NEET UG 2026 Applications Open: Exam on May 3, Over 1.26 Lakh MBBS Seats Available

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has commenced the application process for NEET (UG) 2026 , India’s single national entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions. As per the official notification, the exam will be held on May 3, 2026 , in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM , with a duration of 180 minutes . The test will be conducted in 13 languages , ensuring accessibility for students across the country. Online applications opened on February 8, 2026 , and will close on March 8, 2026 , while the correction window will be available from March 10 to March 12, 2026 . Candidates must submit applications only through the official website https://neet.nta.nic.in , and strictly follow the instructions given in the Information Bulletin to avoid disqualification.

NEET (UG) is the compulsory entrance examination for admission into MBBS , BDS , and BVSc & AH courses, along with AYUSH programmes such as BAMS , BUMS , BSMS , and BHMS . It is also mandatory for Military Nursing Service (MNS) candidates seeking entry into B.Sc. Nursing courses at Armed Forces Medical Service hospitals. India’s medical education capacity has expanded significantly, with the country now offering around 1.26 lakh MBBS seats , nearly 28,000 BDS seats , and more than 50,000 AYUSH seats , reflecting the continued expansion of healthcare education infrastructure.

Students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 with Physics , Chemistry , and Biology/Biotechnology along with English from a recognised board are eligible. A BiPC (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) student can apply for NEET (UG) without any issue, provided they meet the required academic criteria and category-wise qualifying marks specified in the official bulletin.

For centres in India, the fee is ₹1700 for General category candidates, ₹1600 for General-EWS and OBC-NCL , and ₹1000 for SC , ST , PwBD , and Third Gender candidates. For centres outside India, the fee is ₹9500 , excluding processing charges and GST.

With about 15% of government medical seats filled through the All India Quota and the remaining seats allotted through state counselling, aspirants must track both national and state-level admission processes. Although the increase in medical seats may ease competition slightly, top government institutions will continue to see intense demand. Students are advised to complete applications early, keep required documents ready, and regularly check official NTA updates regarding exam city slips, admit cards, answer keys, and results.

Overall, NEET (UG) 2026 presents a major opportunity for science stream students, especially BiPC aspirants , to secure admission into India’s growing medical education system through a unified and transparent entrance process.