NEET 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Medical Entrance Exam.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is India’s premier medical entrance exam, serving as the gateway to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, AYUSH (BAMS, BUMS, BHMS), and allied programs in government, private, and deemed medical colleges, including prestigious institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET 2026 is expected to see over 24 lakh candidates competing for approximately 1.6 lakh seats. Whether you’re searching for the NEET 2026 exam date, exploring the NEET syllabus 2026, or seeking the best NEET coaching in Hyderabad, this blog provides a complete guide to NEET 2026 preparation, covering eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, preparation tips, recent queries, and more.
NEET (UG) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam for students aiming to secure admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs across India and select institutions abroad. As a single-window test mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC), NEET is essential for admission to medical courses in India’s top institutions. It also covers AYUSH courses (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) and veterinary sciences, making it a critical exam for aspiring healthcare professionals.
NEET 2026 Exam Dates and Schedule
The official NEET 2026 Exam Date has not been released by the NTA. Based on past trends (NEET is typically held on the first Sunday of May), below is the tentative schedule:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Official Notification | February, 2026 |
| Application Form Release | February, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | March, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | March, 2026 |
| Exam City Allotment Slip Release | April, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April, 2026 |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | May 3 - May 15, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | June, 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | June, 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | June, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June, 2026 |
| Counselling (AIQ) Start Date | August, 2026 |
Exam Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM IST (3 hours and 20 minutes).
Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper, OMR-based).
Exam Centers: Over 5,500 centers across 570+ cities in India and abroad.
Official Website: neet.nta.nic.in
Note: Confirm the NEET 2026 exam date on the official NTA website closer to February 2026, as schedules may change.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NEET 2026 are expected to remain consistent with previous years. Here’s what you need to know:
Age Limit:
Minimum age: 17 years as of December 31, 2026 (born on or before December 31, 2009).
No upper age limit, as per current regulations.
Educational Qualification:
Must have passed or be appearing for Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects from a recognized board.
Minimum marks in Class 12:
General: 50% aggregate in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
General-PwD: 45%.
SC/ST/OBC/Reserved-PwD: 40%.
Nationality:
Indian nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible.
Foreign nationals should verify specific college admission rules.
Number of Attempts: No limit on attempts, provided eligibility criteria are met.
Additional Notes: Candidates who studied PCB and English as additional subjects in Class 12 are eligible, following updates from 2024.
NEET 2026 Syllabus
The NEET 2026 syllabus, set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), is expected to align with the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). No major changes are anticipated from the 2024 revised syllabus, which was streamlined to align with state boards. Below is a subject-wise breakdown of 2025 key topics:
Physics (20 Chapters)
Class 11: Physical World and Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body, Gravitation, Properties of Bulk Matter, Thermodynamics, Behavior of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory, Oscillations and Waves.
Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, Electronic Devices.
Focus Areas: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electrostatics, Modern Physics.
Chemistry (Physical, Organic, Inorganic)
Class 11: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements and Periodicity, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Hydrogen, s-Block Elements, p-Block Elements, Organic Chemistry (Basic Principles), Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry.
Class 12: Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements, p-Block Elements, d- and f-Block ceas, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life.
Focus Areas: Organic Chemistry (reactions, mechanisms), Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds, Equilibrium, Physical Chemistry (numericals).
Biology (Botany and Zoology)
Class 11: Diversity in Living World, Structural Organization in Animals and Plants, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.
Class 12: Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and Its Applications, Ecology and Environment.
Focus Areas: Human Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Biotechnology, NCERT diagrams.
We Will Update NEET 2026 Syllabus After The Syllabus is Declared by NTA.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern
The NEET 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the 2025 structure, reverting to the pre-COVID format:
Total Questions: 180 (all compulsory).
Subjects and Distribution:
Physics: 45 questions (Section A: 35, Section B: 10).
Chemistry: 45 questions (Section A: 35, Section B: 10).
Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 questions (Section A: 70, Section B: 20).
Marks: 720 total (4 marks per correct answer).
Marking Scheme:
Correct Answer: +4 marks.
Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking).
Unanswered: 0 marks.
Duration: 3 hours and 20 minutes (200 minutes).
Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper, OMR-based).
Languages: 13 (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu).
Note: The optional question format (Section B choice) was removed in 2025 and is unlikely to return for 2026.
NEET 2026 Application Process
The application process for NEET 2026 will be online. Follow these steps:
Visit the Official Website: Go to neet.nta.nic.in.
