NEET UG 2026 Registration Begins: NTA Announces May 3 Medical Entrance Exam, Check Application Process, Eligibility, Fees, Exam Pattern and Important Dates

NEET UG 2026 Registration Begins: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the NEET UG 2026 notification, initiating the admission process for undergraduate medical, dental, and allied health science courses across India. With more than 20 lakh candidates registering every year, NEET continues to remain one of the most competitive entrance examinations in the country. 

The online application process has begun on the official website, and eligible candidates can submit their forms until March 8, 2026. The examination is scheduled to be conducted on May 3, 2026, and aspirants are advised to carefully review eligibility criteria, document requirements, and official instructions to avoid errors during registration.

Key Highlights of NEET UG 2026 Notification, Registration Process and Exam Schedule

• NEET UG 2026 notification released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on February 8, 2026.
• Online registration started at neet.nta.nic.in.
• Last date to submit application form: March 8, 2026 (up to 9 PM).
• Fee payment deadline: March 8, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM).
• Application correction window: March 10 to March 12, 2026.
• NEET UG 2026 examination date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday).
• Exam timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in a single shift.
• Duration of examination: 180 minutes (3 hours).
• NEET remains the sole entrance examination for undergraduate medical and allied courses in India.
• Over 20 lakh candidates have registered annually in recent years.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Date, Timing and Complete Schedule

According to the official notification, NEET UG 2026 will be conducted on May 3, 2026, in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Candidates are required to reach their examination centres well before the reporting time to complete verification procedures.

The exam city intimation slip is expected to be released in mid-April 2026, while admit cards are likely to be issued in the last week of April 2026. The provisional answer key is expected in mid-May, followed by the final answer key in late May or early June, and the result declaration is expected in June 2026. Exact dates will be announced later on nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in.

How and Where to Apply for NEET UG 2026

The application process for NEET UG 2026 is strictly online. Candidates must apply only through the official website, neet.nta.nic.in. Offline applications or submissions through any other mode will not be accepted.

Applicants are required to complete registration by entering basic details, generating an application number and password, filling personal and academic information, selecting exam city preferences and language of the question paper, uploading required documents, paying the application fee, and downloading the confirmation page.

Also Read: MCC Releases NEET PG 2025 Counselling Schedule: Registration Open Till November 5, Results on November 8

Candidates must submit only one application form. Submission of multiple applications may lead to summary disqualification.

Documents Required and Upload Specifications for NEET UG 2026 Application

During the application process, candidates must upload required documents in prescribed formats and sizes, including:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Address proof
• Identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, DigiLocker ID, or other valid government-issued ID)
• Class 10 certificate or marksheet (for date of birth verification)
• Class 12 marksheet or equivalent qualification
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• UDID/PwBD certificate (if applicable)

Photograph size must be between 10 KB and 200 KB, while the signature must meet prescribed size limits. Candidates are advised to use the same photograph for application, examination attendance sheet, and counselling.

The NTA has also advised applicants to ensure that Aadhaar details, UDID cards, and category certificates are updated and valid before filling out the application form to avoid discrepancies or rejection at later stages.

NEET UG 2026 Application Fee Structure

The application fee varies according to category and examination centre location:

For candidates opting for examination centres outside India, the application fee is Rs 9500 for all categories.

The fee must be paid online through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Applications without successful fee payment will not be considered valid.

NEET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Age Requirement

To be eligible for NEET UG 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects. Candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026. As per current regulations, there is no upper age limit for appearing in the examination.

Minimum qualifying marks in Class 12 are 50 percent for the General category and 40 percent for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates. Indian nationals, NRIs, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and foreign nationals are eligible to appear for the examination.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern, Subjects and Language Options

NEET UG 2026 will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode. The question paper will consist of 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology).

• Biology: 90 questions
• Physics: 45 questions
• Chemistry: 45 questions

Each correct answer carries four marks, while one mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. The total marks for the examination are 720. The syllabus is primarily based on NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 topics.

The examination will be conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, Punjabi, Urdu, and Malayalam. In case of any discrepancy, the English version of the question paper will be considered final.

Importance of NEET UG in India’s Medical Admission System

NEET UG serves as the single national-level entrance examination for admission into undergraduate medical, dental, and allied health science courses in India. With participation crossing 20 lakh candidates annually, the examination plays a crucial role in determining admission to medical education across the country. The release of the notification officially signals the start of the medical admission season for 2026.

Spiritual Perspective: The Importance of True Knowledge and Right Guidance in Human Life

Alongside academic goals and professional ambitions, many spiritual traditions emphasise the importance of inner clarity, moral discipline, and right knowledge in shaping a meaningful life. The teachings of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj highlight that true success is achieved when education is balanced with spiritual understanding and ethical living. 

His discourse focuses on leading a stress-free and purposeful life through devotion, correct spiritual knowledge, and righteous conduct. For students preparing for competitive examinations like NEET UG, such guidance encourages mental stability, patience, and positive thinking, helping individuals remain focused while pursuing both worldly achievements and spiritual growth.

Medical Admission Cycle Begins as NEET UG 2026 Process Starts

With the release of the NEET UG 2026 notification, the medical admission process across India has formally begun. Candidates are advised to complete the application process well before the deadline, carefully read the Information Bulletin, and regularly visit official websites for updates regarding admit cards, exam city details, answer keys, and results.

Timely submission, accurate documentation, and early preparation will help aspirants avoid last-minute complications and focus on their examination strategy with greater clarity and confidence.

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