The NEET UG 2026 you originally prepared for never happened. On 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency cancelled the 3 May exam after Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group confirmed a paper leak - a “guess paper” circulating ahead of the test matched 140 questions from the actual booklet. Over 23 lakh candidates who sat in exam halls across India and abroad learned they would have to do it again. The re-exam is now set for 21 June 2026. You have one week.
This page gives you every date that still matters, every document you now need, and the timeline from re-exam to the first day of medical college. If you are an aspirant looking ahead to NEET UG 2027, the entire five-month cycle laid out here is your rehearsal.
How the NEET UG 2026 Calendar Collapsed - and Was Rebuilt
On 8 February 2026, NTA opened the NEET UG 2026 application window. Registrations closed on 8 March, the correction window ran from 10-14 March, and admit cards were issued in late April. The exam on 3 May (Sunday, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) appeared to go smoothly - until it did not.
By 9 May, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group had arrested multiple individuals and seized evidence confirming that a copy of the question paper had been sold before the exam. On 10 May, NTA cancelled NEET UG 2026 in its entirety. The Ministry of Education filed an FIR under the Public Examinations Act, 2024; the CBI took over the investigation. On 15 May, NTA confirmed the re-exam date: 21 June 2026.
No new registrations were accepted. Every candidate who received a roll number for the 3 May exam was automatically carried forward to the re-exam at no extra cost. The old admit card was voided. A fresh city-choice window opened from 15-21 May, and a new admit card was issued on 14 June 2026 - today.
NEET UG 2026 Complete Schedule: February to October
Here is the entire cycle, with the cancelled original dates struck through and the confirmed re-exam dates marked clearly.
Every date after 21 June is an informed estimate based on NTA’s five-year track record. The moment NTA confirms a date, it will appear on neet.nta.nic.in. Refresh the portal daily from 22 June onward.
Registration and Application Fee: What 2027 Aspirants Should Know
If you are targeting NEET UG 2027, the registration process used this year is your template. The official information bulletin was released on 8 February 2026, and the window ran exactly one month. The steps:
- Register on neet.nta.nic.in with a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill personal details, academic history, exam city preferences (up to four cities), and your medium of the question paper.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, left and right-hand fingers and thumb impressions, Class X mark sheet/certificate, and any applicable category or PwBD certificate.
- Pay the fee online.
The fee structure for NEET UG 2026:
Payment was accepted via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable.
A correction window opened from 10 March to 14 March 2026, allowing edits to select fields: father’s or mother’s name, educational qualifications, category, sub-category/PwD status, signature, number of attempts, examination city, and medium. Identity details could be changed only if the candidate had registered with an ID other than Aadhaar. If a correction altered the fee amount, the excess was charged; no refunds were issued for downward revisions.
For 2027, budget ₹1,700-2,000 for the application fee, keep a scanned Aadhaar ready, and double-check every field before submission. A mismatch between the application and identity documents is the fastest route to disqualification at the exam centre.
Re-Exam Admit Card: Released Today, 14 June 2026
The hall ticket you downloaded for the 3 May exam is worthless. NTA issued a fresh admit card exclusively for the 21 June re-exam. It went live today on neet.nta.nic.in.
To download:
- Go to neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click the “Admit Card for NEET (UG) 2026 Re-Examination” link.
- Enter your application number and date of birth.
- Your admit card will open as a PDF. Download it. Print at least two clear copies on A4 paper.
Your new admit card carries a re-issued roll number, the exact exam centre address, reporting time, paper code, and a QR-code security layer that was not present on the original. Check every detail - your name, photograph, signature, and the exam centre address. If anything is wrong, contact the NTA helpline at 011-40759000 or [email protected] immediately. The window for corrections is almost certainly gone, but an error on the admit card can still be flagged before you reach the centre.
What to Carry on 21 June
- Printed admit card (hard copy only; no mobile display)
- One passport-size photograph - identical to the one uploaded during registration
- Original valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card, or driving licence)
- PwBD certificate and scribe-related documents, if applicable
- Transparent water bottle
- Black or blue ballpoint pen (though one may be provided at the centre)
Do not carry a mobile phone, smartwatch, calculator, Bluetooth device, wallet, handbag, or any paper. These are banned without exception. Diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets or fruit after prior permission.
Exam Day: 21 June 2026, 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm
The re-exam is an offline, pen-and-paper test identical in structure to the original - with one change. You now get 15 additional minutes (total 3 hours 15 minutes) to accommodate OMR sheet filling and attendance formalities.
Exam timing: 2:00 pm - 5:15 pm Indian Standard Time.
Reporting: The entry gates open at 11:00 am and close strictly at 1:30 pm. Plan to arrive no later than 12:30 pm. Centre entry involves biometric verification, frisking, and document checks. Latecomers are not admitted.
Question paper pattern: The format follows the revised 2025-onward structure - all 180 questions are compulsory; there are no optional questions.
