NEET UG 2027 is the national entrance test you must pass to study MBBS, BDS or AYUSH degrees in India, and Indian students need it even for MBBS abroad. It is run by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under rules set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). As of 26 October 2026, NTA has not announced NEET UG 2027 dates. This guide gives you the official NEET-UG 2026 facts, what is reported to change for 2027, and a clear plan to prepare.
Key takeaways
- NEET-UG is the single entrance test for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, BSMS and BHMS seats in India. Its result is also used for B.Sc (Hons) Nursing and some BVSc seats.
- Official NEET UG 2027 dates are not out yet. The exam is usually held on a Sunday in early May.
- The 2026 paper had 180 compulsory MCQs worth 720 marks in 180 minutes, marked +4 for a right answer and -1 for a wrong one.
- You must be at least 17 by 31 December of the exam year. There is no upper age limit under current rules.
- NRI, OCI and foreign national students can apply. In 2026 there were 14 exam cities outside India.
What is NEET UG 2027?
Quick answer: NEET UG 2027 will be the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) for the 2027-28 admission year. NTA conducts it. NMC sets the rules. It is the only route into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH degrees in India. Official 2027 dates and the 2027 bulletin have not been released yet.
NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. Section 14 of the NMC Act, 2019 says there must be one common NEET for undergraduate medical admission in all medical institutions. That includes AIIMS and JIPMER. Similar laws cover the AYUSH and dental courses.
NTA has run the exam since 2019. Its job is limited. It takes applications, runs the exam, declares results and gives each candidate an All India Rank (AIR). Seat allotment is done by separate counselling bodies.
Read the official pages yourself at neet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in.
What is NEET-UG used for?
The NEET-UG 2026 Information Bulletin lists these uses:
- MBBS in all medical colleges, including AIIMS and JIPMER.
- BDS (dental).
- AYUSH degrees: BAMS (Ayurveda), BUMS (Unani), BSMS (Siddha) and BHMS (Homoeopathy).
- B.Sc (Hons) Nursing, under each institution's own rules.
- BVSc & AH (veterinary) under the 15% VCI quota.
- B.Sc Nursing in Military Nursing Service (MNS) colleges, which need a NEET score.
- MBBS abroad: Indian citizens and OCI holders who want to study medicine in a foreign college must also qualify NEET-UG.
What are the All India Quota and state quota?
Seats are split into quotas. The 15% All India Quota (AIQ) in government colleges is open to students from any state. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) fills it. MCC also handles AIIMS, JIPMER, central universities, ESIC colleges and deemed universities.
The other 85% state quota seats are filled by each state's own counselling body, under that state's rules. AYUSH All India Quota seats are filled by AACCC.
For central counselling, the bulletin lists these reservations: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27%, EWS 10%, plus 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD.
When is NEET UG 2027?
NTA usually holds NEET-UG on a Sunday in early May. The 2025 exam was on 4 May 2025. The 2026 exam was first held on 3 May 2026. Official NEET UG 2027 dates are not yet announced. We found no 2027 notice on neet.nta.nic.in on 26 October 2026.
What happened in the 2026 cycle?
The 2026 cycle did not go to plan. Here is the official timeline, labelled 2026:
| Date (2026) | What happened |
|---|---|
| 8 Feb to 11 Mar | Online applications (first deadline 8 March, extended to 11 March) |
| 10 to 12 Mar | Correction window |
| 3 May (Sunday) | Exam held, 2 pm to 5 pm IST |
| 12 May | NTA, with government approval, cancelled the 3 May exam. The case went to the CBI. |
| 21 Jun (Sunday) | Re-exam held, pen-and-paper, 13 languages |
| 25 Jun | Provisional answer key, challenge open 25 to 28 June |
| 16 Jul | Final answer key and result declared |
No new form or fee was needed for the re-exam. NTA said it would refund the fees paid. For the re-exam, the window ran from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm IST. That included time for formalities. Students also got four rough-work pages instead of two.
Is NEET UG 2027 going to be computer-based?
On 15 May 2026, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said NEET-UG would move to a computer-based test (CBT) from 2027, as reported by Business Today. NTA has not yet published a 2027 bulletin or a CBT pattern. So treat the 2026 pattern below as your base. Check NTA's site for the official 2027 rules.
Who is eligible for NEET UG 2027?
These are the rules in the 2026 bulletin. The 2027 bulletin may change them.
| Rule | 2026 bulletin |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 17 years on or before 31 December of the exam year (for 2026: born on or before 31.12.2009) |
| Upper age limit | None |
| Number of attempts | No limit stated |
| Qualifying exam | Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English, with practicals |
| Class 12 students | Can apply while their result is awaited |
What Class 12 marks do you need?
The 2025 bulletin said you needed at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taken together. The figure was 40% for SC, ST and OBC-NCL students and for PwBD students. The 2026 bulletin's eligibility section lists the required subjects but does not repeat a percentage. Admission bodies may still apply one. Check the 2027 bulletin and your counselling body before you rely on it.
