The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the notification for NEET UG 2026, and the application process has now started on the official website, neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can submit their applications online until March 8, 2026, by 9 pm, while the last date for fee payment is March 8, 2026, up to 11:50 pm.
NEET UG remains the single national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical and allied health courses across India. In the past two years, the exam has seen registrations exceeding 20 lakh candidates, highlighting its competitive nature.
In the 2025 session, the exam was conducted on May 4, and the results were announced on June 14.
Important Application Dates
- Application Start Date: February 8, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: March 8, 2026 (9 pm)
- Last Date for Fee Payment: March 8, 2026 (11:50 pm)
- Correction Window: March 10 to March 12, 2026
Candidates must complete the fee transaction through Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI within the specified deadline.
NEET UG 2026 Application Fees
For exam centres within India, the fee structure is:
- General: ₹1700
- General-EWS / OBC-NCL: ₹1600
- SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender: ₹1000
For centres outside India, the application fee is ₹9500 for all categories.
Major Changes Introduced This Year
Aadhaar eKYC for Identity Verification
NTA has implemented stricter security measures for NEET UG 2026. Candidates must now complete Aadhaar-based eKYC during registration. A live photograph will also be captured at the time of application submission, which will be matched with the Aadhaar photo to prevent impersonation.
Revised Exam City Allotment
Exam cities will now be assigned based on the candidate’s permanent or present address. This change aims to ensure fair distribution of exam centres and reduce discrepancies.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Date and Timing
The NEET UG 2026 examination is scheduled to be held on May 3, 2026.
- Exam Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
- Exam Time: 2 pm to 5 pm
The exact exam centre details will be mentioned on the admit card. Other important updates, such as city intimation slips, admit card release, answer keys, and results, will be announced later on the official websites.
Application Process and Key Instructions
Candidates must apply only through the online mode at the official website. No offline or alternative submission methods will be accepted.
During the application process, candidates must upload:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Address proof
- Scanned signature
Each candidate is allowed to submit only one application form. Multiple submissions may lead to disqualification.
Applicants must also provide their own or their parent’s email address and mobile number, as all official communication from NTA will be sent through these channels.
For assistance, candidates can contact the NTA helpdesk:
- Email: neetug2026@nta.ac.in
- Phone: 011-40759000 or 011-69227700
Updated Syllabus and Advisory
NTA released the updated NEET UG 2026 syllabus on January 8, 2026, to help students plan their preparation effectively.
Earlier, on January 5, 2026, NTA issued an advisory asking candidates to update their Aadhaar card, UDID card, and category certificates before filling out the application form.
Mandatory Document Specifications
Image and Signature Requirements (JPG/JPEG)
| Document | File Size | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Passport Photograph | 10–200 KB | White background, 80% face visible, ears visible |
| Postcard Photograph | 10–200 KB | 4″ × 6″ size, white background |
| Signature | 4–30 KB | Black ink on white paper, no capital letters |
| Thumb/Finger Impressions | 10–200 KB | Clear impressions of both hands |
Certificates (PDF Format)
All documents must be scanned from original copies and should be 50–300 KB.
Required documents include:
- Class 10 certificate (date of birth proof)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Citizenship certificate (for NRI/OCI/foreign nationals)
- Address proof
How to Apply for NEET UG 2026
- Visit the official website: neet.nta.nic.in
- Click on “New Registration.”
- Read the instructions and proceed.
- Enter required details to generate application number and password.
- Log in and fill in personal, academic, and exam city details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Previous Years’ Registration Timeline
- NEET 2026: Expected in early February 2026
- NEET 2025: February 7, 2025
- NEET 2024: Early February 2024
- NEET 2023: Early February 2023
- NEET 2022: May 2022 (post-pandemic schedule)
