NEET Eligibility Requirements for 2026: Age Requirements, Minimum Grades, Residency, Attempt Limits, and Additional Qualifications
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the eligibility criteria for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2026, which will be conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses. Here's a breakdown of the key requirements for applicants.
**Age Criteria**
The minimum age required to apply for NEET 2026 is 17 years as of December 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit for applicants in 2026 [1][2][3][4].
**Educational Qualifications**
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 or equivalent examination. The required subjects include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as main subjects, with English being a mandatory subject [1][3][4].
The minimum percentage of marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) varies by category:
- General/EWS: At least 50% aggregate marks in PCB. - SC/ST/OBC-NCL: At least 40% aggregate marks in PCB. - PwD candidates: For General-EWS PwD, minimum 45% aggregate in PCB; for SC/ST/OBC PwD, at least 40% aggregate [1][3][4].
Candidates who have completed the Intermediate/Pre-degree Examination in Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, or the qualifying examination equivalent to Class 12 completed from a state board are also eligible for NEET 2026 [03 and 04].
Additionally, candidates who have a BSc degree from a recognized university with two or more of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany, Zoology)/Biotechnology and have passed Class 12 with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are also eligible for NEET 2026 [06].
Candidates who are enrolled in a three-year degree course in English, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology and have cleared the first year including practical tests are also eligible for NEET 2026 [05].
**Nationality Requirements**
Eligible candidates for NEET 2026 include Indian nationals, NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin), OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India), and foreign nationals. This opens NEET 2026 to a broad spectrum of candidates both from India and abroad [1][2][4].
**Other Important Details**
- NEET score is valid for only one academic session. - There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. - The exam mode is offline for 3 hours with 180 MCQs covering Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology [1][4].
This information provides a thorough outlook on who can apply for NEET 2026 and the conditions they must fulfill in age, academics, and nationality. Candidates are advised to visit the official NTA website for the most updated information and to prepare accordingly.
To successfully apply for NEET 2026, a key step involves focusing on education and self-development, as demonstrated by the need for completion of a 10+2 or equivalent examination, with mandatory subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. Furthermore, continuous learning is essential, as shown by the eligibility requirements for BSc degree holders and candidates enrolled in three-year degree courses in the relevant subjects.
