NEET Exam 2025-26 brings several significant changes—from the application process and Exam pattern to the choice of Exam cities and the tie-breaking policy. This article by Motion Education provides a clear and detailed overview of the updates introduced for NEET 2025-26. Stay informed and prepared—all the essential information is available here in one place.
NEET Exam 2025-26 Changes: The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the NEET 2025-26 Exam date, application form, and information bulletin on February 7, 2025. Like every year, NEET UG Exam has come with several important updates. These updates cover the application process, Exam pattern, number of Exam centres, and the revised tie-breaking criteria. If you’re planning to appear for NEET UG 2025-26, it’s important to stay informed about these changes to avoid any confusion during registration or on exam day.
This article highlights all the official changes announced by the NTA for NEET 2025-26. The NEET 2025 exam is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025, and will be conducted from 2 PM to 5 PM in 566 cities across India and abroad. Despite various suggestions from expert committees, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to retain the traditional pen-and-paper exam format, which will be held on a single day and in a single shift.
NEET Exam 2025-26: Major Changes You Should Know
Here are some of the major changes introduced in the NEET Exam 2025-26 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the official body responsible for conducting the exam. These updates cover important aspects such as the exam pattern, application process, exam centres, and the tie-breaking policy, and are aimed at making the NEET UG 2025-26 process more streamlined and transparent for aspirants.
NEET Exam 2025-26 Pattern and Structure
The NEET exam 2025-26 pattern has been revised, returning to the format followed in the pre-COVID era. The total exam duration has been reduced by 20 minutes. Instead of 200 minutes, candidates will now have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the exam.
One big change is that there are no optional questions anymore. Now, students have to answer all 180 questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany + Zoology). The marking system will stay the same.
Below is the updated marking scheme for NEET 2025-26:
| NEET Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
| Physics | Section A :- 45 Questions | 180 |
| Chemistry | Section A :- 45 Questions | 180 |
| Zoology | Section A :- 45 Questions | 180 |
| Botany | Section A :- 45 Questions | 180 |
| Total | 180 | 720 |
Official Statement from NTA: - “Aspirants are hereby informed that the question paper pattern and examination duration will revert to the pre-COVID format. There will no longer be a Section B. The paper will consist of 180 compulsory questions—45 each in Physics and Chemistry, and 90 in Biology—to be attempted within 180 minutes (3 Hours). Optional questions and the extra time (race against time phrase meaning) introduced during the COVID period have been removed.”
Implementation of APAAR ID
Starting from NEET 2025-26, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced the use of APAAR ID during the application process. APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It is a 12-digit unique identification number created for Indian students to store their academic records—such as mark sheets, certificates, and scorecards—digitally in one place.
Although the APAAR ID is not mandatory for NEET Exam 2025-26 registration, students who choose to provide it will benefit from an auto-filled application form. Their past academic details and related information will be automatically populated, making the registration process easier and faster. This move is part of the government’s effort to create a digital academic identity for every student across the country.
Tie-Breaking Criteria
Sometimes, two or more students get the same marks in NEET exam. To decide who should get the higher rank, NTA uses tie-breaking rules. For NEET exam 2025-26, these rules have been updated slightly.
This year, a new final step has been added to break the tie if all other steps don’t work. In such rare cases, the tie will be broken by a random method, but only under the guidance of a special expert committee to make it fair.
Here are the tie-breaking steps used by NTA, in the order they are followed:
- Biology Marks – The student with higher marks in Biology (Botany + Zoology) gets the higher rank.
- Chemistry Marks – If Biology marks are the same, the one with higher marks in Chemistry will be ranked better.
- Physics Marks – If still tied, the student with higher marks in Physics is given preference.
- Overall Accuracy – If total marks are still the same, the student who has a lower number of wrong answers overall will be ranked higher.
- Biology Accuracy – If still tied, the one with a lower number of wrong answers in Biology gets the better rank.
- Chemistry Accuracy – Then, the student with a lower number of wrong answers in Chemistry will be preferred.
- Physics Accuracy – Next, the student with a lower number of wrong answers in Physics is ranked better.
- Final Step (New) – If none of the above rules work, the tie will be broken by a random process handled by a team of experts to make sure it is done fairly.
NEET Tie-Breaking: 2024 vs 2025-26 (What Changed?)
- NEET 2024: NTA had introduced a computer-based draw of lots (no human involvement) as the final tie-breaker. However, this rule was later removed, and only the first seven criteria were used.
- NEET 2025-26: A new final step has been added—if a tie still remains after the first seven steps, it will be resolved through a random process, conducted under the supervision of an independent expert committee to ensure fairness.
Why Tie-Breaking Rules Matter
With lakhs of students appearing in NEET Exam and many scoring similar marks, these rules make sure that everyone is ranked fairly and the process stays transparent and unbiased.
NEET Exam 2025-26 Centres List in India
The number of NEET Exam 2025-26 cities within India has been reduced from 557 to 552, as five cities have been removed from the official list. However, the number of NEET exam centres outside India remains unchanged at 14.
Here are the cities in India where the NEET exam will not be held in 2025-26:
| Cities | States |
| Surampalem | Andhra Pradesh |
| Deoghar | Madhya Pradesh |
| Basar | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Mamit | Mizoram |
| Kiphrie | Nagaland |
Read More: – NEET Exam Centres List 2025-26 Released: Check State-wise City List with Codes
Changes in NEET Exam 2025-26 Application Process
The NEET exam 2025-26 application process has seen a few important updates related to the steps involved and the documents required. Here are the key changes:
- APAAR ID Integration: If a candidate chooses “Yes” for APAAR ID and enters the 12-digit number, their past academic details and other common information will be auto-filled in the application form.
- More exam City Choices: Candidates can now choose three preferred exam cities instead of two, giving more flexibility in selecting test centres.
- Class 11 Details Not Required: Unlike previous years, the NEET exam 2025-26 application form no longer asks for Class 11 academic details. Only Class 10 and Class 12 information needs to be filled.
- Increase in Documents to Upload: The number of required documents has increased this year. Candidates now have to upload the following:
- Class 10 Pass Certificate
- Class 10 Mark Sheet
- CGPA to Percentage Conversion Certificate (if applicable)
- Identity Proof (if verifying through methods other than Aadhaar or Digi Locker)
- Present and Permanent Address Proof
These changes aim to make the application process more accurate, digital, and standardized.
FAQs: NEET Exam 2025-26 Changes: New Rules Released by NTA
Q1. How many questions will be asked in NEET Exam 2025-26, and what is the marking scheme?
Ans. You will have to answer 180 compulsory questions:
- Physics: 45 questions (180 marks)
- Chemistry: 45 questions (180 marks)
- Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 questions (360 marks)
- Total Marks: 720
Q2. What is the APAAR ID and is it required for NEET exam 2025-26 registration?
Ans. APAAR ID stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It’s a 12-digit student ID used to store academic records digitally. Providing APAAR ID is optional, but if entered, your application form will be auto-filled with your past academic data for a faster registration process.
Q3. What are the new tie-breaking rules in NEET exam 2025-26?
Ans. If two students score the same marks, NTA will follow these tie-breaker rules in order:
- Higher marks in Biology
- Higher marks in Chemistry
- Higher marks in Physics
- Fewer overall wrong answers
- Fewer wrong answers in Biology
- Fewer wrong answers in Chemistry
- Fewer wrong answers in Physics
- New Rule: If still tied, a random method under expert supervision will be used
Q4. Will NEET exam 2025-26 be an online exam?
Ans. No. Despite discussions, NEET exam 2025-26 will remain a pen-and-paper exam, conducted in a single day and single shift.
Q5. What is the mode of NEET Exam 2025-26 application form?
Ans. The NEET exam 2025-26 application form is to be filled online only through the official NTA NEET website.
Q6. Is it mandatory to provide Class 11 details in the NEET 2025-26 Exam form?
Ans. No, from NEET 2025-26 onwards, you don’t have to provide Class 11 details while filling out the registration form.
Q7. How is NEET Exam 2025-26 tie-breaking different from NEET Exam 2024?
Ans. NEET Exam 2025-26 includes a new final step—a random method conducted by an expert committee. In NEET 2024, a computer-based draw was planned but later removed.
Q8. Will NEET 2025-26 be conducted in pen-and-paper mode?
Ans. Yes, NEET 2025-26 will still be held in the pen-and-paper format, all on a single day and in one shift.
Q9. How does the APAAR ID help students in NEET Exam 2025-26?
Ans. If you enter your APAAR ID while applying, your past academic details will be auto-filled, saving time and reducing errors during registration.
Q10. Where can I check the full NEET 2025-26 Exam centre list?
Ans. You can view the complete state-wise city list with centre codes on Motion Education’s blog or the official NTA NEET website.
Q11. Are the NEET Exam 2025-26 changes final?
Ans. Yes, the NTA has officially announced all the changes, and they are included in the NEET 2025-26 exam details.
Q12. Will extra time be provided in NEET Exam 2025-26 like before?
Ans. No, the extra time given during the COVID period has been taken back. Now, students will have only 180 minutes to complete the entire paper.
Q13. Has the number of questions in NEET Exam 2025-26 changed?
Ans. Yes, in NEET 2025-26, there won’t be any optional questions. All 180 questions are mandatory, so students have to attempt every one of them.
Q15. How many documents need to be uploaded for NEET Exam 2025-26?
Ans. At least 5 key documents must be uploaded, including Class 10 certificates, ID proof, and address proofs.
Q16. Do I need to upload both present and permanent address proofs in NEET Exam 2025-26 form?
Ans. If you are not using Aadhaar or Digi Locker for verification, then yes — you need to upload documents for both your present and permanent address in the NEET exam 2025-26 form.
