NEET Exam Pattern 2026: Total Marks, Subjects, Marking Scheme, Exam Duration & No. of Questions

National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )

DeskCalelnderCounselling - 29 Sep '25 - 5 Oct '25

Sreetama Datta Roy
Updated on Sep 13, 2025 22:51 IST

By Sreetama Datta Roy, Manager Content

The NEET 2026 exam pattern is likely to remain the same as last year. Last year, the exam pattern of NEET was changed by NTA, reverting it to that of the pre-COVID era. The optional questions were removed. Instead of 200 questions, there are now 180 questions. The total duration of NEET was reduced from 200 minutes to 180 minutes, or three hours. The NEET pattern parameters which remained the same are the exam mode, subject-wise compulsory questions and marking scheme.

The detailed NEET 2026 exam pattern and structure will be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) along with the notification and the information bulletin for NEET 2026, tentatively in the first week of February 2026. The exam will be conducted in the first week of May 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. The NEET exam date, along with the NEET application form for 2026, will also be announced by NTA together.

Q:   What is the exam pattern of NEET?
Q:   Which section has the highest number of questions in NEET?
Q:   What is the mode of NEET exam?
Table of content
  • NEET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
  • NEET 2026 Pattern: An Overview of the Question Paper
  • NEET 2026 Distribution of Marks
  • NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: Important Points to Remember While Marking the OMR Sheet
  • Language options in the exam pattern of NEET 2026
  • FAQs Regarding NEET 2026 Pattern
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NEET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights

Know the details of the NEET 2026 exam pattern in the table below.

Particulars

Details

Mode of the examination

Offline

Duration of the examination

Three hours 

Exam timing

2 PM to 5 PM (as per Indian Standard Time)

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total number of Questions

180 

Total Marks

720

Negative marking

Yes

Marking Scheme

+4 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

0 for unattempted questions

Total sections in the question paper

4 (45 questions for each subject)

NEET Subjects

Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany + Zoology)

NEET Question Paper Mediums or Languages

13 - English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will there be negative marking in NEET?
Q:   Are there any optional questions in NEET exam?
Q:   What is the total marks of NEET exam?
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NEET 2026 Pattern: An Overview of the Question Paper

As per the  exam pattern of NEET 2026, each question will carry four answer options, out of which candidates will have to select one option. The circle next to the correct option will have to be shaded with a blue/black ballpoint pen on the OMR sheet. Aspirants aiming to appear for NEET next year must familiarise themselves with the NEET exam pattern while preparing.

According to the NEET pattern, the NEET question paper comprises three subjects- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The table given below depicts the NEET subject-wise weightage and breakup of the question paper.

Also Read:

NEET 2026 Subject-Wise Weightage 

The following table indicates the sections of the NEET exam pattern, NEET subject list, NEET subject-wise weightage, and the distribution of marks.

Subject

Number of Questions

Marks

Physics

45

180

Chemistry

45

180

Botany

45

180

Zoology

45

180

Total

180

720

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How much time will I get to solve each section of NEET?
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NEET 2026 Distribution of Marks

As per the marking scheme of the NEET UG exam pattern, each question carries four marks, and one mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The total marks for NEET 2026 will be 720. Here we bring the marking scheme of NEET in detail:

  • 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

Also Read: Total Marks in NEET 

NEET Marking Scheme

The table below brings the marking scheme of NEET.

Response Type

Marks awarded

Correct answer

+4

Incorrect answer

-1

Question with more than one response

-1

Unanswered question

0

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will there be negative marking in NEET?
Q:   Will marks be deducted for unanswered questions in NEET?
Q:   I marked two answers for a question in NEET. One of the answers is correct. Will I get full marks for this question?
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NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: Important Points to Remember While Marking the OMR Sheet

NTA has suggested the following guidelines for filling the NEET OMR sheet:

  • Answers have to be marked using a ballpoint pen, which will be provided in the examination hall
  • Changing answers on the OMR sheet is not allowed
  • Erasing/ obliterating any information printed on the OMR sheet is a punishable offence
  • Rough work should be done on the test booklet only
  • A Candidate must not forget to mark the test booklet code on the OMR sheet
  • Candidates must ensure that the NEET question paper code matches that of the OMR sheet.

NEET Mock Test is a comprehensive Test including Questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This test will help you to get an idea about the type of questions that will be asked, the exam pattern, and the marking scheme. After taking the test, you can immediately check your score.

