The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially released the NEET UG 2026 syllabus on December 23, 2025, bringing clarity to millions of medical aspirants across India. This is a critical update that every NEET UG 2026 candidate must know, as it clarifies important information about exam pattern, duration, and exactly what topics you need to study. Let’s explore all the important updates and changes for NEET UG 2026.
Important NEET UG 2026 Update: Syllabus NOT Reduced
The biggest news for NEET UG 2026 aspirants: The National Medical Commission has officially confirmed that there is NO reduction in the NEET UG 2026 syllabus. The syllabus remains exactly the same as NEET 2025.
Many students were expecting further syllabus cuts because NCERT had reduced its Class 11 and 12 textbook content. However, the NMC has made it clear that all topics from the previous year remain included in NEET UG 2026, and students must prepare the complete syllabus.
Official Confirmation:
NMC released the updated NEET UG 2026 syllabus on December 23, 2025
The syllabus has been officially finalized and approved by competent authority
Total chapters to cover: 79 chapters across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
No chapters have been added or deleted from NEET 2025
Students preparing with NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks remain perfectly aligned with official requirements
NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern – Key Details
The NEET UG 2026 exam continues with the pre-COVID pattern that was restored in 2025. Here are the complete exam pattern details you need to know:
Basic Exam Structure
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper-based, OMR Answer Sheet) |
| Total Questions | 180 (All Compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Exam Time | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with 4 options each |
| Languages Available | 13 languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam |
Subject-Wise Question & Mark Distribution
| Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| TOTAL | 180 | 720 |
Important Note: Biology carries 50% of total marks, making it the most important subject in your NEET UG 2026 preparation strategy.
Marking Scheme for NEET UG 2026
The marking scheme for NEET UG 2026 remains unchanged from the previous year. Here’s how your score is calculated:
Marking System:
Correct Answer: +4 marks
Incorrect Answer: −1 mark (Negative Marking)
Unanswered/Unmarked Question: 0 marks
Multiple Answers Marked (if both are wrong or one correct, one wrong): −1 mark
Important Point: Once you mark an answer on the OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen, you cannot change it. There is no option to erase or modify marked answers. This makes accuracy crucial – don’t mark randomly. With −1 for wrong answers, random guessing will hurt your final score significantly.
Exam Timing & Entry Details
Reporting Time: 11:00 AM onwards
Entry to Examination Hall: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM
Last Entry: 1:30 PM (Strict – no entry allowed after this time)
Actual Exam Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST (180 minutes)
Exam Duration: 3 hours exactly
Lateness is not tolerated. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your reporting time to avoid any last-minute rush or missing the exam.
NEET UG 2026 Syllabus Overview – What to Study
The official NEET UG 2026 syllabus is based entirely on NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 textbooks. The syllabus is organized into 50 units across three subjects:
Physics Syllabus – 20 Units
Class 11 Physics Units:
Physical World and Measurement
Kinematics
Laws of Motion
Work, Energy and Power
Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body
Gravitation
Properties of Bulk Matter
Thermodynamics
Behaviour of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory
Oscillations and Waves
Class 12 Physics Units:
Electrostatics
Current Electricity
Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
Electromagnetic Waves
Optics
Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
Atoms and Nuclei
Electronic Devices
Communication Systems
Chemistry Syllabus – 20 Units
Class 11 Chemistry Units:
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
Structure of Atom
Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
States of Matter
Thermodynamics
Equilibrium
Redox Reactions
Hydrogen
S-Block Elements (Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals)
Class 12 Chemistry Units:
D-and F-Block Elements
Coordination Compounds
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen
Polymers
Biomolecules
Chemistry in Everyday Life
Principles Related to Practical Chemistry
Biology Syllabus – 10 Units (Botany & Zoology)
Class 11 Biology Units:
Diversity in Living World
Structural Organisation in Plants
Cell: The Unit of Life
Plant Physiology
Human Physiology
Class 12 Biology Units:
Reproduction
Genetics and Evolution
Biology and Human Welfare
Biotechnology and Its Applications
Ecology and Environment
Important Details:
All 79 chapters are included in full
Topics like Cockroach anatomy, Frog dissection, and cell structure remain in the syllabus
No chapters have been deleted despite NCERT textbook revisions
The complete NCERT syllabus must be studied without skipping any chapter
Key Changes from Pre-COVID to NEET UG 2026 Pattern
To understand the NEET UG 2026 pattern better, it’s important to know how it differs from the COVID-period pattern:
| Aspect | Pre-COVID/NEET 2026 Pattern | COVID-Period Pattern (2021-2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 180 (compulsory) | 200 (180 compulsory + 20 optional) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) | 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes) |
| Section B | No Section B – all questions from Section A | Had Section B with optional questions |
| Optional Questions | None – all 180 questions must be attempted | 20 optional questions per subject |
| Subject Distribution | 45 Physics + 45 Chemistry + 90 Biology | Same as 2026 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, −1 incorrect | Same (+4, −1) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) | Offline (OMR-based) |
What This Means: The return to pre-COVID pattern means you have no optional questions. Every question in the question paper is compulsory to attempt. You cannot skip difficult questions and attempt easy ones. This requires precise time management and strategic question selection within the 3-hour window.
