A thorough understanding of the NEET Exam Pattern 2026 is essential for strategic and score-oriented preparation. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is expected to follow the revised post-COVID format, the same structure used in NEET 2025.
NEET 2026 will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) mode and will consist of 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions, to be completed within 3 hours.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Quick Summary
Feature | Details |
Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Total Questions | 180 (All compulsory) |
Total Marks | 720 |
Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Subjects | Physics (45), Chemistry (45), Biology (90) |
Question Type | MCQs (+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect) |
Available Languages | 13 |
The removal of optional questions requires students to prepare the entire syllabus thoroughly.
NEET Exam Duration 2026
- Total duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
- No sectional time limits
- Time must be managed across all subjects
- Ideal pace: approximately 1 minute per question
Number of Questions in NEET 2026
NEET 2026 includes 180 mandatory MCQs, equally distributed across subjects:
Subject | Number of Questions |
Physics | 45 |
Chemistry | 45 |
Botany | 45 |
Zoology | 45 |
Total | 180 |
There are no internal choices or optional questions, making preparation more streamlined.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Total Marks Distribution
Subject | Questions | Marks |
Physics | 45 | 180 |
Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
Botany | 45 | 180 |
Zoology | 45 | 180 |
Total | 180 | 720 |
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
Response Type | Marks Awarded |
Correct Answer | +4 |
Incorrect Answer | −1 |
Unanswered | 0 |
Multiple Answers Marked | −1 |
Key Notes:
- Responses once marked on the OMR sheet cannot be changed
- If multiple options are later declared correct, full marks are awarded for any correct choice
Subject-Wise Weightage for NEET 2026
Physics Weightage (Approximate)
Major focus areas include Mechanics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics, and Optics.
High-weight chapters:
- Laws of Motion
- Properties of Bulk Matter
- Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects of Current
- Atoms and Nuclei
Chemistry Weightage Overview
Physical Chemistry
- Solutions
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Thermodynamics
Inorganic Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- p-block and d-block Elements
- Coordination Compounds
Organic Chemistry
- Hydrocarbons
- Carbonyl Compounds
- Amines
- Biomolecules
A balanced approach across all three chemistry branches is strongly recommended.
Biology Weightage (Highest Scoring Section)
Biology contributes 50% of the total paper and is divided equally between Botany and Zoology.
Class XI Focus Areas
- Diversity in Living Organisms
- Cell Structure and Function
- Human Physiology
Class XII Focus Areas
- Genetics and Evolution
- Reproduction
- Ecology and Environment
Biology is typically lengthy but highly scoring when NCERT textbooks are followed strictly.
NEET 2026 Question Paper Format
- All questions are MCQs with four options
- Only one correct answer
- OMR sheet must be filled using a black ballpoint pen
- Biology is theory-based and time-consuming
- Physics is concept-driven and generally the most challenging
NEET 2026 Language Options
NEET 2026 is expected to be conducted in 13 languages:
English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Urdu
Language Rules:
- English medium candidates receive the English paper
- Hindi medium candidates receive Hindi + English
- Regional language candidates receive Regional language + English
- In case of any discrepancy, the English version is considered final
Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET
- Avoid random or blind guessing
- Attempt only questions you are confident about
- Read each question carefully
- Focus on accuracy rather than speed
- Solve easy questions first to build confidence
Expected Difficulty Level of NEET 2026
Subject | Difficulty Level |
Physics | Tough |
Chemistry | Moderate |
Biology | Easy but lengthy |
NEET 2026 Updates Changes
As of now, no major changes are expected in the NEET 2026 exam pattern compared to NEET 2025. Any official announcements by NTA will be updated accordingly.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – FAQs
Has the NEET 2026 exam pattern changed?
No, it is expected to follow the same structure as NEET 2025.
How many questions are there in NEET 2026?
There are 180 compulsory questions.
What is the marking scheme for NEET 2026?
+4 marks for each correct answer and −1 mark for each incorrect answer.
