The NEET UG 2026 Exam is expected to be held on May 3, 2026, in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, is likely to release the official notification by the end of this year. As per previous trends, nearly 23 lakh students are anticipated to register for the NEET 2026 Exam. The application form is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026, and the test will be conducted in 13 languages across India.  Aspirants preparing for NEET 2026 can  explore details on exam dates, eligibility, registration, and preparation tips to stay ahead in their journey.

To appear for NEET UG 2026, candidates must have completed 10+2 with Science (PCB) and must be at least 17 years of age as of December 31, 2026. The official notification, including the application form, syllabus, and exam pattern, will be released on the NTA website — www.neet.nta.nic.in. Scoring well in NEET 2026 is crucial, as it determines admission to India’s top medical institutions and serves as a benchmark for aspiring doctors nationwide.

As per the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), about 13.17 lakh candidates have already taken admission under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) in the first three rounds of NEET Counselling 2025.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is carrying out a detailed study to check if NEET can be shifted to an online mode in the future. Officials have said that the NTA is exploring the idea of conducting the exam as a computer-based test, possibly held over multiple days and time slots. Reports also suggest that students may no longer get to choose their own exam city — instead, the NTA could assign it based on the address mentioned in the candidate’s Aadhaar Card.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is India’s single national-level entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical, dental, and paramedical courses such as MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, and others offered by government and private colleges across the country.

The exam is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) once every year, usually in May, in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. NEET evaluates candidates on their understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology) based on the NCERT syllabus of Classes 11 and 12.

A good NEET score is crucial for securing admission to top medical colleges under the All India Quota (AIQ) and state quotas. It is also a mandatory qualification for students aspiring to pursue MBBS abroad. The test duration is 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes), during which candidates must attempt 180 out of 200 questions.

Conducted in 13 languages, NEET attracts over 20 lakh aspirants every year, making it one of the most competitive exams in India. Among the courses offered through NEET, MBBS remains the most sought-after, followed by BDS and BSc Nursing. Each year, the number of NEET applicants continues to rise, reflecting its growing importance in India’s medical education landscape.

(Core + Allied Programs)

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is India’s single national-level entrance exam for admission To Undergraduate Medical, Dental, AYUSH, Veterinary, and several Allied Health courses. It serves as the gateway to over 1.5 lakh seats across Government, Private, and Deemed Universities in India.

PART A — CORE COURSES UNDER NEET-UG

These are the primary professional degrees that mandatorily require NEET-UG qualification for admission.

1. MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)

·         Duration: 5.5 years (including 1-year internship)

·         Regulatory Body: National Medical Commission (NMC)

·         Colleges in India: ~819 medical colleges (2025)

Ø  Government: ~388

Ø  Private/Deemed: ~431

·         Seats (2025): ~1,28,875

·         Career Options: Doctor, Surgeon, Medical Officer, Researcher, Public Health Administrator

Why Choose MBBS?

It is the most preferred and competitive medical programme in India, offering the widest range of clinical career paths.

Most preferred and highly competitive course via NEET.

2. BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

·         Duration                           : 5 years (including 1-year internship)

·         Regulatory Body            : Dental Council of India (DCI)

·         Colleges                            : 323

Ø  Government         : 75

Ø  Private/Deemed   : 248

Ø  Total Seats           : 27,618

·         Career Options                 : Dentist, Orthodontist, Dental Surgeon, Prosthodontist, Second most popular option after MBBS.

Who Choose BDS?

Students interested in oral healthcare, dental surgery, and cosmetic dentistry.

3. AYUSH Courses

Admissions to AYUSH programmes (traditional medicine systems) are also conducted through NEET-UG.

Why Choose AYUSH?

AYUSH courses are ideal for students interested in holistic and Alternative/traditional systems of medicine.

4. BVSc & AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry)

·         Duration: 5.5 years (including internship)

·         Regulatory Body: Veterinary Council of India (VCI)

·         Colleges: ~60

·         Seats: ~6,000+

·         Career Options: Veterinarian, Livestock Officer, Animal Research Scientist

Why choose BVSc & AH?

BVSc &AH is best for: students passionate about Animal Health, Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Research.

PART B — ALLIED & RELATED HEALTH COURSES

(Often Chosen by NEET Aspirants)

These programmes may require NEET scores in some institutes or accept non-NEET admissions, but they are popular alternatives among NEET aspirants due to their healthcare scope.

These allied courses ensure a stable healthcare career even if you don’t pursue MBBS/BDS.

