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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.

D
Dr. Shekhar
Founder & Senior Faculty
November 25, 2025
15 min read
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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)

EventExpected Date
NTA NotificationDecember 2025
Registration BeginsJanuary 2026
Registration DeadlineFebruary 2026
Admit Card ReleaseApril 2026
NEET 2026 Exam DateFirst Sunday of May 2026
Answer Key ReleaseWithin 1 week of exam
Result DeclarationJune 2026
Counselling BeginsJuly 2026

Note: These dates are based on previous year trends. Official dates will be announced by NTA.

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern

Paper Structure

SubjectTotal QuestionsQuestions to AttemptMarks
Physics50 (35+15)45 (35+10)180
Chemistry50 (35+15)45 (35+10)180
Biology (Botany)50 (35+15)45 (35+10)180
Biology (Zoology)50 (35+15)45 (35+10)180
Total200180720

Section-wise Breakdown

Each subject has two sections:

  • Section A: 35 questions (All compulsory)
  • Section B: 15 questions (Attempt any 10)

Marking Scheme

ActionMarks
Correct Answer+4
Wrong Answer-1
Unattempted0

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:

  1. Human Physiology (8-10%)
  2. Plant Physiology (6-8%)
  3. Genetics (8-10%)
  4. Ecology (6-8%)
  5. Cell Biology (5-7%)
  6. 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:

  1. Mechanics (25-30%)
  2. Electrodynamics (20-25%)
  3. Optics (10-12%)
  4. 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:

  1. Organic Chemistry (30-35%)
  2. Inorganic Chemistry (30-35%)
  3. 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:

CategoryExpected Cut-off Percentile
General50th percentile
OBC45th percentile
SC40th percentile
ST40th percentile

For top government medical colleges, you typically need 600+ marks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Ignoring NCERT: 95% of NEET questions come from NCERT
  2. Too Many Books: Stick to one reference book per subject
  3. Skipping Mock Tests: Regular testing is essential
  4. Neglecting Weak Subjects: Balance all three subjects
  5. Last-Minute New Topics: Don't start new topics in final months
  6. Poor Time Management: Practice completing papers in 3 hours
  7. Ignoring Negative Marking: Don't guess randomly

Resources for NEET 2026

Official Resources

  • NTA Official Website: nta.ac.in
  • NCERT Textbooks: ncert.nic.in
  • 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.

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