Understanding NEET Eligibility Criteria and Age Limits for 2026

If you want to take NEET 2026, you must follow the eligibility rules made by the National Testing Agency. You must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. This means your birthday should be on or before December 31, 2009. There is no upper age limit for NEET 2026. You need to pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. The NEET 2026 eligibility rules are for Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals. NEET UG 2026 is the only medical entrance test for getting into medical courses in India. More people are applying for NEET each year, with over 24 lakh students in 2024. Always look for the newest updates about neet eligibility and how to apply.

Tip: NEET UG eligibility rules can change, so check official notices often.

Key Takeaways

• You must be 17 years old by December 31, 2026, to apply for NEET 2026. There is no top age limit. You must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English from a board that is recognized. You can try NEET as many times as you want. You must follow the age and education rules every time you try. NEET rules are for Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals who have the right papers. Always check the official NEET news. Make sure your papers and board are accepted before you apply.

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

You can take NEET 2026 if you fit the nationality rules. The neet 2026 eligibility criteria let Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals join the exam. You must show real proof of your nationality or where you live. You can use an Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, or domicile certificate. If you are an NRI, OCI, PIO, or foreign national, you might need more papers. These can be a certificate from the Indian Embassy or a citizenship certificate. These documents prove you can take neet ug and get state quota seats.

Note: Always upload the right documents when you apply. This helps you avoid problems with your neet exam eligibility.

NEET Age Limit 2026

The neet age limit 2026 gives a clear rule for everyone. You must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. Your birthday should be on or before December 31, 2009. There is no upper age limit for neet 2026. This rule is for all groups like General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD. The neet 2026 eligibility criteria do not allow any changes to the minimum age rule. You must meet this age rule to take the exam.

Educational Qualifications

You must pass Class 12 or a similar exam for the neet 2026 eligibility criteria. You need to study Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English. You can take neet if you wait for your Class 12 results. But you must show proof you passed before you get admitted. The neet eligibility criteria have different minimum marks for each group:

You must study at a board or university that is recognized. The neet 2026 eligibility criteria accept many exam codes. These codes are for students who passed before, are taking the exam now, or have equal qualifications. Make sure your board is accepted by the right authorities.

Tip: Always check if your board or school is accepted for neet ug eligibility.

Number of Attempts

You can try the neet exam as many times as you want. The National Testing Agency and National Medical Commission removed all limits on attempts. This change gives you more time and chances to get ready for neet 2026. You can keep trying until you reach your goal. But you must meet the age and education rules each time. The unlimited tries rule helps students who take gap years or want better scores.

• No limit on how many times you can take neet 2026.

• You must meet the age and education rules for every try.

• This rule lets you plan your study and application without worry.

Alert: More tries mean more people will compete. So, work hard to prepare for each neet exam.

NEET Age Limit and Category Rules

Minimum Age Requirement

You must be old enough to take neet 2026. The neet age limit 2026 says you need to be 17 years old by December 31, 2026. If your birthday is on or before December 31, 2009, you can apply for neet 2026. The National Testing Agency will check your age when you sign up. You have to upload papers like your birth certificate or school certificate. These papers help the officials make sure you are the right age. This rule makes sure everyone is ready for medical school.

Note: Always check your papers before you upload them. If you make a mistake, your neet application might get delayed.

No Upper Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for neet 2026. The Supreme Court and the National Testing Agency took away the old age rule. Now, you can try for neet at any age if you meet the other rules. This change lets more people try to become doctors. In the past, the age limit was 25 years for general students. That rule is gone now. You can take neet as many times as you want, no matter how old you are.

Reserved Category Details

The neet 2026 age limit is the same for every group. No matter if you are General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD, you must be 17 years old by the end of 2026. There is no upper age limit for anyone. This rule is fair for all students. You need to show real category certificates during counseling to get your reservation. The lowest age and number of tries are the same for everyone.

📝 The neet 2026 age limit and rules give everyone a fair chance to get a medical seat.

NEET Eligibility Criteria for Education

Required Subjects

You need to study certain subjects in your 10+2 exam. The subjects you must have are:

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology or Biotechnology

• English

You must pass each subject on its own. The NEET test will ask questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The subject list for NEET 2026 has not changed. If you finished class 12 or are waiting for results, you can apply if you studied these subjects.

