NEET PG 2026 Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Duration – MD/MS Study Strategy & Subject Coverage

NEET PG 2026 is the gateway to postgraduate medical education in India. Every MBBS graduate aiming for MD/MS or PG Diploma courses must clear this competitive national-level exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). The NEET PG 2026 syllabus is vast, covering 19 subjects from your entire MBBS curriculum – pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects. Understanding the complete syllabus, exam pattern, duration, and adopting a strategic study approach is essential to achieve a competitive rank and secure admission to your desired medical specialty.

NEET PG 2026 Exam Pattern & Duration Overview

Before starting your preparation, it’s crucial to understand the exact exam structure and how the exam is conducted. The NEET PG 2026 exam follows a standardized format with important details that will directly impact your study strategy:

Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Online examination

Total Questions: 200 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Marks: 800 marks

Exam Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes total)

Question Type: Single Best Answer (MCQs) – 4 options per question

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +4 marks

• Incorrect Answer: −1 mark

• Unattempted Question: 0 marks

Sectional Time Limits: 5 sections with 40 questions each, 42 minutes per section. Once you complete a section within the 42-minute limit, you cannot return to it. If you don’t complete a section in time, you cannot move to the next section.

Language: English only

This exam pattern requires precise time management. With an average of 63 seconds per question (210 minutes ÷ 200 questions), you must balance accuracy with speed. The sectional time limits add extra pressure – you cannot skip difficult questions and return to them later.

Complete NEET PG 2026 Syllabus – 19 Subjects Overview

The NMC NEET PG 2026 syllabus covers the entire MBBS curriculum divided into three major categories. Unlike NEET UG, NEET PG emphasizes clinical application, case-based reasoning, and practical problem-solving rather than pure theoretical knowledge.

Category-Wise Weightage Distribution

This distribution shows that clinical subjects carry the highest weightage (50–60%), making them your primary study focus.

Subject-Wise Breakdown & Weightage

Understanding the individual weightage of each subject helps you allocate study time effectively and prioritize high-yield topics.

Pre-Clinical Subjects (Approximately 50 marks out of 800)

Anatomy – Weightage: 17 marks

This subject forms the anatomical foundation for all clinical subjects. You need to study:

• General anatomy concepts

• Regional anatomy of all body systems

• Cross-sectional anatomy

• Clinical applications of anatomical structures

• Developmental anatomy where clinically relevant

Focus on areas with direct clinical relevance like anatomy of nerves, blood vessels, and organs.

Physiology – Weightage: 17 marks

Physiology bridges basic science and clinical medicine. Key topics include:

• Cardiovascular physiology

• Respiratory physiology

• Nervous system physiology

• Renal physiology

• Gastrointestinal physiology

• Endocrine physiology

• Reproductive physiology

Understand mechanisms and pathophysiological changes in diseases rather than memorizing isolated facts.

Biochemistry – Weightage: 16 marks

Biochemistry questions in NEET PG test metabolic understanding and enzyme functions. Focus areas:

• Carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism

• Vitamin and mineral metabolism

• Enzymology

• Acid-base balance and electrolyte metabolism

• Hormones and their mechanisms

• Laboratory biochemical parameters and their interpretation

Master metabolic pathways and their clinical significance.

Para-Clinical Subjects (Approximately 240 marks out of 800)

Clinical Pathology – Weightage: 25 marks

This is one of the highest-weightage subjects. Study:

• Blood cell morphology and hematological disorders

• Coagulation disorders

• Blood transfusion and blood banking

• Laboratory interpretation of abnormal values

• Common hematological malignancies

Many questions are image-based, showing blood slides and bone marrow findings. Visual learning and practice with previous year questions is essential.

Pharmacology – Weightage: 20 marks

Pharmacology questions test your understanding of drug mechanisms and clinical uses:

• Autonomic nervous system drugs

• Central nervous system drugs

• Cardiovascular drugs

• Antimicrobial drugs (very high yield)

• Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs

• Hormones and hormone antagonists

• Chemotherapeutic drugs

• Toxicology

Create drug tables with mechanism, indications, side effects, and contraindications. Use mnemonics for drug lists.

