Eligibility criteria for the NEET (UG) exam in 2026, as outlined by the regulations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Dental Council of India (DCI), are as follows:
1. Age Requirement
Candidates must have completed 17 years of age at the time of admission or will attain this age on or before December 31st of the year of admission to the first year of the Undergraduate Medical Course. The lower age limits are as follows: For General (UR)/General-EWS candidates, born on or before December 31, and for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD Category candidates.
2. Upper Age Limit
As per the communication (Letter No. U-11022/2/2022-UGMEB, dated March 9, 2022) received from the National Medical Commission (NMC), Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), there is no upper age limit.
3. Citizenship
Indian Citizens/ Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) intending to pursue Undergraduate Medical Courses in a foreign Medical/ Dental Institute must also qualify for NEET (UG).
Criteria for NRI / OCI / Foreign Nationals
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission to Medical and Dental Colleges, subject to the rules and regulations framed by the respective State Governments, Institutions, and the Government of India.
NRI and OCI Applicants/Candidates must upload a Certificate issued by the concerned Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country of residence to support their claim as NRI/OCI candidates during their online NEET (UG) application.
Candidates must retain the original of such certificate for producing it at the time of Counselling or Admission to courses under NEET (UG).
Foreign applicants must upload documentary proof of their nationality, such as relevant pages of a valid passport or a certificate from the competent authority of their country confirming their citizenship status, along with the NEET application form.
This documentary proof must be authentic and verifiable.
The eligibility of Foreign Nationals should be confirmed from the concerned Medical/Dental College or State authorities.
OCI applicants enjoy rights entitled to them as per Supreme Court orders and government regulations.
All documents should be submitted online as part of the NEET application process for 2026.
Indian Nationals, Non Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons with Indian Origin and Foreign Nationals are eligible for admission in Medical/Dental/Ayurveda/Siddha/Unani/ Homeopathy Colleges subject to the rules and regulations framed by respective State Governments, Institutions and The Government of India, as the case may be.
In compliance with the H'ble Supreme Court Order dated 03.02.2023 in WP No. 891 of 2021, OCI will be entitled to the rights and privileges which had been conferred on them earlier to the notification dated 04.03.2021.
Participation of UT of J&K and Ladakh in All India Quota
Students from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have the opportunity to compete for 15% of the All India Quota seats. Candidates hailing from these territories are eligible to participate alongside candidates from other states, ensuring equal access to these reserved seats.
To be eligible for the NEET (UG) exam, candidates must have individually passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, securing a minimum of 50% marks combined in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Bio-technology as per NMC and DCI regulations. Additionally, candidates need to achieve a rank in the merit list of NEET (UG) for admission to Undergraduate Medical Courses.
For candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Classes (NCL), the minimum marks required in the qualifying examination are 40%, while for PwBD candidates, it is 40% (General PwBD: 45%), as specified by NMC and DCI regulations.
Students educated abroad seeking admission to Indian medical colleges must have passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English with 50% marks in Class 12, with equivalency determined by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as per the regulations of the National Medical Commission and the respective University.
These minimum qualifying marks criteria also apply to AIIMS and JIPMER as they now admit students through NEET UG scores only since 2020.
Note: States/Institutes with eligibility cut-offs differing from the mentioned criteria may follow their own standards.
We have given a table below of eligibility criteria for NEET 2026 examinations.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview
Parameter
Details
Exam name
National Eligibility cum Entrance test
Conducting Body
National Testing Agency
Mode
Pen and paper-based
Duration
3 hours
Courses
MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, etc.
Minimum eligibility
10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English
Minimum NEET Age Limit
17 years age (by December 31)
Maximum NEET Age Limit
No upper age limit - removed for all categories
Maximum Number of Attempts
No restrictions on attempts
Nationality
Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs and foreign national aspirants are eligible
NEET Eligibility criteria marks 2026
The class 12 percentage required for NEET exam is separate for each category and can be listed as under. NEET eligibility criteria marks in class 12 to be considered are aggregate marks only for PCB subjects:
UR – 50%
OBC/SC/ST – 40%
PWD (General) – 45%
PWD (Reserved) – 40%
Important Updates for 2026
Good news for those who finished their 10+2 exams with physics, chemistry, and math! Now, you can still become a doctor. You just need to pass a biology/biotechnology exam as an extra subject in 10+2, following the latest rules from the National Medical Commission (NMC).
If you added physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English after 10+2, you can now take the NEET-UG test. This lets you apply for MBBS and BDS courses in India.
Aadhaar card is not mandatory for all candidates and students belonging to Assam, J&K and Meghalaya state can also apply by providing their other valid Government ID number.
Students must have passed/appearing 12th or equivalent examination from any recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-technology or any other elective subject with English.
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