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:
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Reporting Time: 11:00 AM onwards
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Entry Closure: 1:30 PM (strict – no late entry)
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NEET UG exam Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes
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Exam Slot: 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM (IST)
Complete NTA NEET Exam Date Schedule 2026
| Event | Official/Expected Date |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Notification Release | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| NEET UG Registration Start | February 1, 2026 |
| NEET UG Registration End | March 5, 2026 |
| Correction Window | March 10-15, 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip | April 25, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 30, 2026 |
| NEET UG exam 2026 | May 3, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | May 5, 2026 |
| Final Result Declaration | June 10, 2026 |
NEET UG Registration 2026: Complete Process
Registration Portal: neet.nta.nic.in (opens February 1, 2026)
Step-by-Step Process:
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New Registration: Enter Name, DOB, Email, Mobile
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Application Form: Fill personal, academic, and address details
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Document Upload: Photo (10-200KB), Signature (4-30KB), Thumb Impression
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Exam Center Selection: Choose 4 preferred cities
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Fee Payment: Online payment (non-refundable)
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Confirmation Page: Download and save for records
NEET UG Registration Fee Structure
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,700 |
| Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL | ₹1,600 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender | ₹1,000 |
| Foreign Nationals/NRI | ₹9,500 |
Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI
NEET UG Exam Pattern 2026 (No Changes Expected)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 50 (attempt 45) | 180 | |
| Chemistry | 50 (attempt 45) | 180 | Total: 3 hrs 20 min |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 100 (attempt 90) | 360 | |
| Total | 200 (attempt 180) | 720 |
Marking Scheme: +4 (correct), -1 (incorrect), 0 (unattempted)
Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG Exam 2026
Academic Requirements:
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Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, English
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Minimum 50% aggregate PCB (40% SC/ST/OBC, 45% PwD)
Age Criteria:
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Minimum 17 years by December 31, 2026
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No upper age limit
Attempt Limit: Unlimited attempts
Documents Required for Registration
Mandatory Documents:
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Class 10 Certificate (DOB proof)
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Class 12 Marksheet/Certificate
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Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar/Passport)
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Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
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PwD Certificate (if applicable)
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Passport-size photographs (recent, white background)
Technical Specifications:
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Photo: 10-200 KB (JPG)
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Signature: 4-30 KB (JPG)
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Thumb Impression: 10-200 KB (JPG)
NEET UG Exam Day Guidelines
What to Carry:
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Printed Admit Card
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Passport-size photo (same as uploaded)
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Valid Photo ID
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Transparent water bottle (optional)
Prohibited Items:
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Electronic gadgets (mobile, calculator, smartwatch)
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Electronic/metallic items
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Study material/notes
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Wallet/purse
Dress Code: Light clothing preferred for frisking
Exam Center Allocation Process
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City Preference: Select 4 cities during registration
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City Intimation Slip: Released April 25 (city code only)
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Final Center: Shown on Admit Card (April 30)
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No Center Change: Final allocation non-changeable
Available Cities: 554 cities across India + international centers
Post-Exam Process Timeline
Answer Key & Result:
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Provisional Answer Key: May 5, 2026
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Objection Window: 1-2 days post-provisional key
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Final Answer Key: June 8, 2026
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Result Declaration: June 10, 2026
Counselling Timeline:
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MCC AIQ Registration: June 15 onwards
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State Counselling: June-July 2026
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Stray Vacancy Round: August 2026
Strategic Preparation Timeline
Phase 1: Foundation (Jan-Apr 2026)
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Complete NCERT syllabus
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Focus on concepts and basics
Phase 2: Intensive Practice (Apr-May 2026)
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Solve previous 10 years papers
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Weekly mock tests
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Error analysis
Phase 3: Revision (Apr 25-May 2)
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Formula revision
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High-weightage topics
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Light practice only
Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid
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Wrong Photo/Signature: Use recent photo matching Aadhaar specs
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Incorrect Category: Choose permanent category (not creamy layer expiry)
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Multiple Applications: Only ONE application allowed per candidate
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Late Registration: Server crashes expected in last 2 days
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Payment Issues: Complete payment before deadline (no extensions)
Expected Cutoff Trends NEET UG 2026
Based on seat increase and competition analysis:
| Category | Expected Cutoff Score |
|---|---|
| General | 680-700 |
| OBC/EWS | 660-680 |
| SC | 135-145 |
| ST | 110-120 |
MBBS Seat Matrix Overview
Total Seats Available:
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Government Colleges: ~55,000
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Private Colleges: ~45,000
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Deemed Universities: ~5,000
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Grand Total: ~1,05,000 MBBS seats
Important Helpline Numbers
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NTA Helpline: 011-40759000
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NEET Support Email: neet@nta.ac.in
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Technical Support: 011-69227700
Final Preparation Checklist
Before Registration (Feb 1):
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Scan all documents
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Prepare ID proofs
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Check email/mobile accessibility
Before Exam (May 3):
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Download admit card (April 30)
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Visit center for route planning
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Practice OMR sheet filling
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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!