NEET UG 2026 exam tomorrow for over 22.79 lakh candidates; pattern, marking scheme

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 exam tomorrow, May 3 2026, (Sunday), in a single shift from 2 pm to 5 pm in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. The exam is set to take place in around 552 cities across India, along with 14 international locations.

Applicants who haven’t downloaded their NEET UG 2026 admit card yet can do so by visiting the official website of NTA NEET at neet.nta.ac.in. To access the hall ticket, they need to log in using their application number and password or date of birth.

A total of 22,79,743 candidates have registered for NEET UG 2026 this year, including 13,32,928 female applicants and 9,46,815 male candidates. The marking scheme awards four marks for each correct response, deducts one mark for every incorrect answer, and does not affect the score for questions left unanswered.

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NEET UG 2026: Exam pattern

The NEET exam includes 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions divided across three subjects: Physics and Chemistry with 45 questions each, and Biology with 90 questions, split between Botany and Zoology. Candidates are given three hours (180 minutes) to complete the test, which carries a maximum of 720 marks.

Each question offers four answer choices. The paper is conducted in multiple languages, and responses must be marked on an OMR sheet using the ballpoint pen provided at the exam centre.

NEET UG Exam 2026: Prohibited and allowed items

As per guidelines issued by the NTA, candidates appearing for NEET UG 2026 are allowed to carry only essential items such as the printed admit card, a valid photo ID, and a passport-size photograph.

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Items like mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, study material, bags, wallets, and any electronic or metallic objects are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall. The agency also provides a ballpoint pen at the centre, and candidates are advised not to bring their own. Carrying any banned item may lead to disqualification under unfair means rules.