What is the total score for NEET 2026?
The maximum score is 720 marks.
NEET 2026 will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) mode and will consist of 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions, to be completed within 3 hours.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Quick Summary
Feature | Details |
Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Total Questions | 180 (All compulsory) |
Total Marks | 720 |
Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Subjects | Physics (45), Chemistry (45), Biology (90) |
Question Type | MCQs (+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect) |
Available Languages | 13 |
The removal of optional questions requires students to prepare the entire syllabus thoroughly.
NEET Exam Duration 2026
- Total duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
- No sectional time limits
- Time must be managed across all subjects
- Ideal pace: approximately 1 minute per question
Number of Questions in NEET 2026
NEET 2026 includes 180 mandatory MCQs, equally distributed across subjects:
Subject | Number of Questions |
Physics | 45 |
Chemistry | 45 |
Botany | 45 |
Zoology | 45 |
Total | 180 |
There are no internal choices or optional questions, making preparation more streamlined.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – Total Marks Distribution
Subject | Questions | Marks |
Physics | 45 | 180 |
Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
Botany | 45 | 180 |
Zoology | 45 | 180 |
Total | 180 | 720 |
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
Response Type | Marks Awarded |
Correct Answer | +4 |
Incorrect Answer | −1 |
Unanswered | 0 |
Multiple Answers Marked | −1 |
Key Notes:
- Responses once marked on the OMR sheet cannot be changed
- If multiple options are later declared correct, full marks are awarded for any correct choice
Subject-Wise Weightage for NEET 2026
Physics Weightage (Approximate)
Major focus areas include Mechanics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics, and Optics.
High-weight chapters:
- Laws of Motion
- Properties of Bulk Matter
- Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects of Current
- Atoms and Nuclei
Chemistry Weightage Overview
Physical Chemistry
- Solutions
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Thermodynamics
Inorganic Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- p-block and d-block Elements
- Coordination Compounds
Organic Chemistry
- Hydrocarbons
- Carbonyl Compounds
- Amines
- Biomolecules
A balanced approach across all three chemistry branches is strongly recommended.
Biology Weightage (Highest Scoring Section)
Biology contributes 50% of the total paper and is divided equally between Botany and Zoology.
Class XI Focus Areas
- Diversity in Living Organisms
- Cell Structure and Function
- Human Physiology
Class XII Focus Areas
- Genetics and Evolution
- Reproduction
- Ecology and Environment
Biology is typically lengthy but highly scoring when NCERT textbooks are followed strictly.
NEET 2026 Question Paper Format
- All questions are MCQs with four options
- Only one correct answer
- OMR sheet must be filled using a black ballpoint pen
- Biology is theory-based and time-consuming
- Physics is concept-driven and generally the most challenging
NEET 2026 Language Options
NEET 2026 is expected to be conducted in 13 languages:
English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Urdu
Language Rules:
- English medium candidates receive the English paper
- Hindi medium candidates receive Hindi + English
- Regional language candidates receive Regional language + English
- In case of any discrepancy, the English version is considered final
Tips to Avoid Negative Marking in NEET
- Avoid random or blind guessing
- Attempt only questions you are confident about
- Read each question carefully
- Focus on accuracy rather than speed
- Solve easy questions first to build confidence
Expected Difficulty Level of NEET 2026
Subject | Difficulty Level |
Physics | Tough |
Chemistry | Moderate |
Biology | Easy but lengthy |
NEET 2026 Updates Changes
As of now, no major changes are expected in the NEET 2026 exam pattern compared to NEET 2025. Any official announcements by NTA will be updated accordingly.
NEET Exam Pattern 2026 – FAQs
Has the NEET 2026 exam pattern changed?
No, it is expected to follow the same structure as NEET 2025.
How many questions are there in NEET 2026?
There are 180 compulsory questions.
What is the marking scheme for NEET 2026?
+4 marks for each correct answer and −1 mark for each incorrect answer.
What is the total score for NEET 2026?
The maximum score is 720 marks.
