority order:
Know your NEET exam date and registration window
NEET 2026 is typically conducted in the first week of May. NTA opens registration in January-February. Set a reminder and do not miss the registration window.
Assess your current subject-wise score
Take a baseline mock test to know your starting point. This determines where to focus — Biology first (50% of NEET marks), then Chemistry and Physics.
Build a chapter-wise study plan
Not all chapters carry equal weight. High-frequency chapters in Biology (Plant Kingdom, Human Physiology) and Chemistry (p-Block, Chemical Bonding) should come first.
Start mock tests early
Do not wait until you feel "ready." Start full 180-question mock tests within 4 weeks of beginning preparation. Mock tests reveal your actual gaps.
Use AI tools for personalised weak-area targeting
Generic study plans waste time. An AI platform that tracks your per-chapter accuracy and surfaces your weakest areas makes every study session count.
Know Exactly Where Your Score is Leaking
Our analytics dashboard tracks your performance per chapter, per subject, and over time — so you always know what to study next.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I appear in NEET 2026 if I passed Class 12 in 2020 or earlier?
Yes. There is no gap year restriction for NEET. As long as you have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and meet the age and minimum marks criteria, you can appear regardless of when you passed Class 12.
Is NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) valid for NEET eligibility?
Yes, NIOS is valid if you studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as subjects. NTA accepts NIOS Class 12 qualification for NEET eligibility.
Can a student from Commerce or Arts stream appear in NEET?
Only if they studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as subjects in Class 12 — even as additional subjects. The stream name does not matter; the subjects studied do.
Is there an age limit of 25 years for NEET?
No. The Supreme Court of India struck down the upper age limit for NEET in 2021. There is now no upper age limit. Any person who is at least 17 years old by December 31 of the exam year can appear in NEET.
What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 for NEET?
The minimum PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) aggregate is 50% for General/EWS category, 45% for PwD (General/EWS), and 40% for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and PwD (SC/ST/OBC) categories. This is the eligibility cutoff for appearing in NEET, not the MBBS admission cutoff.
How many times can I attempt NEET?
There is no limit on the number of NEET attempts. The attempt limit (previously 3, then 9) was removed, and the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling confirmed that there is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can appear in NEET.