Quick Summary: This blog explains the Eligibility criteria for NEET 2026, along with the NEET Age limit 2026. To sit for NEET 2026, candidates must be 17 years old on or before December 31, 2026, while the exam sets no upper age limit. Applicants should have cleared 10+2 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, meeting the category-wise minimum percentage requirements. All essential details regarding the age limit for NEET and other eligibility criteria appear clearly here in this blog.
NEET Age Limit 2026: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, widely known as NEET, is one of India’s toughest exams and is the only entrance for students aiming to get into undergraduate medical and dental courses. To maintain transparency and equal opportunity, NEET follows certain eligibility criteria that all students must meet. These key NEET UG 2026 eligibility criteria have been clearly outlined by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It’s important for candidates to go through these rules in detail. You can easily find all the necessary details in the official NEET 2026 brochure available on the website: exams.nta.ac.in/NEET, so that your application process goes smoothly.
As per the Undergraduate Medical Education Board and the National Medical Commission, there is no upper age limit set for NEET 2026. This means that even if you’re 40 years or older, you can still apply and appear for the exam. However, students should always verify the age eligibility before they start preparing, especially if they’re using NEET online coaching.
To be eligible for NEET, you must have turned 17 years old by the time (race against time phrase meaning) you get admission, or should reach that age on or before 31st December of the admission year for your chosen UG course.
This guide will explain in detail about NEET 2026 eligibility criteria and the NEET Age Limit 2026, especially focusing on how many attempts are allowed and what age-related rules apply.
Read More:
- NEET Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age Limit, Qualification Required, Number of Attempts
- NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme
NEET UG Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Key Highlights
| Criteria | Details |
| Nationality | Eligible candidates include Indian citizens, as well as NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and foreign nationals. |
| Minimum Age Required | Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of 31st December in the year of admission. |
| NEET Score Validity | The NEET result is valid for only one academic session for admission in Indian medical colleges. |
| Educational Qualification | Students should have completed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects. |
| Attempt Limit | There is no cap on the number of attempts for the NEET exam. |
| Required Marks in 12th | The minimum qualifying marks in PCB vary as per category:
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| Upper Age Limit | There is no maximum age limit to apply for NEET. |
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria Category Wise
Here is the NEET 2026 eligibility criteria for different categories of students below:
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NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria Category Wise |
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| Candidate Category | Minimum NEET 2026 Eligibility |
| General / EWS | Must pass Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English individually with at least 50% aggregate marks in PCB. Must also appear in the NEET 2026 merit list. |
| SC / ST / OBC-NCL | Should clear all subjects (PCB & English) separately and secure a minimum of 40% aggregate in PCB. Placement in the NEET merit list is compulsory. |
| PwD Candidates | For General-EWS PwD category: 45% aggregate in PCB required. |
Check out: Download NEET 2026 Syllabus PDF by NTA
NEET Age Limit 2026
The details about the NEET Age Limit 2026 are mentioned in the official information bulletin for NEET UG 2026. As per the NEET eligibility criteria, the conditions related to the age include both the lower age limit and the upper limit. Apart from age, other important eligibility criteria for NEET include the right to appear in the NEET UG 2026 for MBBS and BDS courses, along with eligibility for counselling for admission into BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS courses, and others.
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Age Limit For NEET 2026 |
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| Details | Information |
| Minimum Age Requirement | Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of 31st December 2026. |
| Authorized Bodies | Age-related rules are defined by NMC (National Medical Commission) and DCI. |
| Date of Birth Eligibility | Applicants from UR, SC, ST, and OBC categories must be born on or before 31st December 2009. |
| Maximum Age Limit | There is no upper age restriction to appear for NEET 2026. |
Maximum Age Limit for NEET 2026
The rules for NEET 2026 related to the age limit for the NEET 2026 examination. There is no restriction imposed on the upper or maximum age. In simple terms, the upper age boundary for NEET 2026 does not exist. Take a look at the important highlights below regarding the maximum age limit for the NEET 2026 medical entrance exam.
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NEET Exam Maximum Age Limit |
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| NEET Age Limit | Description |
| Minimum Age to Apply for NEET UG | Applicants must be 17 years old or above to be eligible for the NEET exam. |
| Upper Age Limit for NEET UG | There is no age restriction for the maximum age candidates of any age can appear. |
Check out: How to Prepare for NEET Exam 2026? NEET-UG Preparation Tips
NEET 2026 Age Limit: Category-Wise
No matter what category you belong to, General, OBC, SC, ST, PwBD, all candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026, to be eligible. There is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET 2026. This means you must be born on or before December 31, 2009, to sit for the exam. Let’s look at the category-wise details of the NEET age limit for General, SC, ST, and OBC categories for NEET 2026.
