As per the NEET exam pattern changes 2026, there will be a total of 180 compulsory questions, with no optional section or extra time. The NEET exam 2026 will be in MCQ and the total duration for the exam will be 3 hours (180 minutes).
There was discussion to change the NEET exam mode to Online possible 2027 or 2028, but the NEET 2026 will be pen-and-paper-based only.
Candidates are advised to always look for official information from the NTA for the latest official PDF regarding the NEET exam pattern changes 2026.
Where to Find the official PDF to Download NEET 2026 Updated Syllabus PDF by NTA:
- Visit the NTA official website: neet.nta.nic.in
- Then go to the “Latest News” or “Candidate Activity” sections on the website.
- The official PDF regarding the NEET exam pattern changes 2026 or Syllabus will be released there.
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Key Summary
- Your NEET 2026 paper will have 200 questions in total, but the good news is that you only need to answer 180.
- In every subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), there are two parts:
- Section A: 35 questions, all compulsory.
- Section B: 15 questions, but you can pick any 10 you like.
- The exam will still be for 3 hours and 20 minutes, and just like before, it will be held offline on an OMR sheet.
- The syllabus is based fully on the NCERT Class 11 and 12 books, but some chapters have been either removed or cut down as per the latest NCERT updates.
- When it comes to your weightage, Biology is the core of the paper, making up about 50% of the marks. Physics and Chemistry share the rest equally at 25% each.
- For passing marks out of 720, General category students usually need around 50%. OBC/SC/ST students get a relaxation of about 40%. PwD candidates also have a slightly relaxed cutoff.
Major NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026
The biggest NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026 is that now you’ll get some choice in questions. Every subject, i.e., Physics, Chemistry and Biology, is divided into two parts:
- Section A: 35 questions, and you have to attempt all of them.
- Section B: 15 questions, but you only need to pick any 10.
So overall, your paper will have 200 questions, but you only need to attempt 180. Now, take a quick look at the NEET exam 2026 paper pattern after changes:
| Change | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 200 questions in the paper, but you attempt only 180. |
| Sections | Each subject has Section A (35 Qs compulsory) + Section B (15 Qs, attempt any 10). |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes). |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for wrong, 0 for not attempted. |
| Mode of Exam | Pen-and-paper (offline). |
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NEET Exam Details and GuidelinesNEET Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
Your NEET paper will have a total of 200 questions, but you only need to answer 180 questions.
- How many Questions are there in NEET?: There are 180 compulsory questions in NEET.
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Section A: 35 mandatory questions in each subject
- Section B: 15 questions, attempt any 10
- The time duration of the NEET exam is 3 hours
Look at the highlights of the NEET exam 2026 pattern:
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions in Paper | 180 Compulsory questions |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Section Division | Section A (35 compulsory) + Section B (15, attempt any 10) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (pen-and-paper) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong, 0 for not attempted |
What is the NEET 2026 Syllabus?
The NEET 2026 syllabus is nothing new because it’s the same as your NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 syllabus. So whatever you’ve studied in school is exactly what will come in your exam.
Your paper will include Physics, Chemistry and Biology, but remember that Biology has the highest weightage, so it will play the biggest role in your score.
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET 2026 Physics Syllabus
| Class 11 Physics Topics | Class 12 Physics Topics |
|---|---|
| Physical world and Measurement | Electrostatics |
| Kinematics | Current Electricity |
| Laws of Motion | Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism |
| Work, Energy and Power | Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents |
| Motion of a System of Particles and a Rigid Body | Electromagnetic Waves |
| Gravitation | Optics |
| Properties of Bulk Matter | Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation |
| Thermodynamics | Atoms and Nuclei |
| Behaviour of a Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory | Electronic Devices |
| Oscillations and Waves | — |
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET 2026 Chemistry Syllabus
| Class 11 Chemistry Topics | Class 12 Chemistry Topics |
|---|---|
| Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | Solid State |
| Structure of an Atom | Solutions |
| Classification of Elements and Periodicity | Electrochemistry |
| Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure | Chemical Kinetics |
| States of Matter: Gases and Liquids | Surface Chemistry |
| Thermodynamics | The p-Block Element (Group 15,16,17,18) |
| Equilibrium | The d-Block Element (Transition Elements) |
| The Redox Reaction | The f-Block Element (Lanthanides, Actinides) |
| The Hydrogen | Coordination Compounds |
| The s-Block Element (Alkali, Alkaline Earth) | Haloalkanes and Haloarenes |
| The p-Block Element (Group 13,14) | Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers |
| The Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques | Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids |
| The Hydrocarbons | Amines |
| The Environmental Chemistry | Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life |
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET 2026 Biology Syllabus
| Class 11 Biology Topics | Class 12 Biology Topics |
|---|---|
| Diversity of the Living World | Reproduction |
| Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants | Genetics and Evolution |
| Cell Structure and Function | Biology and Human Welfare |
| Plant Physiology | Biotechnology and Its Applications |
| Human Physiology | Ecology and Environment |
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NEET 2026 SyllabusNEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET Chapter-Wise Weightage
- For your exam, Biology has the maximum weightage, and within it, chapters like Human Physiology, Genetics and Ecology are super important.
