NEET 2026 answer key bonus marks are awarded to candidates under certain conditions. This article of Shiksha.com brings to you the details regarding NEET 2026 answer key bonus marks. The article explains the NEET marking scheme, along with the bonus marks criteria.
NEET Answer Key Bonus Marks
NEET bonus marks are a concept related to the marking scheme and answer keys. As per the NEET marking scheme, there is no bonus marking while attempting the questions. But according to the National Testing Agency, the exam conducting authority, in case of discrepancies in the NEET answer keys found, then test-takers will be eligible for the bonus marking. There are certain criteria or conditions related to the awarding of the NEET bonus marks.
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This article of Shiksha explains in detail about the NEET 2026 bonus marking, in terms of how it works, who is eligible for the bonus marking and also answers the relevant queries. The NEET Bonus Marking Scheme was introduced by NTA with the aim of giving equal scope to every candidate to score. This also recognises the errors committed by the exam authorities and avoids injustice towards students.
Latest:
- What is NEET 2026 Bonus Marks?
- NEET 2026 Bonus Marking Scheme
- How to Know About NEET Bonus Marks?
- Benefits of NEET Bonus Marks
- NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
- NEET Exam Pattern
What is NEET 2026 Bonus Marks?
NEET 2026 bonus marks or the criteria of awarding bonus marks will be announced by NTA in the NEET 2026 information bulletin. The bonus marking process will be applicable only if there is a discrepancy in the NEET answer keys. After the NEET provisional answer keys are released, candidates will be aware about the scope of getting bonus marks. The conditions under which candidates will be eligible for bonus marking in NEET are as follows:
- If more than one answer option is found to be correct
- If all answer options are found to be correct
- If none of the answer options are found to be correct
Based on the above criteria, the marking scheme varies.
Commonly asked questions
The MCC conducts around 4 to 5 rounds for NEET UG Counselling process for MBBS, BDS, BHMS and other seats. The rounds of NEET counselling depends on seat matrix and number of vacant seats.
There are around four to five rounds of the Karnataka NEET Counselling for admissions to medical, dental, AYUSH and other undergraduate medical courses. The counselling rounds depend on the number of vacanct seats.
Have a look at the NEET cut off 2025 for AIIMS for categories- General, OBC, SC, ST and PwD.
College Name | GN | OBC | PWD | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AIIMS, Delhi | 48 | 207 | 351802 | 644 | 1405 |
AIIMS Bhopal | 634 | 1142 | 116405 | 7030 | 11713 |
AIIMS, Bhubaneswar | 785 | 1481 | 22426 | 6034 | 23884 |
AIIMS Patna | 4952 | 2705 | 221737 | 17167 | 111319 |
AIIMS Raipur | 1376 | 2016 | 194869 | 96012 | 22885 |
AIIMS Rishikesh | 816 | 1104 | 151827 | 8240 | 33497 |
AIIMS Raebareli | 3736 | 4282 | 327221 | 34668 | 51396 |
AIIMS Bathinda | 1798 | 2482 | 174486 | 19371 | 42487 |
AIIMS Gorakhpur | 2602 | 3595 | 294578 | 31853 | 46911 |
AIIMS Hyderabad | 1874 | 3464 | 221694 | 17480 | 45033 |
AIIMS Deoghar | 9475 | 12393 | 305719 | 36880 | 61580 |
AIIMS, Bilaspur | 6483 | 3549 | 241346 | 30304 | 41195 |
The NEET cut off score generally changes every year, based on the exam difficulty level. The NEET 2025 cut off score was reduced from that of 2024. Have a look at the cut off scores of NEET 2025 exam below-
Category | NEET 2025 Cutoff percentile | NEET 2025 Cutoff score |
|---|---|---|
UR/EWS | 50th | 686-144 |
OBC, SC, ST | 40th | 143-113 |
UR/EWS-PwD | 45th | 143-127 |
OBC/SC/St-PwD | 40th | 126-113 |
NEET 2026 Bonus Marking Scheme
Based on the above criteria, NTA has specified the marking scheme for the above criteria. The below table brings the marks awarded in each of these scenario.
| Parameter | NEET Bonus Marking Scheme |
|---|---|
| If more than one answer option is found to be correct |
+4 to be awarded only to those who have marked any of the correct options |
| If all answer options are found to be correct |
+4 to be awarded to all those who have attempted the question |
| If none of the answer options are found to be correct |
+4 to be awarded to all candidates irrespective of attempting the question |
Based on the above criteria, candidates will be awarded NEET 2026 bonus marks. It must be noted that the bonus marks are given in exceptional situations and it is not a norm. Hence, in case there is no discrepancy in the provisional answer keys, then there will not be any chance to secure bonus marks in NEET 2026.