Marking: +4 for every correct answer, -1 for every incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry zero. The exam is offered in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. You selected your medium at registration and cannot change it now.
Inside the exam hall, you will be seated by 1:45 pm. The invigilator will distribute the test booklet at 1:45 pm, and you will write your particulars on it. The exam begins at 2:00 pm.
Answer Key and Challenge Window
Within 3-6 days of the re-exam - approximately 24-27 June 2026 - NTA will publish the provisional answer key and your individual OMR response sheet on neet.nta.nic.in. You will be able to see every answer the system recorded against your roll number.
If you find an error in the provisional key, you can challenge it. The process:
- Log in at neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key.”
- Select the specific question number.
- Upload supporting evidence as a single PDF - a scanned page from an NCERT textbook or a recognised reference book.
- Pay ₹200 per challenged question. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether your challenge is upheld.
The challenge window typically stays open for 2-5 days. A panel of subject experts reviews all valid objections. If an objection is accepted, the answer key is revised for every candidate. The final answer key, expected in early July 2026, will be used to calculate your score.
To estimate your raw score before the official result:
Raw score = (Correct answers × 4) - (Incorrect answers × 1)
This gives you a tentative figure. Your official score may shift if NTA modifies the answer key after challenges.
NEET UG 2026 Result: When and How
Based on NTA’s five-year average of 30-41 days between exam and result, the re-exam result is expected between 18 July and 25 July 2026. NTA typically declares results around 2:00 pm. The scorecard will include:
- Subject-wise marks (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Total marks out of 720
- Percentile score
- All India Rank (AIR)
- Category rank
- Qualifying status
To check:
- Go to neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the result link.
- Enter your application number and date of birth.
- Download and print the scorecard. Save the PDF in at least two places.
The scorecard is only available online for a limited period under NTA’s weeding-out policy. Do not rely on third-party websites. If the portal slows down under traffic, wait 30 minutes and try again.
What Is the Qualifying Cut-Off?
NTA sets percentile-based qualifying marks, not fixed scores. The category-wise thresholds remain consistent year on year:
- General / EWS: 50th percentile
- OBC / SC / ST: 40th percentile
- General-PwBD: 45th percentile
- SC / ST / OBC-PwBD: 40th percentile
Based on paper difficulty, the 2026 qualifying marks for General category are expected to land around 165-170 out of 720. Reserved categories may qualify with approximately 107-136 marks. These are the minimum scores to enter counselling.
Safe Scores for Government MBBS Seats
To actually secure a government MBBS seat through the All India Quota, you need far more than the qualifying minimum. Based on five-year trends and 2026’s heightened competition:
For AIIMS Delhi, general category candidates have historically needed 700+ out of 720. AIIMS Jodhpur, Rishikesh, and Patna close between AIR 500 and 2,000.
Counselling 2026: MCC All India Quota and State Quota
Counselling for NEET UG 2026 will be delayed by roughly one month compared to a normal year. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages 15% All India Quota seats in government colleges, plus 100% of seats at AIIMS, JIPMER, central universities (BHU, AMU, DU), deemed universities, ESIC, and AFMC institutions. State counselling authorities handle the remaining 85% of seats in their respective states.
MCC Counselling Tentative Schedule
These dates are estimates; official confirmation will come after the result.
MCC conducts four rounds. Round 1 offers a “free exit” - you can leave an allotted seat without penalty. From Round 2 onward, exiting forfeits your security deposit. The Stray Vacancy Round carries the highest stakes: if you are allotted a seat and fail to join, you not only lose your deposit but also face a one-year debarment from NEET UG.
Fees and Security Deposits
The security deposit is refundable if you do not accept a seat or if you exit in Round 1. For deemed universities, the ₹2,00,000 deposit can take 3-6 months to refund - plan your family’s liquidity accordingly.
State Quota Counselling in Parallel
You must register on both the MCC portal and your home state’s counselling portal. These are independent processes. Missing the state quota registration means you compete only for 15% of seats. Major states and their expected counselling start windows:
- Karnataka (KEA): July 2026
- Tamil Nadu (DME): July 2026
- Maharashtra (CET Cell): August 2026
- Uttar Pradesh (DGME): August 2026
- Rajasthan (RUHS): August 2026
- Delhi (DGHS): August 2026
Each state has its own domicile rules, reservation matrix, and fee structure. For example, Tamil Nadu reserves 69% of government quota seats for BC, MBC, SC, and ST categories combined. Karnataka uses a multi-category OBC framework (Cat-1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B). Research your specific state’s policy before choice filling.
Documents to Prepare Now
Start gathering these originals and at least two self-attested photocopies:
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 certificate (date-of-birth proof)
- Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) - EWS must be for the current financial year
- Domicile certificate (for state quota)
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Gap year affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper (mandatory for droppers - notarised before counselling)
- Medical fitness certificate
- 6-8 passport-size photographs (same as the application photo)
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, etc.)