NMC also allows students who studied PCB and English as additional subjects after Class 12 to sit the exam. Students from a foreign or international board need their exam to be equal in scope and standard to Indian Class 12 science. They may need an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Can NRI, OCI and foreign students take NEET UG 2027?
Yes. Indian nationals, NRIs, OCI cardholders and foreign nationals can all apply. The bulletin also names Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) as eligible for admission, subject to state, college and central rules.
What each group needs, as per the 2026 bulletin:
- NRI: a certificate from the Indian Mission in your country of residence. Use your passport number as ID.
- OCI: a certificate from the Indian Mission, and your passport number. OCI holders keep the rights they had before the March 2021 notification, as per a Supreme Court order of 3 February 2023.
- Foreign nationals: proof of citizenship, such as passport pages or a certificate from your country. Confirm your admission eligibility with the state and counselling bodies.
- Keep the originals. You will show them at counselling.
Where are NEET exam centres outside India?
The 2026 bulletin listed 14 cities outside India: Kuwait City, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kathmandu, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur and Lagos. At centres abroad, the paper is in English only. The 2027 list may differ.
What is the NEET exam pattern?
The 2026 pattern, as set by NMC:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
| Biology (Botany and Zoology) | 90 | 360 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
- All 180 questions are compulsory MCQs with four options.
- Time: 180 minutes (3 hours). PwD/PwBD students with a writing limitation get one extra hour.
- Marking: +4 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer, 0 if you leave it blank.
- Mode in 2026: pen-and-paper, single day, single shift.
- Languages: Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. If a translation is unclear, the English version is final.
- Ties are broken by higher Biology marks first, then Chemistry, then Physics, then fewer wrong answers.
What is the NEET UG syllabus?
NMC sets the syllabus. Its board notified the NEET-UG 2026 syllabus on 22 December 2025. It has 20 Physics units, 20 Chemistry units and 10 Biology units. Download it from NTA or NMC. Watch for a 2027 version.
- Physics: from units and kinematics to electronic devices and experimental skills. Mechanics starts with Newton's three laws.
- Chemistry: physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. Basics like balancing chemical equations show up across all three.
- Biology: diversity of life, cell biology, plant and human physiology, reproduction, genetics, biotechnology and ecology. Human physiology covers topics like the circulatory system.
New to how the three sciences link up? Read our guide to physics, chemistry and biology.
How much is the NEET UG application fee?
| Category | Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| General, centre in India | ₹1,700 |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL, centre in India | ₹1,600 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / PwD / Third gender, centre in India | ₹1,000 |
| Any category, centre outside India | ₹9,500 |
Processing charges and GST are added on top. The 2027 fee will be in the 2027 bulletin.
How do you apply for NEET UG 2027?
Applications are online only, at neet.nta.nic.in. In 2026 the form opened on 8 February. Here are the steps from the 2026 bulletin.
- Read the official Information Bulletin on neet.nta.nic.in.
- Register with your own (or a parent's) email and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, school and category details.
- Choose your question paper medium and exam cities. You cannot change the medium later.
- Upload a live photo, a recent passport photo, signature, finger and thumb impressions, Class 10 documents, and category or citizenship certificates if they apply.
- Pay the fee online.
- Download and print the confirmation page. If it does not appear, your form is not complete.
Submit only one form. NTA can take strict action against students who fill more than one. Indian students should check their Aadhaar details are correct before they apply.
Want a calm, step-by-step plan for Physics and Chemistry? Book a free demo class or see fees.
What is the NEET qualifying percentile?
To be eligible for admission, you must score at or above a set percentile. The percentile is worked out from the highest marks in the all-India merit list.
| Category | Qualifying percentile | 2026 marks range |
|---|---|---|
| UR / Gen-EWS | 50th | 715 to 213 |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th | 212 to 177 |
| UR / Gen-EWS with PwBD | 45th | 212 to 194 |
| OBC or SC with PwBD | 40th | 193 to 177 |
| ST with PwBD | 40th | 191 to 177 |
The marks ranges come from NTA's key data points for 2026. In 2026, 22,79,743 students registered, 19,99,895 appeared, and 11,21,185 qualified.
Qualifying is not the same as getting a seat. Seats go by rank in counselling. The marks needed change every year. The government can also lower the percentile in a year when too few students qualify.
How does NEET counselling work?
- Sit NEET-UG and get your score and All India Rank.
- Check you are at or above your qualifying percentile.
- Register for counselling: MCC at mcc.nic.in for AIQ and central seats, your state portal for state quota, and AACCC for AYUSH AIQ seats.
- Fill and lock your college choices.
- Get a seat allotted in a round.
- Report to the college with your original documents.
In 2026, MCC ran Rounds 1, 2 and 3 and a stray vacancy round. Use only official sites. NTA warns that it never asks students for money for seats.