Microbiology – Weightage: 20 marks

Microbiology includes bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal organisms:

• Bacteriology – identification, pathogenesis, and treatment-resistant organisms

• Virology – emerging viruses, vaccine schedules

• Parasitology – life cycles, transmission, and endemic parasites in India

• Mycology – common fungal infections and antifungal drugs

• Immunology – immune mechanisms, vaccine development

Many questions involve organism identification from descriptions or showing resistance patterns.

Forensic Medicine – Weightage: 10 marks

This subject includes medical-legal aspects:

• Legal and ethical issues in medical practice

• Medico-legal procedures

• Post-mortem changes and cause of death determination

• Toxicology and poisoning

• Sexual offences and child abuse

• Medical negligence

Social & Preventive Medicine (SPM/Community Medicine) – Weightage: 25 marks

SPM has increasingly high representation in NEET PG:

• Epidemiology and disease epidemiology

• Biostatistics and research methodology

• Health programs and disease surveillance in India

• Water and food sanitation

• National health policies and schemes

• Behavioral health and health education

• Vaccination schedules and immunization programs

Focus on current Indian health programs (NRHM, NCD, TB-DOTS) and epidemiological concepts.

Clinical Subjects (Approximately 480 marks out of 800)

General Medicine Including Dermatology, Venerology & Psychiatry – Weightage: 45 marks

This is the highest single subject weightage. Topics include:

• Cardiovascular system (hypertension, IHD, heart failure, arrhythmias)

• Respiratory system (tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, COPD, malignancy)

• Gastrointestinal disorders (peptic ulcer, IBD, cirrhosis)

• Endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid, pituitary)

• Hematological malignancies (leukemias, lymphomas)

• Renal and urinary system (CKD, nephrotic syndrome, UTI)

• Neurological disorders (stroke, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, meningitis)

• Infectious diseases (dengue, malaria, HIV, COVID-19)

• Dermatology (common skin conditions, drug reactions)

• Psychiatry (mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety)

Solve 50+ case-based questions weekly from Medicine to master this subject.

General Surgery Including Orthopedics, Anesthesia & Radiodiagnosis – Weightage: 45 marks

Surgical subjects require understanding procedures and management:

• General surgery (GI tract surgery, hernias, appendicitis, malignancies)

• Breast surgery (lumps, carcinoma, management)

• Vascular surgery (DVT, varicose veins)

• Head and neck surgery

• Trauma and burns management

• Orthopedic conditions (fractures, joint replacements, spine disorders)

• Anesthesia (pre-operative assessment, induction agents, complications)

• Imaging findings (CT, MRI, X-ray interpretation)

Practice with image-based questions frequently as surgery has high representation of imaging.

Obstetrics & Gynecology – Weightage: 30 marks

OBG covers both obstetric and gynecological topics:

• Normal pregnancy and antenatal care

• Labor complications and management

• Postpartum period and complications

• Infertility and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)

• Gynecological disorders and their management

• Contraception and family planning

• Gynecological malignancies

• Medical disorders in pregnancy

Create flowcharts for management protocols (e.g., management of abnormal labor, antepartum hemorrhage).

Pediatrics – Weightage: 10 marks

Pediatric topics include:

• Neonatology (preterm birth, RDS, hyperbilirubinemia, congenital abnormalities)

• Common childhood infections

• Nutritional disorders and vitamin deficiencies

• Growth and development milestones

• Vaccination schedules (updated as per IAP guidelines)

• Child growth faltering

• Pediatric emergencies

ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics – Each with ~10 marks

These are relatively straightforward specialties with high-yield topics:

• ENT: Common ear infections, hearing loss, sinusitis, laryngeal conditions, head and neck cancers

• Ophthalmology: Refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disorders, eye emergencies

• Orthopedics: Fracture management, joint replacements, spinal disorders, sports injuries

How to Cover the NEET PG 2026 Syllabus Effectively

Strategy 1: Understand High-Yield vs. Low-Yield Topics

Not all topics appear with equal frequency. Your NEET PG success depends on smart prioritization:

High-Yield Topics (appear in almost every exam):

• Common infections (TB, UTI, pneumonia)

• Cardiovascular emergencies and management

• Endocrine disorders (especially diabetes)

• Obstetric and gynecological emergencies

• Common surgical conditions

• Frequently prescribed drugs

Medium-Yield Topics (appear occasionally):

• Rare manifestations of common diseases

• Less common surgical procedures

• Specialized dermatological conditions

Low-Yield Topics (rarely tested):

• Historical information

• Obsolete treatment methods

• Very rare diseases

Allocate 70% of your study time to high-yield topics, 20% to medium-yield, and only 10% to low-yield topics.