Summary of NEET-UG Seat Distribution (Approximate, 2025)

Key Takeaways for Aspirants:

NEET-UG is mandatory for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and most Veterinary admissions.

·         Top Institutes: AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, Banaras Hindu University, State Medical Colleges.

·         Plan B options: Offers multiple streams even if MBBS seats are competitive.  Allied and Paramedical courses provide stable, in-demand career paths.

·         Counselling: Conducted separately by MCC (for AIQ) and State DMEs (for State Quota), it determines eligibility for All India Quota (15%) and State Quota (85%) counselling.

·         Scope: Rising healthcare demand means strong placement and postgraduate opportunities across all courses.

 Finally, If you qualify NEET UG, you unlock access to over 2,00,000+ medical and health science seats across India — from MBBS to AYUSH to Veterinary and even Nursing (in premier institutes).  Whether your dream is to become a Doctor, Dentist, Ayurvedic Physician, Veterinarian, Nurse, Physiotherapist, or Healthcare Technologist, NEET UG opens multiple pathways.

The NEET UG 2025 exam was conducted on May 4, 2025, followed by the release of the provisional answer key and OMR sheets on June 3, 2025. Candidates were allowed to submit objections until June 5, 2025. The final answer key and result were officially declared on June 14, 2025.

The NEET 2025 counselling process began on July 21, 2025. After the completion of the first three rounds, the Round 4 (Online Stray Vacancy Round) commenced on November 4, 2025, and the full counselling procedure is expected to conclude by November 20, 2025.

This year, several NEET counselling dates were revised due to updates in the seat matrix and ongoing legal proceedings, which also affected various state counselling timelines. Candidates are advised to stay updated and review the complete schedule for detailed timelines.

Take a look at the complete schedule of NEET 2025 exam from below given:

The NEET exam pattern has been significantly updated in recent years. As per the latest format, NEET will continue to be conducted as an offline, pen-and-paper (PBT) examination with a total duration of three hours. The question paper will include 180 mandatory multiple-choice questions, divided across the three subjects: 45 questions each in Physics and Chemistry, and 90 questions in Biology (Botany + Zoology).

Candidates must mark their answers on the OMR sheet by shading the appropriate circle using the blue or black ballpoint pen provided at the examination centre.

Below is the revised distribution of questions and marks:

The NTA has also confirmed that the earlier optional questions have now been removed, making all questions compulsory in NEET.

·         Higher certainty / uniformity: Since all questions are now mandatory, there's less strategic choice or “guess which 5 to skip” — students must prepare more comprehensively.

·         Time pressure increased: With fewer minutes and all questions required, time management will be more challenging.

·         Reduced complexity in choice: Removing optional questions simplifies the structure.

·         More flexibility in exam city: Allowing three city choices could help students get a more convenient or nearer exam center.

The NEET 2025 counselling process, conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), began on July 21, 2025, and is expected to continue till November 20, 2025. However, this timeline is likely to be extended further as the choice filling deadline has been postponed, which may delay the final round seat allotment results.

The MCC has not yet released the revised counselling schedule. Initially, the entire process was scheduled to conclude by November 15, 2025.

Students who have qualified NEET 2025 by meeting or exceeding the cutoff marks are eligible to participate in the counselling process for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses across India.

The NEET 2026 counselling is conducted under two major categories:

·         15% All India Quota (AIQ) – Counselling organized by the MCC.

·         85% State Quota (SQ) – Counselling conducted by respective State Directorates of Medical Education (DME) or other designated state authorities.

Steps Involved in NEET Counselling Process:

·         Online Registration – Candidates must register on the official MCC or state counselling portal.

·         Choice Filling & Locking – Fill and lock preferred colleges and courses within the given time.

·         Seat Allotment Result – Seats are allotted based on NEET rank, preferences, and seat availability.

·         Reporting to the Allotted Institute – Candidates must confirm admission by reporting to the respective institute within the specified time frame.

Tip: Candidates should keep checking the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and the respective State counselling portals regularly for updated schedules and announcements.

The NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is the mandatory entrance exam for admission into MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS), and other medical courses in India. To apply for NEET UG, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Below is a complete guide to NEET UG eligibility criteria.

1. Nationality

    Candidates must be:

·         Indian Nationals

·         Non-Resident Indians (NRI)

·         Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)

·         Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

·         Foreign Nationals

2. Age Limit

·         Minimum Age: 17 years as of 31st December of the admission year.

