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NEET UG 2026: Complete Guide to National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
NEET is India’s national-level medical entrance exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses. It is the primary pathway for students aspiring to become doctors and secure admission to government and private medical colleges across the country.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 — National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) |
| Conducted By | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Ministry of Education, Govt. of India |
| Purpose | Admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS, B.Sc. Nursing, and other medical / paramedical UG courses |
| Courses Covered | MBBS | BDS | BAMS | BSMS | BUMS | BHMS | B.Sc. Nursing (select institutions) |
| Total Seats (Approx.) | 1,08,940+ MBBS seats | 27,868 BDS seats | 52,720 AYUSH seats (varies yearly) |
| Exam Mode | Offline — Pen and Paper (OMR sheet based) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours 20 Minutes (200 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 questions (180 to be attempted) |
| Total Marks | 720 marks |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct | –1 for wrong | 0 for unattempted |
| Eligibility | Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology from recognised Board |
| Age Limit | Minimum 17 years as on December 31 of admission year | No upper age limit |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in | nta.ac.in |
NEET UG — National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) — is India’s single national entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH (BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS), B.Sc. Nursing, and other medical and paramedical undergraduate courses across India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) once a year, every year.
Before 2013, every state and medical institution had its own entrance exam — AIPMT, DPMT, MHT-CET for medicine, and dozens more. NEET unified all of these into one national test. Today, if you want to be a doctor in India — government college, private college, deemed university, or AIIMS — NEET UG is the only path in.
Think of NEET UG as the gateway to every medical career in India. One exam, one score, one ranking — and then counselling distributes over 1,08,940 MBBS seats and lakhs more across BDS, AYUSH, and nursing programmes nationwide.
| Requirement | Details |
| Class 12 / Equivalent | Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised Board (CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, NIOS, etc.) |
| Compulsory Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology as compulsory subjects in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks (General) | 50% aggregate in PCB (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks (OBC/SC/ST) | 40% aggregate in PCB in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks (PwBD – General) | 45% aggregate in PCB in Class 12 |
| Appearing Candidates | Students appearing in Class 12 Board exams in the same year are also eligible to apply (provisionally) |
Note: While there is no attempt limit for NEET itself, individual medical colleges and counselling authorities may have their own policies. Always verify from the official NTA notification and respective counselling authority guidelines.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / EWS | Rs. 1,700 |
| General – PwBD | Rs. 1,700 |
| OBC (NCL) | Rs. 1,600 |
| SC / ST / PwBD (SC/ST) | Rs. 1,000 |
| Candidates from Outside India (NRI, OCI, PIO, Foreign Nationals) | Rs. 9,500 |
Payment mode: Online only — Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI
NEET UG is a pen-and-paper (offline) exam conducted in a single session across exam centres all over India. It tests Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany + Zoology) from Class 11 and Class 12 syllabi.
| Section | Subject | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks |
| Section A | Physics | 35 | 35 | 140 |
| Section B | Physics | 15 | 10 (any 10 of 15) | 40 |
| Section A | Chemistry | 35 | 35 | 140 |
| Section B | Chemistry | 15 | 10 (any 10 of 15) | 40 |
| Section A | Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 70 | 70 | 280 |
| Section B | Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 30 | 20 (any 20 of 30) | 80 |
| Total | 200 | 180 | 720 |
Biology carries 360 out of 720 marks — exactly 50% of the total. Students who master Biology significantly and consistently outscore those who focus only on Physics and Chemistry.
Clearing NEET UG qualifies you — it does not directly admit you to a college. Admissions happen through counselling, conducted separately for All India Quota seats and State Quota seats. Your NEET rank and category determine which colleges you can access.
| Quota / Category | Seat Type | How Allocated |
| All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% of govt. medical college MBBS/BDS seats | Central counselling by MCC — merit-based, open to all states |
| State Quota | 85% of govt. medical college seats | State-level counselling — domicile / state residency criteria apply |
| Deemed / Central Universities | 100% of seats | Central counselling by MCC — NEET merit based |
| Private Medical Colleges | 100% of seats | Institution-level or state-level counselling — NEET merit required |
| AIIMS / JIPMER | Separate quota | NEET score used — allocated through MCC central counselling |
A high NEET score gives you more choices — but even a qualifying score opens doors to private colleges, deemed universities, and AYUSH programmes. Every rank matters.
| Category | NEET 2025 Qualifying Percentile | Approx. Qualifying Score (out of 720) |
| General / UR | 50th Percentile | ~164 marks and above |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th Percentile | ~129 marks and above |
| General – PwBD | 45th Percentile | ~146 marks and above |
| OBC / SC / ST – PwBD | 40th Percentile | ~129 marks and above |
Qualifying NEET UG simply means you are eligible for counselling. For a government MBBS seat in a top state college, scores of 550+ are typically required in the General category. For AIIMS Delhi, top rankers (AIR 1–200) are selected. Plan your target score based on the college and course you are aiming for.
