NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the single medical entrance exam in India for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, B.Sc Nursing and some Veterinary seats. Every year, more than 20 lakh students appear for the exam, and this number is expected to go even higher for NEET 2026.
For students of current Class 11 and 12, understanding the latest NEET 2026 criteria — eligibility, number of questions, exam pattern, application fees, and marking scheme — is very important. In this blog, Medical Home Classes explains everything in a simple and practical way.
NEET 2026 Exam Date (Expected)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) usually conducts NEET in the first week of May. NEET 2025 is scheduled on 4 May 2025 (Sunday). Based on this pattern, NEET 2026 is expected around:
- Expected NEET 2026 Exam Date: First Sunday of May 2026
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen-and-paper OMR based)
- Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
- Timing (likely): 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST)
Final dates will be confirmed only in the official NTA information bulletin, so students should regularly check the NEET official website.
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NEET 2026 are expected to remain similar to NEET 2025 as per NTA’s information bulletin and National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
1. Age Limit
- Minimum age: 17 years on or before 31 December 2026
- Upper age limit: No upper age limit (as per current NMC policy)
2. Educational Qualification
Students must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) with:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology / Biotechnology
- English (core or elective)
3. Minimum Marks in Class 12
- General (UR): 50% in PCB
- OBC / EWS: 45% in PCB
- SC / ST / PwD: 40% in PCB
4. Number of Attempts
There is no attempt limit in NEET as per current rules — students can appear as many times as they are otherwise eligible.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern (Latest)
In January 2025, NTA issued an official notice clarifying that NEET will follow the pre-COVID pattern again — that means there is no Section B and no optional questions. The paper now has 180 compulsory questions and a duration of 180 minutes (3 hours).
This pattern is applicable for NEET 2025 and is expected to continue for NEET 2026 as well.
Subject-wise Question Distribution
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
This 45–45–90 question split is confirmed by recent NEET 2025 exam analysis and practice papers.
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
NEET uses a simple and strict negative marking system:
- Correct answer: +4 marks
- Wrong answer: −1 mark
- Unattempted question: 0 marks
Because Biology has 90 questions (360 marks), it carries 50% weightage in the total score — this is why strong Biology preparation is crucial for a 600+ score.
NEET 2026 Application Fees (Expected)
NEET 2024 and 2025 both follow a similar fee structure, and coaching/information portals expect the same slab for NEET 2026 as well.
| Category | Expected Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | ₹1,700 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹1,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹1,000 |
| Outside India (NRI / Foreign) | ₹9,500–₹10,000 (approx.) |
Final fee details will be confirmed only in the official NEET 2026 information bulletin.
NEET 2026 Registration Process
NEET registration is completely online. The process is usually as follows:
- Visit the official NEET website (link provided by NTA for that year).
- Click on “New Registration for NEET (UG) 2026”.
- Fill basic personal details and create a password.
- Log in and complete the detailed application form (exam centre, category, academic details etc.).
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates as required).
- Pay the application fee via UPI / Net banking / Card.
- Download and save the confirmation page as PDF.
Documents Required for NEET 2026 Form
- Valid mobile number and email ID
- Class 10 certificate (for DOB proof)
- Class 12 marksheet / admit card (if appearing)
- Aadhaar card or other valid ID proof
- Passport-size photograph (as per NTA specifications)
- Signature scan (and thumb impression, if required)
- Category / PwD certificate (if applicable)
How to Plan for NEET 2026 – Practical Tips
With the pattern now fixed at 180 compulsory questions, students should build a preparation strategy around the 45–45–90 distribution:
- Biology: Practice NCERT line-by-line; attempt daily 90-question tests.
- Chemistry: Balance Physical numericals, Organic mechanisms, and Inorganic facts.
- Physics: Focus on formula sheets, derivations, and regular numerical practice.
- Mock tests: Give full 3-hour tests weekly from January 2026 onwards.
- Analysis: After every test, analyse negative marks and unattempted questions.
Founder’s Note
“NEET 2026 will reward students who combine NCERT mastery with regular test practice. With the pattern now clearly defined at 180 questions (45 Physics, 45 Chemistry, 90 Biology), serious aspirants must tune their strategy accordingly,” — Rajesh Jadhav, Founder & Academic Director, Medical Home Classes.
Code Example (Demo)
// NEET 2026 simple console demo
function startNeet2026Prep() {
console.log("NEET 2026 preparation started – 180 questions, 720 marks!");
}Conclusion
NEET 2026 will follow a clear, stable pattern: 180 compulsory questions, 720 marks, and strong weightage to Biology. With the right guidance, disciplined test practice, and a concept-based approach, students can confidently target top government MBBS and BDS colleges in India.
At Medical Home Classes, we offer structured NEET batches, weekly Biology (360), Physics (180) and Chemistry (180) tests, and personalised doubt support to help students reach their dream score.