Hey there, future doctor! If you’re gearing up for NEET UG 2026, you’re probably feeling that mix of excitement and nerves that’s all too familiar for medical aspirants. As someone who’s been through the grind of entrance exams (or at least chatted with enough students to know the drill), I get it—planning ahead can make all the difference. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is your gateway to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses, and with the 2026 edition just around the corner, it’s time to get your ducks in a row.
In this post, we’ll break down all the key details: the expected exam date, the full schedule, eligibility rules, exam pattern, syllabus highlights, and even some quick tips to kickstart your prep. I’ve pulled this from reliable sources like the National Testing Agency (NTA) and trusted education portals, so you can trust it’s spot-on (as of November 2025). Let’s dive in!
NEET UG 2026 Exam Date and Important Timeline
One of the first questions on every aspirant’s mind: When is the NEET UG 2026 exam? Based on the usual pattern, NTA is expected to hold it on the first Sunday of May. That puts the tentative date at May 3, 2026. Keep an eye on the official NTA website (neet.nta.nic.in) for the confirmation, which should drop around December 2025 or early January 2026.
Here’s a handy timeline of key events to help you stay organized. These are based on historical trends and expert predictions—official dates will be finalized soon.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| Online Registration Starts | First week of February 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | Last week of March 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | First week of May 2026 (or late April) |
| Exam Date | May 3, 2026 (2 PM to 5 PM IST) |
| Provisional Answer Key | Late May 2026 |
| Final Answer Key & Result Declaration | First week of June 2026 |
| Counselling Start | July 2026 |
Pro tip: Mark these on your calendar now. Missing the registration window is a rookie mistake that could derail your year!
Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG 2026: Who Can Apply?
Before you start filling out forms, let’s make sure you qualify. NTA keeps things straightforward, but there are a few must-haves:
- Age Limit: You need to be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026. Born on or after January 1, 2010? You’re good. No upper age limit anymore—yay for second (or third) chances!
- Educational Qualification: Passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. Minimum aggregate: 50% for General/OBC (40% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible.
- Attempts: Unlimited! No cap on how many times you can take it.
If you’re in Class 12 right now, you can apply provisionally—just make sure you clear your boards before the exam. Double-check the official brochure when it drops for any tweaks.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: What to Expect on Test Day
Gone are the days of optional questions—NTA has streamlined things back to the pre-COVID format for a fairer, more intense three-hour showdown. The exam is offline (pen-and-paper), so brush up on your OMR shading skills.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 | 25% |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 | 25% |
| Biology (Botany) | 45 | 180 | 25% |
| Biology (Zoology) | 45 | 180 | 25% |
| Total | 180 | 720 | 100% |
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)—no sectional timers, so pace yourself wisely.
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for wrong ones, and 0 for unattempted. (Psst: Guessing blindly? Not ideal with that negative marking.)
- Question Type: All multiple-choice with four options. Shade your answers in blue or black ballpoint pen on the OMR sheet.
- Medium: Available in 13 languages (English, Hindi, and regional ones like Tamil, Telugu, etc.). Pick bilingual if you’re more comfy in your mother tongue, but English is the tiebreaker for any translation glitches.
- Exam Timing: 2 PM to 5 PM. Arrive early, carry your admit card, photo ID, and a transparent water bottle.
Recent change? No more Section B with optional questions—everything’s compulsory now, making it a true test of endurance. Total marks stay at 720, so aim high!
NEET UG 2026 Syllabus: Subject-Wise Guide to Crack It
The syllabus hasn’t seen major overhauls for 2026—it’s still rooted in NCERT Class 11 and 12 books, with a focus on conceptual understanding over rote learning. NTA released the updated version in late 2024, and it’s expected to carry over. Download the official PDF from nta.ac.in when available, but here’s a concise overview to get you started.
Physics Syllabus
Expect a mix of theory and numericals. Key units:
- Class 11: Physics and Measurements, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids/Fluids, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Oscillations and Waves.
- Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects, EMI and AC, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms and Nuclei, Electronic Devices, Experimental Skills.
Chemistry Syllabus
Divided into Physical, Inorganic, and Organic—balance your time here.
- Physical: Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Solutions, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Chemical Kinetics.
- Inorganic: Periodic Table, p-Block, d- and f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds.
- Organic: Purification, Basic Principles, Hydrocarbons, Haloalkanes, Alcohols/Phenols/Ethers, Aldehydes/Ketones, Amines, Biomolecules, Practical Chemistry.
Biology Syllabus (Botany + Zoology)
This is your scoring section—90 questions, so don’t sleep on it!
- Diversity in Living World, Structural Organization in Plants/Animals, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology, Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology and Environment.
No big deletions this year, but some topics like certain experimental skills might be lighter. Stick to NCERT—it’s your bible.
Quick Prep Tips for NEET UG 2026 Success
With months to go, now’s the time to build momentum:
- Daily Routine: 6-8 hours of study, split evenly across subjects. Alternate heavy (Physics) and light (Biology) days.
- Resources: NCERT textbooks first, then Allen or Aakash modules for practice. Solve past papers weekly.
- Mock Tests: Start full-length ones from January. Analyze mistakes like your life depends on it (because it kinda does).
- Health Check: Sleep 7 hours, eat clean, and sneak in walks. Burnout is real—talk to a mentor if needed.
You’re not just prepping for a test; you’re building a foundation for a career in healing. Stay consistent, and you’ll crush it.