How to Know About NEET Bonus Marks?
NTA will announce about the NEET bonus marks in the final answer keys. Based on the objections that will be received in the provisional answer keys from candidates, the NTA expert committee will announce about the NEET bonus marks. The process to check whether candidates are eligible for bonus marking scheme is given below.
- Visit the NEET UG exam website - www.neet.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link indicating NEET final answer key
- Download the PDF
- The answer keys for all sets will be provided in the PDF format
- In case a question has more than one answer option, or has a * mark with a note indicating all or none of the answer options are correct, that means that candidates will be eligible for NEET bonus marking for such questions.
Test-takers should also note whether they fulfil the condition of attempting that particular question or not. Only for those questions, where none of the answer options is correct, all candidates will be given the bonus marks. Once the NEET 2026 final answer keys are released, submitting objections regarding bonus marking will not be allowed.
Commonly asked questions
NEET score card is valid for admission to the current academic session only. NEET 2025 result cannot be carried forward for admission to the 2026-27 academic session. Hence, in case a candidate fails to qualify for NEET 2025 or unable to take admission in that academic year, then they have to appear for NEET next year and seek admission. Beyond a year, the NEET scorecard will just be another document or a record to prove the appearance in NEET.
The category-wise NEET cutoff percentile is given in the table below:
Category | NEET Cut Off Percentile |
|---|---|
General Category/Unreserved (UR) Category | 50 |
OBC/SC/ST | 40 |
PwD (General/UR) | 45 |
PwD (Reserved) | 40 |
Candidates can check the NEET results using the process shared below-
- Visit neet.nta.nic.in
- Click on result PDF link.
- Go through the PDF carefully.
- Download the PDF.
The NEET 2026 cutoff is released along with the results. The NTA released the NEET UG cutoff marks based on the difficulty level. Till then, take a look at the NEET 2025 cutoff for reference.
| Category | Cut off percentile | Cut off marks |
| UR/EWS | 50th Percentile | 715–213 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 212–177 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 212–177 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 212–177 |
| SC/OBC - PwD | 40th percentile | 193 - 177 |
| ST - PwD | 40th Percentile | 191 - 178 |
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Benefits of NEET Bonus Marks
There are a number of benefits of the NEET bonus marking system. Some of which are listed below.
- Scope of scoring high: If a candidate gets the bonus marks, for questions they had attempted without being sure of the accuracy, they will not only get additional four marks, but will also be saved from the negative marking. In case of non-attempt, they will not be eligible for these marks.
- Mitigating the negative marking: By getting bonus marks, candidates will be able to negate or mitigate the effect of the negative marking scheme, which would have lowered their score than what they can secure with the bonus marks.
- Fair evaluation system: The bonus marking system in NEET will ensure a fair evaluation system so that test-takers are not affected by the errors committed by the conducting authorities.
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
The NEET 2026 marking scheme can be checked below:
- Each correct answer will be awarded four marks
- One mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer
- No mark will be deducted for the questions which have not been answered
- Questions that have two or more responses marked on the OMR sheet will be considered incorrect and one mark will be deducted from them.
Commonly asked questions
The NEET result is declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA), in an online mode. Once the NEET result is declared, candidates will have to follow the steps given below to download their scorecards.
1. Visit the official website - neet.ntaonline.in or exams.nta.ac.in/NEET
2. Click on the link indicating NEET scorecard download
3. Enter the NEET application number and date of birth or password
4. Enter the security pin
5. Download the NEET scorecard PDF document
6. Take multiple printouts
After checking the scores, percentile and rank of NEET, candidates must preserve the NEET scorecard PDF properly till the admission or the counselling rounds are over. This is one of the most crucial documents which is verified by the counselling authorities.
