NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Check Educational, Age, and Nationality Qualifications

NCET exam has been introduced to provide admission to the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) offered by selected Central Universities, State Universities, IITs, NITs, and government colleges across India. Before applying for the courses, it is important for candidates to carefully review the NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria. Aspiring students must understand that the NTA, the exam-conducting authority, releases the minimum eligibility requirements that they must meet to appear for the exam.

In addition to this, candidates are also required to satisfy the institution-specific NCET 2026 eligibility criteria set by each participating institute they wish to apply to.

Furthermore, the eligibility norms aim to create a transparent, accessible, and fair admission process for aspiring teachers. Candidates should thoroughly understand these requirements so they can plan their preparation effectively and ensure they meet all conditions before filling out the NCET 2026 application form.

NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria will be released by the exam officials in the information brochure along with the release of the exam notification. It is anticipated that the NCET 2026 exam notification will be released in the month of February 2026.

Read this SciAstra blog to get complete information on NCET eligibility criteria, educational requirements, age relaxation, nationality, and other important details.

NCET Exam 2026: Overview

The NCET 2026 application form will be released in the fourth week of February 2026 on the official website. The NCET 2026 for different subjects will tentatively be held in May/June 2026. Candidates planning to apply for the exam should also check the overview of the test along with the eligibility criteria. The overview is as follows:

What is NCET Exam?

NCET, also known as the National Common Entrance Test, is an entrance exam for students who want to become qualified and professional teachers in India. The exam provides an Integrated Teacher Education Programme, a four-year course that combines undergraduate studies (for example, BA, BSc, or BCom) with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree.

Candidates who are appearing for the NCET exam will be getting admissions to the top Central and State Universities, IITs, NITs, RIEs, and Government Colleges offering ITEP courses. It is important for the candidates to know that the NCET exam is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises on quality of teacher education in India.

Why take NCET 2026 Exam?

NCET exam is conducted for candidates to take admission to the innovative and multidisciplinary teacher education programmes like BA-B.Ed, BSc-B.Ed, and BCom BEd. Candidates can check out the following reasons why to give NCET 2026 exam:

• Candidates will be able to get admission to the top government and central universities offering ITEP courses.

• Candidates will be able to pursue a 4-year integrated course, saving time compared to traditional BEd pathways.

• Will be able to build a strong foundation for a teaching career aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020.

• Candidates can become part of a modern, multidisciplinary teacher education system that will emphasise innovation, creativity, and practical learning for future teachers.

NCET Eligibility Criteria 2026

The NCET 2026 eligibility criteria are primarily based on educational qualification, age, and institutions’ specific requirements. It is important for the aspirants to understand that those who have completed or are appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board are generally eligible to sit for the exam.

The NCET eligibility criteria 2026 are designed to make it inclusive, where candidates from different backgrounds, like CBSE, State Boards, ISC, NIOS, and other recognised equivalent boards, will be able to participate.

NOTE: Candidates must note that the NCET 2026 exam notification and information brochure is yet to be released by the exam officials; therefore, the NCET 2026 eligibility criteria mentioned in this article are taken from the last year.

NCET 2026 Eligibility: Qualifications

• For a candidate to appear in NCET 2026, they must have passed Class 12 or equivalent or be appearing for their Class 12 boards in 2026.

• Also, candidates must have completed their Class 12 from a recognised Central or State Board.

What are the minimum marks or percentage required to appear in NCET 2026?

It is important for aspiring students to note that there is no minimum mark or percentage criterion in the qualifying exam to apply for NCET 2026. However, candidates are advised to check in advance the minimum marks or percentage requirements of the university or institute they want to apply to for admission through NCET 2026.

 NCET 2026 Qualifying Exams

Candidates who have passed or are appearing for the following exams are eligible to take NCET 2026:

1.  The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognized Central/ State Board, such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, etc.

2.  Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/ University.

3. Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.

4. Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.

5. Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country is recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

6. Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination. vii. Candidates who have completed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination outside India or from a Board not specified above should produce a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to the effect that the examination they have passed is equivalent to the Class 12 Examination.

NCET 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit

• NTA, the exam officials have mentioned that there is no age limit for a candidate to appear for the NCET 2026 examination.

• It is also important for the candidates to note that each NCET 2026 participating universities may set their own upper and lower age limit for the candidates to take admissions. It is highly advised that candidates must check the age limit-related admission criteria of the university/institute they wish to apply to before filling out the NCET 2026 application form.

NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Important Notes

1. For admission in Central/State Universities/Institutions, which also include IITs, NITs, and RIEs through NCET 2025, the existing policies regarding quota, category, relaxation, reservations, qualification, subject combinations, preferences, etc. of the respective University / Institution / Government College shall be applicable.

2. As the eligibility criteria for admission may be unique for every University/Institution, the candidates are advised to visit the University website to which they are applying for their respective programs.

3. Candidates are advised to satisfy themselves before applying that they possess the eligibility criteria laid down by the University they are applying to.

4. Mere appearance in the Entrance Test or securing passing marks on the test does not entitle a candidate to be considered for admission to the Programme unless he/she fulfil the Programme-wise eligibility conditions of the University they are applying to.

NCET Eligibility: Reservation Criteria

 Indian nationals belonging to certain categories (OBC-NCL, Gen-EWS, SC, ST) are admitted under the seats reserved for them in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Government of India. However, in the case of the participating Universities, the reservation policy of the respective state shall be applicable. NOTE: Reservation details are to be provided by the admitting Universities/Institutions.

Conclusion

In recent years, the NCET Exam has become very popular for candidates who wish to pursue their career in the teaching line. The exam offers admission to the 4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) by reputed central and state universities, including IITs, NITs, RIEs, and government colleges.

For a candidate to have a hassle-free admission process, the candidate needs to satisfy the NCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria mentioned by NTA and participating institutes. A candidate must be eligible based on the educational requirements, age criteria, nationality and other important criteria.