National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students seeking admission to medical programs. It will be held in May 2026 in offline mode (pen and paper). NEET is the only entrance exam in India for MBBS, BDS, B.Sc Nursing, BAMS, and other medical courses in both government and private colleges.

The exam will have 180 multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). Each correct answer gives four marks, and one mark will be cut for each wrong answer. The total marks will be 720, and the exam will last 3 hours and 20 minutes.

NEET 2026 will be held in 552 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, in 13 languages. Students must register, fill out their choices, and participate in counselling rounds to secure a seat. It is one of the most important exams for students aspiring to become doctors or work in healthcare.

Changes in NEET 2026 Exam

NEET 2026 will introduce some important changes that all aspiring candidates should know before starting their preparation. From a shorter exam duration and no optional questions to an updated registration website and new tie-breaking rules, these changes will directly influence how students plan for the exam. Here's a quick look at all the key updates expected in NEET 2026:

• Exam duration to be reduced: The NEET 2026 exam will be 180 minutes (3 hours) long, shorter than the 200-minute format followed during the COVID period.
• No optional questions: All 180 questions will be compulsory. Students will have to answer 45 questions each from Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
• Section B to be removed: The exam will follow the pre-COVID format, meaning there will be no separate optional section in the question paper.
• Total marks to remain the same: NEET 2026 will be conducted for a total of 720 marks (180 questions × 4 marks each).
• New official website: The official website for NEET 2026 will be www.neet.nta.nic.in, continuing the change from the previous year's www.neet.ntaonline.in.
• APAAR ID to be introduced (optional): Candidates will have the option to use their APAAR ID during registration, which will help auto-fill academic details. However, this will not be mandatory.
• Tie-breaking rules to be updated: If a tie persists after all other criteria, the final decision will be made using a random method guided by an expert committee.
• Fewer exam cities in India: The number of NEET exam cities in India will be reduced from 557 to 552, with five cities removed from the previous list.

NEET 2026 Dates 

Candidates preparing for NEET 2026 must keep track of all important dates. The table below provides the tentative schedule for registration, admit card, exam, and result announcement.

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for NEET 2026, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility conditions set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These rules help determine who can appear for the exam and apply for admission to medical courses across India.

• The candidate must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2026.
• The applicant must be an Indian citizen, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), or a Foreign National.
• The student must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam from a recognised board.
• The main subjects in Class 12 must be Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Candidates must score a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology combined.

NEET 2026 Application Form

The NEET 2026 application form will be available online only on the official website. Students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply by following a step-by-step process. It is important to fill the form carefully and keep a copy for future use during counselling.

• Basic Registration: Register on the official NEET 2026 website using your email ID and mobile number. You will receive your application number and password for future login.
• Fill the Application Form: Enter all required details such as personal information, contact details, and educational qualifications.
• Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your photograph, signature, and other required documents in JPG/JPEG format as per the given size and dimension.
• Pay the Application Fee: Pay the NEET 2026 application fee using online payment methods such as credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
• Download Confirmation Page: After successful payment, download the confirmation page as proof of your NEET 2026 application submission.
• Take a Printout: Take a printout of the filled-in application form and keep it safe for future reference, especially for the counselling process.

NEET 2026 Syllabus 

Students preparing for NEET 2026 must study topics from both Class 11 and Class 12. The subjects include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The table below shows the main topics from each class that will be part of the NEET syllabus.

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern

The NEET 2026 exam consists of 180 MCQs from Physics, Chemistry & Biology (Botany and Zoology). Each correct answer carries four marks, & one mark is deducted for each wrong answer. The total marks for the exam are 720.

NEET 2026 Preparation Tips

Preparing well for NEET 2026 requires the right strategy and consistent effort. This section offers practical and effective preparation tips to help students manage their time, reinforce key concepts, and perform confidently in exams.

• Understand NEET 2026 syllabus: Focus on NCERT Class 11 and 12 books for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as they form the base of the NEET UG syllabus.
• Create a daily NEET study timetable: Divide your time equally between subjects and ensure that you cover high-weightage topics.
• Solve NEET previous year question papers: Practising old papers helps  know the NEET 2026 exam pattern and types of questions asked.
• Revise regularly: Weekly revision of important formulas, biology diagrams, and key concepts is crucial to retain what's been studied.
• Attempt NEET mock tests: Give full-length mock tests in a timed setting to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
• Stay healthy and focused: Proper sleep, a balanced diet, and a positive attitude are important for adequate NEET UG 2026 preparation.

NEET 2026 Admit Card

The NEET 2026 admit card is a document that candidates must carry to the exam centre. It contains essential details like exam date, time, centre, and candidate information. This section explains the step-by-step process to download the NEET 2026 admit card and what to do in case of any errors or discrepancies.

How to Download NEET 2026 Admit Card

• Visit neet.nta.nic.in.
• Click on the “Download Admit Card” link.
• Enter application number, date of birth, and security pin.
• Download and print the admit card.

Note: In case of discrepancies, contact the NTA helpline immediately.

NEET 2026 Answer Key

After giving the NEET-UG exam, students wait for the answer key to check how they performed. The National Testing Agency (NTA) uploads the official answer key along with scanned copies of each student’s OMR answer sheet and their recorded responses on the official website. With these, students can compare their answers and get an idea of their expected score. If a student finds an error in the answer key or recorded response, they have the option to challenge it by submitting a correction request within the specified time frame.

NEET 2026 Counselling

After the NEET 2026 exam in May and the result in June, the counselling process will begin for students who qualify. Counselling helps students get admission into medical colleges based on their NEET scores. It is done by two groups: MCC handles 15% All India Quota seats in government colleges and all seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, ESIC, and deemed universities. State authorities manage the 85% state quota seats. There will be four rounds of counselling – Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round. To take part, students must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit. Only those who meet the NEET 2026 cut-off marks can join the counselling. Students will need to register online, choose colleges, and wait for seat allotment based on their NEET rank.

NEET 2026 FAQs