NEET Exam Time 2026 – Official Date, Timings & Complete Day Schedule
Millions of students wake up every year with one question burning in their heads: What time is the NEET exam? Fair enough — you’ve studied for months, and the last thing you want is to show up late and miss the gate closing time (which NTA enforces with zero sympathy, by the way).
Here is every timing detail you need for NEET UG 2026, sourced directly from the National Testing Agency.
NEET 2026 Exam Date & Timing At a Glance
The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially confirmed the NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3, 2026, conducted in a single afternoon shift across more than 5,000 centres in India and abroad.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Date | May 3, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM IST |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Exam Mode | Offline – Pen & Paper (OMR Sheet) |
| No. of Candidates | ~22.79 Lakh (2026) |
| Total Exam Centres | 5,432 (India + 14 abroad) |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
NEET 2026 Exam Day Schedule – Minute by Minute
NTA issues a detailed reporting schedule for exam day. If you think “2 PM exam, I’ll reach at 1:55 PM” — please reconsider your life choices. The gate closes at 1:30 PM, no exceptions.
AM
PM
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1:45
PM
PM
PM
PM
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern – Subjects & Marks
The NEET question paper has 180 questions carrying a total of 720 marks. Each correct answer earns +4 marks, and each wrong answer costs –1 mark. So random guessing is a bad idea — unless you genuinely enjoy negative numbers.
| Marking Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| ✅ Correct Answer | +4 Marks |
| ❌ Wrong Answer | –1 Mark |
| ⬜ Unattempted | 0 Marks |
| 📋 Total Questions | 180 |
| 🏆 Maximum Marks | 720 |
Important Dates – NEET 2026 Full Schedule
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form Opens | February 8, 2026 | Done |
| Application Last Date (Extended) | March 11, 2026 | Done |
| City Intimation Slip | April 2026 | Released |
| Admit Card Release | April 26, 2026 | Released |
| NEET UG 2026 Exam | May 3, 2026 | Today |
| Provisional Answer Key | ~June 3, 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Result Declaration | Mid-June 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| MCC Counselling Begins | July 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
What to Carry on NEET Exam Day
Forgetting your admit card on exam day is the kind of story that haunts people for years. Check this list the night before — seriously, print it out.
- Printed NEET UG 2026 Admit Card (download from neet.nta.nic.in)
- Original valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence)
- NTA Self-Declaration Form (issued with the admit card)
- One passport-size photograph (same as submitted in the form)
- Transparent water bottle (no labels)
- Simple ballpoint pen (NTA provides one, but carry a backup)
NEET Dress Code 2026
Yes, NTA even tells you what to wear. Think of it as the world’s most stressful dress code announcement.
| Gender | Recommended Clothing | Footwear |
|---|---|---|
| Male | Light-coloured half-sleeve shirt or T-shirt, simple trousers | Slippers or sandals only (no shoes) |
| Female | Simple half-sleeve top or kurti, plain bottoms | Slippers or sandals only (no shoes) |
No caps, scarves (except for religious reasons), or jewellery. Objects of faith are allowed after inspection, per NTA’s guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📚 Sources & References
All the Best for NEET 2026! 🎯
You’ve put in the hours. Now go show the exam what you’re made of. Reach the centre early, stay calm, and read every question carefully.
Visit Official NEET Website
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