NEET Tie-Breaking Policy 2026: Check Latest Policy and Rule
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
Round 2 Counselling
3 Sep '26 - 19 Sep '26
NEET 2026 tie-breaking policy can be checked, along with the information bulletin. This article of Shiksha discusses in detail the NEET tie-breaking criteria, and also analyses the policies of the past few years and how the factors have changed over the years.
NEET Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2026 tie-breaking policy has been announced by the National Testing Agency or NTA, along with the information bulletin. The NEET tie-breaking criteria refer to the mechanism deployed to determine the ranks of two or more candidates in the NEET merit list, in case all of them score the same marks in the exam. NTA changes the tie-breaking policy based on various factors to inculcate best practices to enable allotment of rank to more than one candidate securing the same score.
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Last year, the NEET 2025 tie-breaking policy was changed. It is expected that the policy will remain the same this year as well. According to NEET marking scheme, every question is worth four marks. The NEET 2026 exam will have a total score of 720. -1 mark is deducted for negative marking for every wrong answer. If you do not attempt the question, then there will be no negative marking in the NEET question paper. This article by Shiksha.com analyses the NEET tie-breaking policy over the past few years.
- NEET Tie-Breaking Policy
- NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
NEET Tie-Breaking Policy
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- With less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
In case, the first seven criteria are exhausted and the tie still persists, it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.
Commonly asked questions
No, the RE NEET 2026 was not postponed. The exam was held as scheduled on June 21.
The NTA will announce the number of NEET exam centres 2026 in the result PDF. As per the last year’s data, the exam centres were around 5,453. The exam was conducted in 566 cities.
The total number of exam cities for NEET is 566. The number of NEET exam cities in India are 552 and in abroad are 14. The number of exam cities in India changes every year. The exact number is known through the notification PDF.
The exact numbers of NEET 2026 exam centres will be announced by NTA along with the result details. It is expected that the total number of NEET 2025 exam centres will be around 5,000. In 2024, the number was 4,750.
NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
Upon the release of the NEET 2024 application form and information bulletin on February 9, 2024, it was seen that the NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria had been changed. In this, the final factor was a computerised draw of lots, which replaced the subject-wise accuracy proportion of candidates, that was followed in the previous years. Later, the factor of the computerised draw of lots has been replaced with a subject-wise accuracy proportion.
The revised NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria are given below.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test.
- Obtaining higher marks in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Draw of lots by using the computer or IT with no human intervention.
Now, let us take a look at the NEET tie-breaking criteria for the previous years.
NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2023 tie-breaking criteria is mentioned in the following points given which focuses on the candidates’ performance in each of the subjects in the order of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. After that, the proportion of accurate responses in each of the subjects was tallied.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can know the NEET exam centre 2026 now as the admit card has been released. Candidates must download their hall tickets to know the name and address of the allotted exam centre.
The MCC NEET 2026 opening and closing ranks are not available as of now. The MCC NEET Counselling 2026 round 1 cutoff ranks will be published after seat allotment result.
Candidates can get NEET previous year questions (PYQs) from the NTA website as well as on shiksha.com pages-
The NEET PYQ PDFs are available here for free download with solutions.
The duration of NEET exam is three hours. The exam timing is 2 PM to 5 PM. Test takers needed to report to the exam centre latest by 1 PM. They could not leave the exam hall before 5 PM.
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NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
- Candidate Older in Age, followed by
- Application Number in ascending order.
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NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test.
Read More:
List of Documents Required for NEET 2026 Application Form, Document Size and Formats
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Upper Age Limit, Number of Attempts, Qualification
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