How to apply online for NEET UG 2026? Medical entrance exam on May 3

The wait is over for medical aspirants across the country. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the much-awaited official notification for NEET (UG) 2026, marking the beginning of the admission process for undergraduate medical and allied courses in India.

With more than 20 lakh candidates registering in recent years, NEET continues to be one of the most competitive entrance examinations in the country.

The online application process for NEET UG 2026 has already begun on the official website neet.nta.nic.in.

The last date to submit the NEET UG 2026 application form is March 8, 2026, up to 9 pm. Candidates must also ensure that the examination fee is successfully paid by 11:50 pm on the same day, as applications without completed fee transactions will not be considered valid.

WHEN WILL THE NEET UG 2026 BE CONDUCTED?

The NEET (UG) 2026 examination will be conducted on May 3, 2026, and the test will be held in a single shift from 2 pm to 5 pm, with a total duration of 180 minutes (3 hours). Candidates are advised to report to their respective examination centres well in advance to complete the necessary pre-exam formalities.

Details regarding exam city intimation slips, admit card download, answer keys, recorded responses, and result declaration will be announced later on nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in.

HOW AND WHERE SHOULD CANDIDATES APPLY?

The application process for NEET UG 2026 is strictly online, and candidates must submit their forms exclusively through the official website neet.nta.nic.in.

Offline applications or submissions through any other mode will not be accepted.

Applicants are also required to submit only one application form, as the submission of multiple applications may result in summary disqualification.

APPLICATION FEES FOR NEET UG 2026

The application fee for NEET UG 2026 varies depending on the candidate's category and the location of the examination centre. For centres within India, candidates belonging to the General category are required to pay Rs 1700, while General-EWS and OBC-NCL candidates must pay Rs 1600. Applicants from SC, ST, PwBD, and Third Gender categories are charged Rs 1000. For candidates opting to appear at examination centres outside India, the application fee is Rs 9500 for all categories, without any category-wise distinction.

HOW CAN CANDIDATES CONTACT NTA FOR HELP?

For queries or assistance, candidates can reach out through:

• Email: neetug2026@nta.ac.in
• Phone: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• In-person helpdesk (as per NTA guidelines)

WHY IS NEET UG IMPORTANT?

NEET UG is the sole entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical, dental, and allied courses in India. Over the last two years, the exam has seen registrations crossing 20 lakh candidates, underlining its national significance.

With the release of the NEET UG 2026 notification, the medical admission season has officially begun. Aspirants are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline, carefully review the Information Bulletin, and keep track of upcoming announcements related to admit cards, exam cities, and results. Early preparation and timely compliance with guidelines will be key to avoiding last-minute issues.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

1. WHAT IS THE LAST DATE TO APPLY FOR NEET UG 2026?

The last date to submit the application form is March 8, 2026, up to 9 pm.

2. CAN I EDIT MY APPLICATION FORM AFTER SUBMISSION?

Yes, NTA will provide a correction window from March 10 to March 12, 2026.

3. IS NEET UG THE ONLY EXAM FOR MEDICAL ADMISSIONS IN INDIA?

Yes, NEET UG is the only national-level exam for admission to UG medical and allied courses.

4. WHAT HAPPENS IF I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION?

Submitting multiple applications can lead to disqualification.

5. WHEN WILL THE ADMIT CARD AND RESULTS BE RELEASED?

The exact dates will be announced later on nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in.

For more details, candidates can check the official website of NEET UG 2026.