NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Duration, Marking Scheme & Medium

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG 2026) is one of the most significant competitive exams in India for aspirants seeking admission to undergraduate medical and allied health courses such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other professional programs.

The NEET UG exam pattern was revised in recent years to streamline the assessment and maintain uniformity in evaluation standards. The 2026 pattern incorporates all current changes and remains consistent with the latest official guidelines. 

This article provides a comprehensive, accurate, and actionable breakdown of the NEET UG 2026 exam pattern, covering duration, marking scheme, language options, question structure, and other critical details essential for effective preparation.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern

NEET UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test–Undergraduate) is the sole medical entrance examination in India for candidates seeking seats in:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
• BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
• AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, etc.)
• Veterinary and allied medical programs

Conducted annually by NTA, NEET UG is a pen-and-paper (offline) test consisting exclusively of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The exam pattern is designed to assess students’ foundational understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics aligned with the Class 11 and 12 NCERT syllabus.

NEET UG 2026: Key Features at a Glance

Parameter	Details
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen & Paper)
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Questions	180
Total Marks	720
Exam Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unanswered
Languages/Medium	13 Languages (including English and Hindi)
Shift Timing	Afternoon (typically 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST)

Exam Duration and Time Allocation

The total duration of the NEET UG 2026 examination is 3 hours (180 minutes). Candidates must complete answering all 180 questions within this fixed time. No extra time is allotted for reading instructions beyond this window. Time management plays a critical role; with an average of one minute per question, aspirants must plan their strategy accordingly. 

Important Note for PwD Candidates:
Some official sources indicate compensatory time allowances (e.g., additional time for PwD candidates), though candidates should review the official NTA bulletin for exact allowances nearer to the examination date.

Structure and Distribution of Questions

The NEET UG 2026 question paper consists of 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions distributed across three core subjects:

Subject	Number of Questions	Total Marks
Physics	45	180
Chemistry	45	180
Biology (Botany + Zoology)	90	360
Total	180	720

Subject Breakdown

• Physics: 45 questions focusing on core concepts and numerical problems.
• Chemistry: 45 questions covering Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.
• Biology: 90 questions (45 Botany + 45 Zoology), forming 50% of the total paper and often being the most scoring section if prepared thoroughly. 

In contrast to past formats, optional questions have been removed, and all questions are compulsory. This change was introduced to simplify the pattern and make scoring more uniform across candidates.

Marking Scheme: Scoring and Negative Marking

The NEET UG 2026 marking scheme is structured to reward accuracy and discourage random guessing:

Response Type	Marks Awarded / Deducted
Correct Answer	+4 marks
Incorrect Answer	−1 mark
Unanswered	0 marks
More than one option marked	Treated as incorrect (−1 mark)

Key points about this scheme:

• High reward for accuracy: Each correct answer adds significant marks to the overall score.
• Negative marking applies: Every incorrect or multiple-response entry results in a deduction of 1 mark.
• Unattempted questions carry zero penalty: Strategic skipping of difficult questions can prevent unnecessary negative marks. 

This balance makes accuracy and smart time allocation central to scoring well in the exam.

Medium of Exam (Languages Offered)

NEET UG 2026 is offered in 13 languages to ensure accessibility for candidates from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The available mediums include:

• English
• Hindi
• Assamese
• Bengali
• Gujarati
• Marathi
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Oriya (Odia)
• Malayalam
• Kannada
• Punjabi
• Urdu

Candidates select their preferred language while filling out the application form. It is critical to choose the medium carefully, as changes after submission are usually not permitted.

Assessment Mode and Answering Process

• Offline (Pen & Paper): The NEET UG exam is conducted in an offline format with candidates marking answers on an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet using only a black or blue ballpoint pen. 
• Single correct option per question: Each MCQ has four options, of which only one is correct.

This conventional format ensures consistency across test centres and simplifies evaluation.

Conclusion

The NEET UG 2026 exam pattern is structured to evaluate conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and accuracy across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. With 180 compulsory questions, a total of 720 marks, a strict marking scheme (+4 for correct and −1 for incorrect), and a 3-hour duration, the pattern emphasises both preparation depth and test strategy.

Offered in 13 languages, the medium flexibility ensures broader participation. Understanding this pattern thoroughly is essential for designing an effective study plan and improving performance on exam day.

Students and aspirants should always refer to the official NTA information bulletin for NEET UG 2026 and any updates released close to the exam date for the latest authoritative details.