
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.
- 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
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 |
Commonly asked questions
NEET 2026 Pattern: An Overview of the Question Paper
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 |
Commonly asked questions
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 |
Commonly asked questions
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 TestCommonly asked questions
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
Commonly asked questions
FAQs Regarding NEET 2026 Pattern
Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the NEET 2026 exam pattern.
Commonly asked questions
Explore subject-wise topics asked in NEET
Select your preferred subject
NEET Exam
Student Forum
Answered a week ago
PGIMER does not accept the NEET UG score. You need to appear in the PGIMER BSc Nursing exam separately for the BSc Nursing program. To appear in this examination, students must have completed the Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English subjects. A separate counseling will
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
For admission to BAMS at Taranath Government Ayurveda Medical College, you will generally need documents such as your NEET 2025 Scorecard, Class 12 mark sheets and certificate, Class 10 mark sheet, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile/nationality certificate, and passport-sized photographs. T
Answered 2 weeks ago
For biology students in India, there are many high-salary career options available even without taking the NEET exam, such as:
- Biotechnology
- Forensic Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma)
- B.Sc Nursing
- Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT)
- Optometry (B.Optom)
- Food Technology/Food Sci
J
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, NEET is not compulsory to pursue medicine courses abroad. However, students who wish to return to India to practice medicine after completing their studies abroad need to have cleared the NEET exam.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
When we talk about the paramedical courses which do not require you to sit for NEET exam then we have options like :
- Medical Lab Technology (MLT)
- Radiology and Imaging Technology
- Physiotherapy (BPT)
- Operation Theatre Technology
- Anesthesia Technology
- Optometry
- Dialysis Technology
- Nutrition and Dietetics
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The "best" course for PCB or PCMB students after 12th depends on their personal interests and career aspirations. Here are some of the best course options for those interested in the healthcare fields after 12th (without becoming a doctor):
- BSc in Biotechnology
- BSc in Microbiology
- BSc in Nursing
- BSc in
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, NEET-UG is mandatory for admission to the MBBS course at NTRUHS. The full form of NEET is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This is the only entrance exam for admission to MBBS courses offered in India. The exam is conducted once a year in offline mode. Further, applicants who secu
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, applicants can get admission to the NTRUHS BSc course without NEET. As per the information available on the official website, admission to the BSc course is based on merit/ Andhra Pradesh EAMCET/ APNCET scores. Moreover, there is a possibility that some of the affiliated colleges of NTRUHS acc
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, to take admission in Sai Tirupati University for the MBBS course the NEET UG exam is compulsory. Candidates must appear for this exam and achieve a valid aggregate in the same to take admission in the MBBS course at Sai Tirupati University. Additionally, they must ensure fulfilling the eligibil
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The application fee ranges from INR 500 to INR 5,500. Students can check the table below to know the Karnataka NEET UG Counselling application fee:
Category | Fee (in INR) |
---|---|
NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign nationals | 5,500/- |
General/2A/2B/3A/3B | 2,500/- |
SC/ST/Cat-I/PWD | 500/- |
S
Contributor-Level 10
2275 Institutes accepting NEET
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
Gautam Nagar, Delhi • Public
- ₹ 6,075
- 66 months
- |
- Full Time
Varanasi • Public
- ₹ 2.32 Lakh
- 66 months
- |
- Full Time
Christian Medical College, Vellore
Vellore • Private
- ₹ 13,500
- 66 months
- |
- Full Time
KGMU - King George's Medical University
Lucknow • Public
- ₹ 1.90 Lakh
- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
I have qualified for the NEET-UG, do I have to appear separately for PGIMER nursing entrance exam?