Medical UG — NEET (UG)
NEET (UG) 2026 exam pattern, eligibility & result
NEET (UG) 2026 exam pattern (180 questions, 720 marks), marking scheme, age limit, qualifying percentile and 2026 result statistics from the official NTA information bulletin and result press release.
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
How 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]
Is 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]
Why 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 (opens the official site) — 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) (opens the official site) — 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) (opens the official site) — National Testing Agency (NTA), published 14 Jul 2026. Checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 4.NEET (UG) official website (opens the official site) — National Testing Agency (NTA). Checked 17 Oct 2026.
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Related reading
News coverage — not official notices. Always confirm on the official portal.
- NEET PG 2026: MCC releases final seat matrix, check quota-wise seats - India TodayIndia Today · 19 Oct 2026
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Guide content last reviewed 17 Oct 2026. Admission rules change every year — always confirm on the official portal before acting.