Free NEET Mock Test
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the procedure to challenge NEET OMR sheets?
Q:   What is the process to download NEET OMR sheets?
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Language options in the exam pattern of NEET 2026

The following table indicates the NEET languages and the centres/cities where they will be available.

Medium

Availability in the NEET exam centres

English

Available at all exam cities/ centres

Hindi

Available at all exam cities/ centres

Urdu

Available at all exam cities/ centres

English

Available at all exam cities/ centres

Marathi

Available at exam centres in Maharashtra

Bengali

Available at exam centres in West Bengal

Gujarati

Available at exam centres in Gujarat, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Tamil

Available at exam centres in Tamil Nadu

Telugu

Available at exam centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Kannada

Available at exam centres in Karnataka

Oriya

Available at exam centres in Odisha

Assamese

Available at exam centres in Assam

Punjabi

Available at exam centres in Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi

Malayalam

Available at exam centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep

As per the data released by NTA after the NEET 2025 result declaration, after English and Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali and Tamil are the most opted-for regional language choices of candidates. 

Important Points to Remember While Choosing the Medium of NEET 2026

While selecting the NEET question paper medium or the language of the question paper, candidates will have to keep in mind the following pointers:

  • The medium of the question paper has to be selected while filling the NEET application form
  • Once the language is chosen, it cannot be changed after the NEET application form is submitted.
  • Candidates planning to opt for English as a medium will be provided with the Test Booklet in English only.
  • Candidates opting for any other language will be provided with a Bilingual Test Booklet, their selected language preference, and English.
  • The English version of the NEET question paper shall be treated as final in case of any ambiguity in the translation of any of the questions.

Also Read: NEET 2025 Question Paper with Answer Key Solutions (Available) PDF Download

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   My medium of paper is Hindi. It means all questions will come in Hindi language?
Q:   What are the languages in which NEET will be conducted?
Q:   I want to select English as the language of my NEET question paper. Which city should I choose?
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FAQs Regarding NEET 2026 Pattern

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the NEET 2026 exam pattern.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is it necessary to pass in individual sections of NEET?
Q:   Has the NEET 2025 exam pattern changed?