NEET UG is not just a medical exam — it is the starting point of some of the most respected, impactful, and well-compensated careers in India. Here is what your degree leads to:
| Course | Duration | Career Paths |
| MBBS | 5.5 years (including 1 yr internship) | General Physician, Specialist (after PG), Surgeon, Hospital Admin, Medical Research, Teaching |
| BDS | 5 years (including 1 yr internship) | Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, MDS Specialist, Dental Researcher |
| BAMS (Ayurveda) | 5.5 years | Ayurvedic Physician, Research, Teaching, Wellness / Spa Sector |
| BHMS (Homeopathy) | 5.5 years | Homeopathic Physician, Own Clinic, Research, NGO Health Sector |
| BUMS (Unani) | 5.5 years | Unani Physician, Teaching, Government Health Departments |
| B.Sc. Nursing | 4 years | Staff Nurse, ICU/OT Nurse, Midwife, Nursing Educator, Hospital Management |
A career in medicine — from MBBS to MD to Consultant Specialist — is a 12–15 year journey. But at every step, it is one of the most respected, secure, and rewarding careers in India.
Is NEET UG the only exam for MBBS admission in India?
Yes. NEET UG is the single mandatory entrance exam for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH admissions across all government and private medical colleges in India. AIIMS and JIPMER, which previously had separate exams, now also use the NEET UG score for admissions through MCC central counselling.
What is a good score in NEET UG 2026?
It depends on your target. For AIIMS Delhi or top government medical colleges, you need 650+ (General category). For a government MBBS seat in most states, 550–620 is the typical range. For private MBBS colleges, 400–500 is often sufficient. For AYUSH and BDS, 300–400 qualifies at most institutions. Set your target based on your preferred college and course, not just a generic ‘good score.’
How many times can I appear for NEET UG?
There is no limit on the number of NEET UG attempts. You can appear every year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria (minimum 17 years of age, Class 12 with PCB). The Supreme Court of India removed the attempt cap in 2018.
What happens if I qualify NEET UG but do not get MBBS?
NEET qualifying opens multiple doors beyond MBBS: BDS (Dental), BAMS (Ayurveda), BHMS (Homeopathy), BSMS (Siddha), BUMS (Unani), and B.Sc. Nursing at select institutions. Many NEET qualifiers build excellent careers in dental, Ayurvedic, and paramedical fields. The NEET score can also be used for some B.Sc. Life Sciences programmes at deemed universities.
Which is more important in NEET — Biology or Physics?
Biology — without question. Biology carries 360 out of 720 marks — exactly 50% of the total. A student who scores 340+ in Biology and performs decently in Chemistry and Physics will consistently outperform a student who is strong only in Physics and Chemistry. Biology is also the most predictable section — NCERT-based preparation yields high returns here.
Is NCERT enough for NEET UG preparation?
For Biology — yes, NCERT is the primary source and often sufficient for 90%+ of Biology questions. For Chemistry — NCERT covers 70–80% of the questions; numerical problems and organic mechanisms need additional practice. For Physics — NCERT theory is essential but additional problem practice (HC Verma or DC Pandey for selective chapters) is needed for conceptual clarity. Bottom line: NCERT first, always. Additional books only after NCERT is fully mastered.
What is the counselling process after NEET UG?
After NEET results, eligible candidates register for counselling. MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) handles All India Quota seats, deemed universities, central universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER. State counselling authorities handle the 85% State Quota seats. Candidates fill college preferences online, seats are allotted by merit and availability across multiple rounds. You must report to the allotted college with original documents to confirm admission.
Disclaimer
This document is an unofficial educational resource created for exam aspirants. All information should be verified on the official recruitment website before applying. Vacancy numbers, age limits, and eligibility criteria are subject to change with each notification.
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