NEET Exam Pattern 2026 (Updated): The NEET 2026 exam pattern is expected to be the same as in 2025. Last year, the NTA removed Section B, which means optional questions have been eliminated. Keep checking this article for the latest updates and detailed information.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Update: The NEET 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as last year. In 2025, NTA revised the pattern to match the pre-COVID format. Optional questions were removed, and the total number of questions was reduced from 200 to 180. The exam duration was also shortened from 200 minutes to 180 minutes (3 hours). However, the mode of the exam, subject-wise compulsory questions, and marking scheme remain unchanged.
The detailed exam pattern and structure for NEET 2026 will be released by NTA in the official notification and information bulletin, likely in the first week of February 2026. The exam is expected to be held in the first week of May 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. The NTA will announce the NEET 2026 exam date and application form release together.
NEET Exam Pattern Changes Made in the Previous Year
The NEET exam pattern has been revised to match the pre-pandemic structure. Below are the key changes:
- Removal of Optional Questions: Earlier, each subject included 5 optional questions (totalling 20 optional questions). Now, all 180 questions are compulsory with no choice.
- Reduced Exam Duration: Previously, the exam lasted 200 minutes (3 hours 20 minutes). It has now been reduced to 180 minutes (3 hours).
- No Sectional Division: Earlier, subjects were divided into Section A (35 questions) and Section B (15 questions, with 5 optional). Now, each subject includes a single section with 45 compulsory questions—no divisions or optional questions.
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
NEET 2026 will be conducted offline in pen and paper mode. The candidates appearing for the NEET 2026 paper can choose any one language out of the 13 language options available i,e. Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannad, Marathi, Odiya, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and Punjabi.
| NEET Exam Pattern 2026 Overview | |
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
| Mode of the examination | Pen-Paper Mode |
| NEET 2026 Duration of the exam | 3 hours (Updated) |
| Total Questions NEET 2026 | 180 questions from NEET 2026 (Before 200 questions) |
| NEET 2026 Total Marks | 720 Marks |
| NEET 2026 Question Type | MCQs |
| NEET 2026 Marking Scheme |
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| NEET Languages | 13 (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi and Urdu |
| Official website | neet.nta.nic.in |
NEET Exam Pattern 2026, NEET Exam Duration Time
According to the latest update from the NTA, the NEET exam will have a duration of 3 hours (180 minutes), as Section B has been removed from the question paper. This is a composite time (race against time phrase meaning) limit with no subject-wise sectional timing, allowing candidates to attempt the questions in any order they prefer.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Number of Questions
According to the NEET exam pattern, each of the four subjects will include 45 questions. Following the latest update by the NTA, there will only be one section per subject, as Section B has been removed from the question paper.
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NEET Total Marks 2026 Subject-wise Weightage of Marks
The NEET 2026 exam will have a maximum of 720 marks, comprising 180 questions, each worth 4 marks. The NTA has removed Section B from the question paper, a section that was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section A:
- This section includes 45 questions each from Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany.
- There are no optional questions; students must answer all questions.
- Negative marking applies in this section, with 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- A total of 180 marks can be scored per subject (45 questions × 4 marks).
| NEET Exam Pattern 2026 Marking Scheme, NEET Total Marks Per Subject | |||
| Sl. No. | Subject | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| 1 | Physics | Section A = 45 | 180 |
| 2 | Chemistry | Section A = 45 | 180 |
| 4 | Zoology | Section A = 45 | 180 |
| 3 | Botany | Section A = 45 | 180 |
| Total | 180 Questions | 720 Marks | |
NEET Exam Pattern 2026- Marking Scheme
The NEET 2026 examination will comprise a total of 180 multiple-choice questions, all of which are mandatory. Candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the NEET marking scheme to optimize their preparation and minimize negative marking. The exam will be graded out of a total of 720 marks.
Previously divided into Sections A and B, the question paper has been updated, and Section B has been removed. As a result, the exam will consist of 180 questions, all from Section A, with each subject contributing 45 questions.
Candidates will earn 4 marks for each correct answer, while 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. It is crucial to note that once answers are marked on the NEET OMR sheet, they cannot be modified.
Every question carries 4 marks in the NEET question paper 2026. For every correct answer, the student would be allotted 4 marks and for every, incorrect answer one mark would be deducted. Hence the students are advised to answer only those questions they are sure about, to avoid negative marking. Black/blue ballpoint pens should be used to mark the answers. In case the student marks more than one answer then the question will be considered wrong and he/she would have to bear a negative marking. The marking should be made wisely as it cannot be changed in the NEET 2026 OMR sheet
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 Marking System
The NEET 2026 marking scheme is as follows:
- Each question carries 4 marks.
- For every correct response, 4 marks will be awarded.
- For every incorrect response, 1 mark will be deducted.
- If, after review, multiple options are deemed correct for a question, 4 marks will be awarded for any/all of the correct options selected.
- No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions.
- If all options for a question are determined to be correct, 4 marks will be awarded to all candidates who attempted that question.
Tabular presentation of marks allocation
| NEET Marking System | |
| Response Type | Marks Allotted |
| Correct answer | +4 |
| Incorrect answer | -1 |
| Question with more than one response | -1 |
| Unanswered question | 0 |
| Extra attempted question | 0 |
Instructions to fill the OMR Sheet: NEET Paper Pattern 2026
Candidate should be very precise and have a clear understanding of how to fill the NEET OMR sheet 2026.
Here is a list of a few things that are to be kept in mind while filling out the NEET 2026 OMR sheet.
