NEET Tie-Breaking Policy 2026: Check Latest Policy and Rule
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
NEET 2026 Application Refund Last Date
22 May '26 - 22 Jun '26
NEET 2026 tie-breaking policy will be announced tentatively in the first week of February, 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 will be announced by the National Testing Agency or NTA, along with the information bulletin, tentatively in the first week of February. 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.
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.
Also Read: NEET Total Marks 2026: Check Exam Pass Marks and Marking Scheme
- NEET 2025 Tie-Breaking Policy
- NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
NEET 2025 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
The responses marked on the OMR Sheet of NEET are scanned and uploaded on the official website of NTA. The responses marked are read and captured by the machines, which can sometimes lead to smudging of the responses. Therefore, there can be errors in the scanned copy of NEET OMR sheet. If a student finds any such error in their OMR sheet, they have the provision to challenge them. Candidates have to pay a processing fee of INR 200 per response challenged. The steps for challenging the OMR sheet of NEET are given below:
- Go to the official website of NTA NEET
- Login using the NEET application number and password or date of birth
- Click on “OMR Challenge”
- You will see the questions in sequential order
- Select Question (s) for which you wish to challenge the Recorded Response.
- Once you select any Question for Challenge, you will see three options under the column ‘Candidate’s Claim’.
- If you wish to challenge this option, you may use the Options given in the ‘Candidate’s Claim’ column.
- After clicking your desired option, for Physics / Chemistry / Botany / Zoology for NEET (UG) - 2023, scroll down, ‘Submit’, and move to the next screen.
- You will see a screen displaying your challenges.
- Click on ‘Submit' and Pay Fee Finally’.
- Select Mode of Payment and Pay a processing fee of INR 200 for each question/grade challenged. Make payment through Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking/Paytm.
- After successful payment, download/print the Answer Key challenge receipt
In case candidates are not allotted any seat in the second round of the NEET UG counselling, the earlier allotted seat in Round 1 will be retained. However, on up-gradation of a seat in the second round, the earlier allotted seat in Round 1 will automatically be cancelled and allotted to another candidate. Therefore, candidates are advised to fill in only higher choices or any other choice which they prefer over the earlier allotted seat, for second round.
Till last year, candidates were provided N95 masks at the NEET exam centre which was mandatory to be used by candidates. They had to dispose of their own masks before entering the exam centre at the designated bin. However, since the intensity of Covid has reduced as compared to the last two years, this year candidates may not be provided masks at the centre. The information will be confirmed after the release of the NEET admit card. However, it is recommended that they wear face masks for the entire duration. This should be done to ensure their and other test-takers' safety.
Once a candidate joins second round seat allotted in the NEET UG counselling, he/she will not be allowed to vacate from the allotted second round seat. However if candidates are allotted a seat in Second Round and have not joined the college, then he/she can Exit with Forfeiture of security amount. Moreover, the candidates who have joined up to round 2 of AIQ or state quota will not be eligible to participate in the further rounds of AIQ or state quota.
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
The NEET exam was conducted from 2.00 to 5.00 pm with these exam timings-
| Events | Timing |
|---|---|
| Exam Centre Entry Begins | 11.00 AM |
| Exam Centre Last Entry | 1.30 PM |
| Sitting on the Exam Hall | 1.15 PM |
| Announcement of Important Instructions | 1.15 PM to 1.30 PM |
| Distribution of NEET Test Booklet | 1.45 PM |
| Writing of particulars on the NEET Test Booklet | 1.50 PM |
| NEET Exam Timing | 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM |
The NEET UG 2026 re exam is scheduled to be held on June 21. The May 3 exam was cancelled by NTA due to alleged paper leak.
The NTA allowed the NEET Re-Exam Address and City of Examination Choice filling facility for the candidates. The last date to make these changes in the application was May 21.
The National Testing Agency released the NEW Dates for the NEET 2026 exam. The NEET 2026 exam held on May 3 was cancelled by the NTA. The RE-NEET exam date is June 21, 2026.
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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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 hours ago
The NTA has introduced the given changes for NEET UG 2026 Re exam-
- The NTA extends exam duration. The re-exam will be held from 2:00 to 5:15 PM.
- The NTA has increased the rough work space to 4 pages.
- The NTA redesigns the question paper booklet by adding two rough pages just after the introduction.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 13 hours ago
The RE NEET admit card 2026 has not been released yet. The hall ticket download link will be available soon at neet.nta.nic.in.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Aakash Institute is the most popular NEET coaching in Delhi with 300+ centres across India, experienced faculty, and over 1,22,000 students qualifying NEET in 2023 alone.
Allen Career Institute is another top choice, known for structured study material and rigorous test series, with fees ranging from
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, NEET is not required for BPT admission in most Chennai colleges. Most private BPT colleges in Chennai, including SRIHER, and Saveetha, admit students based on Class 12 academic merit. Applications are submitted directly to the college's official website.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Registered candidates will get the free mock test link on their WhatsApp number around 15 minutes before the test, that is, at 10:45 am on June 15. You can solve the mock test by clicking on the link.
Get all the details here- NEET mock test by Shiksha
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
NEET cutoff 2026 for BHMS in Motiwala Homoeopathy Medical College has not been released. The minimum marks required for admission to BHMS in NEET 2025 was 144 marks for general category and 113 marks for Reserved categories (OBC/NT/SC/ST/VJ).
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
| Course | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 3894 | 20897 | 26845 |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | 23158 | 16477 | 18442 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NTA has not announced the NEET UG 2027 exam date as of now. However, the exam is likely to be held on May 2, 2027.
U
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
Currently, NEET is not required for most physiotherapy admissions. Most colleges admit students based on Class 12 marks. However, from 2026 onwards, NEET is expected to become mandatory as per the NCAHP notification. Students applying from 2026 onwards should keep NEET preparation as a priority.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The AIQ Counselling offers seat for B.Sc Nursing and MBBS
in BHU
For MBBS the closing ranks are
1700 for Gen
2600 for OBC
20k for SC
26k for ST
for B.Sc Nursing the closing ranks in BHU are as follows
59k for Gen
65k for OBC
2 Lac for SC
2.9 Lac for ST
A
Beginner-Level 2