NEET UG Exam Date 2026 — Schedule, Registration & Important Dates
Complete timeline of NEET 2026 — from registration to counselling. Stay updated on every important date, deadline, and milestone.
NEET 2026 Important Dates — Complete Timeline
All dates are tentative based on previous years. Official dates will be updated after NTA notification.
| Event | Expected Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NTA Notification & Registration Opens | February 2026 (Expected) | Official notification on nta.ac.in. Online registration begins. |
| Application Form Last Date | March 2026 (Expected) | Last date to submit application form and pay fees online. |
| Application Correction Window | March-April 2026 | Window to correct errors in submitted application form. |
| City Intimation Slip | April 2026 (Expected) | NTA releases exam city allotment to candidates. |
| Admit Card Download | April 2026 (Expected) | Download admit card from nta.ac.in with exam center details. |
| NEET UG Exam Date | May 4, 2026 (Expected) | Single-day exam, pen-and-paper (OMR) mode, 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM. |
| Answer Key Release (Unofficial) | May 4-5, 2026 | Coaching institutes release unofficial answer keys same evening. |
| Official Answer Key by NTA | May-June 2026 | NTA publishes official answer key with OMR response sheets. |
| Challenge Window | June 2026 (Expected) | 2-3 day window to challenge answer key (Rs. 200 per question). |
| Final Answer Key | June 2026 | Final answer key after processing challenges. |
| NEET Result Declaration | June 2026 (Expected) | Scorecard with marks, percentile, and AIR rank. |
| MCC Counselling Begins | July 2026 (Expected) | All India Quota counselling begins for government seats. |
How to Apply for NEET 2026 — Step-by-Step
Visit NTA Website
Go to nta.ac.in or neet.nta.nic.in and click on "New Registration".
Register & Get Credentials
Enter personal details, email, mobile number. You will receive application number and password.
Fill Application Form
Enter academic details, choose exam cities (4 preferences), upload photograph and signature.
Upload Documents
Upload passport-size photo (10-200 KB, JPG), signature (4-30 KB, JPG), and left thumb impression.
Pay Application Fee
General/OBC: Rs. 1,700 | SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 1,000 | Outside India: Rs. 9,500. Pay via UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card.
Download Confirmation
After successful payment, download the confirmation page. Keep it safe for future reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1. Do not wait until the last date — server congestion causes payment failures
- 2. Double-check exam city preferences — you cannot change them after submission
- 3. Use a valid email and mobile number — all OTPs and updates go there
- 4. Photo must have white background, 80% face coverage, without spectacles
NEET 2026 Exam Day — What to Expect
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline — Pen & Paper (OMR Sheet) |
| Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes (2:00 PM to 5:20 PM) |
| Total Questions | 200 (attempt 180) |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted |
| Gate Closing | 1:30 PM — no entry after this time |
| Reporting Time | 12:30 PM — reach center by this time |
| Items Allowed | Admit card, passport-size photo, valid ID, transparent water bottle, mask |
| Items Prohibited | Mobile phones, watches, calculators, bags, wallets, any electronic device |
MBBS Abroad — Start Planning Alongside NEET Preparation
Smart NEET aspirants plan for both scenarios — Indian colleges and MBBS abroad. Many foreign universities have admission deadlines that align with NEET results, so you do not lose any time. If your NEET score does not meet Indian government college cutoffs, you can seamlessly transition to an NMC-approved university abroad.
Countries like Russia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan offer September intake, perfectly timed after NEET results in June. This means you can appear for NEET, get your result, and start MBBS abroad in the same year — no gap year needed.
Frequently Asked Questions — NEET 2026 Dates
When is NEET 2026 exam date?
NEET UG 2026 is expected to be conducted on May 4, 2026 (tentative). NTA typically announces the official date in January-February. The exam is held once a year on a single day across India in offline (pen-and-paper OMR) mode from 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM IST.
How to apply for NEET 2026?
To apply for NEET 2026, visit nta.ac.in or neet.nta.nic.in when registration opens (expected February 2026). Register with your email and mobile number, fill the application form, upload photo and signature, and pay the fee (Rs. 1,700 for General, Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST). The entire process is online.
What are the eligibility criteria for NEET 2026?
For NEET 2026: (1) Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. (2) Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General (40% for SC/ST/OBC). (3) Minimum age 17 years as on December 31, 2026. (4) No upper age limit (as per Supreme Court ruling). (5) Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible.
Can I apply for NEET and MBBS abroad simultaneously?
Yes, absolutely. You should apply for NEET even if you are planning MBBS abroad, because NMC requires a valid NEET qualification for studying medicine at any foreign university. Many students apply for NEET, explore their options based on their score, and then decide between Indian colleges and abroad universities.
Is NEET conducted in multiple languages?
Yes, NEET 2026 is conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. You must choose your preferred language during registration. The question paper is bilingual — your chosen language + English (if English is not your chosen language).
What documents are needed for NEET registration?
You need: (1) Aadhaar card / valid ID proof, (2) Class 10 marksheet for date of birth, (3) Class 12 marksheet (or appearing certificate), (4) Passport-size photograph (white background), (5) Signature scan, (6) Left thumb impression, (7) Category certificate (if applicable), (8) PwD certificate (if applicable).