NEET UG 2026: Official Notification, Application Dates, Exam Pattern & Complete Guide

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 is the single national-level medical entrance exam for admissions into MBBS, BDS and other undergraduate medical and allied courses in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET UG remains the most vital gateway for students aspiring to pursue medical education across government and private colleges. 

NEET UG 2026 Official Notification Released

The NTA has officially released the NEET UG 2026 notification and the application process has begun on the official portal: neet.nta.nic.in. Eligible candidates can now apply online for NEET 2026. 

This notification provides all essential details including registration, application fees, eligibility criteria, exam date and pattern. 

Important Dates You Must Know (NEET UG 2026)

Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for NEET UG 2026, candidates must:

• Be an Indian citizen, NRIs, OCI, PIO or foreign nationals.
• Have completed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as core subjects.
• Meet the minimum educational percentage as prescribed in the official information bulletin (usually ~50% in PCB for general category).
• Have valid documents such as Aadhaar, academic certificates and Category certificates (if applicable) ready before applying. 

How to Apply for NEET UG 2026

Steps for Online Registration

• Visit the official NEET portal: neet.nta.nic.in.
• Click on “NEET UG 2026 Registration”.
• Enter your personal details, contact information and academic details.
• Upload documents as per specifications (Aadhaar, photo, signature, etc.).
• Pay the application fee online and submit the form.
• Download the confirmation page for future reference. 

Note: It’s mandatory to follow the Aadhaar-based verification and upload accurate photos/signatures during registration to avoid errors. 

NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The NEET UG 2026 exam will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) mode and consists of 180 multiple-choice questions from:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology (Botany + Zoology)

Each question carries 4 marks for correct answers and –1 mark for incorrect responses. The test duration is 3 hours (180 minutes). 

The syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 & 12 topics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 

Application Fee Structure (Approximate)

While the official fee may vary, candidates can expect similar structure as previous years:

• General / Unreserved / NRI: ₹ ~1,700
• OBC-NCL / EWS: ₹ ~1,600
• SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender: ₹ ~1,000
  (Fees are indicative and may be updated in the official bulletin) 

NEET UG 2026 – Why It Matters

NEET UG is the only qualifying exam for admission into:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)
• BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
• AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS)
• Other allied medical undergraduate programmes across government and private colleges in India. 

High scores in NEET 2026 can help secure seats in prestigious medical colleges and open pathways for careers in medicine, dentistry and healthcare. 

Summary – Quick Points to Remember

NEET UG 2026 notification and registration are live on neet.nta.nic.in.
Last date to apply: 8 March 2026 (submit before midnight).
Exam date: 3 May 2026 (offline paper-based test).
Syllabus and pattern align with NCERT Class 11 & 12 science subjects.
Follow official updates only to avoid misinformation. 

FAQs – NEET UG 2026

Q: When can I apply for NEET 2026?
The online application has already started from early February 2026 and will continue till 8 March 2026. 

Q: What is the NEET 2026 exam date?
NEET UG 2026 will be held on 3 May 2026 (2 PM to 5 PM). 

Q: Is NEET mandatory for all medical courses?
Yes — NEET UG is the single qualifying exam for MBBS, BDS and related medical courses in India. 

Q: Where can I apply?
Apply at the official NEET portal: neet.nta.nic.in. 

Q: What documents are essential?
Aadhaar, academic certificates, category certificates, passport-size photo, signature and contact details are must-have documents.