NEET Exam 2027 Explained: Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation & Counselling
NEET UG is India's single national entrance test for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts it every year for students who studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12.
The 2026 cycle was not normal. The first exam on 3 May 2026 was cancelled, and NTA held a re-exam on 21 June. For 2027, NTA had not published an official notification when this guide was updated, so every date marked "expected" below is an estimate based on past years.
This guide explains who can apply, how the exam works, what to study, how rank and counselling work, and what to do if you miss an MBBS seat.
What Is the NEET Exam? Quick Facts
NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. NEET UG (undergraduate) is the national entrance exam for MBBS and BDS seats in India. Since 2020, AIIMS and JIPMER have also admitted students through NEET instead of running their own exams.
Detail | Information |
Full name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) |
Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Rules and syllabus | National Medical Commission (NMC) |
Counselling | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for national seats; state authorities for state seats |
Mode in recent years | Pen and paper (OMR answer sheet) |
Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology) |
Total marks | 720 |
Marking | +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong answer, 0 if left blank |
How often | Once a year |
Official website |
Check every row against the NTA Information Bulletin when it is released. NTA can change details from year to year.
NEET UG vs NEET PG vs Other Exams
NEET UG is the exam you take after Class 12. Other exams serve different goals.
NEET UG: taken after Class 12 for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and similar courses. NTA conducts it.
NEET PG: taken after MBBS for MD and MS seats. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducts it.
JEE Main and JEE Advanced: for engineering and architecture, not medicine.
CUET UG: for many central university courses. It is not used for MBBS or BDS.
A student who wants to become a doctor after Class 12 needs NEET UG. No other entrance exam replaces it.
Which courses does NEET UG cover?
NEET UG scores decide admission to MBBS, BDS, and the AYUSH courses: BAMS (Ayurveda), BUMS (Unani), BSMS (Siddha), and BHMS (Homeopathy). They also decide admission to the veterinary degree BVSc & AH. Some nursing and allied courses use NEET scores too, depending on the state or institute.
Different bodies run counselling for different courses:
MBBS and BDS: MCC for national seats, and state authorities for state seats.
AYUSH courses: the Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee (AACCC) for national seats, and states for the rest.
Veterinary courses: the Veterinary Council of India for its national-quota seats, and states for the rest.
NEET 2027 Dates and Status: Confirmed vs Expected
On 14 October 2026, NTA had not announced official NEET 2027 dates. Any firm date you see on other websites is a guess until NTA posts a notice on neet.nta.nic.in. The "expected" column below follows the pattern of earlier years.
Step | Official status | Expected |
Notification and Information Bulletin | Not released | Late 2026 to February 2027 (websites disagree) |
Online registration | Not open | February to March 2027. In 2026, the first last date was 8 March, later extended to 11 March |
Admit card | Not released | Mid-April to early May 2027 |
Exam day | Not announced | Usually the first Sunday of May, which would be 2 May 2027 |
Result | Not announced | June 2027 in a normal cycle |
Counselling | Not announced | From July 2027 |
For context, the exam was held on 5 May 2024, 4 May 2025 and 3 May 2026 (the original 2026 exam). Some pages list 2 May or 3 May 2027 as a fixed date. Neither is official yet.
Some websites also say NEET may become a computer-based test. NTA has not confirmed this.
What happened in NEET 2026?
NTA held NEET UG 2026 on 3 May and later cancelled it after reports of a paper leak. It then conducted a fresh exam, called Re-NEET, on 21 June 2026.
Here is the timeline:
3 May 2026: original exam, held from 2 pm to 5 pm.
After the exam: NTA cancelled it following the paper-leak reports.
21 June 2026: Re-NEET held.
16 July 2026: NTA declared the result. About 11.21 lakh candidates qualified.
5 August 2026: MCC Round 1 registration began.
24 August 2026: MCC Round 1 final result.
Second week of September 2026: MCC Round 2 result.
1 October 2026: MCC Round 3 final result.
What does this mean for 2027? No syllabus change has been announced. Stricter security is likely, but NTA has not confirmed any new format. Plan for the usual May schedule, keep your documents ready early, and follow only official notices.
NEET Eligibility: Age, Marks, Subjects and Attempts
You can apply for NEET UG if you are at least 17 years old, have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in Class 12, and meet the minimum marks rule. Recent bulletins set no upper age limit and no limit on the number of attempts. Always confirm each rule in the 2027 bulletin.