Explore subject-wise topics asked in NEET

Select your preferred subject

OverviewDIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIESDIMENSIONAL FORMULAESignificant FiguresDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND ITS APPLICATIONSINTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITSOverviewChange of StateIdeal Gas Equation and Absolute TemperatureThermal ExpansionHeat TransferSpecific HeatCalorimetryTemperature and HeatMeasurement of TemperatureThermodynamic ProcessCarnot EngineReversible and Irreversible ProcessThermal EquilibriumThermodynamic State Variables Equation of StateOverviewFirst Law of ThermodynamicsSecond Law of ThermodynamicsBehaviour of GasesKinetic Theory of Ideal GasOverviewPeriodic and Oscillatory MotionSimple PendulumSimple Harmonic MotionOverviewSpeed of a Travelling WaveDisplacement Relation in a Progressive WaveSuperposition PrincipleBeatsReflection of WavesKinematic Equation Uniformly of Accelerated MotionInstantaneous Velocity and SpeedOverviewAccelerationResolution of VectorsVector Addition by Analytical MethodScalars and VectorsMultiplication of Vectors by Real NumbersAddition and Subtraction of VectorsOverviewProjectile MotionMotion in a PlaneConservation of MomentumEquilibrium of a ParticleCircular MotionCommon Forces in MechanicsSolving Problems in MechanicsConservation of Mechanical EnergyPotential Energy of SpringPowerKinetic EnergyCollisionWorkConcept of Potential EnergyMoment of InertiaOverviewCentre of MassVector Product of Two VectorsTorque and Angular MomentumMotion of Centre of MassEquilibrium of a Rigid BodyOverviewAngular Velocity and Relation with Linear VelocityDynamics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed AxisKinematics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed AxisAngular Momentum of Rotation About a Fixed AxisKeplers LawOverviewEscape SpeedEarth SatellitesEnergy of an Orbiting SatelliteStress Strain CurveElastic ModuliApplications of Elastic Behaviour of MaterialsSurface TensionBernoulli PrinciplePressure in FluidsViscosityStreamline FlowForces between Multiple ChargesConductors and InsulatorsBasic Properties of Electric ChargeElectric ChargeElectric Charge and FieldElectric FluxElectric Charge and FieldElectric Field LinesContinuous Charge DistributionInterference Light Waves Youngs ExperimentRefraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens PrincipleRefraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens PrincipleEinstein Photoelectric TheoryPhotoelectric Effect Wave Theory LightPhotoelectric EffectElectron EmissionOverviewBohr Model of Hydrogen AtomRadioactivityPhysics Nuclei OverviewSize of NucleusBinding EnergyNuclear EnergySemiconductor Devices OverviewSemiconductor Devices OverviewSemiconductor DiodeDiode as RectifierIntrinsic SemiconductorExtrinsic SemiconductorOverviewPotential Due to Point ChargeCombination of CapacitorsElectrostatic PotentialEnergy Stored in a CapacitorCapacitors and CapacitanceEffect of Dielectric on CapacitanceElectrostatics of ConductorsPotential Energy of a System of ChargesPotential due to a System of ChargesElectric CurrentOverviewElectrical Energy and PowerTemperature Dependence of ResistivityWheatstone BridgeOverviewOhms LawKirchhoffs LawDrift of Electrons and the Origin of ResistivityTorque on Current Loop Magnetic DipoleMotion in Magnetic FieldSolenoidMagnetic Field due to a Current ElementMagnetic Field on Axis of Circular Current LoopAmpere Circuital LawMagnetic ForceOverviewMoving Coil GalvanometerMagnetism and MatterMagnetic Properties of MaterialsMagnetisation and Magnetic IntensityBar MagnetElectromagnetismMotional Electromotive ForceExperiments of Faraday and HenryAlternating Current OverviewTransformerAC Voltage Applied to a ResistorAC Voltage Applied to an InductorAC Voltage applied to a CapacitorAC Voltage applied to a Series LCR circuitRepresentation of AC Current and Voltage by VectorElectromagnetic SpectrumElectromagnetic WavesDisplacement CurrentTotal Internal ReflectionRefraction through a PrismOptical InstrumentsDerivation of Lens FormulaReflection of Light by Spherical MirrorsRefraction at Spherical Surface and by LensesDerive Equation of Motion by Calculus methodAlternating Current OverviewOverviewDIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIESDIMENSIONAL FORMULAESignificant FiguresDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND ITS APPLICATIONSINTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITSOverviewChange of StateIdeal Gas Equation and Absolute TemperatureThermal ExpansionHeat TransferSpecific HeatCalorimetryTemperature and HeatMeasurement of TemperatureThermodynamic ProcessCarnot EngineReversible and Irreversible ProcessThermal EquilibriumThermodynamic State Variables Equation of StateOverviewFirst Law of ThermodynamicsSecond Law of ThermodynamicsBehaviour of GasesKinetic Theory of Ideal GasOverviewPeriodic and Oscillatory MotionSimple PendulumSimple Harmonic MotionOverviewSpeed of a Travelling WaveDisplacement Relation in a Progressive WaveSuperposition PrincipleBeatsReflection of WavesKinematic Equation Uniformly of Accelerated MotionInstantaneous Velocity and SpeedOverviewAccelerationResolution of VectorsVector Addition by Analytical MethodScalars and VectorsMultiplication of Vectors by Real NumbersAddition and Subtraction of VectorsOverviewProjectile MotionMotion in a PlaneConservation of MomentumEquilibrium of a ParticleCircular MotionCommon Forces in MechanicsSolving Problems in MechanicsConservation of Mechanical EnergyPotential Energy of SpringPowerKinetic EnergyCollisionWorkConcept of Potential EnergyMoment of InertiaOverviewCentre of MassVector Product of Two VectorsTorque