What is the NEET Exam 2026?
The NEET 2026 is India’s national-level medical entrance exam, which is conducted by NTA to get admission into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other undergraduate medical courses.
- More than 2,300 colleges accept the NEET 2026 Score in India for different Medical and health courses.
- Including around 600-700 Medical colleges, 300+ dental colleges (BDS), and hundreds of AYUSH and BVSc & AH colleges.
NEET 2026 Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVSc & AH, BSc Nursing |
| Exam Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-and-Paper) |
| Duration | 3 hours (2 PM – 5 PM) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Total Questions | 180 |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Expected Candidates | 20–22 lakh |
| MBBS Seats (Approx.) | 1.1 lakh |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
Check:
What's new in NEET 2026?
The NEET UG 2026 is conducted by NTA, including proper verification and a fully standardised exam format this year.
The Major focus is on registration, allotment of exam-centre, and a fixed exam pattern. You should be aware of these updates before filling out the application form.
| Change Introduced | Details |
| Aadhaar-based eKYC | Mandatory identity verification through Aadhaar during registration |
| Live photo capture | Candidates must capture a live photo while filling the form; old uploads are not allowed |
| Exam city allotment rule | City allocation is linked to the address details provided in the application |
| Pattern restored | Pre-COVID format returned; no optional questions in any subject |
| Total questions fixed | All 180 questions are compulsory (45 Physics, 45 Chemistry, 90 Biology) |
| Tech-based tracking | AI-based verification introduced to reduce errors |
If you are going to appear in NEET 2026, check this video by @Dr.AnandMani to know about major changes in the NEET 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus.
NEET 2026 Exam Dates
The NEET 2026 is conducted by NTA and will be held on 3rd May 2026, in an offline mode in India and abroad.
The registration process started on 8th February 2026, and you should follow the official timeline carefully to avoid missing key deadlines.
NEET 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date / Timeline |
| Registration Start Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 8, 2026 (up to 9 PM)
March 11, 2026 (9:00 PM) (Extended) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | March 8, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
March 11, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) (Extended) |
| Correction Window | 12 March – 14 March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Late April 2026 (expected) |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | May 3, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Result Declaration | By June 2026 (tentative) |
Source: NEET Information Bulletin
Check:
NEET 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Process
The NEET 2026 Registration is a multi-step process, for which you should complete the login, form filling, eKYC Verification, document upload and fee payment.
This year, the NEET Registration Process includes the Aadhaar-based eKYC, live photo capture, and stricter document verification, so candidates must complete each step carefully to avoid rejection.
You can check this video by @collegedunia to know about the complete step-by-step application process of NEET 2026.
NEET 2026 Registration Fees: Category-Wise Details
The NEET Registration Fees are expected to be the same as the previous year and will differ according to the category of the candidate. The NEET Fees should be paid online and will be non-refundable.
NEET 2026 Registration Fees (Expected)
| Category | Expected Application Fee |
| General | ₹1,700 |
| EWS, OBS | ₹1,600 |
| SC, ST, PwD | ₹1,000 |
| Candidates Outside India | ₹9,500 |
Check:
… Read More Read Less
How Many Students appear for NEET Every Year?
The NEET Registration Statistics of every year show the medical competition in India, which shows the total number of candidates who applied and appeared on the exam day.
For the last 4 years, the registration has been similar, but there is a gap between the number of candidates registered and those who appeared.
NEET Registered vs Appeared Candidates (Last 4 Years)
- The NEET registrations have increased by around 29% from 2022 to 2024, which shows high demand in medical colleges.
- As more than 23+ lakh candidates appear every year, MBBS Seats are only around 1.18 lakh, which shows high pressure.
| Year | Registered Candidates | Appeared Candidates |
| NEET 2025 | 24,20,000 | 23,60,000 |
| NEET 2024 | 24,06,079 | 23,33,297 |
| NEET 2023 | 20,87,462 | 20,38,596 |
| NEET 2022 | 18,72,343 | 17,64,571 |
NEET Documents Required during Registration
For NEET 2026 Registration, candidates have to upload their identity, academic and category documents to verify their eligibility.
By Uploading clear, correct format files is crucial as mismatched and blurred documents can reject your application.
NEET 2026 Documents Required for Registration
| Document | Purpose | Key Specifications |
| Passport-size Photograph | Identity verification | Recent colour photo, white background, JPG/JPEG format |
| Postcard-size Photograph | Additional verification | 4”×6” size, colour, as per NTA format |
| Candidate Signature | Authentication of the application | Black pen on white paper, scanned in JPG/JPEG |
| Left & Right Thumb Impression | Biometric verification | Clear scan, blue/black ink, JPG format |
| Class 10 Certificate/Marksheet | Date of birth proof | PDF/JPG, clearly showing DOB |
| Class 12 Marksheet/Admit Card | Academic eligibility | Required for appearing/appeared candidates |
| Valid ID Proof | Identity confirmation | Aadhaar/Passport/PAN/School ID (PDF/JPG) |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | Reservation benefits | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD certificate in prescribed format |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable) | Disability quota | Issued by authorized medical authority |
 - 2026-03-25T111514.290 (1).png?h=112&w=263&mode=stretch)
 - 2026-03-05T185451.969.png?h=112&w=263&mode=stretch)
Comments