NEET UG 2027: exam pattern, syllabus, dates and preparation

NEET (UG) is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical courses. If you want an MBBS or BDS seat anywhere in India, including at AIIMS and JIPMER, this is the exam you sit.

This page is based on the NEET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin and the 2026 result notices. The 2027 bulletin has not been published yet. When it is, we will update every page in this guide.

What is NEET UG used for?

NEET UG scores are used for admission to:

• MBBS and BDS
• BAMS, BUMS, BSMS and BHMS (AYUSH courses)
• B.Sc (Hons) Nursing
• BVSc & AH, for the 15% Veterinary Council of India quota

MCC (under DGHS) counsels the 15% All-India Quota and central institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER. Each state runs counselling for its own quota, and AACCC handles the AYUSH All-India Quota.

NTA conducts the exam. The National Medical Commission (NMC) sets the eligibility rules and the syllabus.

What does the NEET UG paper look like?

In 2026 the paper was a single shift on a single day, written on an OMR sheet:

Every question is a multiple-choice question with four options and one correct answer. All 180 are compulsory, and there is no optional section. You get 3 hours, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Marking is +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a question left blank. The full breakdown, including bonus marks for dropped questions, is on the exam pattern page.

The paper was offered in 13 languages in 2026. Hindi and regional-language booklets are bilingual with English, and the English version prevails if there is a difference.

What happened to NEET 2026?

The NEET UG 2026 exam was held on 3 May 2026. On 12 May 2026, NTA cancelled it with Government of India approval, after inputs on alleged malpractice, and the matter was referred to the CBI.

A re-examination was held on 21 June 2026, in pen-and-paper mode. Nobody had to register again or pay again, and the original fees were refunded. The result was declared on 16 July 2026, and that is the result used for 2026 admissions.

The full timeline is on the important dates page.

Is the NEET UG 2027 date announced?

No. As of 9 October 2026:

• NTA has not announced a NEET UG 2027 date.
• NEET is not on the NTA examination calendar, which runs to March 2027.
• The official site, neet.nta.nic.in, shows only 2026 material.

News outlets have reported that NEET UG could move to computer-based testing from 2027. No official NTA or NMC notification says so, and one report says no final decision has been taken. Until a notice is issued, plan for the 2026 pattern and keep checking the official site.

Who can take NEET UG?

Under the 2026 bulletin:

• You must be at least 17 by 31 December of the exam year. There is no upper age limit.
• There is no cap on the number of attempts.
• You need Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English.
• You can appear while waiting for your Class 12 result, but you must have passed by the first round of counselling.

The details, including the rules for NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals, are on the eligibility page.

What score do you need to qualify?

To qualify, you need the 50th percentile if you are General or EWS, and the 40th percentile if you are SC, ST or OBC. In 2026 that meant 213 out of 720 for General and EWS, and 177 for SC, ST and OBC.

Qualifying only makes you eligible for counselling. Whether you get a seat depends on your rank and the counselling rounds. The cutoff page has the full 2026 table and the 2025 figures for comparison.

How should you prepare?

Biology carries half the marks, so it decides more ranks than any other subject. Physics and Chemistry still need regular practice, especially numericals and reactions.

Start with these:

• The syllabus, with every official unit linked to free notes on NEET Notes
• Chapter-wise weightage, on how to decide what to study first
• Previous-year papers, on where to find official papers and keys and how to review them
• A preparation strategy built around the +4/−1 marking and the 3-hour limit

For free chapter notes and a sample test, use NEET Notes, our sister site.

Are TestGuru NEET UG mock tests open?

Not yet. TestGuru’s mock tests are live for JEE Main only. NEET UG is on a waitlist.

When they open, each test will follow the real pattern. After it, the report will name the idea behind each wrong answer and give you a practice set built from your own mistakes. You can read more on the NEET UG mock tests page.

TestGuru is not affiliated with NTA or NMC. Always confirm dates and rules on neet.nta.nic.in.

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