Download NEET UG 2026 question paper: set-wise PDFs, answer keys, marking & score estimate guide

NTA conducted NEET UG 2026 on May 3, 2026 , from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM as a pen-and-paper exam. Over 22 lakh candidates appeared, and a small number of PwD candidates were granted extra time — which pushed the public release of the questions later in the evening.

If you want to Download NEET UG 2026 question paper, set-wise PDFs were made available only after 6:00 PM on exam day. Unofficial answer keys started appearing from 9:00 PM as educators and coaching experts began publishing solutions.

Quick snapshot: What happened today

• The National Testing Agency (NTA) ran NEET UG 2026 as a pen-and-paper test on May 3, 2026 (2:00 PM–5:00 PM) . You sat the exam in that window unless you were a PwD candidate with an approved extension.
• More than 22 lakh medical aspirants took the test for MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats.
• The question papers were shared with educators and media after 6:00 PM because some candidates were still writing under time extensions. Unofficial answer keys were released from 9:00 PM on the same day.

Which paper codes exist and how sets differ

Core questions in NEET are the same across sets, but sequencing and option orders change to prevent malpractice. That means your paper and another candidate's paper may look different, yet both contain the same items in a different order.

Why paper codes matter

• You must match your paper code before you check answers. If you use a different set, the question numbers will not align and you could mark answers against the wrong item.
• Experts publish solutions set-wise; using the wrong set-wise PDF creates false score estimates.

How to identify your paper code

• The paper code appears on the question booklet cover and on the OMR/answer sheet. Note both places and use the booklet code to pick the correct set-wise PDF before checking.

How to download NEET UG 2026 question paper and set-wise PDFs

Follow these simple steps to download the correct set-wise PDF and avoid mistakes.

1. Check your paper code on the front page of your question booklet and on the OMR sheet. Write it down or take a clear photo.
2. Look for the set-wise PDF marked with the same paper code. Papers were released in multiple codes; match the exact code (for example, Paper Code 14).
3. Download the PDF and save it with a meaningful file name such as NEET_UG_2026_PaperCode_14.pdf.
4. Open the PDF and verify the first page: the code, number of questions and any identifying headers must match your booklet.
5. If you plan to print, print in A4 or A3 depending on readability. If you check answers digitally, keep both the PDF and your OMR responses visible.

Tips for saving, printing and organising

• Keep a copy on your phone and cloud storage. That protects you if you need to refer back during counselling or challenges.
• Use PDF viewers that allow page thumbnails for quick navigation between questions.
• If you print, mark your answer choices on a blank sheet separate from the OMR — do not alter the official OMR under any circumstances.

What to do if your paper code PDF isn't available immediately

• Papers were released after 6:00 PM on exam day because of PwD extensions. If your specific code is missing, check back later in the evening; publishers typically roll out all set-wise PDFs within hours.
• Keep a screenshot of the page that shows release timing or a download attempt. That helps if you need to prove when you accessed a file later.

Paper Code 14: what’s available now

• Paper Code 14 set-wise PDF was available to download after the evening release. Verify the file by checking the paper code printed on its first page.
• Use Paper Code 14 exactly if your booklet and OMR show the same code. Do not assume similar codes are interchangeable — small differences in code numbers can mean a different sequence.

Checklist to verify a Paper Code 14 PDF

• Confirm the paper code on the PDF’s first page matches your booklet.
• Check the total number of questions and the subject-wise distribution on the first page.
• Open random pages and confirm the numbering sequence and option letters look like your physical booklet.

Using Paper Code 14 to check answers

• Mark answers by matching your question number to the PDF’s question number only after verifying the code.
• If an unofficial key lists answers by question number, ensure it is explicitly for Paper Code 14 before you use it to calculate scores.

Unofficial answer keys: release time and reliability

Unofficial answer keys began appearing from 9:00 PM on exam day. Coaching institutes, independent educators and subject experts published these to help students estimate scores quickly.

Who prepares these keys

• Experienced teachers and institute panels create unofficial keys. They work fast to solve all questions and often publish multiple versions across subject experts.
• These keys are useful for an immediate, provisional estimate but are not the final authority.

How to spot reliable unofficial keys

• Trusted educators provide step-by-step solutions or short explanations for tricky items.
• If multiple independent experts give the same answer to a question, that increases confidence.
• Watch for typographical errors in keys; a single misprint can change a question’s meaning.

How to compare multiple unofficial keys

• Use at least two reputable keys and mark the answers on your downloaded set-wise PDF. Where keys disagree, flag those questions and revisit the solution later.
• Avoid panicking over single-question differences. Final official keys — when released — will settle disputes.