Official Advisory for NEET UG 2026 Aspirants
The National Testing Agency (NTA) and National Medical Commission have issued important advisories:
1. Use Only Official Syllabus:
All stakeholders, especially aspiring candidates, must refer to the officially released NEET UG 2026 syllabus from NMC for exam preparation. Candidates preparing from outdated or unofficial syllabus materials may waste valuable preparation time on deleted or irrelevant topics.
2. Download Official Syllabus PDF:
Visit nmc.org.in (National Medical Commission official website)
Download the official 17+ page NEET UG 2026 Syllabus PDF
The PDF contains detailed unit-wise and topic-wise breakdown of all subjects
This is the only authentic source; don’t rely on coaching materials or websites that haven’t updated to the official syllabus
3. Align Preparation Strategy:
Match your current preparation materials with the official updated syllabus
Avoid relying on old syllabus PDFs or unverified online sources
Ensure your coaching material and practice questions align with the 2026 syllabus
Many coaching institutes have updated their materials; verify they’re using the latest official syllabus
4. Track Official Updates:
Regularly check nmt.org.in and nta.ac.in for further notifications
Watch for updates on registration dates, information bulletin, exam schedule
Official announcements will be made only on these portals
Don’t fall for rumors or unofficial social media claims about further changes
Important Points to Remember About NEET UG 2026 Updates
No Syllabus Reduction: Despite NCERT textbook revisions in 2024-25, the NEET UG 2026 syllabus remains unchanged. All 79 chapters must be covered.
Complete NCERT Coverage: The NEET UG 2026 syllabus is designed to test comprehensive NCERT Class 11 and 12 knowledge. Focus on NCERT textbooks as your primary resource.
Return to Pre-COVID Pattern: The exam continues with the pre-COVID format with 180 compulsory questions in 3 hours, no optional sections.
High Biology Weightage: With 50% of total marks (90 out of 180 questions), Biology requires your maximum study focus.
Unchanged Marking Scheme: +4 marks for correct, −1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted. Negative marking means strategic guessing – only attempt questions where you’re confident.
OMR-Based Exam: Answers marked on OMR sheet cannot be changed. This makes careful marking essential.
Official Syllabus Released: The December 23, 2025 release of the official syllabus by NMC is final. Students should align their preparation accordingly.
Time Management Critical: With 180 minutes for 180 questions (average 60 seconds per question), efficient time management is crucial.
No Surprises Expected: The official confirmation of no changes means students can prepare with confidence without worrying about further surprises or deletions.
What NEET UG 2026 Aspirants Should Do Now
Immediate Actions:
Download Official Syllabus: Visit nmc.org.in and download the complete NEET UG 2026 syllabus PDF right now
Verify Your Study Material: Cross-check if your textbooks, coaching notes, and practice materials align with the official syllabus
Create Study Schedule: Plan your preparation based on the 79 chapters, prioritizing high-weightage topics
Gather Quality Resources: Use NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks as your primary resources; they exactly match the exam syllabus
Start Practice: Begin solving MCQs and previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern
Set Targets: Calculate how many chapters you need to complete weekly to finish the entire syllabus before exam date
Join Verified Test Series: Participate in mock tests that are designed according to the official 2026 pattern
Avoid Misinformation: Only follow updates from official NTA/NMC websites; ignore unofficial claims about syllabus changes
Key Takeaways
NEET UG 2026 syllabus released on December 23, 2025 – No reduction, no changes from NEET 2025
Complete 79 chapters across Physics (20 units), Chemistry (20 units), and Biology (10 units)
180 compulsory questions in 3 hours with +4/-1 marking scheme
Offline (OMR-based) exam – Pen and paper mode with no option to change marked answers
50% weightage to Biology – Requires maximum study focus among the three subjects
Based on NCERT Class 11 and 12 – Official textbooks are your best preparation resource
Download official syllabus PDF from nmc.org.in to ensure you’re studying the correct topics
No optional questions – Pre-COVID pattern means every question is compulsory
The release of the official NEET UG 2026 syllabus on December 23, 2025, confirms that students can proceed with their preparation confidently without worrying about further changes or deletions. Focus on complete coverage of the 79 chapters, practice with previous year papers, take regular mock tests under actual exam conditions, and manage your time strategically. With disciplined preparation aligned to the official syllabus, you can achieve your target score and secure admission to a prestigious medical college for your MBBS degree.