Key Summary
In this Article, we have discussed the NEET 2026 Exam, including the Exam Date, Registration, Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Previous Year Papers.
- The NEET Scores will be used for 15% AIQ Seats and 85% State Quota Seats in deemed & Private Universities.
- More than 11 lakh candidates qualify every year, only for 1.1 to 1.2 lakh MBBS Seats.
- Around 780 Medical colleges participate in NEET, which offers more than 1,18,148 MBBS Seats, making it one of India’s top medical entrance examinations.
- NEET 2026 eligibility criteria 2026 also require candidates to have completed 17 years of age as on 31 December 2026.
- The NEET 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme indicate 4 marks to be awarded for a correct answer and -1 mark deducted for an incorrect answer.
What is the NEET Exam 2026?
The NEET 2026 is India’s national-level medical entrance exam, which is conducted by NTA to get admission into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other undergraduate medical courses.
- More than 2,300 colleges accept the NEET 2026 Score in India for different Medical and health courses.
- Including around 600-700 Medical colleges, 300+ dental colleges (BDS), and hundreds of AYUSH and BVSc & AH colleges.
NEET 2026 Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVSc & AH, BSc Nursing |
| Exam Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) |
| Duration | 3 hours (2 PM – 5 PM) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Expected Candidates | 20–22 lakh |
| MBBS Seats (Approx.) | 1.1 lakh |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
Check:
What's new in NEET 2026?
The NEET UG 2026 is conducted by NTA, including proper verification and a fully standardised exam format this year.
The Major focus is on registration, allotment of exam-centre, and a fixed exam pattern. You should be aware of these updates before filling out the application form.
| Change Introduced | Details |
| Aadhaar-based eKYC | Mandatory identity verification through Aadhaar during registration |
| Live photo capture | Candidates must capture a live photo while filling the form; old uploads are not allowed |
| Exam city allotment rule | City allocation is linked to the address details provided in the application |
| Pattern restored | Pre-COVID format returned; no optional questions in any subject |
| Total questions fixed | All 180 questions are compulsory (45 Physics, 45 Chemistry, 90 Biology) |
| Tech-based tracking | AI-based verification introduced to reduce errors |
If you are going to appear in NEET 2026, check this video by @Dr.AnandMani to know about major changes in the NEET 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus.
NEET 2026 Exam Dates
The NEET 2026 is conducted by NTA and will be held on 3rd May 2026, in an offline mode in India and abroad.
The registration process started on 8th February 2026, and you should follow the official timeline carefully to avoid missing key deadlines.
NEET 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date / Timeline |
| Registration Start Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 8, 2026 (up to 9 PM)
March 11, 2026 (9:00 PM) (Extended) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 8, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
March 11, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) (Extended) |
| Correction Window | Mid March 2026 (12 March expected) |
| Admit Card Release | Late April 2026 (expected) |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Result Declaration | By June 2026 (tentative) |
Source: NEET Information Bulletin
Check:
NEET 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Process
The NEET 2026 Registration is a multi-step process, for which you should complete the login, form filling, eKYC Verification, document upload and fee payment.
This year, the NEET Registration Process includes the Aadhaar-based eKYC, live photo capture, and stricter document verification, so candidates must complete each step carefully to avoid rejection.
You can check this video by @collegedunia to know about the complete step-by-step application process of NEET 2026.
NEET 2026 Registration Fees: Category-Wise Details
The NEET Registration Fees are expected to be the same as the previous year and will differ according to the category of the candidate. The NEET Fees should be paid online and will be non-refundable.
NEET 2026 Registration Fees (Expected)
| Category | Expected Application Fee |
| General | ₹1,700 |
| EWS, OBS | ₹1,600 |
| SC, ST, PwD | ₹1,000 |
| Candidates Outside India | ₹9,500 |
Check:
How Many Students appear for NEET Every Year?
