NEET UG 2026 Registration Date: When will NTA open applications for MBBS entrance exam?

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for undergraduate (NEET UG 2026) registration is expected to begin in early February, based on previous years’ trends. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) is yet to issue an official notification, candidates can expect the announcement on the NEET UG 2026 exam date and application form soon on the official website, neet.nta.nic.in.

MBBS remains the most sought after course after Class 12, with over 20 lakh students registering for the exam each year. The NEET entrance exam has been conducted in early May for the past three academic years. Several media reports also speculate that the NTA may conduct the exam on May 6.

India recorded its largest single-year expansion of MBBS seats, with the total number of seats crossing 1.29 lakh due to approvals for new medical colleges and seat additions in existing institutions, as per the data shared by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

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Plans to shift NEET UG 2026 to online computer-based test (CBT) are also under consideration, especially after the recommendation of the high-level committee headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan. NEET UG in CBT mode may help prevent paper leaks and logistical issues faced in the past.

However, no decision has been made regarding the NEET UG 2026 question paper pattern, registration, and exam date yet. This year, the NEET exam was held in offline mode in 552 cities in India and 14 cities abroad on May 4 from 2 pm to 5pm. The NEET UG question paper will have 180 compulsory questions carrying a total of 720 marks.

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NEET 2026 registration date

In the past three years, the NTA has opened the NEET UG application form 2026 on the first Fridays in February.