Quick Summary: For NEET 2026, students can appear for the exam multiple times as there is no cap on the number of attempts. Also, there is no upper age limit to apply. The only condition is that the student should be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. So, if you meet the minimum age and educational qualification, you are eligible.. This blog explains the NEET attempt limit, NEET attempt age limit, and other related rules.
How Many Attempts for NEET UG? There is no limit on number of attempts for the NEET exam. Students can give the exam as ‘n’ number of times, as there is no NEET attempt limit now. Earlier, there was a rule that students could appear for NEET only till the age of 25, but now only the minimum age limit applies, which is 17 years by the time (race against time phrase meaning) of admission. NEET UG is a pen-and-paper (offline) exam of three hours, and students should match the required eligibility criteria to apply.
For NEET 2026, candidates who are 17 years old or will complete 17 by December 31, 2025, can apply online. There is no upper age limit, and students can take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the exam multiple times. So, for those wondering how many attempts in NEET are allowed, there’s no restriction now. This update is helpful for aspirants who had to pause their preparation earlier and now want to try again.
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How Many Attempts in NEET 2026: Maximum Limit
The National Testing Agency recently announced the details about attempts for the NEET 2026 exam. According to the board, there is no limit on the number of NEET attempts for this year. This update was published on the official website. Later, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also issued a letter confirming that the rule about an unlimited number of attempts has been in place since December 2017 and will continue. As a result, the CBSE has removed the earlier three-attempt rule, which no longer applies.
So, for those asking how many attempts for NEET are allowed, the answer is unlimited. There is no NEET attempt limit now, and students from the unreserved category can take the exam freely. In simple words, the three-attempt rule by CBSE is no longer valid, and there is no restriction on how many attempts in NEET one can give.
How Many Attempts for NEET for General Category
For the NEET 2026 exam, the NEET attempt limit for general candidates has been removed. This means students from the General Category can appear for the test multiple times. There is no restriction on how many attempts in NEET they can take, as long as they fulfill the age and other eligibility rules. So, if you’re wondering how many attempts for NEET for general category are allowed the answer is unlimited.
| Category | NEET Attempt Limit | Condition |
| General Category | There is no NEET attempt limit | Must meet age and other eligibility criteria |
How many attempts in NEET for OBC
In NEET, candidates from the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category, just (just in case definition) like SC, ST, and PwD categories, face no limit on the number of attempts. They can appear for the exam multiple times without any limit. This has been the rule for the past few years, as clearly mentioned by the National Testing Agency (NTA). So, if you’re wondering how many attempts in NEET for OBC or NEET how many attempts in a year, the answer is the same as how many attempts for NEET overall; there is no cap.
Here’s a table showing the NEET attempt policy for OBC candidates:
| Category | Number of NEET Attempts |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | There is no NEET attempt limit |
Check Out: Download NEET Previous Year Question Papers with Solution
How many attempts for NEET for SC/ST
Candidates from SC/ST categories, like others appearing for NEET, are not limited by the number of attempts they can make, as long as they fulfill the required age and academic qualifications. If you’re wondering how many attempts in NEET are allowed, or NEET how many attempts in a year are permitted, there is no restriction. In simple terms, there’s no limit on how many times we can give the NEET exam for SC/ST candidates.
| Category | NEET Attempt Limit | Condition |
| General Category | There is no NEET attempt limit | Must meet age and other eligibility criteria |
Age Limit for NEET Examination 2026
As per the official notification about the eligibility criteria for NEET, here are the rules that candidates need to follow:
Minimum Age Limit for NEET
The minimum age of students should be 17 years or they should be completing 17 years on or before December 31 of the year of taking admission in the first year of the graduate medical course.
Maximum Age Limit for NEET
Earlier, the upper age limit was 25 on the date of the exam, with a relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC-NCL and PwD candidates. But these days, there is no age limit. As per the NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026, the NEET attempt age limit is no longer, but those who are 17 years old and above can apply for the same. Not to mention, there is no limit on the number of attempts. Candidates can sit for the exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the age and other eligibility requirements.
Check Out: Best Books for NEET Preparation 2026
NEET Attempts limit- Educational Qualification
As per the eligibility criteria for NEET, students must pass Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as their main subjects. Those who have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board with the required subjects are eligible to appear in NEET.
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NEET Attempt Eligibility Criteria |
|
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Should have cleared Class 12 PCB/PCM from a recognised its equivalent exam. |
| Eligibility to Appear | Candidates who meet the educational qualification can appear for NEET. |
| NEET Attempt Age Limit | No specific age limit for attempts; only the minimum age (17 years) is required. |
| Upper Age Limit | No upper age restriction for NEET aspirants. |
| NEET Attempt Limit | No limit to the number of attempts. Students can appear multiple times. |
NEET Attempts limit- Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates who want to know about the NEET attempt must also meet the minimum qualifying marks required for their respective categories. For the unreserved category, it is necessary to score at least 50% marks in the Class 12 board exam. In the table given below, you can check the category-wise details of the minimum marks required to qualify.
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NEET Attempts – Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|
| Candidate Category | Minimum Marks Needed (in Class 12) |
| General (Unreserved) | 50% |
| SC / ST / OBC / Reserved PwD | 40% |
| General PwD (Unreserved-PH) | 45% |
Candidates must clearly understand the NEET attempts and the number of attempts allowed before appearing for the exam. NEET is known to be one of the most reputed and toughest entrance exams in the country. So, if you’re planning to appear for NEET UG 2026 soon and want proper guidance from India’s top medical educators, who have years of experience, you can join our NEET batches or buy our online courses for NEET.
These programs are designed to help you prepare better while also keeping you updated about the latest rules, such as the NEET attempt age limit and the NEET attempt limit.
FAQs on NEET Attempt Limit 2026
Q: How many attempts are allowed for the NEET exam?
There is no limit on the number of times you can appear in the NEET exam. It applies to all categories, such as Indian nationals, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign nationals, fulfilling all eligibility conditions of age and minimum educational qualifications as applicable in the case of Indian nationals. The NEET attempt limit is not applicable in any category.
Q: Is there an age limit for the number of attempts in NEET?
There is no age limit for NEET. You must be 17 or older to be tested. The NEET attempt age limit is applicable for the Minimum Age only, not for the maximum.
Q: Can I give NEET multiple times?
Yes, you may appear for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) as often as you wish. There is no limit specified for the number of attempts as long as your age and eligibility allow. The NEET attempt limit doesn’t apply.
Q: Will skipping a year reduce my NEET attempts?
No, taking a gap year will not impact the number of attempts for NEET. There is no limit to the number of attempts you can make in the NEET exam.
Q: Who decides the NEET eligibility rules?
The official eligibility guidelines for NEET UG 2026 are framed by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Q: What is the maximum age limit for NEET?
Previously, general candidates could take the test up to the age of 25, and PWD candidates up to the age of 30 years. However, in 2021, the maximum age had been removed and the same had been provisioned by the National Medical Commission (NMC), and later Union Education Minister had also confirmed the same.
Q: What percentage is required in the 12th-grade exams for NEET?
For the NEET exam, it is mandatory for the general category candidates to secure a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in PCB in the 12th exams. Reserved category candidates like OBC, SC, and ST require 40% and general category PWD candidates must score 45%.