·         Maximum Age: No upper age limit for NEET UG (as per the current guidelines).

3. Educational Qualification

    Candidates must have completed or be appearing in Class 12 or equivalent with the                 following subjects:

·         Physics

·         Chemistry

·         Biology/Biotechnology

English (core/regular)

4. Minimum Marks Required in Class 12 (PCB Aggregate):

·         General Category: Minimum 50%

·         OBC/SC/ST candidates: Minimum 40%

·         PwD (General): Minimum 45%

5. Number of Attempts

·         No limit on the number of attempts for NEET UG.

6. Additional Eligibility for BSc Nursing

    For candidates applying for BSc Nursing through NEET:

·         Minimum 45% (General) and 40% (Reserved) in PCB.

·         Must be 17 years or above.

7. Qualifying Exam Codes (Important for Application Form)

    You must choose the correct Qualification Code while filling the NEET form:

·         Code 01: Appearing in Class 12

·         Code 02–07: For students who have already completed Class 12 or equivalent from different boards/universities

(Provide this section if you want detailed descriptions.)

8. Reservation Eligibility

    To claim reservation benefits, candidates must have:

·         Valid category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)

·         PwD certificate issued by an authorized medical board

Final Note:

All candidates must submit valid documents, photographs, and signatures as per NTA guidelines. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission; admission depends on NEET score, All India Rank, and counselling procedures.

The NEET UG Syllabus is prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and covers topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany + Zoology) of Classes 11 & 12

The NEET 2026 syllabus is officially prepared and released by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It covers essential topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology based on the Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE curriculum.  . The syllabus is designed to test a student’s conceptual understanding and application skills required for medical and allied science programs.

For the 2026 exam cycle, the NMC has streamlined and updated the chapters, ensuring that NEET aspirants focus on the most relevant units. As per the latest framework, NEET 2026 includes:

·         20 units in Physics

·         20 units in Chemistry

·         10 major units in Biology

Students are advised to carefully review all topics to plan their preparation effectively.

NEET UG 2026 SYLLABUS – SUBJECT-WISE CHAPTERS

The NEET UG 2026 application process will be conducted online by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through its official portal. The application form for NEET 2026 is expected to be released in February 2026, followed by a fixed window for form submission, fee payment, and application corrections.

Unlike previous years where deadlines were occasionally extended, candidates are advised to complete the NEET 2026 application form well before the last date, as NTA may follow a strict schedule without reopening the application window.

Neet Ug 2026 Application Form – Expected Schedule

·         Release of Application Form: February 2026 (Tentative)

·         Deadline to Apply: March 2026

·         Application Correction Window: To be announced after the closing of applications

Candidates must enter accurate academic, personal, and contact details and upload all required documents, including photographs, signatures, and category certificates (if applicable).

NEET UG 2026 Registration Figures

NTA will release the official count of NEET 2026 applicants after the application window closes. Last year, NEET received over 22 lakh registrations, making it one of the largest entrance exams in India. A similar or higher number of candidates is expected for NEET 2026 due to increased eligibility flexibility and removal of the upper age limit.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Date

The NEET UG 2026 exam is expected to be held in May 2026, most likely in the first week, following the standard schedule of NTA. The exam will be conducted offline from 2 PM to 5 PM across designated centres in India and abroad.

Building the right set of books is essential for excelling in NEET. A well-chosen combination of textbooks and reference guides helps students strengthen concepts, practice effectively, and stay aligned with the exam’s requirements.

NEET 2026 Preparation & Recommended Books

To perform well in NEET 2026, students must prepare thoroughly and strategically. Here are key preparation guidelines to follow:

·         Understand the NEET 2026 syllabus and exam pattern in detail before starting your preparation.

·         Choose study materials and reference books that closely match the updated syllabus and question format.

·         Create a structured study plan and stick to it consistently through the preparation phase.

·         Solve NEET Previous Year Questions (PYQs) chapter-wise, topic-wise, and subject-wise to become familiar with the difficulty level and recurring question trends.

·         Practice full-length mock tests regularly to build accuracy, improve speed, and identify weaker areas that need more revision.

The NEET UG 2026 results will be declared online by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official portal. The results will be made available in two formats: merit list and scorecard.

In the previous cycle, for instance, the NEET 2025 result was announced on June 14, 2025, while the scorecards for candidates whose results were withheld were released later on July 15, 2025, following legal proceedings for exam-day inconveniences like power failures at certain test centres.

