NEET UG 2026: Key Dates & Exam Details
The gateway to MBBS Admission in India 2026 is NEET UG, a single national-level exam held in pen-and-paper mode.
- Registration Start: February 8, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: March 8, 2026 (up to 9:00 PM; fee payment till 11:50 PM)
- Correction Window: March 10–12, 2026 (tentative)
- Exam Date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday)
- Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours duration)
- Result Expected: Mid-June 2026
The exam covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany + Zoology) with 180 compulsory questions (720 marks total). +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect, no marks for unattempted.
Eligibility basics: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English; minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General (40% for OBC/SC/ST, 45% for PwD in General); age 17+ years by December 31, 2026.
Qualifying Cut Off for NEET 2026 (Expected)
The qualifying percentile remains fixed, but actual marks vary yearly based on difficulty and competition.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Marks Range (out of 720) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th | 720 – 135 |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th | 137 – 108 |
| General-PwD | 45th | 137 – 122 |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwD | 40th | 121 – 108 |
These are qualifying thresholds to become eligible for counselling. Admission cut offs (especially for government colleges) are much higher—often 600+ for General in top AIQ seats.
Total MBBS Seats in India 2026
India has seen steady growth in medical seats. Latest estimates show:
- Total MBBS Seats: ~1,29,000+
- Government Seats (including AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.): ~63,000–64,000
- Private/Deemed Seats: ~65,000+
Seats are divided as:
- 15% All India Quota (AIQ): Managed by MCC (mcc.nic.in) – covers government colleges nationwide, 100% deemed/central universities, ESIC, AFMC, etc.
- 85% State Quota: Handled by respective state authorities – prioritizes domiciled candidates.
Additional reservations apply (SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27%, EWS 10%, PwD 5%).
NEET Counselling Process 2026
Counselling starts after results (expected July 2026 onwards) and includes multiple rounds.
MCC Counselling (AIQ + Deemed/Central):
- Rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up, Stray Vacancy
- Registration, choice filling, locking, seat allotment, reporting
- Security deposit: ₹10,000–₹2 lakh (refundable/adjustable)
State Counselling:
- Separate for each state (85% government + 100% private seats in most cases)
- Domicile required for state quota benefits
- Often includes management/NRI quota in private colleges
Key steps: Register → Pay fee → Fill choices → Lock → Allotment → Report to college with documents (NEET scorecard, 10+2 marks, category proof, domicile if needed).
Fees Structure for MBBS 2026
Fees vary widely:
- Government Colleges: ₹10,000–₹1 lakh per year (very affordable)
- Private Colleges: ₹8–25 lakh per year (management quota)
- Deemed Universities: ₹15–30 lakh+ per year
- NRI Quota: Often ₹30–60 lakh+ per year
Many states cap private fees via regulatory bodies; scholarships and fee reimbursement schemes exist for reserved/EWS categories in government seats.
Tips to Secure MBBS Seat in 2026
- Aim high in NEET (600+ for good government chances under AIQ)
- Research college cut offs from previous years (government seats close at ranks under 10,000–20,000 for General)
- Prepare documents early and monitor official sites: neet.nta.nic.in (exam), mcc.nic.in (AIQ), state DME portals
- Fill maximum realistic choices during counselling
- Avoid missing deadlines—counselling moves fast
With increasing seats and structured process, opportunities are better than ever. Stay updated via official NTA/MCC notifications, prepare consistently, and good luck with your MBBS Admission 2026 in India journey!