NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualifying Marks, Age Limit, Number of Attempts, and Complete Guide

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The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is India’s premier medical entrance exam, serving as the gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses in government and private institutions. For NEET 2026, expected to be conducted in May 2026 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial for aspirants to avoid disqualification and plan effectively.

As per the latest NTA guidelines released in August 2025, the eligibility remains largely unchanged from NEET 2025, with no upper age limit, unlimited attempts, and percentile-based qualifying marks.
Key requirements include a minimum age of 17 by December 31, 2026, passing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, and securing at least 50% aggregate marks (relaxed for reserved categories). Special provisions exist for NRI, OCI, PIO, foreign nationals, and PwD candidates. This detailed guide covers all aspects of NEET 2026 eligibility, including qualifying marks, age limits, number of attempts, educational qualifications, nationality, and reservations, based on official NTA norms. With over 22 lakh expected candidates, meeting these criteria is the first step to competing for 1,18,000+ medical seats.

At VVT Coaching in Tamilnadu Chennai, we’ve helped thousands of students navigate eligibility hurdles and crack NEET with our AI-powered preparation app, expert faculty with 20+ years of experience, and personalized mentoring, achieving a 96.6% success rate in NEET 2025. Whether you’re a first-timer, dropper, or NRI aspirant, our courses ensure you not only qualify but excel to secure top medical seats, join us to turn eligibility into achievement.

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Overview and Key Requirements

The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria, as outlined by NTA, are designed to ensure candidates have the foundational knowledge for medical studies. These are expected to mirror NEET 2025 norms, with the official information bulletin likely releasing in December 2025. Eligibility is verified during counseling by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota (AIQ) seats and state authorities for 85% state quota seats.

Key eligibility components include age, education, marks, attempts, and nationality. Failure to meet any can lead to application rejection, so verify details early.

Age Limit for NEET 2026

• Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2009).
• There is no upper age limit for any category (General, OBC, SC, ST, PwD), following the Supreme Court’s ruling—applicable since 2019 and confirmed for 2026.
• This allows older candidates, including working professionals or repeaters, to apply without restrictions.

Educational Qualifications for NEET 2026

• Candidates must have passed or be appearing for Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board.
• Core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English (as compulsory).
• Qualifying exam codes (for application form) categorize backgrounds, such as Code 01 for those appearing in 2026 or Code 06 for B.Sc. graduates.

Minimum Qualifying Marks in Class 12 for NEET 2026

The aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology determine eligibility:

These marks must be from a single qualifying exam; compartment results are not accepted if they fail to meet the threshold.

Number of Attempts for NEET 2026

• There is no limit on the number of attempts for any category, allowing unlimited retakes.
• This policy, effective since 2018, benefits droppers and repeaters aiming to improve scores.
• However, each attempt requires fresh registration and fee payment.

Nationality and Special Cases for NEET 2026

• Eligible Nationalities: Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Foreign Nationals.
• NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign Students: Must meet the same age, education, and marks criteria. Foreign nationals need embassy permission; they are eligible for 15% AIQ seats but not state quotas.
• PwD Candidates: Eligible with relaxed marks (as above); must provide a valid disability certificate (40%+ disability) during counseling. Special accommodations like scribes are available upon request.
• Reservations: 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC-NCL, 10% EWS in AIQ seats; state quotas vary (e.g., Tamil Nadu has additional 7.5% for government school students).

For NEET 2026, NTA may introduce minor tweaks like stricter document verification, but core criteria remain stable.

NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks: Percentile-Based Cutoffs

NEET qualifying marks are percentile-based, not fixed scores, to account for exam difficulty. Based on NEET 2025 trends (and expected for 2026), the percentiles are:

Actual marks vary annually; qualifying ensures counseling eligibility, but top ranks (under 10,000 for government seats) require 600+. In 2025, General cutoff was 164; except similar for 2026.

How VVT Coaching Ensures You Meet NEET Eligibility

At VVT Coaching, we don’t just help you meet NEET eligibility, we prepare you to surpass it with scores that secure top seats. Our courses verify your qualifications during enrollment, provide guidance on codes and reservations, and offer scholarships for eligible categories. With 96.6% success, join us for NEET 2026 triumph.

Conclusion

NEET 2026 eligibility criteria provide a fair playing field, but success lies in preparation. With no upper age or attempt limits, focus on meeting marks and qualifications to unlock your medical career. VVT Coaching is your partner in this journey, enroll today for expert guidance and top ranks!

FAQs

Q: What is the age limit for NEET 2026?
A: Minimum 17 years by December 31, 2026; no upper limit for any category.

Q: How many attempts are allowed for NEET 2026?
A: Unlimited attempts for all candidates, allowing repeaters multiple chances.

Q: What are the qualifying marks for NEET 2026?
A: Percentile-based: 50th for General/EWS, 40th for OBC/SC/ST, 45th for General-PwD.

Q: What Class 12 marks are required for NEET 2026?
A: 50% aggregate in PCB for General, 40% for SC/ST/OBC, 45% for PwD-General.

Q: Are NRI or foreign students eligible for NEET 2026?
A: Yes, with the same age and education criteria; eligible for AIQ seats.

Q: How does VVT Coaching help with NEET eligibility?
A: We verify documents, guide on codes, and prepare you for high scores to meet all criteria.