NEET PG 2026 Eligibility Criteria: MBBS, Internship Date and Attempt Limit

To be eligible for NEET PG 2026, you must hold an MBBS degree from an NMC-recognised institution and complete your compulsory rotating internship on or before March 31, 2026.

NEET PG 2026 is the national-level entrance test for MD, MS and PG Diploma admissions conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). Eligibility rests on three conditions — a recognised MBBS degree, completed internship and valid medical registration. There is no attempt limit and no upper age limit.

• Qualifying degree: MBBS from an NMC-recognised Indian or foreign institution.
• Internship deadline: Compulsory rotating internship must be completed by March 31, 2026.
• Medical registration: Permanent or provisional registration with NMC or any State Medical Council.
• Attempt limit: No limit — you can appear any number of times.
• Age limit: No upper age limit for NEET PG 2026.

NEET PG 2026 Eligibility Overview

The table below summarises all conditions NBEMS has set for NEET PG 2026 eligibility.

MBBS Degree Requirement for NEET PG 2026

You must hold an MBBS degree from a university or medical college recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The degree must be fully awarded — students still pursuing their MBBS programme cannot apply.

The following degree holders are eligible:

• Graduates of NMC-recognised Indian medical colleges.
• Graduates of foreign medical institutions whose degrees are NMC-recognised and who have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or hold a valid NMC screening certificate.
• Graduates from ESIC or AFMC colleges that are NMC-recognised.

BAMS, BHMS, BDS and all other non-MBBS degrees are not accepted. NEET PG is exclusively for allopathic medicine graduates.

NEET PG 2026 Internship Completion Date

The compulsory rotating internship must be completed on or before March 31, 2026. This is a hard cut-off enforced by NBEMS. Students whose internship ends after this date are not eligible for NEET PG 2026.

Key points about the internship condition:

• The internship must be the compulsory rotating internship of at least 12 months attached to the MBBS programme.
• If you have not yet finished internship when the application form opens, you can still apply — provided your college issues a certificate confirming completion on or before March 31, 2026.
• Internship completed abroad must be recognised by NMC to count toward eligibility.
• Any break or extension in the internship does not automatically disqualify you, but the total period must meet the 12-month NMC requirement before the deadline.

Attempt Limit for NEET PG 2026

There is no attempt limit for NEET PG 2026. NBEMS places no cap on how many times you can appear in the exam. You can attempt it every year as long as you continue to meet the degree, internship and registration conditions.

There is also no upper age limit for NEET PG 2026. Whether you are a fresh MBBS graduate or a practising doctor, you are free to apply — age is not a barrier.

Medical Registration Requirement

A valid permanent or provisional registration with the National Medical Commission or a recognised State Medical Council is mandatory for NEET PG 2026. You must enter your registration number on the application form.

• Permanent registration is issued after completing internship and is valid long-term, subject to NMC renewal norms.
• Provisional registration issued during the internship period is accepted, provided it is valid on the date of application.
• Foreign medical graduates must hold a valid NMC registration obtained after clearing the FMGE.
• OCI cardholders with an NMC-recognised MBBS and valid NMC or State Medical Council registration are also eligible.

If your registration has lapsed, complete the renewal process with your State Medical Council before applying. NBEMS rejects applications with invalid registration numbers at the document verification stage.