NEET 2026 Exam Dates Announced: Registration Open from February 8

The National Testing Agency (NTA), an independent and autonomous testing organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has officially released the notification for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026. This common and uniform national entrance test is the gateway to undergraduate medical education across India.

What is NEET (UG) 2026?

NEET (UG) 2026 is a single national-level entrance examination for admission to:

• MBBS & BDS courses in all medical and dental institutions
• BAMS, BUMS, and BSMS courses (Indian System of Medicine) as per the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020
• BHMS course as per the National Commission for Homeopathy Act, 2020
• BSc Nursing course at Armed Forces Medical Service Hospitals (for Military Nursing Service aspirants)

Language Options

NEET (UG) 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages:

• English
• Hindi
• Assamese
• Bengali
• Gujarati
• Kannada
• Malayalam
• Marathi
• Odia
• Punjabi
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Urdu

Key Dates for NEET 2026

Mark these important dates in your calendar:

How to Apply for NEET 2026

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to examinationservices.nic.in/neetc2026 or nta.ac.in

📄 Download Official Information Bulletin: Click here for detailed guidelines

Step 2: Register Your Account

• Create a new account with your email ID and mobile number
• Verify your email and phone through OTP
• Note down your application number and password

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

• Enter personal details (name, date of birth, gender)
• Add educational qualifications
• Select exam city preferences
• Upload required documents

Step 4: Upload Documents

Ensure you have the following ready:

• Recent passport-size photograph (file size: 10-200 KB, dimensions: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Scanned signature (file size: 4-30 KB, dimensions: 3.5 cm × 1.5 cm)
• Valid Aadhaar card (for identity verification)
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets (for reference)

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

• General/OBC-NCL: ₹1,700
• SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: ₹1,000
• Payment modes: Credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI

Step 6: Submit and Download

• Review all details carefully
• Submit the application form
• Download and print the confirmation page

Exam Pattern Overview

NEET 2026 will be conducted in offline mode (pen-and-paper based test) with the following structure:

Exam Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes) | Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Marking Scheme:

• +4 marks for each correct answer
• -1 mark for each incorrect answer
• No marks for unattempted questions

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2026
• Maximum Age: No upper age limit (as per recent Supreme Court ruling)

Educational Qualification

• Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English
• Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General/OBC-NCL
• Minimum 40% aggregate for SC/ST/OBC
• Minimum 45% aggregate for PwD candidates

Important Instructions

Do’s

✅ Apply well before the deadline (don’t wait for March 8)
✅ Double-check all details before submission
✅ Keep multiple copies of the confirmation page
✅ Use a valid email ID and mobile number
✅ Upload clear, recent photographs
✅ Pay the fee before the deadline

Don’ts

❌ Don’t submit multiple applications (only one per candidate)
❌ Don’t use blurred or old photographs
❌ Don’t ignore the correction window if you make mistakes
❌ Don’t share your login credentials with anyone
❌ Don’t wait for the last day to apply

What Happens After Registration?

Correction Window (March 10-12)

If you notice any errors in your application after submission, you can make corrections during this window. However, you cannot change:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Category
• Gender

Admit Card Release (Late April)

Your admit card will contain:

• Exam center details
• Reporting time
• Important instructions
• Your photograph and signature

Exam Day (May 3, 2026)

• Reach the center at least 90 minutes before the exam
• Carry your admit card and a valid photo ID
• No electronic devices allowed
• Dress code: Full sleeves not allowed

Preparation Tips

With the exam scheduled for May 3, 2026, you have approximately 12 weeks to prepare. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Week 1-4: Foundation Building

• Complete NCERT textbooks (Class 11 & 12)
• Focus on understanding concepts, not memorization
• Make concise notes for quick revision

Week 5-8: Practice and Strengthen

• Solve previous year NEET papers (last 10 years)
• Take topic-wise tests
• Identify weak areas and work on them
• Join test series for regular practice

Week 9-11: Mock Tests and Revision

• Take full-length mock tests weekly
• Analyze your performance after each test
• Revise important formulas and diagrams
• Focus on time management

Week 12: Final Revision

• Revise your notes and important topics
• Solve last 5 years’ papers again
• Stay calm and maintain a healthy routine
• Avoid learning new topics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I edit my application after submission?
A: Yes, during the correction window (March 10-12, 2026), but only limited fields can be edited.

Q: Is Aadhaar mandatory for NEET 2026?
A: Yes, Aadhaar is required for identity verification during registration.

Q: How many exam cities can I choose?
A: You can select up to 4 exam city preferences, but the final allotment is subject to availability.

Q: What if I miss the application deadline?
A: Unfortunately, NTA does not accept late applications. Ensure you apply before March 8, 2026.

Q: Can I appear for NEET after a gap year?
A: Yes, there is no restriction on the number of attempts or gap years.

Stay Updated

For the latest updates, notifications, and important announcements:

• Official NEET Portal: examinationservices.nic.in/neetc2026
• NTA Website: nta.ac.in
• Information Bulletin: Download PDF
• Helpline: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• Email: neet@nta.ac.in

Don’t delay your application! With registration closing on March 8, 2026, start your application process today. Ensure all your documents are ready, and apply well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Looking for medical colleges in Karnataka? Check out our comprehensive college directory for NEET cutoffs, seat availability, and admission details.

Best of luck for NEET 2026! 🩺📚