NEET Tie-Breaking Policy 2026: Check Latest Policy and Rule
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
Exam On - 3 May '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
Have a look at the NEET photo requirements 2026 below-
Documents | Size & Format |
|---|---|
Passport Size Photograph | 10 KB to 200 KB JPG/JPEG |
Postcard Size Photograph | 10 KB to 200 KB 4"x6" JPG/JPEG |
The NTA NEET UG 2026 exam city slip will be released around 10 days before the exam. Students will get to know the allotted exam city through the city intimation slip. The NEET exam centre will be located at the allotted city.
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 NTA released the NEET UG 2026 notification on February 8, 2026. The notification has been released with the information bulletin containing the exam dates and details. Students need to go through the notification before filling out the NEET UG form 2026.
NTA releases the NEET advance intimation to exam city slip around 10 days before the exam. The document needs to be downloaded online by logging in to the exam website with the registration details. The advance intimation to exam city slip carries the name of the city where candidates' NEET exam centre will be located. The actual exam centre address will be provided on the NEET admit card.
The NEET exam is conducted from 2.00 to 5.00 pm. Have a look at the NEET exam timing 2026 below-
| 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 PM to 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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
No, the NEET-UG 2026 registrations have been closed at this point. The last date to register for the aforementioned entrance exam was March 11th 2026. However, candidates can still try to apply for Silver Oak College of Pharmacy BPharm admissions as the institute does not mention NEET-UG as a mandat
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Silver Oak College of Pharmacy has not mentioned NEET-UG as a madatory entrance exam for BPharm admissions. Generally, BPharm admissions do not require candidates to appear for the NEET-UG exam to qualify for admissions.
Candidates should connect with the admission desk of Silver Oak College of Pharm
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Candidates must fulfill the Odisha NEET eligibility 2026 to appear for the counselling. To be eligible for NEET Odisha Counselling, candidates must fulfill these criteria-
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English (50% aggregate for General,
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The NEET eligibility criteria states that students who have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology along with English even as additional subjects from recognised boards and Mathematics/ other elective subject with English at a level not less than the core course for English
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The NEET 2026 exam will be held on May 3, 2026. The NTA will conduct the NEET UG 2026 exam offline in pen and pape mode from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates can use the NEET correction window using the process shared below-
Visit neet.nta.nic.in.
Log in with the NEET login details.
Click on 'Correction in Application Form'. link.
- Enter the OTP for verification.
Make the necessary changes.
Save and download the updated Application Confirmation form.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The NTA has announced the NEET application correction dates 2026. The NEET correction window is available from March 12 to 14, 2026. Candidates can make changes during the these three days.
P
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Admissions to the BAMS course at BHU is based on the AYUSH counselling process. The lowest NEET score accepted for the BAMS course for admission at BHU was 30748 for the General AI category.
Note: Other categories will have different cutoffs accordingly.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Shakuntla School of Nursing accepts NEET scores for admission to BSc Nursing course. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission in BSc Nursing based on their GGSIPU CET scores.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 3 days ago
BHU NEET cutoff 2025 was published for admission to various AI categories for courses, like MBBS, BDS, and BSc in Nursing. Whether a 470 is a good NEET score would depend entirely on the category you belong to.
For the General AI category, the overall cutoff varied between 1165 and 82615. Hence, stu
N
Contributor-Level 10