NEET UG eligibility and courses

Eligibility is the least exciting part of NEET and the most costly to get wrong. Every year some candidates prepare seriously, sit the exam, score well, and then run into a problem at counselling: a subject missing from their Class 12, a marks rule they had not checked, a certificate they could not produce. Ten minutes with the rules now can save you a wasted year.

This guide explains each rule and how to check yourself against it. The figures come from the NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin unless stated otherwise.

Age

• You must have completed 17 years on or before 31 December of the year in which you sit NEET.
• For NEET 2026, that meant being born on or before 31 December 2009.
• There is no upper age limit at present.

Worked example. A student born on 15 January 2011 wants to sit NEET 2027. They turn 17 on 15 January 2028, which is after 31 December 2027, so they are not eligible for 2027. They can sit NEET 2028. For NEET 2027 you must be born on or before 31 December 2010 (2027 − 17 = 2010).

Class 12 subjects

Your qualifying examination (Class 12 or equivalent) must include:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology or Biotechnology
• English

Practical tests in the science subjects are part of the requirement. Most candidates qualify through Code 01 or 02 in the bulletin: they are appearing in Class 12 in the exam year, or have already passed it.

Two points often cause confusion:

• Appearing candidates can apply. If you are in Class 12 during the exam year, you can sit NEET. You must have passed Class 12 by the first round of counselling, or you cannot be admitted.
• Additional subjects. Under an NMC public notice of 22 November 2023, candidates who studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, or English, as an additional subject after passing Class 12 from a recognised board can sit NEET, provided they show documentary proof of passing those subjects.

Class 12 marks

The long-standing rule for MBBS and BDS asks for a minimum aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology together:

Worked example. A General-category student scores Physics 62, Chemistry 48 and Biology 55, each out of 100. PCB total = 165 out of 300 = 55%, so they clear 50%.

A second student scores Physics 45, Chemistry 42 and Biology 58. PCB total = 145 out of 300 = 48.3%. That is below 50% for General, but above 40% for an OBC candidate. English is needed as a subject but is not part of this aggregate.

Qualifying NEET: the percentile

Sitting NEET is not enough. To be eligible for admission you must reach a qualifying percentile:

A percentile is not a percentage. The 50th percentile is roughly the score that half the candidates reach. The actual score changes every year with the paper and the number of candidates.

For AYUSH courses (BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS) the same percentile rule applies. If too few candidates qualify, the Central Government can lower the percentile for that year only. It has done this in the past for postgraduate exams, but you should never plan on it.

Attempts

There is currently no limit on the number of attempts. Many successful MBBS students took NEET two or three times. If you are planning another attempt, read a NEET plan for droppers.

NRI, OCI and foreign candidates

• NRIs, OCI cardholders, Persons of Indian Origin and foreign nationals can sit NEET. Admission is subject to the rules of each state, institution and the Government of India.
• NRI and OCI applicants upload a certificate from the Indian diplomatic mission in their country of residence. Foreign nationals upload proof of nationality.
• Studying abroad. Indian citizens and OCI cardholders who want to study undergraduate medicine at a foreign institution also need to qualify NEET.

Courses through NEET

AACCC is the Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee. Some courses have extra conditions: BUMS needs Urdu, Arabic or Persian at Class 10 level (or a qualifying Urdu test where one is held), and BSMS needs Tamil at Class 10 or 12, or Tamil study during the first professional year.

Common mistakes

• Assuming Biology is enough without English. English is part of the qualifying requirement.
• Mixing up percentile and percentage. The 50th percentile is not 50% of 720.
• Ignoring domicile. State-quota seats usually need domicile in that state. The rules differ widely.
• Late certificates. Category, EWS, disability and domicile certificates must be valid in the format and for the dates the counselling authority asks for.

Practice: check yourself

1. A candidate born on 2 December 2010 wants to sit NEET 2027. Eligible?
2. A General-category candidate scored Physics 50, Chemistry 49, Biology 50. Do they meet the 50% PCB rule?
3. An SC candidate reaches the 42nd percentile. Qualified?
4. A candidate is 26 and has sat NEET three times. Can they sit again?

Answers

1. Yes. They turn 17 on 2 December 2027, before 31 December 2027.
2. 149 out of 300 = 49.7%, which is just below 50%. Rounding up does not help. Confirm with the counselling authority, but plan for it being a problem.
3. Yes. The requirement is the 40th percentile.
4. Yes, under current rules. There is no upper age limit and no attempt cap.

What to do next

• Confirm your Class 12 subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English, with practicals.
• Work out your PCB aggregate, or your target if you are still in Class 12.
• Check your state's domicile rule for state-quota seats.
• Start collecting certificates now: Class 10 and 12, category, EWS or disability if applicable, and domicile.
• Read the NEET UG exam pattern before you plan your preparation.