The NEET Registration Statistics of every year show the medical competition in India, which shows the total number of candidates who applied and appeared on the exam day.
For the last 4 years, the registration has been similar, but there is a gap between the number of candidates registered and those who appeared.
NEET Registered vs Appeared Candidates (Last 4 Years)
- The NEET registrations have increased by around 29% from 2022 to 2024, which shows high demand in medical colleges.
- As more than 23+ lakh candidates appear every year, MBBS Seats are only around 1.18 lakh, which shows high pressure.
| Year | Registered Candidates | Appeared Candidates |
| NEET 2025 | 24,20,000 | 23,60,000 |
| NEET 2024 | 24,06,079 | 23,33,297 |
| NEET 2023 | 20,87,462 | 20,38,596 |
| NEET 2022 | 18,72,343 | 17,64,571 |
![NEET Registered vs Appeared Candidates]()
NEET Documents Required during Registration
For NEET 2026 Registration, candidates have to upload their identity, academic and category documents to verify their eligibility.
By Uploading clear, correct format files is crucial as mismatched and blurred documents can reject your application.
NEET 2026 Documents Required for Registration
| Document | Purpose | Key Specifications |
| Passport-size Photograph | Identity verification | Recent colour photo, white background, JPG/JPEG format |
| Postcard-size Photograph | Additional verification | 4”×6” size, colour, as per NTA format |
| Candidate Signature | Authentication of the application | Black pen on white paper, scanned in JPG/JPEG |
| Left & Right Thumb Impression | Biometric verification | Clear scan, blue/black ink, JPG format |
| Class 10 Certificate/Marksheet | Date of birth proof | PDF/JPG, clearly showing DOB |
| Class 12 Marksheet/Admit Card | Academic eligibility | Required for appearing/appeared candidates |
| Valid ID Proof | Identity confirmation | Aadhaar/Passport/PAN/School ID (PDF/JPG) |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | Reservation benefits | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD certificate in prescribed format |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable) | Disability quota | Issued by authorized medical authority |
NEET Eligibility 2026
With the NEET Eligibility, you can know about the minimum academic, age and nationality requirements you should meet before appearing for the exam. These will be notified by the NTA, UGC and NMC Regulations.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Overview Table
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
| Minimum Age | 17 years as of 31 December 2026 |
| Upper Age Limit | No upper age limit (as per current rules) |
| Educational Qualification | Passed / Appearing in Class 12 or equivalent |
| Mandatory Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs & Foreign Nationals |
| Number of Attempts | No limit |
| Open School / Private Candidates | Allowed, subject to NTA guidelines |
| Biology as an Additional Subject | Allowed (as per recent clarifications) |
To learn about NEET Eligibility, watch this video by Collegedunia, which covers age, Qualification, Marks, attempts, and reservation.
Also, Check:
How is NEET 2026 Different from Other Entrance Exams?
The NEET Exam is not conducted for selection in college, but it is a national medical eligibility and ranking test to get admission in medical colleges of India.
It is regulated by UGC Admission Policies, ensuring uniform eligibility, centralised counselling, and evaluation of the merit list for medical admissions across India, regardless of the board, state, or institution.
NEET 2026 vs Other Major Entrance Exams
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: Subject-Wise Marks & Weightage
The NEET UG 2026 follows the pre-COVID pattern, including 180 questions for 720 marks.
- The biology carries 50% of the total marks, making it the most scoring section.
- With no optional questions, the time management for all 180 questions is important.
- For top government MBBS Colleges, a safe score range is around 610-650+.
- The Accuracy in physics acts as a rank difference determiner among the top scorers.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Weightage |
| Physics | 45 | 4 | 180 | 25% |
| Chemistry |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 90 | 360 | 50% |
| Total | 180 | | 720 | 100% |
Check:
Ques. What is the total number of questions in NEET?
Ans. As per the NEET exam pattern published on the official website of NTA.
