NEET UG 2026 Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Duration – Subject-wise Topics & Study Strategy

The NEET UG 2026 exam is the gateway to medical education in India, and understanding the complete syllabus, exam pattern, and duration is the first step toward effective preparation. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially released the NEET UG 2026 syllabus, confirming that no chapters have been removed from any subject. This means you have a comprehensive, full syllabus to cover across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from both Class 11 and Class 12.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern & Duration Overview

Understanding the exam structure is crucial before diving into preparation. The NEET UG 2026 exam follows the pre-COVID format with important details you need to know:

Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper-based OMR sheet)

Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes) – from 2 PM to 5 PM (IST)

Total Questions: 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with no optional sections

Total Marks: 720 marks

Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +4 marks

• Incorrect Answer: -1 mark

• Unattempted Question: 0 marks

No sectional time limits – You can answer questions in any order within the 3 hours. This flexibility requires smart time management and strategic question selection.

Subject-Wise Breakdown: Question Distribution

The 180 questions in NEET UG 2026 are distributed across three subjects with different weightages:

This distribution is critical – Biology carries 50% weightage, which makes it the most important subject in your NEET UG 2026 preparation.

Complete NEET UG 2026 Syllabus Overview

The NMC NEET UG 2026 syllabus covers topics from Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT curriculum. The syllabus consists of approximately 79 chapters spread across three subjects. Since no chapters have been deleted, you must prepare the complete syllabus with strategic focus on high-weightage topics.

Physics Syllabus – 20 Units, 45 Questions

Physics in NEET UG 2026 includes both theoretical concepts and numerical problem-solving. The syllabus is divided into 20 units covering Class 11 and Class 12 topics.

Class 11 Physics High-Focus Topics:

• Work, Energy & Power

• System of Particles & Rotational Motion

• Mechanical Properties of Solids & Fluids

• Laws of Motion

• Gravitation

Class 12 Physics High-Focus Topics:

• Electrostatics & Electric Charges and Fields

• Current Electricity

• Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism

• Optics (Light Reflection & Refraction)

• Dual Nature of Matter & Radiation

• Atoms & Nuclei

• Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer

Physics requires regular practice with numerical problems. Many questions in NEET are application-based, requiring both conceptual understanding and computational skills.

Chemistry Syllabus – 20 Units, 45 Questions

Chemistry is divided into three categories: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. This subject has high scoring potential if you master the core concepts.

Class 11 Chemistry High-Focus Topics:

• Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry (Molar Mass, Mole Concept, Stoichiometry)

• Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure

• States of Matter & Thermodynamics

• Equilibrium (Chemical & Ionic)

• Redox Reactions

• General Organic Chemistry (Functional Groups, Isomerism)

Class 12 Chemistry High-Focus Topics:

• Solid State & Solutions

• Electrochemistry

• Chemical Kinetics

• Surface Chemistry

• Hydrocarbons & Alkyl Halides

• Carbonyl Compounds (Aldehydes & Ketones)

• Carboxylic Acids & Their Derivatives

• Amines & Diazo Compounds

• Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers

Chemistry is often called the “balancing subject” between Physics and Biology because concepts are reasonably straightforward if you focus on understanding chemical reactions and formulas rather than memorizing.

Biology Syllabus – 10 Units, 90 Questions (50% weightage)

Biology is the most heavily weighted subject in NEET UG 2026 with 90 questions out of 180. It is divided into two sections: Botany and Zoology.

Class 11 Botany High-Focus Topics:

• Biological Classification (Taxonomy, Classification System)

• Plant Kingdom (Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms)

• Cell: The Unit of Life (Cell Structure, Cell Membrane, Organelles)

• Cell Cycle & Cell Division (Mitosis, Meiosis, Cell Growth)

• Transport in Plants (Diffusion, Osmosis, Water Absorption, Transpiration)

Class 12 Botany High-Focus Topics:

• Plant Physiology (Photosynthesis, Respiration, Plant Hormones)

• Plant Reproduction (Pollination, Fertilization, Seed Formation)

• Ecology (Organisms & Populations, Communities & Ecosystems)

• Environmental Issues

Class 11 Zoology High-Focus Topics:

• Animal Kingdom (Classification, Phyla, Body Plans)

• Structural Organisation in Animals (Tissues, Organ Systems)

• Human Physiology – Digestion, Respiration, Circulation

Class 12 Zoology High-Focus Topics:

• Human Physiology – Neural Control, Coordination, Hormonal Control

• Human Reproduction (Reproductive System, Gametogenesis, Fertilization)

• Genetics & Evolution (Mendelian Inheritance, Molecular Basis, Evolution Theories)

• Biotechnology & Its Applications (Genetic Engineering, Bioethics)

• Biology & Human Welfare (Health, Disease, Immunology)

Biology requires strong NCERT-based preparation with attention to diagrams, processes, and definitions. Many questions test visual understanding and knowledge of biological processes.

How to Cover the NEET UG 2026 Syllabus Effectively

Strategy 1: Prioritize by Weightage

Not all chapters have equal importance in NEET. Understanding chapter-wise weightage helps you allocate study time strategically:

High-Weightage Chapters (15-25% of questions): Dedicate 40-50% of your study time to these chapters. They appear in almost every NEET exam and directly impact your score.

