Complete guide to NEET UG 2026 — eligibility, exam pattern, cutoffs, college list, and winning strategies for aspiring doctors.
India's single national medical entrance examination
UG & PG medical courses — duration and approximate fee structure
| Course | Full Name | Duration | Govt College Fee (Approx.) | Private College Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS | Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹1,00,000 / year | ₹5 L – ₹25 L / year |
| BDS | Bachelor of Dental Surgery | 5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹80,000 / year | ₹3 L – ₹10 L / year |
| BAMS | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹5 L / year |
| BHMS | Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹5 L / year |
| BUMS | Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹3 L / year |
| BSMS | Bachelor of Siddha Medicine & Surgery | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹40,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹3 L / year |
| B.V.Sc & AH | Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry | 5 yrs | ₹5,000 – ₹50,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹4 L / year |
| B.Sc Nursing | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 yrs | ₹5,000 – ₹30,000 / year | ₹50,000 – ₹2 L / year |
| BNATM | Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences | 5.5 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹40,000 / year | ₹1 L – ₹3 L / year |
| Course | Full Name | Duration | Govt College Fee (Approx.) | Private College Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD | Doctor of Medicine (Clinical / Pre-Clinical Specialities) | 3 yrs | ₹20,000 – ₹2 L / year | ₹5 L – ₹25 L / year |
| MS | Master of Surgery (Surgical Specialities) | 3 yrs | ₹20,000 – ₹2 L / year | ₹5 L – ₹30 L / year |
| MDS | Master of Dental Surgery | 3 yrs | ₹20,000 – ₹1.5 L / year | ₹5 L – ₹20 L / year |
| DNB | Diplomate of National Board (Various Specialities) | 3 yrs | Stipend-based (Hospital Training) | ₹1 L – ₹10 L / year |
| MD (AYUSH) | MD in Ayurveda / Homeopathy / Unani / Siddha | 3 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹1 L / year | ₹1 L – ₹8 L / year |
| M.Sc Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing | 2 yrs | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 / year | ₹50,000 – ₹3 L / year |
| DM / M.Ch | Doctorate of Medicine / Magister Chirurgiae (Super Speciality) | 3 yrs | ₹20,000 – ₹2 L / year | ₹5 L – ₹40 L / year |
Tentative key dates for NEET UG 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) | ₹1,700 |
| EWS | ₹1,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | ₹1,000 |
| International Candidates | ₹9,500 |
Seat Distribution (Approx.):
| Quota | Seats | Counselling Body |
|---|---|---|
| All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% MBBS / 100% Deemed | MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) |
| State Quota | 85% MBBS seats | Respective State Authority |
| Central Institutions | AIIMS, JIPMER etc. | MCC |
| Deemed / Private | 100% | MCC / Institution |
Who can appear for NEET UG 2026
Subject-wise question count, sections and total marks
| Subject | Section A (Attempt All) | Section B (Attempt any 10) | Total Qs | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 35 MCQs | 15 MCQs (attempt 10) | 50 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 35 MCQs | 15 MCQs (attempt 10) | 50 | 180 |
| Botany | 35 MCQs | 15 MCQs (attempt 10) | 50 | 180 |
| Zoology | 35 MCQs | 15 MCQs (attempt 10) | 50 | 180 |
| Total | 140 | 60 (attempt 40) | 200 | 720 |
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Pen & Paper (OMR Sheet) |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM (IST) |
| Duration | 3 Hours 20 Minutes (200 minutes) |
| PwD Duration | 4 Hours 20 Minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice (4 options, 1 correct) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Level | Class 11 & 12 NCERT Syllabus |
| Scope | Details |
|---|---|
| India Coverage | All states & Union Territories |
| Total Cities | 500+ exam cities across India |
| International | 14 cities worldwide |
International Centres:
How marks are awarded and deducted in NEET UG
| Section | Questions | Attempt | Correct | Wrong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (each subject) | 35 | All 35 compulsory | +4 | –1 |
| Section B (each subject) | 15 | Any 10 of 15 | +4 | –1 |
NEET UG question paper is available in 13 languages
NEET scorecard contents and counselling process
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Provisional Answer Key | May / June 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | 2–3 days after key |
| Final Answer Key & Result | June 2026 |
| Rank List Published | Same Day |
| MCC Counselling (AIQ) | June – August 2026 |
| State Counselling | July – September 2026 |
Scorecard Contains:
Qualifying marks required to be eligible for MBBS / BDS counselling
| Category | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 164–720 | 137–720 | 117–715 | 138–720 | 50th |
| OBC / SC / ST | 129–163 | 107–136 | 93–116 | 108–137 | 40th |
| PwD (General) | 146–163 | 121–136 | 105–116 | 122–137 | 45th |
| PwD (OBC/SC/ST) | 129–145 | 107–120 | 93–104 | 108–121 | 40th |
| College Type | Expected Score Range | AIR (General) |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 700 – 720 | Top 50 |
| AIIMS (Other) | 660 – 700 | Top 500 |
| Top Govt Medical Colleges | 620 – 660 | Top 5,000 |
| Other Govt Medical Colleges | 550 – 620 | Top 50,000 |
| Private Medical Colleges | 400 – 550 | Varies by state |
| AYUSH Colleges | 250 – 400 | Varies |
Minimum 12th board marks required for MBBS/BDS admission
| Category | Minimum PCB Aggregate | Applicable For |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 50% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology | MBBS, BDS |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology | MBBS, BDS |
| PwD (General) | 45% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology | MBBS, BDS |
| All Categories (AYUSH) | 50% / 40% as applicable | BAMS, BHMS, BUMS etc. |
Keep these ready before applying and on exam day
Proven tips to crack NEET UG 2026 with a top score
NEET is almost entirely NCERT-based, especially Biology. Read every word — including diagrams, examples, footnotes, and box items — in Class 11 & 12 NCERT books. At least 5 full revisions of Biology NCERT is recommended.
Previous year NEET questions repeat with slight variations. Solve at least 15 years of NEET and previous AIPMT papers. Biology PYQs are especially high-yield and often appear directly in the exam.
Simulate real exam conditions — 200 questions in 200 minutes, no breaks, OMR-style marking. Analyse every mistake immediately. Aim for at least 30 full mocks before the exam for speed and accuracy.
Biology carries 360 marks (50% of NEET). Prioritise chapters like Genetics, Ecology, Human Physiology, Plant Physiology, Reproduction & Biotechnology. Use mnemonics, diagrams and flowcharts for retention.
Lakhs of students compete — early starters have the edge. Apply at the official NTA portal and take your first step towards becoming a doctor.