- Physics will carry 45 questions, 45 questions will be asked in Chemistry, and 90 questions will be asked in Biology.
- The total number of questions in NEET 2026 is 180.
Ques. What is the NEET marking scheme?
Ans. As per the NEET exam pattern and marking scheme, for each correct answer.
- With +4 marks will be awarded, and for each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
- There is no negative marking for unanswered questions in NEET 2026.
NEET Syllabus 2026
The NEET Syllabus is based on the NCERT Class 11 and 12 format, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
More than 100% of questions include NCERT concepts. By understanding the chapter-wise weightage, you can prioritise high-weightage topics and optimise your score.
NEET 2026: Physics Syllabus and Weightage
NEET 2026: Chemistry Syllabus and Weightage
NEET 2026: Biology Syllabus and Weightage
Direct PDFs for NEET Syllabus 2026
NEET Previous Year Question Paper
Also Check
NEET 2026 3 Months Preparation Strategy
As around 12 weeks are left for the NEET 2026 Exam, your focus should be on completion of the syllabus, revision, mock testing and improvement in accuracy.
According to the previous year toppers, by attempting around 35–45 full mocks and by revising biology several times in the final days, for a high score jump.
Month 1 (Day 1–30): Full Syllabus + Revision
| Week | Biology Focus | Chemistry Focus | Physics Focus | Tests & Analysis |
| Week 1 | Human Physiology + Cell | Physical Chem formulas | Mechanics revision | 2 full mocks + PYQs |
| Week 2 | Genetics + Plant Physiology | Organic basics (GOC) | Modern Physics | 2 full mocks |
| Week 3 | Ecology + Reproduction | Inorganic NCERT | Current Electricity | 3 full mocks |
| Week 4 | Full Biology revision | Mixed Chemistry | Mixed Physics | 3 full mocks |
Month 2 (Day 31–60): Mock Test + Weak Area
| Week | Biology Focus | Chemistry Focus | Physics Focus | Tests & Analysis |
| Week 5 | Genetics + Ecology revision | Organic reactions | Numericals practice | 3 mocks |
| Week 6 | Physiology rapid revision | Physical Chem practice | Magnetism + Optics | 3–4 mocks |
| Week 7 | NCERT diagrams & facts | Inorganic revision | Mixed PYQs | 4 mocks |
| Week 8 | Full syllabus revision | Formula revision | Mixed revision | 4 mocks |
Month 3 (Day 61–90): Final Revision
| Week | Biology Focus | Chemistry Focus | Physics Focus | Tests & Analysis |
| Week 9 | NCERT rapid revision | Organic + Inorganic mix | Mixed PYQs | 4 mocks |
| Week 10 | Diagrams & tables | Formula revision | Full physics practice | 5 mocks |
| Week 11 | Weak chapters only | Quick notes revision | High-weightage revision | 5 mocks |
| Week 12 | Final quick revision | Light revision | Formula recap | 6 mocks |
Also, Check:
NEET Cutoff 2026: How Many Marks are required to qualify?
The NEET Cutoff is the minimum score which is required to qualify for counselling. This will not guarantee admission, as it varies every year due to the difficulty level, the number of candidates, and seat availability, making category-wise cutoffs important for admission.
- The General category cutoff for MBBS Under AIQ starts at 580-600 marks, whereas top colleges close at 650+.
- The Paper difficulty has more impact on the cutoff than the total number of candidates.
- With the tougher physics exam, the cutoff will be lower by 10 to 20 marks.
- The State Quota cutoff is 20 to 40 marks less than the AIQ Cutoffs.
Expected NEET Cutoff (Category-Wise – Qualifying Cutoff)
| Category | Percentile Required | Expected Score Range |
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile | 160 – 165 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 125 – 130 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 120 – 125 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 110 – 115 |
| General-PwD | 45th Percentile | 145 – 150 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PwD | 40th Percentile | 120 – 125 |
NEET Previous-Year Cutoff Analysis
To have a proper idea, you can also check the NEET Previous-Year Cutoff Analysis of the years 2023, 2024 & 2025.
