NEET 2026: Latest Update on Exam Date, Cut-Off & Syllabus

Updated on Apr 17, 2026 | 3.06K+ views

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NEET Exam Highlights
NEET Exam Dates
Neet Cut-Off
Top Medical College & Seats in India
NEET Exam Pattern
Syllabus for NEET Exam 2026
Preparation Tips for NEET-UG

If you have chosen to join the noblest of professions and become a doctor to make a difference in the lives of countless people, you must know the NEET-UG exam is a stepping stone to pursue your medical studies at the undergraduate level. Here are a few important details about the examination, syllabus, top colleges, and more.

NEET Exam Highlights

Here are some of the key highlights of the NEET exam:

Full Form	National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET)
What is it for	Entrance test for undergraduate students seeking admission into undergraduate medical, dental, and AYUSH programs in both Government and private institutions in India. This covers all MBBS, BDS, BUMS, BAMS, and BHMS aspirants.
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Examination Pattern	4 subjects (two sections each). Section A has 35 questions, and Section B has 15 questions (candidates will have to attempt any 10).
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
Question Type	MCQs (multiple-choice questions)
Examination Mode	Pen and Paper-based Test on OMR sheet
Duration	3 hours and 20 minutes
Examination Languages	English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, Tamil, Odia, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Punjabi

NEET Exam Dates

The NEET exam 2026 date was on the 7th of May (Sunday). The official dates are yet to be announced for NEET 2026, but the exam is expected to be in May 2026.

Neet Cut-Off

Here are the tentative cut-offs for the NEET exam:

Unreserved- 50th percentile
SC/ST/OBC- 40th percentile
Unreserved-PH- 45th percentile
SC/ST/OBC-PH- 40th percentile

Cut-Off (AIQ) for Top Medical Colleges

Once the NEET exam result is announced, qualified candidates can take part in the centralized counseling held by the MCC (Medical Counseling Committee) for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and the 85% state quota seats from the State authorities.

Top Medical College & Seats in India

Here are some of the reputed medical colleges in the country with their total seats:

Name of the Institution	Seats (Annual Intake)
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair	114
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, Vijayawada	125
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati	50
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna	125
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur	125
Kasturba Medical College Manipal	250
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi	132
Christian Medical College, Vellore	100
St Johns Medical College, Bangalore	150
Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi	250
University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, New Delhi	170
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune	150
Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana	100
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry	200
M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore	150

Source: NEET Application Process

NEET Exam Pattern

Here is a glimpse of the NEET Exam Pattern for your benefit:

Subject	Section(s)	Number of Questions	Marks (each question has 4 marks)	Question Type
Physics	A	35	140	MCQs
Physics	B	15	40	MCQs
Chemistry	A	35	140	MCQs
Chemistry	B	15	40	MCQs
Botany	A	35	140	MCQs
Botany	B	15	40	MCQs
Zoology	A	35	140	MCQs
Zoology	B	15	40	MCQs
			Total- 720 marks

The total duration of the examination is 3 hours and 20 minutes. Incorrect questions are marked (-1) while correct questions get (4) marks.

Syllabus for NEET Exam 2026

Here are some of the important topics covered for the main subjects in the NEET exam:

Physics-

Electrostatics
Kinematics
Nature of Physical Laws
Speed, Velocity, and Laws of Motion
Work, Energy, and Power
Electromagnetic Waves, Magnetic Field, Gravitation, Current Electricity
Oscillations and Waves, Conductors, Optics
Thermodynamics
Atoms and Nuclei

Chemistry-

Laws of Chemical Combination
Ionic Bond, Covalent Bond, States of Matter: Gases and Liquids
Electrochemistry
Isotopes and Isobars, Surface Chemistry, Solid State
Atomic Number, Structure of Atom, Chemical Kinetics
Hydrogen, Physical & Chemical Properties of Water
Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Coordination Compounds
Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Hydrocarbons, Biomolecules, Organic Compounds

Biology-

Reproduction, Cell Theory
Genetics and Evolution
Tissues, Structural Organization in Animals and Plants
Plant and Animal Cells
Biology and Human Welfare
Biotechnology Process and Principles
Plant Physiology
Organism and Environment
Human Physiology
Photosynthesis

These are only a few of the topics contained in the syllabus. You should check a detailed guide for more insights on the same.

Preparation Tips for NEET-UG

Here are some NEET exam preparation tips that you can follow:

Build an effective study blueprint and timetable. You should prepare to cover all topics in the four subjects.
Knowing the entire syllabus and major sections is essential.
You should gather all essential study materials, including books and digital resources. Some top books include Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma, Problems in General Physics by IE Irodov, Biology Vol 1 and 2 by Trueman, Concise Inorganic Chemistry by JD Lee, and more.
You should ideally solve the previous years’ question papers.
Topics that have the highest weightage should ideally be done first. This will help you cover more topics in a lesser amount of time.
You should examine the NCERT resources thoroughly, along with major diagrams in biology.
You should solve questions as much as possible for Physics, making a personal spreadsheet with the laws and formulas for revision.
Create a similar sheet of chemical formulas and equations for revision along with using diagrams.
You can also take periodic mock tests to enhance your preparation.

While cracking the NEET exam is no cakewalk, it is not impossible. You should focus on creating a smart study plan that will allow you to prepare thoroughly before the test. Practice as much as possible to stay confident on the examination day. Here’s wishing you the best of luck in your journey towards becoming a doctor.

FAQs

How many times is the NEET exam conducted in a year?

The NEET examination is conducted only once every year. The 2026 NEET examination was conducted on 7th May (Sunday).

How to prepare for the NEET exam?

You should chalk out a solid preparation strategy that includes the following aspects:

Listing down the entire syllabus and creating a timetable.
Gathering the top books and other study resources.
Taking mock tests online and practicing regularly.
Solving previous years’ question papers.

How to apply for the NEET exam?

You must visit the official NTA (National Testing Agency) website: https://neet.nta.nic.in/. Fill out the application form and upload scanned images as required. Thereafter, pay the fees and take the printout of the confirmation page.

How many questions are there in the NEET exam?

The NEET exam has a duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. There are 200 questions in the test, and candidates have to answer 180 questions out of the same. Every section (out of the four sections) has a compulsory portion with 35 questions and another with 15 questions, out of which you must answer any 10.

What is the age limit for the NEET exam?

The minimum age limit for the NEET exam is 17 years as of the 31st of December of the year of admission. There is no maximum age limit for the examination.

Is an Aadhar card required for the NEET exam?

The Aadhar card is not mandatory for the NEET exam registration process. Applicants require various documents, including photographs, signatures, Class X Pass Certificate, Category Certificate (if required), and permanent and present address proofs.

Pragya Sharma

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Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT,...