and Angular MomentumMotion of Centre of MassEquilibrium of a Rigid BodyOverviewAngular Velocity and Relation with Linear VelocityDynamics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed AxisKinematics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed AxisAngular Momentum of Rotation About a Fixed AxisKeplers LawOverviewEscape SpeedEarth SatellitesEnergy of an Orbiting SatelliteStress Strain CurveElastic ModuliApplications of Elastic Behaviour of MaterialsSurface TensionBernoulli PrinciplePressure in FluidsViscosityStreamline FlowForces between Multiple ChargesConductors and InsulatorsBasic Properties of Electric ChargeElectric ChargeElectric Charge and FieldElectric FluxElectric Charge and FieldElectric Field LinesContinuous Charge DistributionInterference Light Waves Youngs ExperimentRefraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens PrincipleRefraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens PrincipleEinstein Photoelectric TheoryPhotoelectric Effect Wave Theory LightPhotoelectric EffectElectron EmissionOverviewBohr Model of Hydrogen AtomRadioactivityPhysics Nuclei OverviewSize of NucleusBinding EnergyNuclear EnergySemiconductor Devices OverviewSemiconductor Devices OverviewSemiconductor DiodeDiode as RectifierIntrinsic SemiconductorExtrinsic SemiconductorOverviewPotential Due to Point ChargeCombination of CapacitorsElectrostatic PotentialEnergy Stored in a CapacitorCapacitors and CapacitanceEffect of Dielectric on CapacitanceElectrostatics of ConductorsPotential Energy of a System of ChargesPotential due to a System of ChargesElectric CurrentOverviewElectrical Energy and PowerTemperature Dependence of ResistivityWheatstone BridgeOverviewOhms LawKirchhoffs LawDrift of Electrons and the Origin of ResistivityTorque on Current Loop Magnetic DipoleMotion in Magnetic FieldSolenoidMagnetic Field due to a Current ElementMagnetic Field on Axis of Circular Current LoopAmpere Circuital LawMagnetic ForceOverviewMoving Coil GalvanometerMagnetism and MatterMagnetic Properties of MaterialsMagnetisation and Magnetic IntensityBar MagnetElectromagnetismMotional Electromotive ForceExperiments of Faraday and HenryAlternating Current OverviewTransformerAC Voltage Applied to a ResistorAC Voltage Applied to an InductorAC Voltage applied to a CapacitorAC Voltage applied to a Series LCR circuitRepresentation of AC Current and Voltage by VectorElectromagnetic SpectrumElectromagnetic WavesDisplacement CurrentTotal Internal ReflectionRefraction through a PrismOptical InstrumentsDerivation of Lens FormulaReflection of Light by Spherical MirrorsRefraction at Spherical Surface and by LensesDerive Equation of Motion by Calculus methodAlternating Current OverviewMole Concept and Molar MassSTOICHIOMETRY AND STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONSPercentage CompositionLaws of Chemical CombinationAtomic and Molecular MassesProperties of Matter and their MeasurementImportance of ChemistryOverviewOverviewAtomic ModelsDiscovery of Sub Atomic ParticlesTowards Quantum Mechanical Model of AtomQuantum Mechanical Model of AtomElectronic Configuration Types of ElementsPeriodic Table Electronic Configuration of ElementPeriodic Trends in Properties of ElementsGenesis of Periodic ClassificationNomenclature of Elements with Atomic NumbersPresent Form of Periodic TableChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureHybridizationValence Bond TheoryMolecular Orbital TheoryHydrogen BondingIonic or Electrovalent BondKossel-Lewis Approach to Chemical BondingBond ParametersBonding in Homonuclear Diatomic MoleculesVSEPR TheoryApplications of Chemical BondingEquilibrium ProcessesHomogeneous EquilibriaFactors Affecting EquilibriaApplications of Equilibrium ConstantIonization of Acids and BasesIonic Equilibrium in SolutionEquilibrium in Chemical ProcessesSolubility Equilibria of Sparingly Soluble SaltsHeter Heterogeneous EquilibriaOxidation NumberClassification of Organic CompoundsIsomerismNomenclature of Organic CompoundsQuantitative AnalysisQualitative Analysis of Organic CompoundsOverviewStructural Representations of Organic CompoundsFundamental Concepts in Organic Reaction MechanismTetravalence of Carbon Shapes of Organic CompoundsMethods of Purification of Organic CompoundsClassificationAlkanesAlkenesAlkynesAromatic HydrocarbonCarcinogenicity and ToxicityAbnormal Molar MassColligative Properties and Molar MassSolubilityProteinsVitaminsCarbohydratesEnzymesHormonesNucleic AcidsElectrolytic Cells and ElectrolysisCorrosionGalvanic CellFuel CellsNernst EquationElectrochemical CellsBatteriesRate of ReactionIntegrated Rate EquationsCollision Theory of Chemical ReactionsTemperature Dependence of the Rate of a ReactionFactors Influencing Rate of a ReactionBonding in Metal CarbonylsDifference between Glucose and FructoseZoologyHuman Physiology
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Contributor-Level 8

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Contributor-Level 8

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Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

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Category

Fee (in INR)

NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign nationals

5,500/-

General/2A/2B/3A/3B

2,500/-

SC/ST/Cat-I/PWD

500/-

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Sanjana Dixit

Contributor-Level 10

2275 Institutes accepting NEET

  • 6,075
  • 66 months
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  • Full Time

Banaras Hindu University

Varanasi Public

Banaras Hi
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    • 66 months
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