NEET UG 2026 Exam Date Confirmed | Registration Date, Schedule & Complete Guide

National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the NEET UG exam 2026 schedule, marking the beginning of medical admission preparations across India. This single-window entrance examination remains the gateway for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH undergraduate courses in government, private, and deemed universities nationwide.

Official NEET UG 2026 Exam Date

NEET UG exam 2026 Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026

Following the consistent pattern of conducting the exam on the first Sunday of May, NTA has confirmed May 3, 2026 as the NTA NEET exam date schedule for NEET UG 2026. This date applies to all candidates across 13 languages and multiple exam centers nationwide.

Exam Timing:

• Reporting Time: 11:00 AM onwards

• Entry Closure: 1:30 PM (strict – no late entry)

• NEET UG exam Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes

• Exam Slot: 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM (IST)

Complete NTA NEET Exam Date Schedule 2026

NEET UG Registration 2026: Complete Process

Registration Portal: neet.nta.nic.in (opens February 1, 2026)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. New Registration: Enter Name, DOB, Email, Mobile

2. Application Form: Fill personal, academic, and address details

3. Document Upload: Photo (10-200KB), Signature (4-30KB), Thumb Impression

4. Exam Center Selection: Choose 4 preferred cities

5. Fee Payment: Online payment (non-refundable)

6. Confirmation Page: Download and save for records

NEET UG Registration Fee Structure

Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI

NEET UG Exam Pattern 2026 (No Changes Expected)

Marking Scheme: +4 (correct), -1 (incorrect), 0 (unattempted)

Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG Exam 2026

Academic Requirements:

• Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English

• Minimum 50% aggregate PCB (40% SC/ST/OBC, 45% PwD)

Age Criteria:

• Minimum 17 years by December 31, 2026

• No upper age limit

Attempt Limit: Unlimited attempts

Documents Required for Registration

Mandatory Documents:

• Class 10 Certificate (DOB proof)

• Class 12 Marksheet/Certificate

• Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar/Passport)

• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

• PwD Certificate (if applicable)

• Passport-size photographs (recent, white background)

Technical Specifications:

• Photo: 10-200 KB (JPG)

• Signature: 4-30 KB (JPG)

• Thumb Impression: 10-200 KB (JPG)

NEET UG Exam Day Guidelines

What to Carry:

• Printed Admit Card

• Passport-size photo (same as uploaded)

• Valid Photo ID

• Transparent water bottle (optional)

Prohibited Items:

• Electronic gadgets (mobile, calculator, smartwatch)

• Electronic/metallic items

• Study material/notes

• Wallet/purse

Dress Code: Light clothing preferred for frisking

Exam Center Allocation Process

1. City Preference: Select 4 cities during registration

2. City Intimation Slip: Released April 25 (city code only)

3. Final Center: Shown on Admit Card (April 30)

4. No Center Change: Final allocation non-changeable

Available Cities: 554 cities across India + international centers

Post-Exam Process Timeline

Answer Key & Result:

• Provisional Answer Key: May 5, 2026

• Objection Window: 1-2 days post-provisional key

• Final Answer Key: June 8, 2026

• Result Declaration: June 10, 2026

Counselling Timeline:

• MCC AIQ Registration: June 15 onwards

• State Counselling: June-July 2026

• Stray Vacancy Round: August 2026

Strategic Preparation Timeline

Phase 1: Foundation (Jan-Apr 2026)

• Complete NCERT syllabus

• Focus on concepts and basics

Phase 2: Intensive Practice (Apr-May 2026)

• Solve previous 10 years papers

• Weekly mock tests

• Error analysis

Phase 3: Revision (Apr 25-May 2)

• Formula revision

• High-weightage topics

• Light practice only

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong Photo/Signature: Use recent photo matching Aadhaar specs

2. Incorrect Category: Choose permanent category (not creamy layer expiry)

3. Multiple Applications: Only ONE application allowed per candidate

4. Late Registration: Server crashes expected in last 2 days

5. Payment Issues: Complete payment before deadline (no extensions)

Expected Cutoff Trends NEET UG 2026

Based on seat increase and competition analysis:

MBBS Seat Matrix Overview

Total Seats Available:

• Government Colleges: ~55,000

• Private Colleges: ~45,000

• Deemed Universities: ~5,000

• Grand Total: ~1,05,000 MBBS seats

Important Helpline Numbers

• NTA Helpline: 011-40759000

• NEET Support Email: neet@nta.ac.in

• Technical Support: 011-69227700

Final Preparation Checklist

Before Registration (Feb 1):

• Scan all documents

• Prepare ID proofs

• Check email/mobile accessibility

Before Exam (May 3):

• Download admit card (April 30)

• Visit center for route planning

• Practice OMR sheet filling

• Maintain sleep schedule

The NEET UG exam 2026 on May 3 represents a pivotal moment for medical aspirants. With confirmed NTA NEET exam date schedule and clear registration timeline starting February 1, candidates have five months for focused preparation. Success demands strategic planning, consistent practice, and meticulous execution of registration formalities.

Start your preparation today – your MBBS seat awaits on May 3, 2026!