Rule | Details (as in recent bulletins) |
Minimum age | 17 years on 31 December of the admission year (31 December 2027 for 2027 admissions) |
Upper age limit | None |
Attempts | No limit |
Class 12 subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (or Biotechnology) and English |
Minimum marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) | General and EWS: 50%. SC, ST and OBC: 40%. General PwBD: 45%. SC, ST and OBC with PwBD: 40% |
Who can apply | Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs and foreign nationals, as the bulletin allows |
Class 12 students | Students appearing in Class 12 in 2027 can apply. Admission depends on passing with the required marks |
Any recognised board works: CBSE, ICSE, state boards or NIOS (open school). The subjects and marks matter, not the board.
How to work out your PCB percentage. Add your marks in the three subjects, divide by the total marks, and multiply by 100. Example: 78 + 82 + 85 = 245 out of 300. That is 245 ÷ 300 × 100 = 81.7%.
Do not mix up two different rules. The PCB percentage above is about your Class 12 marks. The qualifying percentile (explained later) is about your NEET score.
NEET Registration: Documents and Common Mistakes
NEET registration is online only, on NTA's NEET website. You need a working email ID, a mobile number, scanned documents in the right size, and a way to pay the fee online.
Follow these steps:
Register with your name, mobile number, and email ID. Note your application number.
Fill in your personal, school, and category details exactly as they appear on your certificates.
Choose your exam city. The form lets you give more than one choice.
Upload your photo, signature, and other documents in the size and format NTA asks for.
Pay the fee by UPI, net banking, or card.
Download the confirmation page and save it.
Documents to keep ready
Class 10 certificate (for name and date of birth)
Class 12 details, such as roll number and school
Recent photo and signature (some years also ask for a thumb impression or a postcard-size photo)
A valid ID, such as Aadhaar or another ID the bulletin accepts
Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL or EWS) and a PwBD certificate, if these apply
In recent years, the fee for Indian centres was roughly ₹1,000 to ₹1,700, depending on category. Centres outside India cost more. NTA usually opens a short correction window after registration closes, but some fields cannot be changed.
Mistakes that cause problems
A name or date of birth that does not match your Class 10 certificate.
A wrong category, or a category certificate that is not valid.
A blurry photo or signature, or the wrong file size.
A wrong phone number or email. NTA sends updates only there.
Choosing an exam city without checking how you will travel there.
Paying the fee but never completing the final submit step.
Waiting for the last day, when the website runs slowly.
NEET Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
In recent years, NEET UG has been a pen-and-paper exam with 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 720 marks, and a time limit of 3 hours. Always check the 2027 Information Bulletin before you rely on any pattern table, including this one.
Subject | Questions | Marks |
Physics | 45 | 180 |
Chemistry | 45 | 180 |
Botany | 45 | 180 |
Zoology | 45 | 180 |
Total | 180 | 720 |
The pattern has changed before. From 2021 to 2024, each subject had Section A (35 questions) and Section B (15 questions, of which you answered any 10). NEET 2025 went back to 180 compulsory questions. One report says the Re-NEET in June 2026 gave 15 extra minutes, so the duration can also change.
Other points to know:
The paper is available in 13 languages, including English, Hindi and several regional languages.
You mark answers on an OMR sheet with the pen the admit card or bulletin names. Do not use whitener or try to erase.
Recent exams ran from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Is there negative marking, and how to handle it?
Yes. You get 4 marks for each correct answer, lose 1 mark for each wrong answer, and get 0 for a blank. Example: 40 correct and 8 wrong gives 160 − 8 = 152 marks.
A blind guess among four options gains 1 mark on average (a 1-in-4 chance of +4, a 3-in-4 chance of −1). That looks fine on paper, but it swings wildly from question to question. A better habit:
In the first round, answer only the questions you are sure about.
In the second round, attempt questions where you can cross out at least two options. With two options left, a guess gains about 1.5 marks on average.
Leave a question blank if you cannot remove any option.
Practise this method in mock tests, so it feels normal on exam day.
NEET Syllabus and Chapter-Wise Weightage
NEET syllabus comes from NCERT Physics, Chemistry and Biology of Classes 11 and 12, as listed by NMC and NTA. Biology has 90 of the 180 questions, so it carries half the marks (360 of 720). Chapter weightage changes every year, so treat it as a trend, not a promise.