Register: Provide your name, email ID, mobile number, and other details to create an account.
Fill Application Form: Enter personal, academic, and contact details, select exam city preferences, and choose the question paper language.
Upload Documents: Scan and upload:
Recent passport-sized photograph.
Signature.
Finger and thumb impressions.
Category certificate (if applicable).
Pay Application Fee (based on 2025 fees, subject to change):
General: ₹1,600.
General-EWS/OBC: ₹1,500.
SC/ST/PwD: ₹900.
Payment modes: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI.
Download Confirmation Page: Save and print for future reference.
Application Window: February 5 to March 6, 2026, with a correction window from March 8 to March 10, 2026 (tentative).
NEET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Day Guidelines
Admit Card Release: April 29, 2026 (tentative). Download from neet.nta.nic.in using your application number and password.
Details on Admit Card: Candidate’s name, roll number, exam center, date, time, and instructions.
Exam Day Requirements:
Carry: Admit card, valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport), passport-sized photograph, and self-declaration form (if required).
Dress Code: Follow NTA guidelines (avoid metallic items, bulky accessories, or full-sleeve clothing).
Reporting Time: Arrive at least 1 hour before 1:30 PM (gate closing time).
NEET 2026 Admit Card and Exam Day Guidelines
Result Date: June 13, 2026 (tentative). Check results on neet.nta.nic.in using your application number and date of birth.
Scorecard Details: Total marks, percentile, All India Rank (AIR), qualifying status, and cutoff marks.
Cut-off (Expected, Based on 2025 Trends):
General: 720–137 marks.
OBC/SC/ST: 136–108 marks.
General-PwD: 136–122 marks.
Counselling:
All India Quota (AIQ): Conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for 15% seats, starting August 2026.
State Quota: Managed by state authorities for 85% seats.
Process: Registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification.
Preparation Tips for NEET 2026
Cracking NEET 2026 demands strategic planning and consistent effort. Here are expert tips to excel:
Master NCERT: Study NCERT textbooks for Classes 11 and 12 thoroughly, as 80–90% of questions are NCERT-based. Focus on Biology diagrams, examples, and summaries.
Practice Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests weekly to improve speed, accuracy, and exam familiarity. Analyze performance to target weak areas.
Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice NEET papers from the last 5–10 years to understand question trends and difficulty.
Prioritize High-Weightage Topics: Focus on Human Physiology, Genetics, Thermodynamics, and Organic Chemistry for maximum scoring potential.
Time Management: Practice solving 180 questions in 200 minutes to build exam-day efficiency.
Revise Regularly: Create concise notes for quick revision of formulas, reactions, and key concepts.
Use Quality Resources:
Physics: HC Verma, DC Pandey.
Chemistry: MS Chauhan (Organic), N Awasthi (Physical).
Biology: Trueman’s Biology, MTG Objective NCERT.
Consider Coaching (Optional): Institutes like Graviity Medical Academy or Aakash in Hyderabad offer structured guidance, but disciplined self-study can also lead to success.
Stay Healthy: Maintain a balanced diet, sleep 6–8 hours daily, and practice stress-relief techniques like meditation.
Topper Tip: “NCERT and consistent mock tests were my backbone. I scored AIR 18 by revising daily and analyzing my mistakes.” – Somya Sharma, NEET 2025.
Preparation Tips for NEET 2026
Hyderabad is a top hub for NEET coaching, offering world-class institutes like:
- Graviity Medical Academy (Kukatpally): Small batches (45 students), modern facilities. Fees: ₹1,10,000–₹1,70,000 (long-term).
- Sri Chaitanya (Madhapur, Kukatpally): Disciplined programs with top ranks. Fees: ₹1,30,000–₹1,80,000 (two-year).
Aakash (Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally): Rigorous testing, VR labs. Fees: ₹1,40,000–₹1,90,000 (two-year).
These institutes provide expert faculty, NCERT-aligned materials, and mock tests, making Hyderabad ideal for NEET preparation.
Conclusion
NEET 2026 is your gateway to a rewarding medical career. With a clear understanding of the NEET 2026 exam date, NEET syllabus 2026, NEET eligibility 2026, and effective NEET 2026 preparation strategies, you can approach this competitive exam with confidence. Start early, focus on NCERT, practice mock tests, and consider the best NEET coaching in Hyderabad like Graviity Medical Academy or Aakash for structured guidance if needed. Mark your calendar for May, 2026, and begin your journey to becoming a healthcare professional today!