The gap year affidavit is the most frequently missed document among droppers. Get it notarised now. Waiting until you are allotted a seat and have 5-7 days to report creates an unnecessary logistical risk.
Reservation Policy for All India Quota Seats
Seats under MCC counselling follow central government reservation norms. Out of 15% AIQ seats in government medical colleges:
Deemed universities do not follow caste-based reservation. Every seat in a deemed institution is filled on open merit regardless of category. PwBD horizontal reservation may apply in some cases.
What You Should Do in the Final Week Before 21 June
- Download and verify your new admit card. Any discrepancy - even a spelling error - must be reported to the NTA helpline today.
- Plan your travel and accommodation. Confirm the exam centre location. If you live more than an hour away, stay overnight nearby. Centre entry begins at 11:00 am; gates close at 1:30 pm.
- Organise your exam-day kit. Admit card, photo ID, photograph, pen, transparent water bottle. No electronic devices, no bags. Carry only what the instructions permit.
- Focus on revision, not new material. Use this week to review NCERT diagrams, biology tables, high-weightage physics formulae, and your own error logs from mock tests.
- Synchronise your body clock. The exam runs from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm. Practice solving full-length papers in that exact slot every day until 20 June.
After the exam, the waiting period will feel long. Results are likely in the fourth week of July. Counselling will follow quickly. Keep your documents ready and your portals bookmarked - neet.nta.nic.in for results, mcc.nic.in for AIQ counselling, and your state’s medical admission portal.
The paper leak that upended your May attempt is now a law-enforcement matter. Your only job is to sit on 21 June, mark 180 answers with precision, and let the process deliver the rank you have worked for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was NEET UG 2026 cancelled?
The 3 May 2026 exam was cancelled on 10 May after Rajasthan SOG confirmed that a leaked “guess paper” matching 140 actual exam questions had been sold to candidates before the test. NTA, with government approval, voided the exam to protect the integrity of the admission process. A CBI investigation is ongoing.
Q: When is the NEET UG 2026 re-exam?
The re-exam is confirmed for 21 June 2026 (Sunday), from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm, in offline pen-and-paper mode across all previously allotted exam centres.
Q: Do I need to re-register for the re-exam?
No. Your original application automatically carries forward. You did not need to fill a new form or pay an additional fee. Only candidates who received a roll number for the 3 May exam are eligible.
Q: Is the old admit card valid?
No. The admit card for 3 May 2026 is void. A new admit card was released on 14 June 2026 on neet.nta.nic.in. You must download and carry the new admit card to the exam centre.
Q: What is the NEET UG 2026 exam pattern?
The exam has 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions: 45 Physics, 45 Chemistry, 90 Biology (Botany 45 + Zoology 45). Total marks: 720. Marking: +4 correct, -1 incorrect, 0 unattempted. Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes (2:00 pm - 5:15 pm).
Q: When will the NEET UG 2026 result be declared?
The result is expected between 18 July and 25 July 2026, based on NTA’s historical turnaround time of 30-41 days after the exam. It will be published on neet.nta.nic.in.
Q: What is the qualifying cut-off for NEET UG 2026?
Qualifying cut-offs are percentile-based: General/EWS (50th percentile), OBC/SC/ST (40th percentile), General-PwBD (45th percentile). Based on paper difficulty, qualifying marks are expected around 165-170 for General and 107-136 for reserved categories. These are counselling eligibility marks.
Q: How much does the MCC NEET UG counselling cost?
For AIQ/central university seats: registration fee is ₹1,000 (General/OBC) or ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD). Security deposit is ₹10,000 (General) or ₹5,000 (SC/ST/PwD). For deemed universities, registration is ₹5,000 for all categories, and the security deposit is ₹2,00,000. Security deposits are refundable if you do not accept a seat, subject to round-wise exit rules.
Q: Can I participate in both MCC and state counselling?
Yes. You must register separately on the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) and your home state’s counselling portal. Missing either registration means you lose access to that seat pool. Dual participation is allowed and strongly recommended.
Q: What documents do I need for counselling?
Key documents: NEET admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates, category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate (for state quota), gap year affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper (for droppers), medical fitness certificate, passport-size photographs, and a valid photo ID.
Q: What happens in the Stray Vacancy Round?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling round, conducted in September-October 2026. If you are allotted a seat and fail to report to the college within the deadline, you forfeit your security deposit and are debarred from NEET UG for one year. Enter this round only if you are genuinely prepared to join any allotted seat.
Q: Is there a reservation in deemed universities?
No. Deemed universities do not follow SC/ST/OBC/EWS reservation under MCC counselling. Every seat in a deemed institution is filled on open merit. PwBD horizontal reservation may apply in limited cases.
Q: What is the official website for NEET UG 2026?
The official NTA NEET portal is neet.nta.nic.in. For All India Quota counselling, visit mcc.nic.in. For state quota counselling, check your respective state’s Directorate of Medical Education or CET cell website.