MBBS Eligibility in India — Complete 2026 Guide.
NEET-UG requirements, academic eligibility, age limits, subject requirements, and quota-specific rules. Plain-language and complete.
Class 12 + NEET — the basics.
- Passed Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology, English
- Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for general / EWS (40% SC/ST/OBC-NCL, 45% PwD)
- Valid NEET-UG 2026 score required (qualified at minimum percentile)
- Minimum age 17 years as of 31 December 2026
- Indian citizen, NRI, OCI, PIO, or Foreign National (depends on quota)
Beyond the basics.
- State quota (85%) — state domicile certificate required
- AIQ 15% — open to all-India candidates without domicile restriction
- NRI quota — NRI / OCI / PIO sponsor with valid foreign documentation
- Management quota — no NRI sponsor; state domicile varies (Karnataka, WB, Raj open)
- Institutional quota — state domicile required (mainly Maharashtra)
- Deemed counselling — open all-India via MCC
Realistic NEET score → quota options.
Indicative score ranges based on 2025 cutoffs. 2026 cutoffs depend on exam difficulty and applicant pool.
| NEET Score Range | Realistic Options |
|---|---|
| 250–350 | NRI quota in select deemed + private MBBS (lower tier) |
| 350–450 | Broader NRI quota + Karnataka Management quota |
| 450–550 | Strong deemed options + state private quota (domicile) |
| 550–650 | AIQ government MBBS + premier deemed |
| 650+ | AIIMS / JIPMER + top government colleges |
Eligibility — questions answered.
What is the minimum NEET score required for MBBS in India?
Minimum qualifying NEET score is around 50th percentile for general (137 marks in 2025; varies year). For NRI quota seats, the cutoff is lower than open seats. For premier government colleges, 580+ NEET marks are typically needed.
What is the minimum age for MBBS admission?
Candidates must be 17 years old as of 31 December of the admission year. There is no upper age limit (the 25-year cap was removed by the Supreme Court).
Can I do MBBS without Biology in Class 12?
No. MBBS admission requires Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. Biology is mandatory.
What's the difference between general, OBC, SC/ST eligibility?
General/EWS: 50% aggregate in PCB (Class 12). SC/ST/OBC-NCL: 40% aggregate. PwD: 45% aggregate. NEET cutoffs also differ by category.
Can I appear for NEET multiple times?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of NEET attempts. Many candidates take a year off after Class 12 to improve their NEET score.