How to calculate your estimated NEET score (with examples)

NEET uses a fixed marking scheme: +4 for every correct answer, -1 for every incorrect answer, and 0 for unattempted . That rule applies across all sets.

Follow these steps for an accurate estimate:

1. Confirm each answer using the set-wise PDF that matches your paper code.
2. Use one or two reliable unofficial keys to mark correct/incorrect items.
3. Count the number of correct (C), incorrect (I) and unattempted (U) responses.
4. Apply the formula: Score = (C × 4) − (I × 1).

Example calculation (worked example)

Quick checklist to avoid calculation mistakes

• Double-check that you used the correct set-wise PDF and that question numbers align.
• Do not mix keys from different paper codes.
• Recount any flagged questions that had answer disagreements between keys.

From estimated score to expected rank and percentile

Raw scores convert to percentiles and ranks based on how all candidates performed. There is no fixed table published immediately; your percentile depends on the score distribution among the full cohort of over 22 lakh test-takers.

A simple way to think about it

• Percentile is a relative measure: it tells you the percentage of candidates you scored better than. Roughly, higher raw scores correspond to higher percentiles, but the exact mapping changes year to year.
• You can approximate your percentile once official statistics are released. For now, treat your raw score as a provisional gauge of competitiveness.

Factors that affect cutoffs and ranks

• Total number of candidates and overall performance that year.
• Seat matrix for MBBS, BDS and AYUSH courses and category-wise reservations.
• Changes in exam difficulty and the normalization process if applied.

What you can do now

• Use your raw score to compare with previous years’ trends posted by official sources and trusted educators. Do not treat those comparisons as exact predictions.
• Track the counselling and cutoff announcements from the admission authorities for final seat allocation guidance.

Special cases: PwD time extensions and how they affected release times

Some PwD candidates received time extensions during the test. Because a small group continued writing beyond the standard end time, question papers were not released publicly until 6:00 PM .

What PwD candidates should check in their downloaded papers

• Confirm the paper code and ensure pages are intact; any discrepancy between your booklet and the downloaded PDF should be noted.
• If you received an extension and have concerns about time, keep your admit card, the invigilator’s record and any medical documentation ready for later reference during counselling or appeals.

Next steps after checking your paper and keys

• Save the set-wise PDF and screenshots of the unofficial keys you used. That creates a record of how you estimated your score.
• Note any discrepancies between multiple unofficial keys. Keep a short list of flagged questions to monitor once the official key is released.
• Start preparing documents commonly needed for counselling: admit card, class 10 and 12 certificates, category certificates (if applicable), and identity proofs.

Expect the official answer key

• Unofficial keys give you a quick estimate. The examination authority’s official key is the final document for score calculation and any formal challenges.
• When the official key appears on the exam authority portal, use it to confirm your final raw score before applying for re-checks or filing objections (if that option is available).

Quick comparison table: unofficial key vs official key vs predicted score

What to document and why it matters

• Keep the downloaded PDF, screenshots of the answer keys you used, and a copy of your marked answer list. These help if you need to question a discrepancy later.
• Record time-stamped evidence (screenshots with time) when you first downloaded keys or papers. That may be useful if there are disputes over release timing or access.

Preparing for counselling while you wait

• Gather original certificates: admit card, mark sheets, identity proof and category/medical certificates if applicable.
• Watch the admission authority announcements for counselling schedules and seat matrices. These determine your next steps and timelines once results are out.

Final tips for calmer, smarter post-exam checks

• Don’t rely on a single unofficial key. Cross-check and focus on consensus answers.
• Avoid making major admission decisions based on a single provisional estimate. Wait for the official key and result for binding steps.
• Keep records clean and organised — they save time during counselling and any verification.

FAQs

Q: When was NEET UG 2026 conducted?

A: NEET UG 2026 was held on May 3, 2026 , from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM as a pen-and-paper exam.

Q: When will the NEET 2026 question paper be available to download?

A: Question papers were released after 6:00 PM on exam day because some candidates, including a few PwD candidates, were still taking the test under approved extensions.

Q: When were unofficial answer keys released?

A: Unofficial answer keys were published from 9:00 PM on the same day by coaching institutes and subject experts.

Q: How is NEET scored?

A: The marking scheme is +4 for each correct answer, −1 for each incorrect answer, and 0 for unattempted questions.

Q: Are all paper sets identical?

A: The core questions are identical across sets; only the sequence and option order are shuffled. Always check the paper code before using any set-wise PDF or answer key.

Q: What should I do if my paper code PDF is not available immediately?

A: Wait a few hours and retry; publishers usually release all set-wise PDFs after the initial delayed release time. Keep a screenshot of download attempts for your records.