NEET 2026 on May 3, Check exam pattern for MBBS entrance test

NTA released the information bulletin detailing the examination structure for NEET (UG) 2026. Currently, the NEET UG 2026 exam registration process is ongoing. The candidates who wish to apply for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate courses in government and private medical colleges can apply until 9 PM on March 8.

PATTERN OF THE TEST

The Test pattern of NEET (UG) - 2026 comprises Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany & Zoology). The question paper will consist of 180 compulsory questions, which must be attempted by the candidates in 180 minutes. The pattern for the NEET (UG) - 2026 is as under-

IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE

To answer a question, the candidate needs to choose one option corresponding to the correct answer or the most appropriate answer. Marking will be done as per the following criteria-

i Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Four marks (+4).

ii Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1).

iii Unanswered: No mark (0).

While every effort will be made to ensure that each question has one unique answer, in case, it is found that a question has more than one option, it will be dealt in following manner-

i If more than one option is found to be correct, then four marks (+4) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options.

ii If all options are found to be correct, then four marks (+4) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.

iii If none of the options is found correct or a Question is found to be wrong or a Question is dropped, then all candidates who have appeared will be given four marks (+4) irrespective of the fact whether the question has been attempted or not attempted by the candidate.

MODE OF EXAMINATION

NEET (UG) – 2026 will be a single day/ single shift exam in pen and paper mode as was conducted in 2025.

DURATION OF TEST

The duration of the test would be three (03) hours. Compensatory time of one hour for examination of three hours (03:00 hrs) duration for PwD/PwBD candidate (having a physical limitation to write) will be given whether such candidate uses the facility of Scribe or not.

MEDIUM OF THE QUESTION PAPERS

i. NEET (UG) -2026 is being conducted in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu mediums. Candidates can opt for a Question Paper in any one of the following 13 mediums

ii Option of medium of Question Paper should be carefully chosen while filling in the Application Form. The option once chosen cannot be changed.

iii Candidates opting for English would be provided a Test Booklet in English medium only. iv. Candidates opting for Hindi would be provided with a Bilingual Test Booklet in English and Hindi medium.

v Candidates opting for Regional Languages would be provided a Test Booklet in English + selected Regional Language medium.

vi. In case of any ambiguity in the translation of a question in the test, its English version shall be treated as final and the decision of NTA shall be final in this regard.

vii For the correctness of the questions in all the question papers, the English version will be taken as final.

viii Candidates qualifying for NEET (UG) – 2026 would be eligible for All India Quota and other quotas under the State Governments/Institutes, irrespective of the medium of the examination, subject to other eligibility criteria.

SCHEDULE