Strategy 2: Three-Phase Preparation Plan

Phase 1 – Foundation Building (Months 1-3): 25% completion

• Start with pre-clinical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry) to strengthen basics

• Create comprehensive notes for each topic

• Read standard textbooks carefully – don’t rush

• Understand pathophysiological mechanisms

• Solve 30-40 MCQs daily to start building concept clarity

Phase 2 – Intensive Learning (Months 4-9): 50% completion

• Move to para-clinical subjects (Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, SPM)

• Follow clinical subjects with increasing depth (Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pediatrics)

• Solve 100-150 MCQs daily

• Analyze why you got questions wrong – don’t just focus on correct answers

• Start taking subject-wise mock tests (20-25 questions per session)

• Identify weak areas and revisit them immediately

Phase 3 – Revision & Refinement (Months 10-12): 25% completion

• Complete 2-3 full revisions of the entire syllabus

• Solve previous 5-10 years of NEET PG question papers

• Take full-length mock tests weekly under actual exam conditions

• Focus on weak subjects and topics that appeared in previous exams

• Practice sectional time management (42 minutes per 40 questions)

• Maintain a error log of frequently missed topics

Strategy 3: Subject-Wise Time Allocation

Based on weightage and difficulty, allocate your weekly study hours like this (assuming 50 hours/week of focused study):

This allocation prioritizes high-weightage clinical subjects while ensuring pre-clinical foundations remain strong.

Strategy 4: Subject-Specific Study Approaches

For Pre-Clinical Subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry):

• Read standard textbooks thoroughly; these subjects form the foundation

• Draw and label anatomical structures and pathways

• Understand physiological mechanisms – know the “why” not just the “what”

• Connect basic science to clinical application immediately

• Example: When studying thyroid physiology, simultaneously study hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism management

For Pharmacology:

• Create a master drug table with columns: Drug name, Class, Mechanism, Indications, Side effects, Contraindications, Interactions

• Group drugs by class and learn patterns (e.g., all beta-blockers have similar mechanisms)

• Practice drug dosing calculations

• Focus on commonly used drugs (80/20 rule – 80% questions from 20% of drugs)

• Connect pharmacology to clinical scenarios

For Pathology & Microbiology:

• Study pathological processes step-by-step (inflammation → repair → fibrosis)

• Learn organism identification: morphology, gram staining, culture, biochemical reactions

• Understand antibiotic resistance mechanisms

• Practice with blood slide images and microscopic findings

• Create organism cards with key characteristics

For Clinical Subjects (Medicine, Surgery, OBG):

• Read cases and think about diagnosis and management systematically

• Use “USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge” approach – understand the complete clinical picture

• Practice with image-based questions (X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound findings)

• Learn management algorithms and treatment protocols

• Connect symptoms → investigations → diagnosis → management

For SPM/Community Medicine:

• Master epidemiological concepts and disease surveillance

• Learn Indian health programs and their statistics

• Understand biostatistics formulas and their interpretation

• Stay updated with current vaccination schedules and guidelines

• Practice calculation-based questions

Strategy 5: Practice Pattern & Mock Testing

The actual NEET PG exam has a challenging pattern with sectional time limits. Your practice must mirror this:

Weekly Practice Schedule:

• Monday-Wednesday: 100-150 MCQs from topics you’re currently studying

• Thursday: Topic-wise mock test (50 questions, 52 minutes) from multiple subjects

• Friday: Subject-wise test (40 questions, 42 minutes) to practice sectional time management

• Saturday: Full-length mock test (200 questions, 210 minutes) under actual exam conditions

• Sunday: Error analysis and revision of weak topics

Error Analysis is Critical:

• Don’t just mark answers right or wrong

• Classify errors: Conceptual gap? Calculation error? Time pressure? Misread question?

