News Details

NEET UG 2026: Registration Begins, Exam Schedule & Official Updates

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially opened the NEET UG 2026 registration window, signalling the start of one of India’s most competitive academic admission cycles. Each year, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) attracts over 20 lakh medical aspirants, all competing for limited seats in undergraduate medical and allied health science programmes across the country.

NEET UG continues to serve as the single national entrance examination for admission to courses such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, B.Sc Nursing, BHMS, BVSc & AH, and several other healthcare and life-science disciplines offered by government and private institutions. The centralized nature of the exam ensures transparency and uniformity in medical admissions nationwide.

The official notification for NEET UG 2026 was released on 8 February 2026, and the online application process commenced shortly thereafter. Candidates can now submit their application forms through the official NTA website by completing registration, uploading required documents, and paying the applicable examination fee.

Given the scale of participation and the strict deadlines involved, aspirants are strongly advised to complete the registration process well before the closing date. Early submission helps avoid last-minute technical glitches, payment failures, or documentation errors that could lead to application rejection. Candidates should regularly monitor official updates to stay informed about important announcements related to the examination process.

Important NEET UG 2026 Dates

Registration last date: 8 March 2026 (strict deadline for both form submission and fee transaction).

Application Fees for NEET UG 2026

The NEET 2026 application fee is structured category-wise for centres within India as follows:

• General: ₹1,700
• General-EWS / OBC-NCL: ₹1,600
• SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender: ₹1,000
  For candidates appearing outside India, a uniform fee of ₹9,500 applies across all categories.

NEET 2026 Registration: Direct Link & Process

Official website: neet.nta.nic.in — the only portal to submit the NEET UG 2026 application form.

Direct process overview:

1. Visit the official NEET portal at neet.nta.nic.in.
2. Click on “NEET UG 2026 Registration” link.
3. Complete New Registration with personal details and generate your application number.
4. Login and fill in academic, address, and category information.
5. Upload required documents and photos (details below).
6. Pay the application fee online by UPI, Credit/Debit Card, Net-Banking, or UPI.
7. Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required for NEET UG 2026 Registration

Candidates must upload or have the following at the time of application:
✔ Aadhaar Card or other valid ID (as per NTA notification)
✔ Recent passport-size photograph (as per specifications)
✔ Postcard-size photograph (if required)
✔ Scanned signature
✔ Category/EWS certificate (if applicable)
✔ Class 10 & 12 certificates/details
✔ Live photo capture and Aadhaar-based eKYC authentication (mandated this year)

NEET UG 2026 Highlights (at a glance)

Exam Pattern 2026

NEET UG 2026 will follow a rigorous yet structured pattern:

• Total Questions: 180 objective-type questions
  • Physics: 45 questions
  • Chemistry: 45 questions
  • Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 questions
• Total Marks: 720
• Exam Duration: 3 hours
• Mode: Pen-and-paper (OMR)
• Medium: 13 languages including English and Hindi

Distribution of Questions

Marking Scheme

• Correct answer: +4 marks
• Incorrect answer: −1 mark
• Unattempted: 0 marks
• Total marks: 720

This standard scheme emphasizes accuracy and penalizes guesswork, making strategy and preparation essential.

Exam Categories & Applicable Fees

NEET UG 2026 fees are category-based for applicants within India:

• General / Unreserved: ₹1,700
• General-EWS / OBC-NCL: ₹1,600
• SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender: ₹1,000
• For candidates opting for international centres, the fee is ₹9,500 regardless of category.

Official Updates & Changes for 2026

This year’s registration process includes a few key procedural changes:

• Mandatory Aadhaar-based eKYC authentication to strengthen identity verification.
• Live photo capture at registration to prevent impersonation and ensure integrity in candidate verification.
• Revised exam city allocation rules where candidates may now have limited city preferences compared to previous years.

Candidates must pay close attention to these new requirements to avoid application rejection.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply Online

1. Visit neet.nta.nic.in and read the information bulletin thoroughly.
2. Register with basic details and generate credentials.
3. Complete personal and academic sections correctly.
4. Upload scanned documents within size limits.
5. Pay fee online using any available payment mode.
6. Save the confirmation and keep a print copy for counselling and future reference.

Closing Note

NEET UG 2026 continues to stand as one of the most competitive and decisive entrance examinations in India, shaping the academic future of millions of aspiring medical professionals. With limited seats and intense competition, the examination demands not only academic excellence but also careful attention to the application and verification process. This year, the National Testing Agency has introduced stricter biometric verification measures, including Aadhaar-based authentication and live photo capture, to further strengthen transparency and curb malpractices.

As the application window is now open, candidates are strongly encouraged to complete their registration well within the stipulated timeline. Aspirants must carefully review all personal, academic, and category-related details before final submission, as discrepancies or incorrect information may lead to rejection at later stages of the admission process. Uploading documents in the prescribed format and ensuring successful fee payment are equally important steps.

To avoid misinformation and confusion, candidates should rely only on official sources for updates and announcements. The NTA’s official website, neet.nta.nic.in, remains the most reliable platform for information related to application corrections, exam city details, admit card downloads, answer keys, result declarations, and counselling schedules. Staying informed and proactive will help candidates navigate the NEET UG 2026 process smoothly and focus confidently on their exam preparation.