What is NEET 2026 Answer Key Bonus Marks? Know Who and Why Will Get It
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
NEET 2026 answer key bonus marks will be 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 is 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
NTA released the final answer key for NEET exam on June 14, 2025. The NEET 2025 result was declared based on the NEET final answer keys. The provisional NEET answer key was released on June 3, 2025. Candidates could submit challenges or objections against the provisional answer keys till June 5, 2025.
Yes, NTA releases the NEET final answer key PDF along with the result. The final answer keys are computed on the basis of the final review of the objections received against the NEET provisional answer keys. The final NEET answer keys will be the basis of the NEET result. Hence, unless NTA releases the NEET final answer key, the credibility and authenticity of the NEET result will remain questionable. Hence, it is a must for the exam authorities to release the NEET final answer keys.
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.
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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.
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.
NTA sets up a special committee consisting of academic experts that review the objections and take decisions about the challenged NEET official answer keys. After the NEET provisional answer keys are released, candidates are given the opportunity to file for objections. The objections have to be raised within the stipulated date and the expert committee with assess the validity of the objections and then take a call on it. Candidates are also given the option to send files as proof to substantiate their objections.
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
The NEET 2026 marking scheme is likely to remain the same as last year. The marking scheme for NEET exam is given 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.
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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 is yet to be announced officially. It is expected that the structure of the exam will remain the same as last year. The table below brings the section-wise question distribution and marks.
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics |
45 |
180 |
| Chemistry |
45 |
180 |
| Botany |
45 |
180 |
| Zoology |
45 |
180 |
| Total |
180 |
720 |
The NEET 2026 notification is expected to be announced anytime soon. Based on the previous years' trends, it is expected that the NEET 2026 exam will be conducted in the first week of May. The NEET 2026 application form is expected to be released in the first week of February, along with the notification and information bulletin.
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Student Forum
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Maximum there is no chance .there is only chance in deemed and private universities.so better take a drop and prepare well.
All the best
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