NEET UG 2026 12th PCB Marks required: 12th PCB Percentage Criteria for admission in medical courses

NEET UG 2026 12th marks eligibility explained: is Class 12 pass enough for NEET 2026 registration or is minimum PCB percentage still required? Check difference between NEET exam eligibility and MBBS BDS admission eligibility, category-wise PCB criteria for General, OBC, SC, ST and PwD, AYUSH courses rules (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS), and counselling requirements under MCC and state quota authorities.

NEET UG 2026 12th Marks Eligibility: Is Passing Class 12 Enough or Is Minimum PCB Percentage Still Required?

After the release of the NEET UG 2026 application form, one of the most common doubts among students is whether simply passing Class 12th makes a candidate eligible for NEET, or if the traditional minimum percentage in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) is still compulsory.

The confusion started because the NEET UG 2026 Information Bulletin does not clearly mention the PCB percentage requirement for appearing in the examination. Many students assumed that percentage rules were completely removed. However, the actual situation is slightly different — eligibility to appear in the exam and eligibility to take admission are not the same.

There is a major source of confusion among students regarding PCB percentage eligibility. A clear example comes from Maharashtra State counselling notifications. In the Maharashtra admission notice dated 30 July 2025, AYUSH courses officially removed the minimum PCB percentage requirement.

This means students applying for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, and BSMS in Maharashtra were allowed to participate in counselling even if they had only passing marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The rule followed the policy issued by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).

In simple terms, candidates only needed:

• 1. Pass Class 12 with PCB subjects
• 2. Qualify NEET UG

3. No 50% or 40% aggregate in PCB was required for AYUSH admissions under the Maharashtra State Quota.

This decision was introduced to increase participation in traditional medicine courses and improve seat utilisation.

For NEET UG 2026, the same relaxation is expected to continue for AYUSH courses. Therefore, students who are not meeting the PCB percentage criteria for MBBS or BDS still have a valid opportunity to secure admission in AYUSH courses, provided they qualify NEET.

However, candidates must remember that this relaxation applies only to AYUSH courses and does not apply to MBBS and BDS admissions, where PCB percentage eligibility is still checked during counselling.

What Changed in NEET UG 2026

Earlier NEET bulletins clearly stated minimum marks in PCB subjects. For example, NEET UG 2025 required candidates to pass Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English individually and also obtain a minimum aggregate percentage in PCB subjects.

In the NEET UG 2026 bulletin, this percentage requirement is not directly mentioned for appearing in the examination. This means a student who has passed Class 12 with PCB subjects can register and sit for NEET 2026.

However, this does not automatically mean that the percentage rule has been removed from admissions.

Difference Between Exam Eligibility and Admission Eligibility

NEET is only a qualifying entrance examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) allows candidates to appear in the exam, but the actual admission is controlled by counselling authorities such as MCC (All India Quota) and State counselling bodies.

Therefore, two separate conditions exist:

• 1. Eligibility to write NEET exam
• 2. Eligibility to get MBBS/BDS seat
• 
  

A candidate may be allowed to appear in NEET but can still become ineligible during counselling if minimum academic requirements are not satisfied.

AYUSH Courses Percentage Requirement

The major reason for confusion is the official relaxation given in AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS). The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine allowed admission based on only passing marks in Class 12.

For AYUSH courses now:

• 1. Only passing PCB subjects is required
• 2. No 50% aggregate requirement in PCB
• 3. NEET qualification is still mandatory
• 
  

This change was introduced to increase admissions in traditional medicine courses and improve seat utilisation.

MBBS and BDS Admission Rules ( Important)

For MBBS and BDS courses, the minimum PCB percentage requirement is still applicable at the time of counselling and admission. Even if a candidate qualifies NEET, admission will not be granted without the required PCB percentage.

So, a student with less than 50% PCB (General category) can appear in NEET but will not receive an MBBS or BDS seat during counselling.

Allied Health Courses

For courses like BSc Nursing, Physiotherapy (BPT), Occupational Therapy (BOT), and other paramedical courses, eligibility varies by state and institution. Some follow MBBS rules, while some follow AYUSH-type relaxed criteria. Candidates must check their state counselling notification carefully.