NEET UG 2026 Medical Entrance Exam – Gateway to MBBS, BDS & Medical Courses | Register Now

Introduction

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026 is India’s most prestigious and nationally recognized medical entrance examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). NEET UG 2026 serves as the sole gateway for admission to Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), and various other undergraduate medical and paramedical courses across India’s premier medical institutions. With an estimated participation of over 20 lakh candidates, NEET UG stands as one of the world’s largest medical entrance examinations, offering opportunities to pursue medical careers at thousands of recognized institutions nationwide.​

The examination is designed to identify and select the most talented medical aspirants possessing strong conceptual understanding of scientific principles, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities essential for medical practice. NEET qualification opens doors to admission in government medical colleges, private medical institutions, deemed universities, AIIMS, and other premier medical institutions offering world-class medical education and training.​

About NEET UG and Its Significance

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been the unified medical entrance examination in India since 2016, replacing multiple state and national-level medical entrance examinations. NEET UG is conducted on a national scale to ensure uniform standards and merit-based selection of medical candidates. The examination assesses comprehensive knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, testing candidates’ capacity to pursue medical education and contribute to healthcare delivery in India and globally.​

Qualifying for NEET UG opens unprecedented opportunities for career progression in the medical field, including specialization in various medical disciplines, research opportunities, and international medical practice recognition. The examination is recognized by medical regulatory bodies across India and acknowledged by many international medical councils, making NEET qualifiers eligible for medical practice worldwide.​

Examination Overview and Structure

NEET UG 2026 Examination Details:

• Conducting Authority: National Testing Agency (NTA)

• Exam Mode: Pen and Paper Mode (OMR-based) – Offline Examination

• Total Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes)

• Total Questions: 200 questions (180 MCQ + 20 MCQ with numerical answers)

• Total Marks: 720 marks

• Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with a single correct answer

• Marking Scheme: +4 marks for a correct answer, -1 mark for an incorrect answer

• Frequency: Conducted once annually

• Exam Date (Tentative): May 3, 2026 (First Sunday of May)

• Exam Duration: 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes)

• Languages Available: 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Urdu

• Exam Centers: 3,500+ centers across India and international centers in select countries

• Score Validity: Valid for one academic year (2026-2027 admission cycle only)

• Number of Attempts: Unlimited attempts allowed (no cap on maximum attempts)​

Paper Structure and Question Distribution

NEET UG 2026 Paper Composition:

• Physics: 50 questions, 200 marks

  • 45 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): 180 marks

  • 5 Numerical Answer Type Questions: 20 marks

• Chemistry: 50 questions, 200 marks

  • 45 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): 180 marks

  • 5 Numerical Answer Type Questions: 20 marks

• Biology (Botany + Zoology): 100 questions, 400 marks

  • Botany: 50 questions, 200 marks

    • 45 MCQ: 180 marks

    • 5 NAT: 20 marks

  • Zoology: 50 questions, 200 marks

    • 45 MCQ: 180 marks

    • 5 NAT: 20 marks

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +4 marks per question

• Incorrect Answer: -1 mark per question

• Unanswered: 0 marks

• Maximum possible score: 720 marks​

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification:

• Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination (10+2 system)

• Compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology

• English is a compulsory language

• Candidates appearing in the Class 12 examination in 2026 can also apply (must pass before admission)

• Equivalent qualifications from recognized universities or international boards recognized by the Government of India

Age Requirement:

• Minimum Age: 17 years as on December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2008)

• Maximum Age: No upper age limit – Candidates of any age can appear

• Important: Candidates must complete 17 years by December 31 of the year of admission

Minimum Qualifying Marks:

• General Category: 50% aggregate marks in Class 12 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology combined)

• OBC/SC/ST Category: 40% aggregate marks in Class 12

• Note: Mathematics marks are NOT considered; Physics, Chemistry, and Biology marks are evaluated

Nationality:

• Indian citizens

• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) with valid documentation

• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders

• Foreign nationals

• NRIs (Non-Resident Indians)

• All are eligible to appear for NEET UG 2026

Number of Attempts:

