NEET Exam 2026 updates are here! Check syllabus, exam date, pattern & top strategies to crack NEET and get into top MBBS colleges.
Last updated · 20 April 2026
Key highlights at a glance
The NEET Exam 2026 is the gateway to pursue MBBS in India. The nationwide exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) is your chance to secure a seat in MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses across the country. Aspiring doctors and dentists of India, mark your calendars! The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) is around the corner, and this year holds some crucial updates you must be aware of. Let’s break it down:
NEET is a single national entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS), and AYUSH courses in government and private institutions across India. It’s also mandatory to pursue these qualifications abroad.
NEET Exam registration forms have been released as of February 8, 2026. NTA releases the official notification for the NEET Application Form on the official website, i.e., exam.nta.ac.in. As per the latest notification, the last submission date for the application form is March 11, 2026.
There is no age limit for the NEET exam 2026, and there is also no limit to the number of attempts. Eligible candidates can assess the NEET Exam application form in 2026. The NTA released the syllabus for the exam, and the good thing is that the syllabus has been reduced from 97 chapters to 79 chapters
Speak with our admission counsellors for personalised guidance on fees, eligibility, and seat booking.
NEET exam details are summarized in the table below. Candidates can complete every exam component.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
|
NEET Full Form
|
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test
|
|
Exam Mode
|
Offline
|
|
Conducting Body
|
NTA (National Testing Agency)
|
|
Exam Level
|
Undergraduate (UG) Exam for National Level
|
|
Exam Frequency
|
Once in a year
|
|
Total Registration (2026)
|
26 lakh (2.6 million)
|
|
Courses offered through the NEET exam
|
MBBS, BDS, BSc, Nursing, BAMS, BVSC, AH, etc.
|
|
Exam Fees
|
INR 1,700 for the General category
INR 1,600 for OBC INR 1,000 for the Reserved category INR 950 for Foreign students |
|
Total Duration of the NEET exam
|
3 hours, 20 minutes
|
|
Total Number of Questions
|
200 (180 to be attempted)
|
|
Marking Scheme
|
+4 each correct answer
-1 each wrong answer |
|
Total Marks
|
720
|
|
Language of Exam
|
13
|
|
Total number of seats
|
MBBS- 1,09,015
BDS- 27,868 BMS-52,720 BVSc & AH- 603 |
|
NTA NEET Helpline Number
|
011-40759000
|
|
NEET Official Website
|
www.neet.ntaonline.in
|
Here’s a summary of the NEET eligibility criteria for 2026:
The NEET 2026 application process is currently open and will close on March 11, 2026. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) released the official NEET syllabus 2026 on October 6, 2025. It covers three major subjects: physics, chemistry, and biology. To deepen your knowledge, download the NEET syllabus for 2026 .
Download Here: NEET Syllabus 2026
NEET exam preparation should start well in advance since the competition is quite high. With approx. 26 lakh students for the NEET examination, we must ensure hard work and practice to crack the exam. Candidates can refer to the tips that are provided below so that they can get a good score.
Exam Mode: Pen and Paper Based (Offline)
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Total Marks: 720
Number of Questions: 200 (Physics: 50, Chemistry: 50, Biology: 100)
| Subjects | Section A (35 Que) | Section B (Que) | Total (Attempted) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Physics
|
35
|
10 attempts
|
45
|
|
Chemistry
|
35
|
10 attempts
|
45
|
|
Biology
|
35
|
10 attempts
|
45
|
Expected Release Date: The NEET UG admit card is expected to be released in the first week of May, potentially around May 1st, 2026. This is based on the previous year’s predictions.
Official Website: Monitor the official NEET website, https://neet.nta.nic.in/ for the latest updates on the admit card release date. It will be announced there first.
Exam Date: Remember, the NEET 2026 exam itself is scheduled for May 3rd, 2026.
Downloading the Admit Card: Once released, you can download your admit card by following these steps:
Important Note: The admit card is a crucial document for appearing in the NEET exam. It contains important information like your exam center, roll number, reporting time, and exam day guidelines. Make sure you download and print your admit card well in advance of the exam date.
NEET Exam 2026 centers will be located in 554 cities across India. Last year, the NEET exam was conducted in 499 cities in India and 14 international cities. There were more than 4,000 NEET exam locations in all. As expected, there are more NEET UG 2026 centers overall than there were the previous year to accommodate more candidates from more geographic areas. Along with the information brochure, NTA has released the list of cities or exam centers for NEET 2026.
The NEET Exam 2026 cutoff will be released along with the result. The table shows the NEET 2025 cutoff marks and percentiles for the last year.
| Category | NEET 2023 Cutoff Percentiles | NEET Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|---|
|
General/EWS
|
50
|
686 – 144
|
|
OBC, SC, ST
|
40
|
143 – 113
|
|
General/EWS/PH
|
45
|
143 – 127
|
|
OBC, SC, ST & PH
|
40
|
126 – 113
|
The NEET Results 2026 will be declared in June, 2026. The NEET UG result will be declared in online mode in the form of a scorecard. Candidates will have to download the scorecard in PDF format. The NEET 2026 result will carry the following details:
The NEET UG counseling process is conducted by the Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) for 15% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats and by the respective state counseling bodies for the remaining 85% of state quota seats.
Register online on the MCC website (for AIQ seats) or the website of your state counseling body (for state quota seats).
Fill in and lock in your choices of colleges and courses based on your preferences and eligibility.
Seats will be allotted based on your rank, choices filled, and seat availability.
Get your documents verified at the designated center.
Report to the allotted college with all the required documents to complete the admission process.
NEET UG is the gateway to admission to multiple medical opportunities:
NEET Exam 2026 is a key step for students aspiring to enter the medical field. Conducted by the National Testing Agency, it requires strong conceptual understanding, consistent practice, and effective time management. With increasing competition, early preparation and regular revision play a vital role in achieving a good score. Staying updated with official notifications and completing the application process on time is equally important. NEET Exam 2026 is not only a test of knowledge but also of discipline and strategy. With proper guidance and dedication, students can successfully secure admission to a reputed medical college.
Answer: To qualify NEET, you need to clear the cutoff set by the National Testing Agency, which varies every year.
Higher marks improve your chances of getting a better college.
Answer: Yes, appearing students can apply for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET). He/she needs to submit the related documents to prove their eligibility at the time of NEET counseling.
Answer: The minimum marks vary by category
Answer: Yes, you can apply provisionally if you’re appearing for your Class 12 exams in 2024.
Answer: No, there is no upper age limit for NEET.
