The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is the most prestigious and widely recognized medical entrance examination in India. Every year, lakhs of aspiring candidates appear for this highly competitive exam with the dream of becoming a doctor and serving in the medical profession. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET is the only gateway for admission into undergraduate medical programs such as MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in government and private medical colleges across the country.

For those who aspire to pursue MBBS admission through NEET 2026, it is mandatory to clear this examination with a good score. The NEET UG exam is held once a year, and it is regarded as one of the toughest national-level entrance tests in India. With more than 15 lakh candidates appearing annually, only a limited number manage to secure seats in top government medical colleges, making the competition intense and preparation crucial.

NEET Online Application 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the schedule for NEET UG 2026. This national-level entrance exam will be conducted for admission into MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, and BHMS courses across India.

Since 2019, NEET UG has been organized by the NTA with the approval of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development).

For the year 2026, the NEET UG examination is scheduled to be held on  May 2026. The online application process will begin on  February 2026, and eligible candidates can complete their registration through the official NTA portal.

NEET UG 2026 Details Overview

NEET UG(Admission) Courses for 2026

In India, NEET scores are accepted by a wide range of medical institutions. Currently, there are 542 medical colleges, 313 dental colleges, 914 AYUSH colleges, and 47 veterinary (BVSc & AH) colleges that consider NEET results for admission. Along with these, 15 AIIMS campuses and 2 JIPMER campuses also grant admission based on NEET scores.

Starting from this year, admission to the B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing programme will also be conducted through NEET, making it an even broader gateway for aspiring healthcare professionals.

Through NEET, candidates can seek admission to a variety of undergraduate medical and health science programs, including:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
• BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
• BAMS (Ayurvedic Medicine)
• BHMS (Homoeopathy Medicine)
• BUMS (Unani Medicine)
• BSMS (Siddha Medicine)
• BVSc & AH (Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry)
• B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing (added from 2023)
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
• Bachelor of Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology
• Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has set specific eligibility requirements for candidates appearing in NEET UG 2025. All aspirants must meet the following conditions:

Nationality

Applicants from the following categories are eligible to apply:

• Indian Nationals
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
• Foreign Nationals

Age Limit

• Candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission or should complete the age by 31st December 2025.
• The lower date of birth cut-off is 31st December 2008 or earlier.
• There is no upper age limit for NEET UG 2025.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed or be appearing in their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from a recognized board with the following subjects:

• English
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology / Biotechnology

Minimum marks required in the qualifying exam:

• General Category: 50%
• SC/ST/OBC: 40%
• PwD Candidates: 40%

NEET 2026 Registration Fee

While filling out the NEET UG 2025 application form, candidates are required to pay the application fee online using a credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, or e-challan. The fee details are as follows: