NEET 2026 Exam Date

NEET 2026 Exam Date

The NEET UG 2026 exam date marks the single most critical milestone in the journey of millions of aspiring medical professionals in India. Officially confirmed as Sunday, May 3, 2026, this date was announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the official information bulletin and public notification released on February 8, 2026. The exam will be conducted in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST (duration: 3 hours 20 minutes, including reading instructions), in pen-and-paper (OMR-based) mode across hundreds of cities in India and select international centers.

This fixed date aligns with the long-standing pattern observed since NEET became the unified national medical entrance in 2016: the exam is invariably held on the first Sunday of May. In 2025, it was May 4 (Sunday); in 2024, May 5 (Sunday); and the trend continues unbroken except for rare pandemic-related adjustments. The choice of a Sunday in early May serves multiple logistical purposes: it maximizes candidate availability (no school/college clashes), allows sufficient preparation time after board exams (CBSE/ICSE/State Boards conclude in March–April), and provides NTA with adequate window for evaluation, answer key challenges, and result declaration before medical counselling begins in July.

Official Confirmation and Notification Details

The NTA released the NEET (UG) – 2026 Information Bulletin and public notice on February 8, 2026, via the dedicated portal www.neet.nta.nic.in. The bulletin explicitly states:

“The NEET (UG) – 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on 3 May 2026 (Sunday). The duration of the examination will be 180 minutes (3 hours) from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.”

This announcement came alongside the opening of online registration (February 8, 2026) and set the last date for fee payment without late fee as March 8, 2026 (up to 9:00 PM). A correction window follows (tentatively March 10–12, 2026), with city intimation slips, admit cards, and other milestones announced progressively.

The NTA portal (neet.nta.nic.in) remains the sole authentic source—any claims on third-party sites, social media, or coaching apps should be cross-verified. The agency has repeatedly warned against fake notifications and phishing links, especially during registration peaks.

Why May 3, 2026, Matters So Much

For over 20–25 lakh registered candidates (based on recent trends: 23+ lakh in 2025), May 3, 2026, represents the defining 200-minute window that determines access to approximately 1,08,000+ MBBS seats, 27,000+ BDS seats, and thousands more in AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS), veterinary (BVSc), and allied health programs across India.

A strong performance unlocks:

• Government medical colleges (AIIMS, JIPMER, central/state quota seats) with low fees and high prestige.
• Private/deemed universities (often ₹20–80 lakhs total fees).
• Opportunities in Armed Forces Medical Services, ESIC, Railways, and other central institutions.

The date’s significance is amplified by:

• Single Attempt Nature: Unlike some exams with multiple sessions, NEET UG 2026 remains a one-day, one-shift test (no normalization needed across shifts).
• High Stakes: With intense competition (top ranks require 680–720/720 marks), even a 10-mark difference can shift All India Rank by thousands.
• National Uniformity: NEET eliminates multiple state/national exams, ensuring equity but raising pressure on one day.

Full Tentative Timeline for NEET UG 2026

While the exam date is locked, other milestones are announced progressively:

• Notification & Brochure: February 8, 2026 (live on neet.nta.nic.in).
• Registration: February 8 to March 8, 2026 (without late fee); late fee window March 9–10 (tentative).
• Correction Window: March 10–12, 2026 (limited changes: photo/signature, personal details; no exam center/city change).
• Exam City Intimation Slip: April 2026 (downloadable; shows allotted city, not exact center).
• Admit Card: Late April 2026 (3–7 days before exam; includes roll number, center address, reporting time).
• Exam Day: May 3, 2026 (Sunday, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM IST).
• Provisional Answer Key + OMR Sheet/Recorded Responses: Early June 2026 (candidates challenge with fee ₹200/question).
• Final Answer Key: Mid-June 2026.
• Result Declaration: Expected mid-to-late June 2026 (NTA Scores, All India Rank, category rank, percentile; scorecard on neet.nta.nic.in).
• Counselling: July–August 2026 (MCC for 15% All India Quota; state counselling authorities for 85% state quota).

This timeline gives candidates ~3 months from registration close to exam day for intensive preparation, revision, and mocks.

Exam Structure on May 3, 2026

• Mode: Offline OMR-based (pen-and-paper; black ballpoint pen for bubbling).
• Duration: 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes) — 20 minutes extra for reading instructions.
• Subjects & Questions:
  • Physics: 50 questions (45 to attempt; Section A: 35 compulsory, Section B: 15 with 10 to attempt).
  • Chemistry: 50 questions (45 to attempt; similar A/B sections).
  • Biology (Botany + Zoology): 100 questions (90 to attempt; A/B sections).
  • Total: 200 questions (180 to attempt).
• Marking: +4 correct, -1 incorrect (negative marking), 0 unanswered.
• Total Marks: 720.
• Languages: 13 (English + Hindi + regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, etc.).
• Syllabus: NCERT-based Class 11–12 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology); updated syllabus released December 2025 (minor rationalizations from previous years).

The single-day format demands peak performance: stamina for 200 minutes, accuracy under negative marking, and strategic time management (Biology section often attempted first for quick scoring).

Registration & Fee Structure (Ongoing as of February 23, 2026)

• Portal: www.neet.nta.nic.in → Online Application.
• Fee (non-refundable):
  • General: ₹1,700 (India centers).
  • General-EWS/OBC-NCL: ₹1,600.
  • SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender: ₹1,000.
  • Outside India: ₹9,500 (all categories).
• Payment: Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI.
• Documents: Photo, signature, thumb impression, Class 10 marksheet, ID proof (Aadhaar recommended).
• Eligibility: 17 years by December 31, 2026; no upper age limit; 10+2 with PCB + English; 50% aggregate (40% reserved).

Preparation Implications Tied to May 3, 2026

Knowing the date early enables structured planning:

• Phase 1 (Feb–March 2026): Complete syllabus revision + NCERT mastery.
• Phase 2 (April 2026): Intensive mocks (aim 50–70 full-length tests), error analysis.
• Final Week (April 26–May 2): Light revision, formula sheets, mental conditioning—no new topics.
• Toppers’ advice: Treat every mock as “May 3 rehearsal” to build stamina and reduce anxiety.

The date also coincides with board exam aftermath—many students balance revision with stress management.