The National Testing Agency (NTA) will soon announce the official exam date for the NEET UG 2026 medical entrance test. The exam is likely to be held on May 3, 2026 , which is the first Sunday of the month. The registration process for NEET UG 2026 is expected to begin in February 2026 . Students can find all official updates and apply online through the NTA NEET website, neet.nta.nic.in .
NEET UG is a national-level exam for students who want to join MBBS and BDS courses in government and private medical colleges across India. The application process will be completely online, requiring eligible candidates to fill a form and pay the fees.
Key Dates and Details
The NTA will release a detailed notification called the information bulletin with the exact dates for NEET UG 2026. While the official dates are awaited, here is what is expected:
- Exam Date: Expected on May 3, 2026 (First Sunday of May).
- Registration Start: Expected in February 2026 .
- Official Websites: neet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in .
Based on previous years, the application form is usually released two to three months before the exam. For example, the NEET 2025 exam was held on May 4, 2025, and registrations began on February 7, 2025. Similarly, for the NEET 2024 exam on May 5, 2024, registration started on February 9, 2024. This trend suggests a February 2026 start for registrations.
NEET UG 2026 Application Fees
Candidates must pay the application fee online during registration. The expected fees for different categories are:
| Category | Application Fee (in INR) |
| General | 1,700 |
| Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL | 1,600 |
| SC, ST, PWD/PWBD, Third Gender | 1,000 |
| NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign Candidates | 9,500 |
How to Apply Online for NEET UG 2026
The application process for NEET UG 2026 will be entirely online. Here are the steps candidates need to follow:
- Go to the official website: neet.nta.nic.in .
- Look for the link to 'New Registration' or 'NEET UG 2026 Registration'.
- Read all instructions carefully and click on the agreement box to proceed.
- Fill in your basic details to register and create a password.
- Verify your details, often through an OTP sent to your registered mobile number or email.
- Log in to the portal using your new registration details and password.
- Complete the detailed application form with all required personal, academic, and contact information.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents, such as photographs and signatures.
- Pay the application fees online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Review all entered information.
- Submit the form and save the confirmation page for future use.
NEET UG 2026 Syllabus and Sample Papers
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has already set the syllabus for NEET UG 2026. The NTA will include this official syllabus in the information bulletin when it is released. Students should prepare using this official syllabus.
NTA will also release sample papers for the NEET 2026 exam. These practice papers will be available for free after the information bulletin is published. Practicing these papers can help students understand the exam pattern and question types.
As of January 5, 2026 , students have approximately 100 days to prepare for the expected exam date in May. It is advised to start preparing seriously and keep checking the official NTA websites for the latest announcements.
