NEET 2026 Complete Guide: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Important Dates & Strategy
Everything you need to know about NEET 2026 - exam pattern, syllabus, expected dates, eligibility, and preparation strategy. Your one-stop guide for NEET UG 2026.
Key Takeaways
- 1NEET 2026 expected in first week of May 2026 - registration likely starts January 2026
- 2200 questions from Physics, Chemistry, Biology - 180 to be attempted
- 3Biology carries 50% weightage (360 marks) - most scoring subject
- 4NCERT is the primary source - 95% questions directly or indirectly from NCERT
- 5Negative marking of -1 for wrong answers - strategic answering is crucial
Remember these points for your NEET preparation
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NEET 2026 Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the single largest medical entrance examination in India, with over 20 lakh students competing for approximately 1 lakh MBBS seats. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about NEET 2026.
NEET 2026 Important Dates (Expected)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| NTA Notification | December 2025 |
| Registration Begins | January 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | February 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | First Sunday of May 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | Within 1 week of exam |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Counselling Begins | July 2026 |
Note: These dates are based on previous year trends. Official dates will be announced by NTA.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern
Paper Structure
| Subject | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 50 (35+15) | 45 (35+10) | 180 |
| Chemistry | 50 (35+15) | 45 (35+10) | 180 |
| Biology (Botany) | 50 (35+15) | 45 (35+10) | 180 |
| Biology (Zoology) | 50 (35+15) | 45 (35+10) | 180 |
| Total | 200 | 180 | 720 |
Section-wise Breakdown
Each subject has two sections:
- Section A: 35 questions (All compulsory)
- Section B: 15 questions (Attempt any 10)
Marking Scheme
| Action | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +4 |
| Wrong Answer | -1 |
| Unattempted | 0 |
Exam Duration and Mode
- Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes)
- Mode: Pen and Paper (Offline - OMR based)
- Medium: 13 languages including English, Hindi, and regional languages
NEET 2026 Syllabus
Physics Syllabus
Class 11 Topics:
- Physical World and Measurement
- Kinematics
- Laws of Motion
- Work, Energy and Power
- Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body
- Gravitation
- Properties of Bulk Matter
- Thermodynamics
- Behaviour of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory
- Oscillations and Waves
Class 12 Topics:
- Electrostatics
- Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Optics
- Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
- Atoms and Nuclei
- Electronic Devices
Chemistry Syllabus
Class 11 Topics:
- Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Structure of Atom
- Classification of Elements and Periodicity
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
- States of Matter
- Thermodynamics
- Equilibrium
- Redox Reactions
- Hydrogen
- s-Block Elements
- Some p-Block Elements
- Organic Chemistry Basic Principles
- Hydrocarbons
- Environmental Chemistry
Class 12 Topics:
- Solid State
- Solutions
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Surface Chemistry
- General Principles of Isolation of Elements
- p-Block Elements
- d and f Block Elements
- Coordination Compounds
- Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
- Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
- Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
- Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen
- Biomolecules
- Polymers
- Chemistry in Everyday Life
Biology Syllabus (Most Important for NEET)
Class 11 Topics:
- Diversity in Living World
- Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants
- Cell Structure and Function
- Plant Physiology
- Human Physiology
Class 12 Topics:
- Reproduction
- Genetics and Evolution
- Biology and Human Welfare
- Biotechnology and Its Applications
- Ecology and Environment
NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 17 years as on December 31, 2026
- Maximum Age: No upper age limit (as per Supreme Court ruling)
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English
- Minimum aggregate: 50% (General), 45% (PwD), 40% (SC/ST/OBC)
Number of Attempts
- No limit on number of attempts
Nationality
- Indian Nationals
- NRIs
- OCIs
- PIOs
- Foreign Nationals
Subject-wise Strategy for NEET 2026
Biology (360 Marks) - Your Scoring Subject
Biology is the most scoring subject in NEET. Here's why you should prioritize it:
High Weightage Chapters:
- Human Physiology (8-10%)
- Plant Physiology (6-8%)
- Genetics (8-10%)
- Ecology (6-8%)
- Cell Biology (5-7%)
- Reproduction (7-9%)
Strategy:
- Read NCERT line-by-line - every diagram, every example
- Make notes of exceptions and special cases
- Practice diagrams daily
- Focus on terminology and definitions
Physics (180 Marks) - Concepts + Numericals
High Weightage Chapters:
- Mechanics (25-30%)
- Electrodynamics (20-25%)
- Optics (10-12%)
- Modern Physics (8-10%)
Strategy:
- Master formulas and their derivations
- Practice numerical problems daily
- Focus on conceptual clarity
- Previous year questions are gold
Chemistry (180 Marks) - Memory + Understanding
High Weightage Topics:
- Organic Chemistry (30-35%)
- Inorganic Chemistry (30-35%)
- Physical Chemistry (30-35%)
Strategy:
- Organic: Understand reaction mechanisms
- Inorganic: NCERT is bible - memorize tables, exceptions
- Physical: Combine formula practice with concept understanding
6-Month Preparation Timeline for NEET 2026
December 2025 - January 2026: Complete Syllabus
- Finish any remaining chapters
- First round of revision
- Start mock tests (1 per week)
February 2026: Intensive Revision
- Focus on weak areas
- NCERT revision (all subjects)
- Mock tests (2 per week)
- Previous year papers
March 2026: Board + NEET Balance
- Board exam preparation (overlaps with NEET)
- Continue NCERT revision
- Mock tests continue
April 2026: Final Revision
- Only revision, no new topics
- Daily mock tests
- Focus on high-weightage chapters
- Time management practice
May 2026 (Before Exam): Polish
- Light revision
- Review mistakes from mock tests
- Relax and stay confident
- Exam day preparation
NEET 2026 Cut-off Predictions
Based on previous trends:
| Category | Expected Cut-off Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 50th percentile |
| OBC | 45th percentile |
| SC | 40th percentile |
| ST | 40th percentile |
For top government medical colleges, you typically need 600+ marks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring NCERT: 95% of NEET questions come from NCERT
- Too Many Books: Stick to one reference book per subject
- Skipping Mock Tests: Regular testing is essential
- Neglecting Weak Subjects: Balance all three subjects
- Last-Minute New Topics: Don't start new topics in final months
- Poor Time Management: Practice completing papers in 3 hours
- Ignoring Negative Marking: Don't guess randomly
Resources for NEET 2026
Official Resources
- NTA Official Website: nta.ac.in
- NCERT Textbooks: ncert.nic.in
Recommended Study Material
- Biology: NCERT + MTG or Trueman's
- Physics: NCERT + HC Verma + DC Pandey
- Chemistry: NCERT + MS Chauhan (Organic) + VK Jaiswal (Inorganic)
Final Words
NEET 2026 is your gateway to becoming a doctor. With the right strategy, consistent effort, and proper guidance, you can definitely crack this exam. Remember:
- NCERT is non-negotiable - Read it multiple times
- Practice daily - Consistency beats intensity
- Stay healthy - Physical and mental health matter
- Believe in yourself - You've got this!
Need personalized guidance? Book a free counseling session with our AIIMS faculty to create your customized NEET 2026 preparation plan.