Worked example: a NEET-style physics MCQ
Question: A net force of 12 N acts on a 3 kg body at rest. What is its speed after 4 s? (a) 4 m/s (b) 12 m/s (c) 16 m/s (d) 48 m/s
Step 1. Find the acceleration. Newton's second law says F = ma. So a = F ÷ m = 12 ÷ 3 = 4 m/s².
Step 2. Use the equation of motion. v = u + at. The body starts at rest, so u = 0. v = 0 + 4 × 4 = 16 m/s.
Step 3. Check another way. Impulse = F × t = 12 × 4 = 48 N s. Impulse equals change in momentum. So v = 48 ÷ 3 = 16 m/s. Same answer.
Answer: (c) 16 m/s. Option (d) is a trap. It is the impulse, not the speed.
What about guessing? With +4 and -1, a blind guess between four options is worth 0.25 × 4 - 0.75 × 1 = +0.25 marks on average. If you can rule out two options, a guess between the last two is worth 0.5 × 4 - 0.5 × 1 = +1.5 marks. So rule out options first. Never guess blind on many questions.
A preparation plan for NEET UG 2027
If the exam is in early May 2027, you have about six months. Here is a simple plan.
- November to December: map the syllabus. Print the NMC syllabus. Mark each unit as strong, weak or not started. Learn the NCERT-level theory first.
- December to February: build depth. Do one Physics, one Chemistry and one Biology block each day. Solve 30 to 50 MCQs per subject daily. Keep an error log.
- February to March: apply and revise. Fill the form as soon as it opens. Revise weak units. Start full 180-question tests under timed conditions.
- April: test and fix. Take two or three full tests a week. Spend more time reviewing each test than taking it.
- Final two weeks: light revision. Formula sheets, Biology diagrams, and sleep. Follow the admit card rules.
Because 2027 may move to a computer-based test, also practise reading questions on a screen once NTA publishes a format.
Common NEET mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring official notices. Rules changed mid-cycle in 2026. Check neet.nta.nic.in often.
- Wrong details in the form. Name, date of birth and category must match your documents.
- Picking the wrong medium. You cannot change it later.
- Guessing blind. Each wrong answer costs one mark.
- Neglecting Physics. Physics numericals need daily practice. Physics marks also count in tie-breaks, after Biology and Chemistry.
- Memorising without method. Units, signs and steps matter in Physics and Chemistry numericals.
- Trusting fake agents. Seats only come through official counselling.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with NEET UG 2027
At Asymptode, each student works with one dedicated mentor in live online classes. There are no batches. Your mentor follows your own syllabus and your exam date.
- Method first. In Physics and Chemistry, your mentor watches each step of your working and fixes the method, not just the answer.
- Calm, steady practice. Personalised homework with feedback targets your weak units.
- Fits your time zone. Flexible scheduling helps NRI and overseas students.
- Parents stay informed. Short parent updates, and every class is recorded for revision.
- Planning help. For forms, dates and counselling, your mentor helps you build a planning and practice routine. Always confirm official rules on NTA and MCC sites.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class or see fees.
Facts checked against official sources on 26 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When will the NEET UG 2027 application form be released?
NTA has not announced it yet. In 2026 the form opened on 8 February 2026. Watch neet.nta.nic.in for the 2027 notice.
Is there an age limit for NEET UG 2027?
Under the 2026 rules you must be 17 by 31 December of the exam year. There is no upper age limit. Check the 2027 bulletin for any change.
How many attempts are allowed for NEET?
The 2026 bulletin sets no limit on the number of attempts. No official change for 2027 has been published.
Can I take NEET from Dubai or Singapore?
Yes, in 2026 both were exam cities. NTA listed 14 cities abroad, including Dubai, Doha, Kuwait City, Riyadh, Singapore and Kathmandu. The fee for a centre outside India was ₹9,500.
Do I need NEET to study MBBS abroad?
Yes. The bulletin says Indian citizens and OCI holders who plan to study undergraduate medicine abroad must qualify NEET-UG.
Is NEET UG 2027 going to be online?
The Education Minister said in May 2026 that NEET-UG would be computer-based from 2027, as reported by the media. NTA has not published the official 2027 format yet.
Sources
- NEET(UG)-2026 Information Bulletin (NTA)
- NEET (UG) official website (NTA)
- NTA public notice: Inviting applications for NEET (UG) 2026
- NTA public notice: Extension of last date for NEET (UG) 2026
- NTA press release 12 May 2026: Decision on the examination of 3 May 2026
- NTA public notice 15 May 2026: Conduct of re-examination for NEET (UG) 2026
- NTA public notice 12 June 2026: Student-friendly measures for NEET (UG) 2026
- NTA press release 16 July 2026: Result of NEET (UG) 2026
- NTA: Key data points of NEET (UG) over years
- NMC syllabus for NEET (UG) 2026
- National Medical Commission
- Medical Counselling Committee: UG medical counselling