NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Mandatory Age Rules, 10+2 Subject Codes, Attempt Limits & NRI Regulations

1. The Four Non-Negotiable Eligibility Conditions

Under National Medical Commission regulations, every candidate appearing for NEET UG 2026 and seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses must fulfill four mandatory criteria:

1. Age Threshold (Lower & Upper Age Limit)

• Minimum Age: The candidate must have completed a minimum age of 17 years on or before December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2009).
• Upper Age Limit: There is NO upper age limit. Following Supreme Court judgments and NMC gazette notifications, candidates of any age above 17 years can appear for NEET UG and seek medical admission.
• Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET UG.

2. Qualifying Examination & Subject Mandate

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent qualifying examination) with the following four compulsory subjects:

1. Physics
2. Chemistry
3. Biology / Biotechnology (Biology as an additional/optional subject in Class 12 is legally valid under current NMC orders).
4. English (Must be passed as a core/elective subject).

3. Minimum Required Aggregate Marks in PCB

4. Status of NIOS & Open School Candidates

Candidates who completed Class 12 through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or State Open Schools, as well as private candidates with Biology as an additional subject, are eligible to appear for NEET UG subject to the outcome of pending legal matters, with current court orders fully permitting their participation.

2. NRI & OCI Candidate Eligibility

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Foreign Nationals are eligible to appear for NEET UG. OCI cardholders are entitled to participate in All India Quota, State Quota, and institutional general seats on par with Indian citizens as per landmark judicial directives.