- the circle should be darkened properly
- marking multiple circles for a question can lead to a negative marking
- rough work should not be done on the OMR sheet
- don’t change or try rubbing any answer that is marked already
- don’t forget to mark the text booklet code on Neet OMR sheet 2026
- all answers should be marked using a black or blue ballpoint pen
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 Weightage Of The Topics
Candidates can refer to the section below to understand the topic-wise weightage for all subjects in the NEET exam.
NEET Physics Topics wise Weightage 2026
NEET Physics preparation should be aligned with the topic-wise weightage, which has been determined based on an analysis of previous years’ exams. The table below provides the detailed topic-wise weightage for the subject.
| NEET Physics Topic Distribution | |
| Unit | NEET Physics Topic Wise Weightage |
| Physical World and Measurement | 2% |
| Kinematics | 7% |
| Laws of Motion | 7% |
| Work, Energy and Power | 4% |
| System of Particles and Rotational Motion | 4.50% |
| Gravitation | 4.50% |
| Properties of Bulk Matter | 9% |
| Oscillations and Waves | 7% |
| Thermodynamics | 4.50% |
| Behavior of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory | 2% |
| Electrostatics | 4% |
| Current Electricity | 9% |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | 7% |
| Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents | 4% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 2% |
| Optics | 4.50% |
| Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | 4% |
| Atoms and Nuclei | 7% |
| Electronic Devices | 7% |
NEET Chemistry Topics wise Weightage 2026
NEET Chemistry consists of three sections: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. Candidates are advised to refer to the subject-wise topics listed below for focused and precise preparation.
| NEET Chemistry Topic wise Distribution | |
| Physical Chemistry | |
| Chapter | No. of Questions |
| Solid state | 2 |
| States of Matter | 2 |
| Thermodynamics | 1 |
| Electrochemistry | 2 |
| Surface chemistry | 1 |
| Solutions | 2 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 2 |
| Nuclear Chemistry | 1 |
| Mole concept | 1 |
| Atomic structure | 1 |
| Ionic equilibrium | 1 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | |
| Chapter | No. of Questions |
| Chemical Bonding | 5 |
| s-block | 2 |
| p-block | 3 |
| d and f block | 2 |
| Metallurgy | 2 |
| Environmental chemistry | 1 |
| Coordination chemistry | 2 |
| Organic Chemistry | |
| Chapter | No. of Questions |
| Some basic principles and techniques | 1 |
| Hydrocarbons | 4 |
| Haloalkanes and Haloarenes | 2 |
| Alcohol, Phenol and Ether | 1 |
| Carbonyl compound | 3 |
| Amine | 2 |
| Biomolecules | 1 |
| Polymers | 1 |
| Chemistry in Everyday Life | 1 |
NEET Biology Topics wise Weightage 2026
Biology plays a crucial role in the NEET examination and requires special attention during preparation. A total of 100 questions will be asked from Biology, with 50 questions each from Botany and Zoology.
Candidates preparing for the NEET exam can refer to the following table to understand the topic-wise distribution in Biology.
| NEET Biology Topic-wise Distribution | ||
| Class XI | ||
| Unit | Chapters | Weightage (approximate) |
| I | Diversity of Living Organisms | 12% |
| II | Structural Organisation in Plants & Animals | 9% |
| III | Cell: Structure and Function | 8% |
| IV | Plant Physiology | 8% |
| V | Human Physiology | 16% |
| Class XII | ||
| Unit | Chapters | Weightage |
| VI | Reproduction | 11% |
| VII | Genetics and Evolution | 13% |
| VIII | Biology and Human Welfare | 9% |
| IX | Biotechnology and its Applications | 4% |
| X | Ecology and Environment | 10% |
Exam Preparation Tips for Neet 2026
To get into the list of toppers it is very essential to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the right steps. While preparing for the exam make sure that you have the updated NEET 2026 syllabus with you so that you can plan your timetable accordingly. To score well you need to invest proper time in all three subjects physics, chemistry, and Biology. Try solving as many previous years’ question papers and sample question papers as you. Make sure to write down all the key points in your notebook this will help you have a quick glance during the time of your final revision.
NEET 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus of NEET 2026 is an amalgamation of the syllabus of the 11th and 12th classes. Subjects for the NEET 2026 exams include physics, chemistry, and biology. Biology is grouped into two parts zoology and botany. All the topics of the syllabus are important to score well in the NEET exam. Every student has their perception of the subject. While some consider chemistry as the most scoring subject there are others who find biology comparatively easier. In any case, attention should be paid to completing all the topics of all the three subjects
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern- FAQs
Q1: Will there be any changes in the NEET 2026 exam pattern? Will the syllabus be reduced?
Answer: As of now, there is no notification in context with the reduction of the syllabus for NEET 2026. the NTA authorities have already updated the syllabus and exam pattern on the official site (idiom site) to assess the students with the NEET 2026 exam pattern given above.
Q2: When will NEET 2026 be held?
Answer: NEET 2026 is scheduled to be held in May 2026 in an offline (pen-and-paper) format.
Q3: Will NEET 2026 be conducted in online mode?
Answer: No, NEET 2026 will be conducted only in offline pen and paper mode.
Q4: In how many languages NEET 2026 will be conducted?
Answer: NEET 2026 is likely to be conducted in 13 languages which are English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and Punjabi.
Q5: When is the NEET 2026 exam being held and where?
Answer: The NEET 2026 exam is expected to be held in May 2026 in offline mode. The exam will be conducted in various cities across India and internationally. Candidates can select up to three cities for their exam center preferences during the registration process.
