NEET UG 2026 registration opens @ neet.nta.nic.in; check eligibility, important dates and direct link here

NEET UG 2026 Registration

• NEET UG 2026 registration is open from Feb 8 to Mar 8 at neet.nta.nic.in
• Exam will be held on May 3, 2026, in pen-and-paper mode
• No upper age limit; candidates must be 17 by Dec 31, 2026

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has begun the online application process for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate programs (NEET UG) 2026. Aspiring medical and dental students can now submit their applications on the official website, neet.nta.nic.in. The crucial pen-and-paper based exam is scheduled for May 3, 2026.

This announcement marks the first major step for lakhs of candidates aiming for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical courses across India for the 2026-27 academic session.

NEET UG 2026: Key Dates

Prospective candidates must carefully note the following official schedule:

• Registration Start Date: February 8, 2026
• Registration End Date: March 8, 2026
• Examination Date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday)
• Exam Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The application process is completely online. Applicants should keep their personal, academic, and identification details, along with a recent photograph and signature in prescribed format, ready before filling the form.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG 2026

The eligibility norms are governed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Dental Council of India (DCI). Here are the essential parameters:

Age Limit Criteria

Lower Age Limit: A candidate must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026. This means candidates must be born on or before December 31, 2009.

Upper Age Limit: As per the NMC's official communication, there is no upper age limit to appear for the NEET UG 2026 examination.

Academic Qualifications

Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects. Minimum aggregate marks required are as per NMC/DCI guidelines, typically 50% for General/EWS, 45% for PwD, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC categories.

Steps to apply for NEET UG 2026

Step 1. Visit the official website neet.nta.nic.in and click "New Registration."

Step 2. Complete registration to receive your Application Number and Password.

Step 3. Log in and fill out the detailed online application form.

Step 4. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required documents as per specifications.

Step 5. Pay the application fee online via available payment modes.

Step 6. Review all details, submit the form, and download/print the confirmation page.

Step 7. Keep checking the NTA website for updates and the admit card release.

Direct Link: NEET UG 2026

NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: What to Expect

The examination will maintain the same structure as recent years, conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode.

Duration: 3 hours (with an additional compensatory hour for eligible PwBD candidates).

Subjects & Marks:

Physics: 45 questions | 180 marks

Chemistry: 45 questions | 180 marks

Biology (Botany & Zoology): 90 questions | 360 marks

Total: 180 questions | 720 marks

Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with a single correct answer.

Marking Scheme:

Correct Answer: +4 marks

Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (Negative Marking)

Unanswered: 0 marks

Medium of Question Paper: The test will be conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

With the registration window now open, candidates are encouraged to begin their application process early to avoid last-minute technical glitches or server congestion. Missing the March 8, 2026 deadline will result in ineligibility for one of India's most competitive entrance examinations.

For the latest official bulletins and detailed information brochure, candidates must regularly visit the National Testing Agency's NEET portal.