The definitive manual for the May 3, 2026 exam.
No Section B. No Excuses. 100% Strategy.
Before we dive into the details, you must understand the landscape of NEET 2026. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the Information Bulletin, and there are ground-breaking changes.
The "COVID-era relief" of having optional questions is OVER. The exam has reverted to the Pre-2021 Pattern. There will be 180 Compulsory Questions. You no longer have the luxury of skipping tricky questions in a "Section B".
Why is this important?
In the last few years, students used Section B to skip difficult calculation-based questions in Physics or ambiguous questions in Biology. Now, if a question is in the paper, you must attempt it (or leave it and lose the scoring opportunity). This drastically changes your strategy. Accuracy is now more valuable than selection.
The NTA is strictly adhering to the timeline this year. Missing a deadline means waiting for NEET 2027. Do not let that happen.
| Event | Date & Time (Official) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 8, 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | February 8, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 8, 2026 (up to 9:00 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | March 8, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | March 10 – March 12, 2026 |
| City Intimation Slip | 3rd Week of April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last Week of April 2026 |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | May 3, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Duration | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 Hours) |
| Result Declaration | June 15, 2026 (Tentative) |
Let's break down the "No Section B" pattern. This is a return to the classic high-stakes format.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time Allocation (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 (Compulsory) | 180 | 60-70 Mins |
| Chemistry | 45 (Compulsory) | 180 | 45-50 Mins |
| Biology (Botany) | 45 (Compulsory) | 180 | 50-60 Mins (Combined) |
| Biology (Zoology) | 45 (Compulsory) | 180 | |
| TOTAL | 180 | 720 | 180 Minutes |
Language Options: The exam is available in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Note: If you choose English, you get the Question Booklet in English only. If you choose Hindi/Regional, you get a Bilingual Booklet (English + Chosen Language).
Before you pay the fee, ensure you are eligible. NTA has relaxed several rules in recent years.
This aggregate is for PCB (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) only. English marks are not counted for this percentage, though you must pass English.
| General / EWS | 50% |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST | 40% |
| PwD (General) | 45% |
One mistake here can cause panic later. Follow this walkthrough.
Go to neet.nta.nic.in. Click "New Registration". Download the Information Bulletin (read it!). Click "Proceed".
Enter your Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name exactly as per Class 10 Certificate.
Identity Type: Use Aadhaar Card for the smoothest experience. If you use a non-Aadhaar ID, you might need to reach the exam center 1 hour early.
Personal Details: Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST). Do you have a valid certificate? If not, apply for it NOW. You can submit a "Declaration" for now, but you need the certificate during counseling.
Exam Paper Medium: Choose carefully. If you choose "Hindi", you get a bilingual paper. If you choose "English", you get ONLY English.
Exam Cities: Select 4 cities in order of preference. NTA usually gives the 1st choice.
This is where 40% of students make mistakes. See the "Documents" section below for strict size limits.
Pay via UPI, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
CRITICAL: After payment, a "Confirmation Page" is generated. Download and Print 3 copies. If this page is not generated, your form is INCOMPLETE.
NTA uses AI to check photos. Do not upload selfies.
| Document | Specifications | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Passport Photo | White background. 80% face coverage. Ears visible. No mask. Date of taking photo is NOT mandatory but recommended. | 10KB - 200KB (JPG) |
| Postcard Photo | 4" x 6" size. Must be the SAME image as the passport photo. | 10KB - 200KB (JPG) |
| Signature | Black ink on white paper. Running hand (NOT Capital Letters). | 4KB - 30KB (JPG) |
| Finger/Thumb Impressions | Left & Right hand fingers + thumbs (10 digits total) on white paper. Blue or Black ink. | 10KB - 200KB (JPG) |
| Class 10 Certificate | Scanned PDF of the passing certificate (for DOB proof). | 50KB - 300KB (PDF) |
| Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate (if applicable). | 50KB - 300KB (PDF) |
The NMC (National Medical Commission) finalized the syllabus last year, and it remains the same for 2026. Many "ancient" topics are gone.
I have trained thousands of students. The ones who crack it in the last 3 months don't work "hard"—they work "smart". Here is your battle plan.
Do not start with Rotational Motion or Ionic Equilibrium. They take too long. Start with chapters that have High Weightage + Low Effort.
Now, attack the medium chapters. But more importantly, start Part-Tests.
NTA has added a section on "Experimental Skills" in Physics. Most students ignore this. Expect 3-4 direct questions on Vernier Calipers, Screw Gauge, Simple Pendulum, and Resonance Tube.
Master these 20 pages of NCERT Lab Manual to get a 16-mark edge over competitors.
Don't get disqualified for wearing the wrong socks.
Barred Items: Stationery (pen is provided at center), Water Bottles (transparent allowed sometimes, check admit card), Food, Electronic devices.
After the result in June, the counseling begins. It is conducted in 4 rounds by the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee).
Cutoffs for Govt Seats (General Category) usually hover around 610 - 620 Marks depending on the difficulty level.