NEET UG 2026: Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus & MBBS Cutoffs

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is the single, centralized entrance exam for medical aspirants in India. It is the mandatory pathway for admission to various undergraduate medical courses, including MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS, in both government and private medical colleges across the country.

For students dreaming of becoming doctors, NEET is the most critical hurdle to clear.

Here is your complete guide to NEET-UG 2026:

NEET 2026 Exam Overview

• Exam Name: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG)
• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Frequency: Once a year (Typically the first Sunday of May)
• Mode of Exam: Pen and Paper-based (Offline) - Candidates use an OMR sheet.
• Languages: 13 Languages including English, Hindi, and regional languages.

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern

NEET tests students on their understanding of NCERT-based Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology).

• Total Questions: 200 Questions (Out of which 180 must be attempted).
• Sectional Breakdown:
  • Physics: 50 Questions (45 to be attempted)
  • Chemistry: 50 Questions (45 to be attempted)
  • Biology (Botany + Zoology): 100 Questions (90 to be attempted)
• Total Marks: 720 Marks
• Exam Duration: 3 Hours and 20 Minutes
• Marking Scheme:
  • +4 marks for every correct answer
  • -1 mark for every incorrect answer
  • 0 marks for unattempted questions

Eligibility Criteria

1. Age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission or will complete that age on or before 31 December of the year of admission. There is currently no upper age limit.
2. Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
3. Minimum Marks in 12th:
   • General/EWS: 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
   • SC/ST/OBC: 40% aggregate.
   • PwD: 45% aggregate.

Top Medical Colleges Accepting NEET Scores

NEET is the qualifying criteria for all medical seats in India, including:

• AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences) (e.g., Delhi, Jodhpur, Bhopal)
• JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research), Puducherry
• Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi
• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
• King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
• VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi
• Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore (Accepts NEET scores for counselling)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the expected date for NEET-UG 2026?

NEET 2026 is expected to be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

2. Is NEET compulsory for AIIMS admission?

Yes, admissions to all AIIMS institutes are conducted based on the NEET-UG merit list through All India Counselling.

3. How many times can I attempt NEET?

Following a recent amendment, there is currently no limit on the number of attempts for NEET-UG, provided the candidate meets the age and qualification requirements.

4. Is the NEET syllabus limited to NCERT?

While the majority of questions (roughly 95%+) are directly based on NCERT textbooks, some conceptual application questions may require a slightly deeper understanding of the topics.

👉 Confused about medical admissions and NEET counselling? Get expert advice from Mohit Jain today!