Everything You Need to Know About NEET UG 2026
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is India’s sole national-level medical entrance examination conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as the single-window gateway for admission into undergraduate medical, dental, and AYUSH courses across all prestigious government, central, deemed, and private medical institutions in the country, including AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences), JIPMER, AFMC, and state medical universities.
720 Marks
Total Maximum Score
200 Minutes
Exam Duration (3h 20m)
200 MCQs
180 Questions to Attempt
1. Who Can Attend NEET UG? (Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications)
Candidates planning to take the NEET UG examination must meet the eligibility criteria established by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and NTA:
Age Limit
Candidate must have completed a minimum of 17 years of age on or before December 31st of the admission year. As per NMC regulations, there is no upper age limit.
Educational Qualification
Passed or appearing in Class 12 / Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as mandatory subjects.
Minimum Qualifying Marks in 10+2
General / EWS: 50% aggregate in PCB
OBC / SC / ST: 40% aggregate in PCB
PwD (General): 45% aggregate in PCB
Nationality & Attempts
Open to Indian Citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals. There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can take.
2. NEET UG Exam Pattern & Marks Distribution
NEET UG follows a structured objective multiple-choice question (MCQ) format covering 4 sections: Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Each subject contains two sections: Section A (35 mandatory questions) and Section B (15 questions, where candidates attempt any 10).
| Subject |
Section A (Compulsory) |
Section B (Attempt 10 of 15) |
Total Questions to Attempt |
Subject Maximum Marks |
| Physics |
35 Questions (140 Marks) |
15 Questions (40 Marks) |
45 Questions |
180 Marks |
| Chemistry |
35 Questions (140 Marks) |
15 Questions (40 Marks) |
45 Questions |
180 Marks |
| Botany (Biology) |
35 Questions (140 Marks) |
15 Questions (40 Marks) |
45 Questions |
180 Marks |
| Zoology (Biology) |
35 Questions (140 Marks) |
15 Questions (40 Marks) |
45 Questions |
180 Marks |
| Grand Total |
140 Questions (560 Marks) |
60 Questions (160 Marks) |
180 Questions |
720 Marks |
Marking Scheme Discipline: Each correct response awards +4 marks, while an incorrect response incurs a negative penalty of -1 mark. Unattempted questions receive 0 marks. Developing accuracy through chapter-wise mock tests is crucial to eliminating negative marking.
3. High-Weightage NEET UG Syllabus Breakdown (Class 11 & 12)
The syllabus is aligned with the Core Curriculum recommended by the NMC, NCERT, and CBSE boards for Senior Secondary education:
Biology
50% Weightage (360 M)
- Class 11: Diversity in Living World, Structural Organisation in Animals & Plants, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.
- Class 12: Reproduction, Genetics & Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology & Applications, Ecology and Environment.
Physics
25% Weightage (180 M)
- Class 11: Physical World & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy & Power, Gravitation, Thermodynamics, Oscillations & Waves.
- Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction & AC, Optics, Modern Physics, Semiconductor Electronics.
Chemistry
25% Weightage (180 M)
- Class 11: Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements & Periodicity, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Organic Chemistry Basics, Hydrocarbons.
- Class 12: Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, d- and f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes & Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers, Aldehydes & Ketones, Amines, Biomolecules.
4. Medical Degrees & Courses Offered Through NEET UG
Qualifying NEET UG grants eligibility for Central (MCC) and State Quota counselling for the following healthcare programs:
MBBS & BDS
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) across all AIIMS, JIPMER, Central, and State Government Medical Colleges.
AYUSH Programs
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine (BAMS), Homeopathy (BHMS), Unani Medicine (BUMS), Siddha Medicine (BSMS), and Naturopathy & Yoga (BNYS).
B.Sc. Nursing & Allied Sciences
Admissions to B.Sc. Nursing programs in premier institutes like AFMC, BHU, and JIPMER, along with Physiotherapy (BPT) and Medical Lab Technology.
Veterinary Sciences (BVSc & AH)
Undergraduate degree courses in Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry across Recognized Veterinary Colleges under 15% All India Quota.
5. Proven Preparation Strategy for 650+ Marks in NEET UG
1. Master NCERT Line-by-Line
Over 85-90% of Biology questions are directly framed from NCERT text, diagrams, and summaries. Build concise flashcards and summary notes.
2. Take Daily Chapter-Wise Tests
Reinforce conceptual clarity by attempting timed topic quizzes on Target Exams immediately after finishing each NCERT unit.
3. Solve 10+ Years PYQs
Solving past years’ question papers exposes high-frequency topics, numerical patterns in Physics, and mechanism questions in Organic Chemistry.
4. Analyze Mocks & Eliminate Negatives
Simulate the official 3h 20m exam environment under real test conditions to improve question selection and time management.
