NEET 2026
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
NEET Overview
NEET is the single national-level entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVSc, and other medical and allied courses across India. Conducted annually by the National Testing Agency, it is the gateway for over 24 lakh aspiring medical professionals to secure seats in government and private medical colleges.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology from a recognized board. The minimum aggregate required is 50% for General category, 45% for PwD, and 40% for SC/ST/OBC. There is no upper age limit as per the latest Supreme Court ruling. Candidates who have appeared in Class 12 in the qualifying year are also eligible.
NEET Exam Pattern
Mode
Pen and Paper (Offline - OMR Based)
Duration
3 hours 20 minutes
Total Marks
720
Total Questions
200
Marking Scheme
+4 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer. Each section has 35 questions in Section A (all compulsory) and 15 questions in Section B (attempt any 10). Unanswered questions carry no marks.
Exam Sections
NEET Syllabus 2026
Complete subject-wise syllabus for NEET 2026 examination.
Physics
- Mechanics and Properties of Matter
- Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Electrostatics and Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
- Optics and Electromagnetic Waves
- Modern Physics and Semiconductor Devices
Chemistry
- Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding
- Thermodynamics and Chemical Equilibrium
- Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons and Functional Groups
- Coordination Compounds and d-Block Elements
- Biomolecules, Polymers, and Chemistry in Everyday Life
Botany
- Plant Diversity and Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Cell Biology and Cell Division
- Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis and Respiration
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Ecology and Biodiversity
- Plant Reproduction and Development
Zoology
- Animal Diversity and Structural Organisation
- Human Physiology: Digestion, Respiration, and Circulation
- Human Physiology: Excretion, Locomotion, and Neural Control
- Human Reproduction and Reproductive Health
- Genetics: Inheritance and Variation
- Evolution and Biology in Human Welfare
NEET Important Dates 2026
Stay updated with all the key dates for NEET 2026.
NEET 2026 Registration Begins
completed15 January 2026
NEET 2026 Application Deadline
upcoming28 February 2026
NEET 2026 Admit Card Release
upcoming20 April 2026
NEET 2026 Exam Date
upcoming4 May 2026
NEET Previous Year Papers
Download previous year question papers with solutions to boost your preparation.
NEET 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key
Year: 2025
NEET 2024 Question Paper with Solutions
Year: 2024
NEET 2023 Question Paper with Detailed Solutions
Year: 2023
How to Prepare for NEET
Expert preparation strategy and tips from toppers to help you ace NEET 2026.
Preparation Strategy
- 1
Master NCERT textbooks first, as 90% of NEET questions are directly or conceptually based on NCERT content. Read them line by line and make short notes from each chapter.
- 2
Focus heavily on Biology since it accounts for 360 out of 720 marks. Ensure thorough understanding of diagrams, processes, and terminology in both Botany and Zoology.
- 3
Practice at least 30 previous year papers and full-length mock tests under timed conditions. Analyze mistakes after every test and maintain an error log to avoid repeating them.
- 4
Dedicate specific weeks to weaker subjects and chapters. Use the Pareto principle: identify the 20% of chapters that account for 80% of questions and master them first.
- 5
Maintain consistent daily revision using flashcards or short notes. The last 2 months should be entirely devoted to revision and test-taking, not learning new topics.
Topper Tips
“Consistency matters more than hours studied. Study 8-10 focused hours daily with proper breaks rather than 14 hours of distracted study. Quality always beats quantity.”
“Biology from NCERT is non-negotiable. I read NCERT Biology at least 5 times and could recall exact diagrams and examples from the textbook during the exam.”
“Do not neglect Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry reaction mechanisms. These are high-scoring and predictable sections where you can score full marks with practice.”
“Join a test series early and take at least one full mock test every week from January onwards. This builds stamina and helps manage time pressure on exam day.”
Frequently Asked Questions about NEET
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about NEET 2026.
How many times can I attempt NEET?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the previous age limit of 25 years (30 for reserved categories) has also been removed. You can attempt NEET as many times as you wish as long as you meet the educational eligibility criteria.
Is NEET conducted in regional languages?
Yes, NEET is conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Candidates can select their preferred language during registration. The medium of the question paper will be the language chosen at the time of application.
What is the NEET qualifying cutoff for General category?
The qualifying cutoff percentile for NEET General category is 50th percentile. For SC/ST/OBC it is 40th percentile, and for PwD candidates it is 45th percentile. The actual cutoff marks vary each year based on difficulty level and number of candidates. In recent years, the General cutoff has ranged from 137 to 164 marks out of 720.
Can I get a government medical seat with a NEET score of 550?
A score of 550 out of 720 typically ranks you within the top 10,000-15,000 candidates depending on the year. This is generally sufficient for government MBBS seats in many states through state counselling, and gives a strong chance at top private medical colleges. However, top government medical colleges like AIIMS Delhi and Maulana Azad usually require 680+ marks.
Is there negative marking in NEET?
Yes, NEET follows a marking scheme of +4 for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unanswered questions. This means random guessing is statistically neutral, but educated guessing (eliminating 1-2 wrong options) can be beneficial. It is advisable to attempt only those questions where you are reasonably sure of the answer.
What is the difference between NEET and NEET PG?
NEET (commonly called NEET UG) is for undergraduate medical admissions (MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, etc.) and is open to Class 12 pass-outs. NEET PG is for postgraduate medical admissions (MD, MS, Diploma courses) and is open to MBBS graduates. Both are conducted by NTA but have different syllabi, exam patterns, and eligibility criteria.