NEET UG 2026 held on May 3, 2026 ; over 22 lakh candidates appeared
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET UG 2026 on May 3, 2026 in offline mode. The single shift ran from 2 pm to 5 pm and the paper contained 180 questions for a total of 720 marks.
NEET UG 2026 exam pattern and difficulty
The test duration was 3 hours . The marking scheme remained standard: +4 for each correct response and -1 for each wrong answer. Candidates had to mark answers on OMR sheets as per instructions.
Aspirants and coaching institutes described the overall paper as easy. Physics and Chemistry were rated moderate, requiring clear concept application. Biology was reported time-consuming overall; candidates found Zoology straightforward and scoring, while Botany was easy conceptually but lengthy.
No major technical or verification glitches were reported at centres nationwide. The detailed paper analysis by experts was expected around 6:00 PM IST to help candidates estimate scores.
NEET UG 2026 incidents, immediate impact and next steps
A few isolated incidents affected attendance. Several candidates missed the exam due to late arrival or reaching the wrong centre. One aspirant from Vikaspuri said she could not find her centre on Google Maps and arrived too late to appear. Another candidate forgot a required passport-sized photograph and had to arrange one at the last minute.
If you sat for the exam, watch the official NTA portal for the provisional answer key and your response sheet. NTA will publish them on the official website; candidates will be allowed to raise objections within the specified window after the provisional key is out.
With over 22 lakh aspirants this year, results will depend on your raw score, overall difficulty, and the number of high scorers. Expect official timelines and the provisional answer key notices from NTA in the coming days.
If you did not appear because of centre or timing issues, check the admit card and centre details carefully for counselling and any possible grievance process announced by authorities.
The paper rewarded steady preparation and time management. Keep your admit card and evidence ready if you plan to challenge the provisional answer key once released by NTA.