1. NEET UG Result Format

Merit List:

The merit list is published on the official NTA NEET website (www.neet.nta.nic.in) and contains the all-India ranking of candidates based on their NEET score. This list is accessible to everyone for reference.

Scorecard:

The scorecard is personalized and can be downloaded only by candidates who appeared for NEET. It contains detailed marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, along with the total score, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR).

2. How to Check NEET UG Result / Scorecard

1.    Visit the official NEET website: www.neet.nta.nic.in

2.    Click on “NEET UG 2026 Result” link.

3.    Enter the required credentials:

·         Application Number

·         Date of Birth

·         Security Pin / Captcha

4.    Click Submit.

5.    Your NEET 2026 scorecard will appear on the screen.

6.    Download and save it as a PDF for future reference.

7.    Print a hard copy for counselling and admission purposes.

3. Understanding the NEET UG Scorecard

The NEET scorecard provides the following details:

·         Candidate’s Name, Roll Number, and Application Number

·         Marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

·         Total Marks

·         Percentile Score

·         All India Rank (AIR)

·         Category-wise rank (if applicable)

·         Cut-off status for eligibility

4. How to Calculate NEET Percentile

NEET percentile is calculated to indicate a candidate’s relative performance compared to all test-takers. The formula is:

NEET Percentile =( Number of candidates scoring less than you Total candidates ) × 100

Example:

If 1,50,000 Tamil Nadu candidates appeared and 1,20,000 scored less than a student:

1,20,0001,50,000×100=80%

Percentile is used to determine the All India Rank and eligibility for counselling under the NEET UG quota system.

5. Key Points to Remember

·        NEET results are declared only online; no physical copy is sent.

·        Scorecards are mandatory for participating in counselling and seat allotment.

·        Percentile scores, AIR, and category ranks are used to prepare the merit list.

·        Keep your application number and date of birth handy to avoid login issues.

The NEET 2025 cut-off is the minimum score and percentile required to qualify for NEET UG exam for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical programs.

NTA releases the category-wise cut-off along with the result and merit list. Only candidates who meet the cut-off criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) are eligible to participate in NEET counselling for admissions into MBBS, BDS, BSc Nursing, and AYUSH programs across India.

·        The cut-off varies every year depending on exam difficulty, number of test-takers, and seat availability.

·        Candidates scoring above the cut-off become eligible for national and state-level counselling.

·        Separate cut-offs are announced for 15% AIQ, 85% State Quota, and NEET participating institutes.

Based on previous years’ trends, the expected NEET 2025 qualifying cut-off is as follows:

Expected NEET 2025 Qualifying Cut-off

 (Values may slightly vary depending on the official announcement.)

TheDial4college NEET UG College Predictoris a powerful, guidance tool designed to help NEET aspirants estimate their chances of securing admission in medical colleges across India. Using advanced data analytics and authentic past-year counselling trends, the tool predicts admission possibilities across 700+ government, private, and deemed medical institutes, including top institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, and leading state medical colleges.

With just a few inputs—your NEET UG 2025 score or result, category, preferred course, and state—the Dial4college Predictor instantly generates a personalised list of colleges where you are most likely to get a seat. This enables students to make informed decisions before and during the NEET counselling process.

Based on previous-year cut-offs, reservation rules, seat matrix data, and admission patterns, the Dial4college NEET UG College Predictor offers an accuracy range of ±10%, making it a reliable tool for students planning their medical education journey.

Start using the predictor today to explore your best-fit colleges and plan your NEET counselling with confidence.

1. When will the NEET UG 2026 exam be conducted?

The NEET UG 2026 exam is expected to be held on May 3, 2026 (tentative), based on previous exam cycles. The official date will be announced by NTA in November 2025.

2. When will the NEET 2026 application form be released?

The NEET 2026 application form is likely to be released in the first week of February 2026, and the registration window may remain open until March 2026.

3. When will the NEET 2026 admit card be available?

The NEET UG 2026 admit card is expected to be released in the fourth week of April 2026, around 5–7 days before the exam.

4. How can candidates check the NEET 2026 result?

The NEET 2026 result is tentatively scheduled for release on June 3, 2026. Candidates can download their scorecard online using their Application Number, Date of Birth, and security pin on the official NTA NEET website.

5. When will NEET 2026 counselling begin?

Counselling for NEET UG 2026 is expected to start in July 2026, soon after the announcement of the results and merit list. It will include four rounds, followed by a special stray vacancy round if seats remain vacant.