Medium-Weightage Chapters (8-14%): Allocate 30-40% of your study time. Ensure thorough understanding and practice.

Low-Weightage Chapters (1-7%): Spend 10-20% of your time. Master basic concepts without going too deep.

Strategy 2: Subject-Wise Time Allocation

Based on weightage and difficulty, allocate your weekly study hours like this:

Weekly Study Distribution (assuming 50 hours/week):

• Biology: 25 hours (50%)

• Chemistry: 12-15 hours (25-30%)

• Physics: 10-12 hours (20-25%)

• Revision & Mock Tests: 5-7 hours

This allocation ensures Biology, your highest-scoring subject, gets maximum attention while other subjects still receive adequate preparation time.

Strategy 3: Phase-Based Preparation Plan

Break your NEET UG 2026 preparation into three distinct phases:

Phase 1 – Foundation Building (Months 1-3):

• Cover basic concepts from NCERT Class 11 in all three subjects

• Build strong conceptual understanding rather than memorizing

• Focus on Physics numericals and Chemistry reactions

• Create concept maps and notes

Phase 2 – Intensive Learning (Months 4-8):

• Complete Class 12 syllabus with equal rigor

• Solve practice problems and MCQs from each chapter

• Start taking chapter-wise mock tests

• Identify weak areas and revisit them immediately

Phase 3 – Revision & Mock Tests (Months 9-11):

• Complete at least one full revision of the entire syllabus

• Solve previous years’ NEET papers (minimum 10 years)

• Take weekly full-length mock tests under exam conditions

• Analyze mistakes and revisit those topics

• Focus on accuracy and speed improvement

Strategy 4: Subject-Specific Study Approaches

For Physics:

• Don’t memorize formulas – understand their derivations

• Solve numerical problems daily; accuracy and speed both matter

• Create a formula sheet with derivations for revision

• Practice topics like Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Modern Physics extra carefully

• Use diagrams to understand concepts in Optics and Waves

For Chemistry:

• Understand chemical reactions; focus on mechanisms in Organic Chemistry

• Create tables for chemical properties and reactions

• Practice balancing chemical equations regularly

• Revise the periodic table and trends frequently

• Use mnemonics for organic compound reactions

For Biology:

• Study NCERT line-by-line; most NEET questions come directly from NCERT

• Draw and label diagrams from each chapter

• Memorize scientific names of organisms, especially in Plant and Animal Kingdom

• Understand biological processes (photosynthesis, respiration, reproduction) thoroughly

• Create flowcharts for physiological processes

Strategy 5: Resource Recommendations

Primary Resources:

• NCERT Class 11 & 12 Textbooks (absolutely essential)

• Official NEET syllabus PDF from NMC

Practice Resources:

• Previous years’ NEET question papers (10 years minimum)

• Mock tests aligned with NEET pattern

• Chapter-wise practice questions

Supplementary Resources:

• Reference books for additional depth (but only after NCERT is mastered)

• Video lectures for difficult topics

• Online test series for regular assessment

NEET UG 2026 Preparation Timeline

Based on an assumed exam date in May 2026, here’s a realistic preparation timeline:

January-February 2026: Complete revision of Physics and Chemistry Class 11 & 12 units, and Biology Botany

March-April 2026: Complete Biology Zoology, take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly, focus on weak areas

May 2026: Final revision, analyze mock test mistakes, solve one previous year paper daily, maintain confidence

This timeline assumes you’ve already started foundational preparation. If you’re starting fresh, adjust the timeline accordingly but maintain the phased approach.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation

1. Ignoring Low-Weightage Topics Completely: Even low-weightage chapters can contribute 15-30 marks. Ensure you have at least basic understanding.

2. Only Reading Theory Without Practice: NEET is a problem-solving exam. Reading alone won’t improve your marks; you must practice MCQs and solve previous papers.

3. Not Analyzing Mock Test Mistakes: Simply taking mock tests without analysis wastes time. Spend 30% of your mock test time analyzing why you got questions wrong.

4. Studying Outdated Syllabus: Always refer to the official NMC syllabus. Previous year’s materials may contain deleted topics.

5. Skipping Revision: Students often stop revising while learning new chapters. Dedicate 3-4 months primarily to revision before the exam.

6. Neglecting Biology: With 50% weightage, skipping Biology is a major mistake. Many students focus equally on all subjects, which wastes time that should go to Biology.

Key Points to Remember

• The NMC NEET UG 2026 syllabus covers complete Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT curriculum with no chapters deleted

• Biology carries 50% of total marks, making it your priority subject

• You have 180 minutes for 180 questions – efficient time management is crucial

• NCERT books are the foundation; they cover 80% of NEET questions

• Practice with previous years’ papers and mock tests regularly

• Chapter-wise weightage should guide your study time allocation

• Consistent revision prevents forgetting old topics while learning new ones

Success in NEET UG 2026 depends on systematic planning, focused execution, and regular self-assessment. Download the official NMC syllabus PDF, create a personalized study schedule based on your pace and strengths, and commit to consistent daily preparation. With strategic preparation and proper coverage of all three subjects, you can achieve your target score and secure admission to your desired medical college.