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NEET Eligibility Criteria 2027: Age Limit, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation Rules
To be eligible for NEET UG 2027, a candidate must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2027 (born on or before December 31, 2010), have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English, and meet the minimum PCB aggregate — 50% for General/EWS, 40% for SC/ST/OBC. There is no upper age limit and no cap on the number of attempts. NTA has not yet released the official NEET UG 2027 information bulletin — expected around February 2027 — so the details below reflect the current confirmed rules, which are expected to carry forward unchanged.
Planning to appear for NEET 2027? Eligibility is the one part of NEET prep that's worth locking down early, since a single missed criterion can mean disqualification regardless of your score. The rules below are based on the current NTA/NMC framework — the same one used for Re-NEET UG 2026 — and will be updated the moment NTA's official 2027 bulletin changes anything.
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2027 Overview
| Educational Requirement | Passed or appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as core subjects, plus English |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | General/EWS: 50% aggregate in PCB | OBC/SC/ST: 40% | PwBD (UR): 45% | PwBD (OBC/SC/ST): 40% |
| Note | Mathematics marks are not counted toward eligibility, even if studied |
| Minimum Age | 17 years by December 31, 2027 (born on or before December 31, 2010) |
| Maximum Age | No upper age limit |
| Attempt Limit | No restriction — candidates may appear any number of times |
| Eligible Nationalities | Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals |
| Score Validity | Valid for admission during the academic session immediately following the result — see note below |
NTA has not yet released the official NEET UG 2027 information bulletin — it's expected around February 2027. Everything on this page reflects the current NMC/NTA-prescribed eligibility framework, which is expected to carry forward unchanged. This page will be updated immediately once the official 2027 bulletin is published.
NEET 2027 Academic Qualification
Candidates must have passed (or be appearing in) their 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board, having studied and passed the following subjects individually:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology/Biotechnology
- English
Candidates must also secure the minimum aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology for their category, detailed below. For the registration timeline once it's confirmed, see NEET registration dates.
NEET Eligibility 2027: Category-Wise Minimum Marks
| Category | Minimum Aggregate Marks in PCB |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) / EWS | 50% |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40% |
| Unreserved – PwBD | 45% |
| SC / ST / OBC – PwBD | 40% |
These marks must come from a recognised board — CBSE, ICSE, a state board, or an equivalent recognised institution. For the full application process, see NEET application form.
NEET Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for NEET UG under current NMC guidelines. The minimum age requirement is:
| Category | Minimum Age Requirement | Maximum Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| All Categories | 17 years by December 31, 2027 (born on or before December 31, 2010) | No upper age limit |
This upper-age-limit rule has been the subject of past legal challenges — candidates should confirm this hasn't changed once NTA's 2027 bulletin is out, rather than assuming permanence.
NEET Eligibility: Number of Attempts
Since 2018, there has been no restriction on the number of NEET UG attempts. Candidates can appear any number of times, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria — age, qualification, and minimum marks — in the year they apply.
NEET Eligibility Criteria for NRI, OCI & Foreign Students
Foreign-educated and international applicants must meet specific academic and documentation requirements.
Academic Requirements
- Must have completed an examination equivalent to Class 12 from their home country.
- Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.
- Must have passed both theoretical and practical examinations in these subjects.
- Must have also passed English in their qualifying exam.
Admission Eligibility
- NRIs, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Foreign Nationals are eligible to apply for admission to medical and dental colleges in India.
- Admission is subject to regulations set by state governments, individual institutions, and the Government of India.
Documentation Requirements
| Category | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| NRI / OCI Candidates | Certificate issued by the relevant Indian Diplomatic Mission in the country of residence, confirming NRI/OCI status. |
| Foreign Nationals | Valid passport pages, OR a certificate from the competent authority in the home country confirming citizenship status. |
NRIs, OCIs, and foreign nationals have equal opportunity to appear for NEET UG, provided they meet academic qualifications, follow state and institutional admission norms, and submit correct documentation during application.
Validity of NEET UG Scores
A NEET UG score is valid for admission during the academic session that immediately follows the result declaration — it doesn't carry forward to future years. A candidate who qualifies must use that specific year's score for that year's admission cycle; scores don't accumulate or roll over.
Importantly, a valid NEET score does not guarantee admission to any particular course or institution. To secure a seat, candidates must:
- Participate in the NEET counselling process.
- Meet the specific eligibility criteria set by individual colleges and universities.
NEET Eligibility: Qualifying Examination Codes
NTA requires candidates to select a qualifying examination code on the application form, indicating the type of educational qualification held or being pursued.
| Code | Who Should Select This | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Class 12 appearing candidates (results awaited) | Must qualify Class 12 with the required marks before admission, or candidature is cancelled. |
| 02 | Class 12 pass-outs and droppers (CBSE/ICSE/state boards) | Must have completed 12 years of study including Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English. Covers candidates who passed in a previous year but are reappearing for NEET. |
| 03 | Intermediate/Pre-degree Science pass-outs | Studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English with practicals, from a recognised board/university. |
| 04 | Pre-professional/Pre-medical course completers | Passed Higher Secondary/Pre-University, then completed a Pre-medical/Pre-professional course including practicals in PCB. |
| 05 | Degree-course students currently studying PCB subjects | Pursuing a 3-year degree with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology (with practicals) at a recognised university, having already passed 10+2 with PCB & English. |
| 06 | B.Sc. graduates in PCB subjects | Completed a B.Sc. with at least two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, having passed 10+2 with PCB & English. |
| 07 | Holders of a foreign or equivalent qualification | Completed an exam (India or abroad) equivalent in scope to the final two years of 10+2, covering Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and practicals. |
NEET Eligibility Criteria 2027 FAQs
Has NTA released the official NEET UG 2027 eligibility criteria?
No. As of this writing, NTA has not published a separate NEET UG 2027 information bulletin — it's expected around February 2027. The eligibility rules on this page reflect the current NMC/NTA framework, which is expected to carry forward without major changes.
Am I eligible for NEET 2027 if I'm younger than 17?
No. Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2027 (born on or before December 31, 2010) to be eligible. This applies to all categories, including General, OBC, SC, and ST.
What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 to qualify for NEET 2027?
Candidates need a minimum aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology: 50% for General/EWS, 40% for OBC/SC/ST, and 45% for PwBD candidates in the unreserved category (40% for PwBD in reserved categories).
Will a gap year between Class 11 and Class 12 affect my NEET eligibility?
No. NTA does not restrict candidates based on study gaps, provided the other eligibility requirements — age, subject combination, and minimum PCB percentage — are met, and the qualifying certificate is from a recognised board.
Can NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) students apply for NEET?
Yes, provided they studied and passed Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects, and their certifying board is recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Is there a limit on how many times I can attempt NEET?
No. Since 2018, there has been no restriction on the number of NEET attempts, provided the candidate meets the eligibility criteria in the year they apply.
NEET 2027 Related Links
| NEET Mock Test | NEET Result | NEET Cut Off |
| NEET Answer Key | NEET Previous Year Question Papers | NEET Rank Predictor |
| NEET Paper Analysis | NEET Syllabus | NEET Counselling |
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