The NEET UG 2026 bulletin kept 180 compulsory questions and a three-hour paper. The June re-exam had an extra 15 minutes for all candidates. Compare the bulletin format and the later re-exam notice separately.
NEET 2025 and 2026: exam format
| Feature | NEET UG 2025 | NEET UG 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 180 compulsory | 180 compulsory |
| Physics / Chemistry / Biology | 45 / 45 / 90 | 45 / 45 / 90 |
| Duration in the bulletin | 180 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Maximum marks | 720 | 720 |
| Marking | 4 correct; −1 incorrect; 0 unanswered | 4 correct; −1 incorrect; 0 unanswered |
| Optional Section A / B | No | No |
For registration and the route from the exam to admission, see the NEET UG guide.
For the 21 June 2026 re-exam, NTA gave all candidates 15 extra minutes to complete the paper. The total was 195 minutes, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM IST. Separate extra-time rules applied to eligible candidates with disabilities. See NTA’s 12 June notice.
What this means for preparation
Practise the full paper. The older format let you choose which questions to answer in one section. That option was removed. Read the 2026 syllabus to check the topics too.
Exam dates are separate from the pattern
The first 2026 exam was on 3 May. The re-exam was on 21 June. NTA’s portal now has the scorecard and final answer key. These dates describe a finished exam cycle.
Counselling rules need a separate check
MCC’s 2026 rules use Freeze and Float in Rounds 1 and 2. Freeze keeps the seat. Float seeks a higher choice while you complete the required joining steps. These are seat choices made after the exam.
After the result, use the state counselling directory to find the authority for state seats.
Official references
Read our full exam-pattern guide and counselling guide.
Which paper should you practise?
Use a full 180-question paper for a timed mock. Follow the time limit for the exam you are practising for. Older questions can help you learn a topic, even when the paper format differs.
The exam pattern guide gives the subject table. The worked physics practice questions let you check units and calculations before attempting a full paper.
Checked on 10 October 2026: NTA’s 2026 bulletin, alongside the later re-exam notice linked above. Check the rules again for the next exam year.