• No limit on attempts – Candidates can appear unlimited times

• Previous year scorers: Can appear again in 2026 to improve their score

Important Requirement:

• Must not have appeared for NEET in the same calendar year

• Valid government-issued identification for verification​

Important Dates and Application Timeline

NEET UG 2026 Critical Schedule (Tentative):

• Official Notification Release: February 2026 (1st week)

• Online Registration Start Date: February 2026 (1st week)

• Application Form Submission Deadline: March 2026 (1st week) – Expected March 10, 2026

• Last Date for Fee Payment: March 2026

• Application Correction Window: March 2026 (2nd week)

• Admit Card Release: April/May 2026 (by May 1, tentative)

• NEET UG 2026 Exam Date: May 3, 2026 (First Sunday of May)

• Provisional Answer Key Release: June 2026 (1st week)

• Final Answer Key Release: June 2026 (3rd week)

• NEET Result Declaration: June 2026 (3rd week)

• Counselling Process Begins: July 2026

• Counselling Deadline: August 2026

• Seat Allotment: August-September 2026

• Admission/Joining: September-October 2026​

Category-Wise Application Fee Structure

NEET UG 2026 Application Fees:

Important Fee Information:

• Application fees are non-refundable under any circumstances

• Processing charges and GST are additional and must be paid by the candidate

• Multiple payment options available (debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, PayPal)

• Receipts must be downloaded and saved for future reference

• No fee concession available; candidates pay the full amount as per category

• Late fee or additional charges are not applicable if submitted before the deadline​

How to Apply Online for NEET UG 2026

Step-by-Step Registration and Application Process:

1. Visit Official Portal: Navigate to neet.nta.nic.in or nta.ac.in

2. Register New Account: Click “New Registration” and provide:

   • Valid email address

   • Active mobile number

   • Create a strong password

   • Accept terms and conditions

3. Email Verification: Receive OTP on the registered email and verify the account

4. Log in to Portal: Use the application number and password to access the account

5. Provide Personal Information:

   • Full name (exactly as per Class 12 certificate)

   • Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY format)

   • Gender

   • Category (General/OBC-NCL/EWS/SC/ST)

   • Nationality

   • Permanent and correspondence addresses

   • District and state details

   • Parent/Guardian contact information

6. Enter Educational Details:

   • Class 10 board name and year of passing

   • Class 12 board name and year of passing

   • Class 12 marks obtained (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English separately)

   • Percentage of marks

   • Whether appearing for Class 12 in 2026

7. Select Examination Preferences:

   • Choose examination language (English/Hindi/Other available languages)

   • Select up to 4 exam cities/centers in order of preference

   • Indicate whether previously appeared for NEET (if applicable)

8. Upload Required Documents:

   • Passport-size photograph (colored, 50×60 mm, JPEG, 20-200 KB, 80% face visible)

   • Postcard-size photograph (colored, JPEG, 4×6 inch, 50-300 KB)

   • Signature (30×60 mm, JPEG, 10-100 KB)

   • Left thumb impression (scanned copy)

   • Right thumb impression (scanned copy)

   • Class 10 mark sheet (scanned copy)

   • Class 12 mark sheet/certificate (scanned copy)

   • Government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID)

   • Category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

   • PwD certificate (if applicable)

9. Pay Application Fee: Complete online payment via:

   • Debit Card

   • Credit Card

   • Net Banking

   • UPI

   • PayPal (international candidates)

10. Submit Application: Review all information carefully and submit the form

11. Save Confirmation: Download the application receipt with the application number and password​

Career Opportunities After NEET Qualification

• Direct admission to MBBS programs at government and private medical colleges

• Admission to BDS (Dental), BAMS (Ayurveda), BHMS (Homeopathy), and other medical courses

• Access to premier institutions like AIIMS and CMC colleges

• Scholarship opportunities for talented medical candidates

• Pathway to postgraduate medical studies (MD, MS specializations)

• Career in medical research and academic medicine

• International medical practice and migration opportunities

• Average annual salary in the medical profession: ₹8-20+ lakh (varies by specialization and experience)