NEET Age Limit For OBC
The NMC and DCI set the rules for the age limit for other backward classes candidates appearing for the NEET UG examination. You can find the major details regarding the OBC category age limit for the NEET examination below.
| NEET Age Limit for OBC | |
| OBC Category | NEET Age Limit for OBC Candidates |
| Minimum Age Requirement | Candidates from the OBC category must be born on or before 31st December 2008. |
| Maximum Age Restriction | There is no upper age limit applicable for OBC category students in NEET 2026. |
NEET Age Limit For General
According to the latest instructions from the National Medical Commission, the age limit for General Category candidates to appear in the NEET UG examination is clearly defined. Check the important points on the NEET age limit for general category in the NEET examination here.
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NEET Age Limit for General |
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| Category | NEET Age Limit for General Category |
| Minimum Age Rule | Applicants must be born on or before 31st December 2008 to be eligible. |
| Maximum Age Rule | There is no upper age cap for General category students. |
NEET Age Limit For SC/ST
As per recent norms from the National Medical Commission, the minimum age requirement for the NEET 2026 Exam is 17 years. Here’s what you should know about the NEET age limit for SC/ST Category candidates to appear in the NEET UG examination. Get the key highlights on the SC/ST age limit for the NEET examination below.
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NEET Age Limit for SC/ST |
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| Category | NEET Age Limit for SC/ST |
| Minimum Age Requirement | To be eligible, candidates must be born on or before 31st December 2008. |
| Maximum Age Criteria | There is no upper age restriction for SC/ST candidates appearing in NEET 2026. |
Check out: NEET Previous Year Question Papers with Solution Download
NEET 2026 Age Limit and Eligibility for Foreign Candidates
Candidates who studied abroad and want to appear for the NEET Medical Undergraduate examination need to fulfil the following NEET eligibility age and NEET eligibility criteria:
- Must meet the basic age limit for the NEET Examination, which is 17 years
- There is no rule about an upper age limit
- Should have passed the Class 12 examination or an equivalent qualification from a recognized foreign institute
- Must have studied biology, chemistry, and physics under the science stream
- Need to pass both theory and practical tests in these subjects in their qualifying exam
- Should have good knowledge of English and must pass the same qualifying exam
How Many Attempts Are Allowed in the NEET Exam 2026?
In 2018, a major update was made to the NEET UG eligibility criteria the restriction on the NEET attempt age limit was completely removed. This implies that now the students can appear for the NEET(UG) as many times as they wish, as per the permissible limits applicable in their case, other things remain unchanged. For an easy understanding of the important points on the NEET attempt age limit, you can look at the table below.
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NEET Attempt Age Limit |
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| NEET Rule | Explanation |
| Upper Age Limit Status | As per NMC and DCI, there is no officially set upper age limit for NEET aspirants. |
| Total Number of Attempts Allowed | Candidates can attempt NEET unlimited times, since there is no age-based restriction. |
NEET UG Score Validity
The validity of a NEET UG score changes depending on whether you’re applying for admission in medical colleges in India or looking to study abroad. For admission to Indian colleges, your NEET score is valid for one academic year only, whereas for MBBS studies abroad, the score stays valid for three years.
For MBBS/BDS in India:
- The NEET score is valid only for the immediate academic year after taking the exam.
- If you fail to get admission in that year, you would have to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the NEET the next year.
For MBBS in Abroad:
- NEET scores are valid for three years from the date the results are declared.
- This would enable students to plan for foreign universities, which can be more flexible with their admission cycles.
FAQs on NEET Eligibility and NEET Age Limit 2026
Q: What is the age limit for NEET Exams?
The minimum age limit for NEET 2026 is 17 years, which means that students should be born before or on 31st December 2009. When it comes to the upper age, there is no limitation; students of any age can give the NEET exam.
Q: Am I eligible to apply for NEET at 40 years of age?
Absolutely! You can appear for NEET by the age of 40, as there is no upper age limit for this examination.
Q: What is the age limit for OBC candidates in NEET 2026?
The same rule applies to OBC category candidates: students should be born on or before 31st December, 2009. There is no age limit for candidates belonging to the OBC category.
Q: Is there any maximum age limit for NEET 2026?
There is no cutoff age or ceiling age for the exam as per the NMC & the DCI. There is no specific age limit for NEET exam, and there is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate can make.
Q: Can I register for NEET 2026 if I am under 17 years of age?
No, you cannot. For NEET 2026, the age of the candidates should be at least 17 years as on January 31, 2026. You cannot apply unless you meet this requirement.
Q: What are the Class 12 qualifying marks for NEET aspirants?
Candidates should have qualified 12th Class to appear for NEET. For General candidates, 50% marks in PCB are required. 40% is the minimum qualifying criteria for OBC/SC/ST candidates, whereas 45% is the minimum criteria for PwD categories and 40% and 45% respectively for general and reserved categories.
Q: Will I be eligible for NEET 2026 if I took a gap year between Class 11 and 12?
Yes, a one-year gap between the 11th & 12th will not affect your eligibility. If you have passed the academic and age conditions, then you can still give the NEET in 2026.
Q: Is NEET UG open to candidates older than 25 years?
Yes, NEET UG is for anyone who is 25 years of age and above. The upper age limit was also abolished by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in March 2022.