• Revisit those concepts or previous questions on the same topic

• Spend 30-40% of mock test time on analysis, not just practice

Strategy 6: Resource Recommendations for NEET PG 2026

Essential Resources:

• Your original MBBS textbooks (best source – closely matches NEET PG curriculum)

• Previous 5-10 years of NEET PG papers

• Mock tests (at least 15-20 full-length tests)

Reference Books by Subject:

• Anatomy: BD Chaurasia or Snell’s

• Physiology: Guyton & Hall

• Biochemistry: Satyanarayana or Harper’s

• Pathology: Robbins & Cotran

• Pharmacology: KD Tripathi

• Microbiology: Ananthanarayan & Paniker

• Medicine: Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine

• Surgery: Bailey & Love’s

• OBG: DC Dutta or Williams Obstetrics

• Pediatrics: Nelson’s Textbook

Online Resources:

• Previous year papers with solutions

• Subject-wise question banks

• Video lectures for difficult topics

• Clinical case discussions

• Webinars on current exam trends

Time Management Strategy for the Exam

The 42-minute sectional limit means you get approximately 63 seconds per question. Here’s how to manage time effectively:

Easy Questions (should take 30-40 seconds): Direct factual questions about common conditions

Medium Questions (should take 50-70 seconds): Case-based questions requiring diagnosis from symptoms

Difficult Questions (should take 70-90 seconds): Complex cases or image interpretation

Strategy: Attempt all easy questions first, then medium questions, and finally difficult ones if time permits. Mark difficult questions and move on – don’t waste time stuck on one question.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation

1. Studying All Topics Equally: With 200 questions from 19 subjects, prioritization is essential. Clinical subjects must get 50% of your time.

2. Ignoring Image-Based Questions: At least 20-25% of questions are image-based (blood slides, X-rays, skin lesions). Practice extensively with images.

3. Memorizing Without Understanding: NEET PG tests application and clinical reasoning. Understand pathophysiology and mechanisms.

4. Neglecting Previous Year Papers: The last 5-10 years of NEET PG papers are gold. Many concepts repeat in different forms.

5. Poor Time Management Practice: Without practicing sectional time management, you’ll lose precious time in the actual exam.

6. Weak Foundation in Pre-Clinical Subjects: Without solid anatomy and physiology, clinical subjects become harder.

7. Ignoring Current Guidelines: Medicine keeps changing. Stay updated with latest treatment guidelines (AHA, ESC, ISH for cardiology; WHO guidelines for infections, etc.).

8. Negative Marking Blindness: With −1 mark for wrong answers, random guessing will hurt your score. Be strategic – attempt only when you’re 60%+ confident.

Sample NEET PG 2026 Preparation Timeline

January-February 2026: Complete pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects with 1-2 full mock tests, take 100-150 MCQs daily

March-April 2026: Complete all clinical subjects thoroughly, analyze previous year papers, take 2 mock tests weekly

May 2026: Final revision (2-3 complete passes), solve previous years’ papers, take weekly mock tests, focus on weak areas

This timeline assumes you begin dedicated preparation 6-9 months before the exam. Adjust based on your MBBS completion date and current knowledge level.

Key Takeaways for NEET PG 2026 Success

• NEET PG 2026 consists of 200 questions in 3.5 hours with sectional time limits (42 minutes per section)

• Clinical subjects carry 50–60% weightage; prioritize medicine, surgery, and OBG

• Understanding over memorization – focus on mechanisms and clinical application

• MBBS textbooks are your primary resource; they closely match the exam content

• Practice with previous year papers and full-length mock tests weekly

• Analyze errors systematically; identify patterns in your mistakes

• Master high-yield topics first; cover low-yield topics only after high-yield topics are solid

• Sectional time management and speed are as important as accuracy

• Maintain consistent study schedule (50+ hours/week for 6-9 months)

Success in NEET PG 2026 depends on strategic planning, systematic execution, and relentless revision. Download the official NBEMS syllabus once released, create your personalized study schedule based on your pace, and commit to consistent daily preparation. With proper coverage of all 19 subjects and focused practice, you can achieve your target score and secure admission to your desired postgraduate medical specialty in an esteemed government or private medical college.