NCET Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit, Qualification, Minimum Marks

What is NCET Eligibility 2026?

The eligibility criteria of the NCET are the minimum requirements to fill out the application form. The NTA NCET eligibility criteria 2026 contain the educational qualifications, age limit, minimum marks requirement and reservation policy.

NCET Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates who have completed 12 or its equivalent from the recognised universities are eligible to apply. This is the basic educational requirement for the NCET 2026. Here is the list of qualifying examinations for admission in NCET 2026.

1. The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognised Central/ State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, etc.

2. Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognised Board/ University.

3. Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.

4. Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.

5. Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

6. Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.

7. Candidates who have completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class 12 Examination.

NCET Minimum Marks Eligibility

In the table given below, candidates can find the NCET minimum marks requirement forthe top participating institutions.

NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria For Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear in the NCET exam. The candidates who have passed the class 12 /equivalent examination or are appearing in 2026, irrespective of their age, can appear in the NCET examination. However, the candidates will be required to fulfil the NCET age limit 2026 (if any) of the University / Institution / Government College to which they are desirous of taking admission.

NCET Reservation Criteria 2026

Candidates belonging to the categories- OBC-NCL, Gen-EWS, SC, and T, fall under the reservation. The reservation for the students belonging to these categories shall be provided as described by the Government of India's Reservation Policy. However, in the case of the participating Universities, the reservation policy of the respective state shall be applicable.

NOTE: Reservation details are to be provided by the admitting Universities/Institutions.