NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Attempts & NRI Rules

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as the single entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes, including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses, across India.

As the primary gateway to a medical career, meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria is the first and most crucial requirement before applying. For NEET 2026, the eligibility framework reflects statutory regulations and key judicial decisions that have made the process more inclusive over time.

The criteria cover age requirements, academic qualifications, number of attempts, nationality provisions, and rules for NRI and international candidates, all of which directly impact examination eligibility and subsequent counselling participation.

NEET UG 2026 Overview

Feature	Details
Exam Name	National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG 2026)
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Expected Exam Date	03 May 2026 (expected)
Registration Window	08 Feb – 08 Mar 2026
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen & Paper based)
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Total Questions	180 (all compulsory)
Total Marks	720
Marking Scheme	+4 / −1 / 0 (unanswered)
Languages Offered	13 languages (incl. English, Hindi & major regional languages)
Result Declaration	June 2026 (expected)

Age Limit for NEET 2026

Minimum Age Requirement

A candidate must be at least 17 years old by 31 December 2026, that means birth on or before 31 December 2009 for NEET 2026 is necessary to be eligible. This rule applies uniformly across all categories. 

Age Component	Year / Date
Minimum age required	17 years
Born on or before	31 December 2009
Applicable for	All categories (General, OBC/SC/ST, PwBD, NRI, OCI/PIO)

Upper Age Limit

There is no upper age limit to apply for NEET-UG 2026. This was established following NMC/UGMEB directives and court decisions, meaning aspirants of any age (including older candidates) can sit for the exam provided the minimum age and academic requirements are met. 

Importance:
Removal of the upper age restriction widens access; candidates who took gap years, graduates considering a career change, or repeat aspirants can attempt NEET without age-based exclusion. 

Educational Qualifications

To be eligible for NEET 2026, aspirants must satisfy certain academic criteria related to their 10+2 or equivalent qualifications.

Required Subjects

Candidates must have completed or be appearing in Class 12 or an equivalent exam with the following subjects:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology / Biotechnology
• English (core or elective)

These subjects should be studied as part of the qualifying examination and include both theoretical and practical components. 

Eligible Boards

The qualifying exam may be from:

• CBSE/ISC
• State Boards
• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or recognised alternative boards
• International boards (IB/IGCSE/others) with equivalency certificates

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Eligibility includes meeting minimum percentage requirements in the PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) group of subjects:

Category	Minimum PCB Marks Required
General / EWS	50%
OBC / SC / ST	40%
PwBD (General)	45%
PwBD (OBC/SC/ST)	40%

Note: These percentages refer to aggregate marks in PCB subjects in the qualifying exam (Class 12). 

Appearing Candidates

Students appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply. Admission will be provisional and subject to passing the qualifying exams with the required marks. 

Number of Attempts

There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the NEET-UG examination; aspirants may appear any number of times as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements each year. This policy has been effective for several years and applies to NEET 2026 as well. 

Key Implication:
Unlimited attempts empower aspirants to improve scores across multiple years without penalty or exclusion based on past tries. 

Nationality, Documentation & Category Criteria

Eligible Nationality Groups

NEET 2026 eligibility extends to a broad set of nationality categories:

• Indian citizens (resident and domiciled)
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
• Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
• Foreign Nationals (with eligible documentation)

These groups can appear for NEET and, if qualified, are eligible for medical college admissions in India, subject to counselling and quota rules. 

Documentation Essentials

Different categories must provide relevant proofs:

• Indian Nationals: Standard identity and educational certificates.
• NRIs: Valid passport/visa, proof of NRI status, sponsorship documents (if relevant).
• OCI/PIO Candidates: OCI/PIO card, passport details.
• Foreign Nationals: Equivalent education credentials must be validated by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or the appropriate authority. 

NRI & International Aspirant Rules

NRI Eligibility

NRI candidates, defined as Indian citizens residing abroad are eligible for NEET provided they satisfy:

• Minimum age (17 years)
• Required academic qualifications with PCB and English
• NEET qualification score

Many institutions also require that NRI status be backed by legal documentation such as a valid passport and proof of overseas residence. 

Admission Through NRI Quota

Labelling a candidate as an NRI quota student occurs at the admission stage (not at the NEET application stage). After qualifying for NEET, candidates seeking seats under the NRI category must participate in:

• State counselling (where NRI quota seats are allocated)
• Deemed university or private counselling, as applicable
• Submission of NRI documentation and sponsorship proof

If admission is sought under NRI-sponsored status (where sponsorship comes from a relative NRI), proper affidavits and legal authorizations may be required by the college and counselling authority. 

Foreign & OCI/PIO Applicants

OCI/PIO or foreign applicants need to ensure that their educational credentials are equivalent to the Indian 10+2 standards with PCB subjects and that they complete any formal recognition process mandated by counselling authorities. 

Also See:

• Score 80/80: CBSE Class 10 Science Topper Answer Sheet 2025 PDF + Marking Scheme
• CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Topper Answer Sheet 2025 (PDF) + Marking Scheme
• NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Attempts & NRI Rules
• Decoding NEET UG 2026 Qualification Codes (01 to 07): Which One to Choose?
• Mistakes to Avoid in NEET UG 2026 Application Form

Conclusion

The NEET 2026 eligibility criteria aim to balance fairness with precision. With no upper age limit and unlimited attempts, the exam provides aspirants with flexibility and inclusivity.

However, essential requirements like minimum age (17 years), specified academic qualifications, minimum PCB marks, and correct nationality/document verification remain non-negotiable. NRI, OCI and foreign candidates must fulfil eligibility just like Indian nationals, while also preparing the appropriate documentation for counselling and admission. 

Understanding and satisfying each of these components is critical before submitting the NEET application, as eligibility forms the first gatekeeper in the journey toward medical education in India.