NEET UG 2026 — Eligibility Criteria Explained - News & Notifications NEET

Table of Contents
1. Basic eligibility
2. Class 12 appearing students
3. Subject requirement
4. NRI and OCI candidates
5. PwD (Persons with Disability) candidates
6. Age calculation and examples
7. How aggregate percentage is calculated (PCB)
8. Documents commonly required at application and admission
9. Additional notes and clarifications
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Age, marks, attempts, subjects, and NRI/OCI rules - all edge cases covered

Basic eligibility

Explanation of key items in the table

• Minimum age: The candidate must have completed 17 years of age on or before 31 December 2026. This means a candidate born on or before 31 December 2009 satisfies the age requirement.
• Maximum age: For 2026 there is no upper age limit following the Supreme Court decision. Candidates of any age who meet other eligibility conditions may apply.
• Qualifying exam: The qualifying examination means the final examination of the 10+2 system or an equivalent recognised by the appropriate authority. The required combination is Physics, Chemistry and Biology (or Biotechnology) and English.
• Minimum marks / aggregate: Aggregate percentage is calculated using marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology as per the qualifying board's marksheet. The category-wise minimums are given in the table above.
• Number of attempts: There is no restriction on the number of times a candidate may appear for the entrance test.
• Nationality: All categories-Indian Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Foreign Nationals-may apply if they satisfy the eligibility criteria and provide required documents.

Class 12 appearing students

Students who are appearing for their Class 12 board examinations in 2026 are eligible to apply provisionally. Admission will be confirmed only after the candidate produces the final Class 12 marksheet and certificate showing the required minimum percentage.

• Provisional admission is allowed for candidates awaiting results.
• Final admission is conditional on submission of the pass certificate and marksheet by the deadline specified by the admitting authority.
• Failure to produce the final documents within the stipulated time will result in cancellation of admission.

Subject requirement

• Physics must be a subject in Class 12 or equivalent.
• Chemistry must be a subject in Class 12 or equivalent.
• Biology or Biotechnology must be a subject in Class 12 or equivalent.
• English must be a subject in Class 12 (any level of English offered by the board).
• Mathematics is not required for eligibility to the entrance test.

NRI and OCI candidates

• NRI and OCI candidates are eligible to apply under the same eligibility criteria as Indian nationals.
• They are eligible for NRI quota seats in private medical colleges where such quota exists.
• For All India Quota (AIQ) government seats, NRI/OCI candidates are treated as part of the general merit list unless specific state/college rules apply.
• Required documentation typically includes a citizenship certificate, embassy certificate or equivalent proof of status; such a certificate must be uploaded during registration.

PwD (Persons with Disability) candidates

• Reservation: 5% horizontal reservation is available across AIQ seats.
• Benchmark disability: A minimum disability of 40% is required to claim reservation under PwD.
• Certificates and ID: A UDID (Unique Disability ID) card must be obtained and updated before applying.
• Medical certificate format: The disability certificate must conform to NMC Gazette Notification No. MCI-34(41)/2018 (prescribed format and procedure).

Age calculation and examples

To check whether a candidate meets the minimum age requirement, compare the candidate's date of birth with 31 December 2009. Examples:

• A candidate born on 31 December 2009 turns 17 on 31 December 2026 and is eligible by age.
• A candidate born on 1 January 2010 will not be 17 by 31 December 2026 and is therefore ineligible by age.

How aggregate percentage is calculated (PCB)

The qualifying aggregate is calculated from marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology. Boards may follow different schemes for awarding marks; use the official marksheet issued by the board when calculating aggregate. Example method:

• Add marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Biotechnology (numerator).
• Divide by the total maximum marks for these three subjects (denominator) and multiply by 100 to get percentage.
• Compare the resulting percentage with the category-wise minimum shown in the Basic eligibility table.

Documents commonly required at application and admission

• Class 12 marksheet and pass certificate (or proof of appearing if results awaited).
• Date of birth proof (birth certificate, Class 10 marksheet or equivalent).
• Identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or other government ID as specified).
• For NRI/OCI/Foreign Nationals: citizenship certificate, embassy certificate or passport and visa details as applicable.
• For PwD candidates: UDID card and disability certificate conforming to NMC Gazette Notification No. MCI-34(41)/2018.

Additional notes and clarifications

• No upper age limit: The Supreme Court decision removing the upper age limit has been upheld for 2026; candidates of any age who meet the other eligibility criteria may apply.
• Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates may sit the test multiple times.
• State and institution rules: Some state counselling authorities and private institutions may have additional requirements or documentation - always consult the official information bulletin or prospectus for the year of admission.
• Final admission: Meeting eligibility for the entrance test does not guarantee admission; candidates must also satisfy counselling, seat selection, document verification and other admission procedures of the admitting authority.
• Keep copies ready: Candidates should keep scanned and original copies of all required documents for verification during registration and counselling.