🏛 Exam Introduction
- Full Name: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) – NEET UG 2026
- Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Purpose: Admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS, and B.Sc Nursing; also BVSc & AH in some states
- Mode: Offline, OMR-based pen & paper
- Language Options: 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam)
- Exam Level: National (single-day test across India & select foreign centres)
📅 Important Dates (Tentative – NEET UG 2026)
- Information Bulletin & Application: Jan–Mar 2026
- Correction Window: March 2026
- Admit Card: Late April 2026
- Exam Date: First/Second Sunday of May 2026 (single shift)
- Answer Key & OMR Display: ~1–2 weeks after exam
- Result & Scorecard: ~June 2026
Exact dates will be confirmed by NTA’s official notice/brochure.
🎓 Eligibility
- Qualification: Class 12 / 10+2 / equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as core subjects.
- Minimum Marks (Qualifying exam):
- UR/EWS: 50% in PCB aggregate
- OBC/SC/ST: 40% in PCB aggregate
- PwD (UR): 45% in PCB (as per latest brochure; category rules apply)
- Age: 17 years or more by 31 Dec 2026; upper age limit removed (subject to prevailing regulations).
- Attempts: No cap (as per current policy).
- Other: Indian citizens, OCI/PIO, NRIs, and foreign nationals as per rules. Additional Nursing eligibility may apply (e.g., English + age).
📝 Application Process
- Register on the NTA NEET portal with email & mobile.
- Fill Form: personal details, category, academic info, exam city choices.
- Upload scanned photo, signature, left thumb impression, and other documents as specified.
- Pay Fee online (UPI/Net banking/cards).
- Download Confirmation, note application number.
- Corrections: Use the correction window for permissible fields.
- Advance City Intimation → Admit Card → Exam Day.
💰 Application Fee (Indicative)
- Category-wise slabs (UR, EWS/OBC-NCL, SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender) + outside India test-centre fee.
- Exact amounts vary year to year—refer to the official brochure for 2026.
🧾 Exam Pattern & Marking
- Mode: OMR (black/blue ball pen; fill bubbles carefully).
- Duration: 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes).
- Subjects & Questions (per recent format):
- Physics: Section A 35 Q + Section B 15 Q (attempt 10)
- Chemistry: Section A 35 Q + Section B 15 Q (attempt 10)
- Biology (Botany & Zoology): each has Section A 35 Q + Section B 15 Q (attempt 10)
- Total on Paper: 200 questions; attempt any 180.
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, –1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted.
- Syllabus: Largely aligned to Class 11 & 12 (NCERT-based) in Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
📘 Syllabus Snapshot
Physics
Units & Measurements, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work–Energy–Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Oscillations & Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism & EMI, Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms & Nuclei, Semiconductors & Communication.
Chemistry
Physical: Mole concept, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Solutions, Surface Chemistry.
Inorganic: Periodic Table & Trends, Chemical Bonding, s/p/d/f-block, Coordination, Hydrogen & its Compounds, Metallurgy.
Organic: GOC, Hydrocarbons, Haloalkanes/arenes, Alcohols/phenols/ethers, Aldehydes/ketones/acids, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Everyday Chemistry.
Biology (Botany & Zoology)
Diversity of Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants & Animals, Cell Structure & Division, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics & Evolution, Biology in Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology & Environment.
🎫 Admit Card & Exam Centre Rules
- Admit Card: Download from NTA portal; verify photo, signature, roll no., paper timing, and test centre.
- Dress Code: Simple clothing; follow rules for footwear, metal items, jewellery, accessories.
- Allowed Items: Admit card with self-declaration, passport photo, valid ID, transparent water bottle (if allowed), and other items specifically permitted by NTA.
- Biometric & frisking at centres; report well in time.
🗝️ Result, Score & Normalization
- Scorecard: Raw score out of 720; percentile calculated using relative performance.
- Tie-breaking (indicative): Higher Biology marks → Chemistry → Physics → fewer incorrect in Biology/Chemistry/Physics → age/order as per rules in effect.
- Validity: NEET results typically valid for current academic year in India; different rules can apply for foreign/overseas admissions.
🎓 Counselling & Seat Allotment
Central/All India (by MCC):
- 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in Govt colleges (except some state exceptions).
- 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC (as applicable).
- Process: Registration → Choice filling/locking → Seat allotment rounds → Reporting/Document verification → Upgradation/Stray vacancy.
State Counselling (by State Authorities):
- 85% State Quota Govt seats + state private college seats.
- Domicile/reservation rules vary by state.
- Separate registrations/portals; schedules differ from MCC.
Keep an eye on both MCC and your state counselling portals.
🧑⚕️ Participating Courses & Institutes
- MBBS, BDS in Govt, Govt-aided, Central, Deemed, and Private colleges.
- AYUSH: BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS via AYUSH counselling/state rounds.
- B.Sc Nursing: Many institutions use NEET UG rank (check institute-specific rules).
- Veterinary (BVSc & AH): Through state counselling as per university norms.
🎯 Reservation (Snapshot)
- AIQ: SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD as per central policy (MCC).
- States: Follow state-specific reservation matrices (including domicile, category, subcategory).
- PwD: Benchmark disability as notified; certificate format required.
📋 Exam-Day Guidelines
- Reach centre at least 1 hour early; follow reporting & entry cut-offs.
- Carry Admit Card + Photo ID + photos as specified; follow self-declaration instructions if applicable.
- Use NTA-provided pens (if issued) and OMR carefully; rough work on test booklet.
- No electronic devices, calculators, stationery (unless allowed), or barred items.
❓ FAQs
Q1. Is there negative marking in NEET UG?
Yes. +4 for correct, –1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted.
Q2. How many questions must I attempt?
Paper shows 200 questions; you can attempt any 180 (A sections compulsory; B sections attempt 10 of 15).
Q3. Is there an age limit?
Minimum 17 years by 31 Dec 2026. Upper age limit currently removed (subject to updates).
Q4. Can I sit NEET UG in a regional language?
Yes, 13 language options exist; choose during application (availability is centre-dependent).
Q5. Who conducts counselling?
MCC for AIQ/Deemed/Central/AIIMS/JIPMER; State authorities for state quota & private colleges.
🔗 Quick Links
- NTA NEET UG Portal: (add when 2026 link is live)
- MCC Counselling (AIQ/Deemed/Central/AIIMS/JIPMER): mcc.nic.in
- AYUSH Counselling (BAMS/BHMS/BSMS/BUMS): aaccc.gov.in
- Your State Counselling: add the specific DME/DHS portal link