Source: @neet.nta.nic.in
NEET 2026: State-wise Cutoff
Also Read: NEET Top Colleges Cutoff
Colleges Accepting NEET Scores
The NEET Scores are mandatory to get admission into medical, dental, AYUSH and veterinary courses in India. As per the NEET Rank, candidates can get seats by AIQ, State Quota, Deemed Universities and central institutes.
Major Colleges & Institutes accepting NEET Scores
| College / Institution Name | College Type | Courses Offered | Admission Mode |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi | Central Institute | MBBS | AIQ (MCC) |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry |
| Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), Varanasi | Central University |
| Aligarh Muslim University (JNMCH), Aligarh | AIQ + Institutional Quota |
| Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi | Government Medical College | State + AIQ |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow |
| Grant Medical College, Mumbai |
| Madras Medical College, Chennai |
| Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore | Private (Minority) | State + Institutional Process |
| Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal | Deemed University | AIQ (MCC) |
| Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal | BDS |
| Government Dental College, Mumbai | Government Dental College | State + AIQ |
| National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur | Government AYUSH | BAMS | AACCC |
| Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Bengaluru | BHMS | State / AACCC |
| College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad | Government Veterinary | BVSc & AH | State Counselling |
FAQs for NEET 2026
Ques. Is NEET 2026 going to be tough?
Ans. The NEET Difficulty level generally moderate but competitive, more than 20 lakh candidates, compete for 1.1 lakh MBBS Seats.
- The NEET Exam is usually NCERT-Based, but rank pressure and cutoff scores makes the exam more tougher than the questions.
- Biology is the most scoring, and physics decides the top ranking of the candidates.
- The Cutoff depends more on the competition rather than the difficulty level.
- A score of 620–650+ is typically needed for top government MBBS seats.
Ques. What is the age for NEET 2026?
Ans. If you are 17 or above till 31st December, 2026, to appear in NEET 2026. There is no upper age limit, as per the recent eligibility criteria.
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Minimum Age | 17 years by Dec 31, 2026 |
| Date of Birth | On or before Dec 31, 2009 |
| Upper Age Limit | No limit |
| Attempts Limit | No restriction |
Ques. Can I clear NEET in 2026?
Ans. Yes, by clearing the NEET depends upon proper revision, PYQs practice and mock accuracy, not just the study hours.
- Many candidates improves their scores by 100+ marks in the last 3-4 months by proper revision and testing.
- For 600+ score usually requires 2–3 full revisions + 35–45 mocks.
- Attempting 160–170 questions with high accuracy improves selection chances.
Ques. What is the duration of the NEET exam 2026?
Ans. The NEET 2026 will be held in single shift, with a time duration of 3 hours. You should answer all 180 MCQs, in fixed time.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
Ques. Will the NEET cutoff decrease in 2026?
Ans. The NEET 2026 cutoff is expected to be similar to last year, with minor changes based on the difficulty of the exam, the number of test-takers, and the availability of seats.
For the general category, the cutoff range last year was 686 to 114 marks, whereas for OBC/SC/ST categories, it was 143 to 113 marks.
Ques. What are the NEET marks for MBBS?
Ans. The NEET marks for admission in MBBS are the minimum marks that must be obtained by a candidate in the NEET UG exam to qualify for admission into an MBBS program in India.
The minimum marks differ every year depending on the difficulty level of the exam, available seats, and category.
Minimum NEET Marks Required for MBBS:
| Category | Expected NEET Score Range | Remarks |
| General (UR) | 600 – 720 | Required for top government medical colleges |
| OBC/SC/ST | 480 – 600 | Depends on the state and college |
| Government College (Min.) | 590 – 620 | Depends on the state quota or the All India Quota |
| Private College | 250 – 450 | Varies significantly across institutions |
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