If you are planning to appear for NEET 2026, the first and most important question in your mind is probably:
👉 What is the NEET Exam Date 2026?
In this detailed guide, you will get complete information about NEET 2026—including the exam date, application process, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, admit card, result, counseling, preparation strategy, and important tips.
This article is specially written for students so that you don’t need to visit multiple websites. Everything you need to know about the NEET Exam Date 2026 is covered here.
NEET Exam Date 2026 (Official Update)
The NEET Exam Date 2026 is expected to be:
Sunday, 3 May 2026
NEET is conducted once every year by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Traditionally, the exam is held on the first Sunday of May, and 2026 follows the same pattern.
Expected Timeline for NEET 2026
- Notification Release: February 2026
- Application Form Start Date: February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: March 2026
- Correction Window: March 2026
- Admit Card Release: April 2026
- NEET Exam Date 2026: 3 May 2026 (Sunday)
- Result Announcement: June 2026
- Counselling Start: July/August 2026
Students are advised to regularly check the official website of NTA for final confirmation.
What is NEET?
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is India’s single largest medical entrance examination. It is mandatory for admission into:
- MBBS
- BDS
- BAMS
- BHMS
- BUMS
- BSMS
- Veterinary courses
- Nursing (in many institutes)
NEET scores are accepted by:
- Government Medical Colleges
- Private Medical Colleges
- Deemed Universities
- AIIMS
- JIPMER
Earlier, AIIMS and JIPMER conducted separate exams, but now all admissions are done through NEET.
Who conducts NEET 2026?
NEET 2026 will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is a government organization responsible for conducting national-level entrance exams in India.
NTA ensures:
- Transparent examination process
- Standardized question paper
- Fair evaluation system
- Secure exam centers
NEET 2026 Application Form Process
After the release of the official notification, the application process begins online.
Steps to Apply for NEET 2026
- Visit the official NTA NEET website
- Click on “New Registration.”
- Fill in basic details (name, email, mobile).
- Generate application number and password
- Fill out the detailed application form
- Upload required documents:
- Passport-size photo
- Signature
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Pay the application fee
- Submit and download the confirmation page
Application Fee (Expected)
- General: ₹1700–₹1800
- OBC/EWS: ₹1600–₹1700
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹1000–₹1100
(Exact fee will be confirmed in the official notification.)
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, students must ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 17 years (by 31 December 2026)
- No upper age limit (as per latest guidelines)
Educational Qualification
Students must have passed or be appearing in:
- Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English
Minimum Marks Required
- General: 50% in PCB
- OBC/SC/ST: 40% in PCB
- PwD: 45% in PCB
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is very important.
Mode of Exam
- Offline (Pen & Paper mode)
- OMR sheet-based
Duration
- 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes)
Total Questions
- 200 questions (180 to be attempted)
Subject-wise Distribution
- Physics: 50 questions (45 to attempt)
- Chemistry: 50 questions (45 to attempt)
- Biology: 100 questions (90 to attempt)
Marking Scheme
- +4 marks for correct answer
- -1 mark for wrong answer
- 0 mark for unanswered question
Total Marks
- 720 marks
NEET 2026 Syllabus
The NEET syllabus is based on the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum.
Subjects Included:
- Physics (Class 11 & 12)
- Chemistry (Class 11 & 12)
- Biology (Botany + Zoology)
NTA may release an updated syllabus in the official notification. Students should primarily focus on NCERT textbooks.
NEET 2026 Admit Card
The admit card will be released approximately 15–20 days before the exam.
Students must:
- Download the admit card online
- Check details carefully
- Carry the printed admit card to the exam center
- Bring valid photo ID proof
Without an admit card, entry will not be allowed.
NEET 2026 Result & Cut-Off
The NEET result is expected in June 2026.
What Will the Result Include?
- Total Marks
- Percentile Score
- All India Rank (AIR)
- Category Rank
- Qualifying Status
Expected Cut-Off Trend
Cut-off varies every year depending on:
- Difficulty level
- Number of candidates
- Seat availability
Generally:
- General category cut-off: 600+ for top government colleges
- Safe score for MBBS government seat: 620–650+
NEET 2026 Counseling Process
After the results, counseling is conducted by:
- MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) for All India Quota (15%)
- State authorities for 85% state quota seats
Counseling Includes:
- Registration
- Choice filling
- Seat allotment
- Document verification
- Reporting to college
There are multiple rounds:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Mop-Up Round
- Stray Vacancy Round
NEET 2026 Exam Centers
NEET is conducted in:
- 500+ cities across India
- Some international centers
Students can select 2–4 preferred cities during the application.
Preparation Strategy for NEET 2026
Since the NEET Exam Date 2026 is in May, students should follow a structured plan.
1️⃣ Build a Strong NCERT Foundation
- Read Biology line by line
- Solve the NCERT back exercises
- Highlight important points
2️⃣ Practice Previous Year Papers
Solve at least:
- Last 10–15 years’ question papers
3️⃣ Give Regular Mock Tests
- Attempt weekly full syllabus tests
- Analyze mistakes carefully
4️⃣ Focus on Biology (High Weightage)
Biology carries 50% of the total marks.
5️⃣ Time Management Practice
- Solve 180 questions in 3 hours
- Improve speed + accuracy
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring NCERT
- Not revising regularly
- Skipping mock tests
- Over-studying without a strategy
- Filling out the application form at the last moment
FAQs
Q1: What is the NEET Exam Date 2026?
The expected date is 3 May 2026 (Sunday).
Q2: Will NEET 2026 be online?
No, it will be conducted in offline mode.
Q3: How many times is NEET conducted in a year?
Only once per year.
Q4: Is NEET mandatory for MBBS?
Yes, NEET is compulsory for MBBS admission in India.
Q5: What is a safe score in NEET 2026?
For a government MBBS seat, 620+ is generally considered safe (may vary).
Final Advice for Students
The NEET Exam Date 2026 may seem far, but competition is extremely high. Around 20+ lakh students appear every year. Success depends on:
- Early preparation
- Consistency
- Smart strategy
- Regular revision
If you start now and follow a disciplined study routine, cracking NEET 2026 is absolutely possible.
Conclusion
The NEET Exam Date 2026 is expected on 3 May 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The application process will likely begin in February 2026, and students must stay updated through official notifications.
This guide covered everything—from exam date to counseling, eligibility, syllabus, preparation tips, and FAQs—so you can confidently prepare for your medical entrance journey.
Stay focused, stay consistent, and start preparing today. Your dream of becoming a doctor begins now. 🚀