The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to announce the exam dates for NEET UG 2026 soon. Students preparing for the medical entrance exam can look forward to the official notification appearing on the NTA website. Based on past trends, the announcement is likely to happen between the last week of January 2026 and the first week of February 2026 .
The National Eligibility Entrance Cum Test (NEET UG) is an important exam for students who want to study medical and dental courses in India. Every year, lakhs of students take this test. Knowing the exam dates early helps students plan their studies and revision effectively, especially with board exams also approaching.
When Will NEET UG 2026 Dates Be Announced?
Many students are wondering if the NEET UG 2026 exam dates will be announced in January. While the NTA has not yet given a fixed date, past trends give a good idea of when to expect the news. Typically, the NTA announces the exam schedule about three months before the actual exam date.
The NEET UG 2026 exam is expected to be held between May 1 and May 4, 2026 . If this timeline holds true, then the official notification for the exam dates should come out in late January or early February.
Looking at Past Announcements:
Here is how the notification and exam dates have aligned in previous years:
| Year | Notification Release Date | Exam Date |
| 2026 (Expected) | January 31 to February 7, 2026 | May 1-4, 2026 |
| 2025 | February 7, 2025 | May 4, 2025 |
| 2024 | February 9, 2024 | May 5, 2024 |
The table shows that the notification usually comes out in the first week of February. This makes it less likely for the NEET UG 2026 exam dates to be announced exactly in January, but it could happen towards the very end of January. Students should be ready for an announcement anytime during this period.
What NTA Has Already Shared for NEET UG 2026
Even though the exam dates are not out yet, the NTA has already released important information for NEET UG 2026 students. In the first week of January 2026 , the NTA released the official syllabus for all subjects for NEET UG 2026 . This helps students start their preparation with the correct topics.
The NTA also shared a public notice with advice for students about their documents. Students are advised to update their:
- Aadhaar cards
- UDID cards (Unique Disability Identification Card, for students with disabilities)
- Category Certificates (for OBC, SC, ST, EWS categories)
This advice is given to ensure that the registration process for the exam is smooth and easy for everyone. Having these documents ready and updated will save time and prevent problems later.
Next Steps for Students
Students should keep checking the official NTA website for the latest updates. It is important to rely only on information from the official source. In the meantime, focus on studying the newly released syllabus and ensure all your personal documents are up to date for a hassle-free application process when registration opens.