📝 Tip: Check your subjects before you apply. If you miss a subject, you cannot take NEET.

Minimum Marks by Category

You must get the right marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology together. The lowest total marks you need depends on your group. You do not need the highest marks, just the minimum needed. You also have to pass English.

You must pass every subject by itself. The lowest marks are only for the total of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Accepted Boards

You can take NEET 2026 if you pass from a board that is accepted. These boards are:

• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

• Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)

• State Education Boards (all recognized states)

• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

• International boards that AIU accepts

You can use one of these exam codes:

1. You are taking Class 12 exams in 2025 and will pass with the right subjects.

2. You finished Class 12 or something equal from an accepted board.

3. You passed Intermediate or Pre-degree Science exams from an accepted board or university.

4. You finished Pre-professional or Pre-medical exams after Higher Secondary.

5. You finished the first year of a Bachelor’s degree with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

6. You have a BSc degree with at least two of Physics, Chemistry, or Biology, and passed Class 12 with all needed subjects.

7. You have a similar qualification from another country, checked by AIU.

Note: NIOS and international boards are okay if AIU accepts them. Always check if your board is accepted before you apply.

NEET 2026 Special Cases

NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals

If you are an NRI, OCI, PIO, or foreign national, you can try for NEET 2026 using the NRI quota. The rules for these candidates have some key points. You must be an NRI, a child or dependent of an NRI, or have an OCI or PIO card. You need to finish 10+2 or a similar exam with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. You must get at least 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology together. You also need to pass NEET UG to get a seat. You must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. If you studied in another country, your exam must be equal to Indian exams, as checked by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

To show you are eligible, you must give some documents. You need a valid passport and an OCI or PIO card if you have one. You need an NRI certificate from the Indian Embassy or Consulate. If an NRI relative is helping you, you need a sponsorship affidavit and proof you are related. You must give your Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and passing certificates. You also need your NEET admit card and scorecard. If you studied outside India, you need an equivalence certificate from AIU. You may also need a medical fitness certificate and a migration certificate.

📝 Always check the newest rules on the NEET website and your college’s website. If you forget a document, your admission could be delayed.

Domicile and State Quota

State quota seats in NEET 2026 help students from the same state. Most states save up to 85% of government medical college seats for students who meet their state’s domicile rules. You usually need to show you live in the state or studied there.

• Each state has its own domicile rules. Some states only let local students get these seats.

• Domicile proof can be a resident certificate, proof you went to school in the state, or proof your parents live there.

• State quota seats are given out through state counseling. You must check your state’s counseling website for news.

• The last 15% of seats are for the All India Quota (AIQ), which anyone in India can try for.

• Private medical colleges may have different rules and might not use the state quota.

⚠️ Always make sure you meet your state’s domicile rules before you apply for state quota seats. States can change their rules every year.

You have to follow all NEET exam rules before you sign up. You must be 17 years old or older by December 31, 2026. You need to pass or be taking class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from a board that is accepted. There is no top age limit for NEET UG. You can try the exam as many times as you want. Always look at the official NEET notice for new updates. Some important things to check are:

• The lowest age you need

• What classes and boards are accepted

• The lowest marks you need for your group

• Rules about where you live and who gets reserved seats

• Papers needed for NRIs, OCIs, and foreign students

Keep checking for news so you follow every NEET exam rule.

FAQ

What is the minimum age for NEET 2026?

You have to be 17 years old by December 31, 2026. If your birthday is on or before December 31, 2009, you can apply.

📝 Check your birth certificate before you fill out the form.

Can you attempt NEET 2026 more than once?

You can take NEET as many times as you want. There is no limit on how many tries you get. You must meet the age and education rules every time.

Are NIOS or international board students eligible for NEET 2026?

You can apply if your board is accepted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). NIOS and most international boards are allowed. Always check if your board is accepted before you sign up.

What documents do you need for NEET 2026 application?

You will need these papers:

• Birth certificate or school certificate

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets

• Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, etc.)

• Category certificate if you need it

📄 Keep scanned copies ready so you can upload them online.