NEET UG 2026 is tentatively scheduled to be held on May 3, 2026 (the first Sunday of May). The National Testing Agency (NTA) has already begun issuing essential pre-registration advisories as of early January 2026 .
Key Exam Dates (Tentative)
- Official Notification & Registration: Expected in the first week of February 2026
- Admit Card Release: Anticipated in April 2026, typically 3–4 days before the exam.
- Exam Date: May 3, 2026 (Offline, Pen-and-Paper mode).
- Result Declaration: Expected by the second week of June 2026.
Major Changes & Security Updates
- Strict Verification: NTA is expected to introduce live photo capture at exam centres, which will be matched against Aadhaar or identity card photos to prevent impersonation.
- Aadhaar Updation: Candidates are strictly advised to update their Aadhaar card (especially if the photo is old), UDID card (for PwD), and category certificates before the registration portal opens.
- Pattern Reversion: The exam pattern has reverted to the pre-COVID format. There is no longer a “Section B” with optional questions; candidates must now attempt 180 compulsory questions within 180 minutes (3 hours).
Syllabus & Exam Details
- Syllabus Released: The official syllabus was finalized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and released on January 8, 2026. It remains strictly aligned with Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks.
- Marking Scheme: Standard +4 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect ones.
- Total Marks: 720 (Physics: 180, Chemistry: 180, Biology: 360).
- Languages: Conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, and regional options like Bengali, Gujarati, and Tamil.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2009) [1.2, 1.34]. There is no upper age limit.
- Educational Qualification: Must have passed or be appearing for the 12th Board exam with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
- Minimum Marks (PCB Aggregate): 50% for General, 45% for General-PwD, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC.
For official updates and to download the information bulletin once released, visit the official NTA NEET website.