- In Physics and Chemistry, you should pay special attention to topics such as Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry and Chemical Bonding because these areas often get the most questions.
Check out the detailed NEET 2026 syllabus weightage below:
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET Physics Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Physics Topics | Weightage (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Mechanics | 20% |
| Thermodynamics | 10% |
| Current Electricity | 6% |
| Electrostatics | 5% |
| Magnetism | 9% |
| Oscillations & Waves | 6% |
| Optics | 9% |
| Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei, Dual Nature) | 10% |
| Properties of Matter & Fluids | 5% |
| Work, Energy & Power | 4% |
| Gravitation | 3% |
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET Chemistry Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Chemistry Topics | Weightage (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Bonding | 10% |
| Coordination Compounds | 9% |
| Organic Chemistry (General + Hydrocarbons + Functional Groups) | 15% |
| Thermodynamics | 8% |
| Equilibrium | 7% |
| p-Block Elements | 7% |
| d-Block Elements | 6% |
| Atomic Structure | 6% |
| Electrochemistry | 5% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 4% |
| Solid State & Solutions | 4% |
| Biomolecules & Polymers | 4% |
NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026: NEET Biology Chapter-Wise Weightage
| Biology Topics | Weightage (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Human Physiology | 20% |
| Genetics and Evolution | 18% |
| Ecology and Environment | 12% |
| Reproduction (Plant + Human) | 10% |
| Biotechnology | 10% |
| Cell Structure & Function | 9% |
| Plant Physiology | 8% |
| Diversity of Living World | 7% |
| Structural Organisation (Animals & Plants) | 6% |
| Biology in Human Welfare | 5% |
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NEET Chapter Wise Weightage| NEET UG Syllabus 2026 | Links |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Physics Syllabus | Download pdf |
| NEET UG 2026 Chemistry Syllabus | Download pdf |
| NEET UG 2026 Biology Syllabus | Download pdf |
Passing Marks in NEET 2026 Out of 720
The NEET exam pass mark is the minimum mark you need out of 720 to qualify. Since the paper has 180 questions × 4 marks each = 720 marks, your score must be at least:
- 50th percentile if you are from the General category
- 40th percentile if you belong to the SC, ST or OBC categories
NEET 2026 Passing Marks (Expected)
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Passing Marks (Out of 720) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR/EWS) | 50th Percentile | 135–145 Marks |
| OBC/SC/ST | 40th Percentile | 105–115 Marks |
| General-PwD | 45th Percentile | 120–130 Marks |
| OBC/SC/ST PwD | 40th Percentile | 105–115 Marks |
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How to Calculate NEET Marks with Negative MarkingSubject-Wise Marks Distribution in NEET 2026
To reach the passing marks, you need to know how marks are divided across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
| Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
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NEET Exam Pattern Changes 2026 FAQs
FAQs
Ques. Is the NEET pattern changed for 2026?
Ans. Yes, the NEET 2026 exam pattern has changed a little. Now your paper will have 200 questions in total, but you only need to attempt 180.
Each subject is divided into two parts:
- Section A: 35 compulsory questions
- Section B: 15 questions, but you can attempt any 10
The marking scheme stays the same:
- +4 marks for every correct answer
- -1 mark for every wrong answer
Ques. What will be NEET 2026 exam level?
Ans. Your paper will be moderate to tough, just like in the past years.
- Physics is usually the most tricky, Chemistry stays balanced, and Biology is where you score the most.
Ques. Is NEET 2026 in two phases?
Ans. No, your exam will be in one single phase.
- It will be conducted on one day only across all centres.
- The mode remains offline (pen and paper OMR sheet).
Ques. Is NEET 2026 tough or easy?
Ans. Whether you find NEET tough or easy really depends on how you prepare.
- If you stick to NCERT books and keep practising with mock tests regularly, the exam will start to feel much easier.
- Biology usually balances out the paper, so make it your strongest subject.
Ques. Can I clear NEET 2026 if I start now?
Ans. Yes, you can definitely clear NEET 2026 if you start preparing today.
- Begin with your NCERT books because they’re the backbone of the exam.
- After that, keep practising MCQs in Physics and Chemistry for problem-solving focus.
- Don’t forget to take mock tests regularly because they’ll help you build a base, improve speed and also get used to the real exam feel.
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