NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification & 12th Marks Requirement

Understanding the NEET eligibility criteria 2026 is the first and most important step for every medical aspirant. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially defined the NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria, including academic qualifications, age requirements, nationality rules, and qualifying exam codes.

If you are planning to appear for NEET 2026, this detailed guide explains the complete eligibility criteria for NEET 2026, including NEET age eligibility criteria 2026, required 12th marks, number of attempts, NRI rules, and score validity.

NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Key Highlights

The NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria outline the academic qualifications, minimum age requirement, qualifying marks, nationality conditions, and other essential requirements that candidates must meet to appear for the NEET UG 2026 examination. These updated guidelines issued by NTA help students clearly understand whether they are eligible before proceeding with the application process.

This table summarizes the complete NEET exam eligibility criteria in one glance.

Note: The NEET UG 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on May 3, 2026. The registration process began on February 8, 2026, and the last date to submit the application form was March 8, 2026 (till 11:50 PM). Candidates must carefully review the updated NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria before applying to ensure they meet all academic, age, and category requirements. Only those who satisfy the official eligibility conditions prescribed by NTA are eligible to complete the registration and appear for the examination.

Academic Qualification - NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

As per the official NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria, candidates must:

• Pass Class 12 or equivalent

• Study Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English

• Pass each subject individually

• Have practical components in science subjects

Students appearing for Class 12 in 2026 are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the criteria at the time of admission.

Minimum Marks Required - Category Wise

The eligibility criteria for NEET include minimum aggregate marks in PCB subjects:

Mathematics marks are not considered in the NEET UG eligibility criteria 2026.

NEET Age Eligibility Criteria 2026

The NEET age eligibility criteria 2026 are:

• Candidate must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026

• Must be born on or before 31 December 2009

• No upper age limit (as per current NTA notification)

This makes NEET 2026 accessible to repeaters without age restrictions.

Number of Attempts - NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Earlier attempt limits were removed. As per the updated NEET 2026 eligibility criteria, there is no restriction on the number of attempts.

Candidates can appear multiple times if they satisfy the academic and age eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria for NRI and Foreign Students – NEET UG 2026

Foreign-educated candidates applying for NEET UG 2026 must meet specific academic and documentation requirements. Applicants should have completed an examination equivalent to the Indian Class 12 (10+2) system in their home country. The qualifying examination must include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. Candidates must have passed both the theory and practical components wherever applicable.

Admission to medical and dental colleges in India is open to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals, subject to the rules and seat allocation policies defined by the respective State Governments, concerned institutions, and the Government of India.

Important Documentation Requirements:

• NRI/OCI Candidates: Must submit a valid certificate issued by the appropriate Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country of residence confirming their NRI/OCI status while filling out the NEET UG 2026 application form

• Foreign Nationals: Must provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as relevant pages of a valid passport or a certificate issued by a competent authority in their home country, at the time of online application.
  
  

Candidates are advised to carefully review official guidelines before applying to ensure compliance with all eligibility and documentation norms.

Validity of NEET 2026 Score

NEET 2026 scores are valid for:

• One academic year

• Applicable for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses

• Required for admission through centralized counseling

NEET (UG) 2026 Qualifying Codes - Detailed Explanation

While filling out the NEET UG 2026 application form, candidates must select the correct qualifying code based on their academic background. Choosing the wrong code can lead to rejection during document verification, even if you meet the overall NEET exam eligibility criteria.

Below is the proper explanation of each qualifying code:

Code 01 - Appearing in Class 12 in 2026

This code is for:

• Candidates who are currently appearing in Class 12 (10+2) in 2026

• Students awaiting their board exam results at the time of application

Important Conditions:

• Candidates must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English before the admission process.

• If they fail to qualify in the final examination, they will not be eligible for admission.

This code is mainly for fresh board exam candidates.

Code 02 - Passed Class 12 from a Recognized Board

This code applies to:

• Candidates who have already passed Class 12 (10+2) before 2026

• Repeaters or droppers from CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, or equivalent recognized boards

Important Conditions:

• The qualification must include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.

• The candidate must meet the required minimum aggregate marks in PCB as per category.

This is the most commonly selected qualifying code.

Code 03 - Intermediate / Pre-degree Examination in Science

This code is for candidates who:

• Have completed an Intermediate or Pre-degree examination in Science

• Studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English

• Completed practical tests in these subjects

Important Conditions:

• The examination must be recognized and equivalent to Class 12 under Indian standards.

• The course must involve at least two years of study after Class 10.

Code 04 - Pre-professional / Pre-medical Examination

This code applies to candidates who:

• Completed a Pre-professional or Pre-medical course

• Cleared it after passing higher secondary or equivalent
  
  

Important Conditions:

• Must include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English

• Practical examinations in science subjects must be included

This code is less commonly used and applies to specific structured academic programs.

Code 05 - First-Year Degree Students with PCB

This code is for candidates who:

• Are pursuing or have completed the first year of a three-year degree course

• Studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology

• Completed practical tests in these subjects

Important Conditions:

• The university must be recognized.

• The candidate must have previously passed Class 12 with PCB and English.

Code 06 - BSc Graduates with Science Subjects

This code applies to candidates who:

• Have completed a BSc degree

• Studied at least two of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany/Zoology)/Biotechnology

• Also passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English
  
  

Important Conditions:

• Practical examinations must have been included in science subjects.

• Graduation must be from a recognized university.

Code 07 - Foreign Qualification Equivalent to 10+2 with PCB

This code is for candidates who:

• Completed their education from a foreign country

• Have qualifications equivalent to Indian 10+2

• Studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English

Important:

• The qualification must be recognized as equivalent by Indian authorities.

• The course must include practical components in science subjects.

Important Reminder

Selecting the correct qualifying code is critical under the NEET exam eligibility criteria. Any mismatch between the selected code and submitted documents during counseling or admission verification may lead to cancellation of candidature.

Before final submission, carefully verify:

• Your educational background

• Subjects studied

• Completion status

• Practical components

Always match your academic qualification with the correct NEET UG 2026 qualifying code to avoid complications during admission.

Common Reasons for NEET 2026 Ineligibility

Candidates may become ineligible if:

• They fail to secure minimum required PCB percentage

• They do not meet age requirements

• They select incorrect qualifying code

• They provide incorrect documentation

Final Summary - NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The NEET eligibility criteria define who can appear for the exam and secure admission to medical colleges in India. Before filling out the application form, every aspirant must carefully verify:

• Academic qualification
  
  

• PCB percentage
  
  

• Age requirement
  
  

• Nationality
  
  

• Correct qualifying code
  
  

Meeting the complete NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria ensures a smooth application process and avoids disqualification during counseling.

Important Study Materials for NEET UG 2026 Success