NEET (UG) 2026 exam pattern, eligibility & result
All figures on this page are taken from the NTA Information Bulletin for NEET (UG) 2026 and NTA’s result press release of 16 July 2026.
Exam pattern (2026)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany & Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
All 180 questions are compulsory MCQs with four options and a single correct/best answer, to be attempted in 180 minutes (02:00 PM to 05:00 PM). Pattern as per NMC letter CDN-20011/289/2024-Cordination-NMC dated 05.12.2025.
- Correct or most appropriate answer: +4 marks.
- Incorrect option marked: −1 mark.
- Mode: pen and paper (OMR), single day, single shift — as conducted in 2025.
- PwD/PwBD candidates eligible for compensatory time get one extra hour for the three-hour paper.
Eligibility (2026)
- Minimum age: 17 years completed on or before 31 December of the year of the examination (for NEET (UG) 2026: born on or before 31.12.2009).
- Upper age limit: none (NMC letter No. U-11022/2/2022-UGMEB dated 09 March 2022).
- Subjects in the qualifying examination: see the qualification codes in Chapter 6 of the bulletin before applying.
| Category | Minimum marks at |
|---|---|
| General / General-EWS | 50th percentile |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40th percentile |
| PwBD — Unreserved & GEN-EWS | 45th percentile |
| PwBD — SC / ST / OBC-NCL | 40th percentile |
The percentile is determined on the highest marks in the All India common merit list. The marks that correspond to each percentile are published by NTA with the result.
NEET (UG) 2026 result in numbers
NEET (UG) 2026 was first held on 3 May 2026. NTA conducted the examination again on 21 June 2026 and is refunding the examination fee paid for the 3 May examination. The result declared on 16 July 2026 covers the examination held on 21 June 2026.[2][3]
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Candidates appeared | Close to 20 lakh, at 5,440 centres in 551 cities in India and 14 abroad |
| Candidates qualified | 11.21 lakh |
| Highest score | 715 / 720 |
| Scored above 700 | 19 candidates |
| Scored 650 and above | 1,492 candidates |
| Scored 600 and above | 10,160 candidates |
| Scored 500 and above | 90,780 candidates |
| Languages | 13 |
| Category | Qualified |
|---|---|
| General | 2.91 lakh |
| OBC-NCL | 5.12 lakh |
| SC | 1.59 lakh |
| ST | 63,716 |
| Gen-EWS | 95,026 |
| PwBD | 3,666 |
| PwD | 303 |
- Provisional answer key: 25 June 2026 (challenges 25–28 June 2026).
- Scanned OMR sheets and recorded responses shown to candidates: 13–15 July 2026.
- Final answer key and result: 16 July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
QHow many questions are there in NEET (UG) 2026 and is there negative marking?
180 compulsory multiple-choice questions for 720 marks (Physics 45, Chemistry 45, Biology 90) in 180 minutes. Each correct answer earns +4 and each incorrect answer −1.[1]
QIs there an upper age limit for NEET (UG)?
No. As per the NMC letter dated 09 March 2022 quoted in the NTA bulletin, there is no upper age limit. The minimum age is 17 years as on 31 December of the exam year.[1]
QWhy was NEET (UG) 2026 held twice?
The examination was first held on 3 May 2026. NTA notified a re-examination, which was held on 21 June 2026, and the result declared on 16 July 2026 is based on the 21 June examination. The fee paid for the 3 May examination is being refunded. Refer to NTA’s notices for the official details.[2][3][4]
Official sources
- [1] Information Bulletin for NEET (UG) – 2026 — National Testing Agency (NTA), published 23 Feb 2026. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
- [2] Press Release: NTA Declares Result of NEET (UG) 2026 (16 July 2026) — National Testing Agency (NTA), published 16 Jul 2026. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
- [3] Regarding Refund of Examination Fee of NEET (UG) 2026 (Examination held on 03 May 2026) — National Testing Agency (NTA), published 14 Jul 2026. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
- [4] NEET (UG) official website — National Testing Agency (NTA). Checked 17 Oct 2026.
Talk to a counsellor
Free guidance on colleges, cutoffs, fees and counselling choices — or check your chances with our predictors.
- NEET (UG) official websiteNational Testing Agency (NTA)
- UG Medical CounsellingMedical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS
- National Medical CommissionNational Medical Commission (NMC)
- Ayush Admissions Central Counselling CommitteeAACCC, Ministry of Ayush
- State Common Entrance Test Cell, MaharashtraState CET Cell, Government of Maharashtra
Related reading
News coverage — not official notices. Always confirm on the official portal.
- Maharashtra NEET UG counselling: 2 new medical colleges yet to join CAP-2026, 150 MBBS seats pending - Careers360Careers360 · 17 Oct 2026
- Punjab NEET UG Stray Round 2026: Vacant MBBS & BDS Seats Now Live - medadmit.inmedadmit.in · 16 Oct 2026
- Rajasthan NEET 2026 Stray Vacancy Round Registration Starts @ug.neetrajasthan.com; Check Schedule - ShikshaShiksha · 16 Oct 2026
- NEET UG 2026 MBBS Seat Matrix: 140,214 Seats Across 836 Colleges - medadmit.inmedadmit.in · 16 Oct 2026
- Rajasthan Stray Vacancy Round NEET UG 2026: Registration Opening Soon - medadmit.inmedadmit.in · 16 Oct 2026
Guide content last reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Admission rules change every year — always confirm on the official portal before acting.