NEET UG Counselling Eligibility 2026: Rules, Criteria & Mistakes

Before dreaming about MBBS or BDS admission, every NEET aspirant must clear one basic step which is the eligibility for NEET UG counselling. Many students score well in NEET but later realise they are not eligible for counselling due to age, subjects, marks, or documentation issues. This blog is specially for students who are confused about whether they are eligible for NEET UG counselling 2026 or not.

What is the NEET UG Counselling Eligibility and Why is it Important?

NEET UG Counselling eligibility means meeting the rules set by NTA and NMC to take part in seat allotment. Clearing the NEET exam alone is not enough. Counselling authorities check your age, Class 12 subjects, marks, nationality, and category status before allowing admission. If you fail to meet even one eligibility condition, you will not be allowed to participate in NEET UG counselling, irrespective of your NEET rank. That is why understanding eligibility is important.

Eligibility Criteria for NEET Counselling 2026 – Overview

Before going into details, it is important to get a clear overall picture of the NEET UG counselling eligibility criteria. This overview helps students quickly check if they broadly qualify or not.

Criteria	Details
Qualification	Class 12 or equivalent passed
Subjects Required	Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English
Minimum Age	17 years during the time of admission
Maximum Age	No upper age limit
Attempts	Unlimited
Minimum Marks	Category-wise PCB percentage
Eligible Nationalities	Indian, NRI, OCI, Foreign Nationals
Score Validity	One academic year

Also Read: Types of NEET Counselling

What are the required educational qualifications for NEET UG Counselling?

To be eligible for NEET UG counselling, candidates must first meet the academic qualification criteria. This ensures that students have studied the basic science subjects needed for medical education. Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board. The qualification must include both theory and practical exams, especially in science subjects.

Required Subjects in Class 12

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology or Biotechnology
• English

Note: Mathematics is not mandatory for NEET UG counselling eligibility.

What are the minimum marks required in Class 12 for NEET Counselling

Even if you qualify NEET, Class 12 marks matter for counselling eligibility. The minimum aggregate is calculated using Physics + Chemistry + Biology (PCB) only. The table below explains category-wise minimum marks clearly. 

Category	Minimum PCB Marks
General / UR	50%
OBC / SC / ST	40%
General – PwD	45%
Reserved – PwD	40%

What is the age limit for NEET UG Counselling?

Age eligibility often confuses students, especially droppers and older candidates. As per the latest NMC rules, there is no upper age limit criteria for NEET UG counselling. This means candidates above 25, 30, or even 40 years can appear and participate in counselling, provided they meet educational criteria.

Criteria	Requirement
Minimum Age	17 years at the time of admission
Maximum Age	No upper age limit

Is there any limit on NEET Attempts?

Many students worry about how many times they can appear for NEET and still be eligible for counselling. There is no restriction on the number of NEET attempts. Candidates can appear for the NEET exam as many times as they want and participate in counselling every year as long as they meet eligibility rules.

Category-Wise NEET UG Counselling Eligibility

Category plays an important role during counselling, especially for cut-off, reservation, and seat allotment.

• Reserved category candidates must submit valid certificates
• OBC certificates must be Central List compliant for AIQ
• PwD certificates must be issued by MCC-authorised medical boards
• Incorrect or outdated certificates can lead to cancellation during verification.

NEET UG Counselling Eligibility for NRI, OCI & Foreign Students

Students often search for “what is the eligibility criteria for NEET UG counselling for NRI or OCI students”, so let’s clear this up. NRI, OCI, and Foreign Nationals are eligible for NEET UG counselling if they:

• Studied PCB and English in Class 12 or equivalent
• Passed theory and practical exams
• Qualify NEET UG Exam

Category	Required Proof
NRI/OCI	Certificate from Indian Embassy confirming status
Foreign Nationals	Passport or citizenship certificate

Note: Admission is subject to state rules, college norms, and government regulations.

Check: MBBS Bond in India 2025: State-Wise Rules, Duration & Penalties

NEET UG Counselling Eligibility for All India Quota (AIQ)

All India Quota counselling is conducted by MCC for:

• 15% MBBS/BDS seats in government colleges
• 100% seats in deemed universities
• AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC seats

Eligibility for AIQ counselling:

• Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCI, Foreign Nationals
• No domicile required
• Must qualify NEET UG
• AIQ is ideal for students who want pan-India options without domicile restrictions.

State Counselling Eligibility for NEET UG Counselling

State counselling eligibility is different for each state, and many students lose seats due to lack of domicile knowledge. State quota counselling usually requires:

• Domicile certificate of the state
• Studying Class 10/12 from that state
• Parent residency proof (in some states)

Example of State-Specific Eligibility

• Delhi: Class 11 & 12 from Delhi schools
• Maharashtra: Domicile or parent residency
• Tamil Nadu: Nativity certificate mandatory
• Rajasthan: State domicile required

Note: Always check official state counselling brochures before registering.

NEET UG Counselling Score Validity

The NEET UG 2026 score is valid for one academic year only. This means:

• NEET 2026 score → Admission for 2026–27 session
• You must reappear for NEET if you skip counselling or want admission next year
• A valid score does not guarantee admission; counselling participation is compulsory.

Also Read: Common Mistakes to Avoid during NEET Counselling

Common Mistakes Students Make During NEET UG Counselling Eligibility

Below are some common and general mistakes that students often overlook while checking their eligibility and submitting forms for NEET UG counselling. These errors may look small but can lead to rejection, loss of seat, or cancellation during verification, even after qualifying NEET.

• Assuming NEET qualification guarantees admission: Clearing NEET only allows you to participate in counselling; admission depends on eligibility, rank, documents, and seat availability.
• Choosing the wrong category during counselling registration: Selecting an incorrect category or uploading an invalid/expired certificate can result in category rejection or conversion to General category.
• Ignoring state counselling eligibility rules: Many states have domicile, schooling, or residence conditions that differ from AIQ rules and must be checked separately.
• Uploading unclear or incorrect documents: Blurred scans, wrong file formats, or mismatched details often lead to rejection during document verification.
• Mismatch in name or date of birth across documents: Even minor spelling differences between NEET records, Class 10 certificates, and ID proof can cause verification issues.
• Using old or non-compliant photographs and signatures: Uploading outdated photos or signatures that do not match NEET application records can lead to disqualification.
• Missing mandatory certificates at reporting time: Not carrying originals like migration certificate, transfer certificate, or medical fitness certificate can delay or cancel admission.
• Not checking NRI/OCI eligibility conditions carefully: Many candidates apply under NRI/OCI quota without proper sponsorship or embassy documents, leading to rejection.
• Assuming state eligibility applies to all colleges: Eligibility rules may differ for government, private, deemed, and central universities within the same state.
• Missing counselling deadlines or fee payment dates: Late registration, choice filling, or fee submission is not accepted under any circumstance.

For detailed guidance on counseling and seat allotment, check our NEET Counseling Guide or explore Top Government Medical Colleges.

📩 Email: info@collegeustad.com

🌐 Visit Our Website: www.collegeustad.com

💬 Join Our WhatsApp Group: Click Here to stay updated with NEET UG 2025 news and counseling tips.

FAQs