The terms Clear Vacancy and Virtual Vacancy are related to the NEET seat matrix, which is released prior to each round of counselling. Clear Vacancy means empty or unclaimed seats at the end of the institute reporting process conducted at the end of each round. After the declaration of the seat allotment result, if a candidate exits the seat, then those seats come under the Clear Vacancy category. On the other hand, Virtual Vacancy refers to the seats which are considered to be available, if candidates allotted those seats opt for upgradation. In case their seat is not upgraded then the virtual vacancy will not be applicable anymore.
The NEET counselling process conducted for the 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats will be conducted primarily for the MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing courses. For the State NEET counselling rounds, the courses for admission are MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS and BHMS courses. Some of the State NEET UG Counselling authorities also conduct admission for the Allied Courses such as BPTH, BoTH, BNYS, BASLP, etc. The courses may vary from state to state, but the MBBS and BDS courses are common all across. For the 15 per cent AIQ seats, the NEET counselling for B.A.MS, BUMS and BHMS courses are conducted separately by the requisite department and authorities, which is the Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC).
While NTA releases the NEET answer keys PDF, it does not release the detailed solutions or the answer-solving procedures and explanations. On the other hand, experts from coaching institutes release detailed NEET answer key solutions and candidates may refer to those to note the correct and effective way of solving a question. Hence, to understand if the answer solving methodology, test takers will not have any official source of reference, but would have to rely on the unofficial sources only.
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NEET Exam Pattern
Although NTA has released the NEET 2026 syllabus, which has remained the same as last year, the NEET 2026 exam pattern details can be checked below.
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics |
45 |
180 |
| Chemistry |
45 |
180 |
| Botany |
45 |
180 |
| Zoology |
45 |
180 |
| Total |
180 |
720 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Yes, in most colleges. NCAHP said NEET UG will not be mandatory for BPT and BOT in the 2026-27 session. Many colleges admit through Class 12 PCB marks or their own tests. Top government colleges like KGMU still use NEET. Check each college's notice. Keep your PCB marksheet ready.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
As far as my experience it is very tough to get MBBS seat in government colleges, but u can try in NRI qouta or any private quota in private medical colleges of Karnataka, because u have rural and HK qouta it can be beneficial to you
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 3 days ago
Usually no. Colleges admit students through CUET, JEE Main, university tests or state engineering exams. Amity Bengaluru's B.Tech Biotechnology also accepts NEET or AMCAT scores. So NEET can help in a few cases. Check each college's list of accepted exams.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, you can in most cases, but the rule has been changing, so check it for your year. In 2026, RUHS held its own B.Sc Nursing entrance exam on May 21, and the result came on June 2. In the 2025 process, B.Sc Nursing admissions in Rajasthan went through RUHS CUET, not NEET. Post Basic B.Sc Nursing a
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Admission to the MBBS programme at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore is strictly not possible without a valid NEET-UG score. MBBS Programme requires qualifying and appearing for NEET-UG, while for admission to its PG programmes (MD, MS) the CMC Vellore Tamil Nadu accepts the scores of NEET PG.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
AIIMS Bathinda cutoff 2026 is 2261 for the OBC All India category for the MBBS course admission. Students tartegting admission to the MD/MS/MDS courses, would need to acheive a rank of at least 10063 to have a chance at admission. On the other hand, for BSc in Nursing course, the maximum accepted fo
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, candidates can clear NEET 2027 if they are thorough with the NCERT books. It is not mandatory to refer to the study material of coaching classes to clear NEET 2027.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, for some of them. Bahra lists scholarships based on JEE Main marks and CLAT rank, along with BUSET, CAT, MAT, and CUET percentile scores. I am not sure about NEET, so confirm that with the admissions office.
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
DY Patil Navi Mumbai accepts NEET exam for admission to its MBBS programme. The NEET UG cutoff 2026 for round 4 has been released. For the General AI category, the round 4 cutoff varied between 571981 and 764173, wherein MBBS had the cutoff of 507903.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The Round 4 closing NEET cutoff 2026 for MBBS at AIIMS Deoghar is 8481. Students who meet the cutoff criteria can take admission in AIIMS Deoghar for the five-year MBBS course.
Contributor-Level 8