Download the latest syllabus PDF from the NTA website when you start. NMC can add or remove topics.
Most Biology questions come from NCERT lines, diagrams, and tables. Biology gives the largest share of marks, and Physics is often where students lose the most. Small gains in Physics can therefore raise your rank noticeably.
Subject | Questions | Units that often carry more questions |
Biology (Botany and Zoology) | 90 | Genetics and evolution, human physiology, reproduction, ecology, plant physiology, biotechnology, human health and disease |
Chemistry | 45 | Physical: mole concept, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry. Organic: basic principles and reactions of main groups, biomolecules. Inorganic: chemical bonding, periodic table trends, coordination compounds, p-, d- and f-block elements |
Physics | 45 | Mechanics, electrostatics, current electricity, magnetism and induction, optics, modern physics, thermodynamics and kinetic theory |
The unit names follow NCERT chapters. The exact number of questions from each unit changes each year.
Build your own weightage chart
Collect the last five years of NEET papers, including the 2026 papers.
Make a sheet with every NCERT chapter in one column.
Mark each question under its chapter.
Add up the counts. Chapters with many questions come first in your plan.
Do not skip low-count chapters. A few easy questions from each still add up to many marks.
How to Prepare for NEET 2027: Strategy That Fits Your Situation
Good NEET preparation rests on four habits: read NCERT closely, practise past-year questions, take timed mock tests, and revise on a schedule. How you plan them depends on how much time you have. On 14 October 2026, an early-May exam is about six and a half months away, which fits the six-month plan below.
Plans by time left (1-year / 6-month / 3-month)
Pick the plan that matches your own time, not your friend's. Each plan below tells you what to focus on at each stage.
Time left | Best for | Plan |
About 1 year | Students finishing Class 11, or droppers starting fresh | Months 1–4: Class 11 chapters. Months 5–8: Class 12 chapters plus past-year questions. Months 9–10: first full revision and weekly mocks. Last 2 months: mocks, error-log review and NCERT revision |
About 6 months | Class 12 students with part of the syllabus left | Months 1–3: finish the remaining chapters, with one revision day each week. Months 4–5: full revision and one mock a week. Month 6: two or three mocks a week and final revision |
About 3 months | Students who have finished the syllabus once | Week 1: take one mock to find weak chapters. Weeks 2–8: revise chapters that carry many questions and fix weak ones. Weeks 9–12: take frequent mocks and review your error log. Do not start new books |
In every plan, finish new chapters before you chase tough questions, and never drop revision just to cover more topics.
School + NEET (Class 11 and Class 12) and dropper routines
School students can aim for 3 to 4 hours of NEET study on school days and 6 to 8 hours on weekends. Droppers can study 8 to 10 focused hours a day. More hours help only if you stay focused and still sleep about 7 hours.
A school-day routine
Morning, 45 to 60 minutes: read one NCERT Biology topic.
Evening, about 2 hours: one Physics or Chemistry chapter, with practice questions.
Night, 45 to 60 minutes: Biology questions or revision.
Last 15 minutes: write what you learned and what confused you.
Weekend: one chapter test or half-length test, then review it fully.
A dropper routine
Three study blocks of about 2.5 to 3 hours each: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
One hour of revision every day.
One full mock test every week, with a full day of review.
One half-day off every week.
Class 12 students have board exams a few months before NEET. Both use NCERT, so board revision also helps NEET. In the board exam weeks, revise NCERT and practicals, and pause new NEET topics until the papers are over.
Subject approach
Study each subject in the way it is tested.
Biology (NCERT-first)
Read NCERT line by line. Underline facts, numbers and examples.
Redraw and label each diagram. Study the tables and boxes too.
After each chapter, solve questions on that chapter the same week.
Chemistry
Physical: learn the formula, then solve many numerical questions.
Organic: understand why a reaction happens. Make a flow chart for each group of reactions.
Inorganic: learn NCERT lines, trends, and exceptions. This part rewards careful reading.
Physics
Learn the concept first, then the formula, then problems.
Start with easy problems and move up.
Check units and read graphs carefully. Many wrong answers come from small slips.
Mock tests and error log
A mock test is a practice paper that copies the real exam. Start chapter tests early, and begin full 180-question mocks when you have covered about 60 to 70% of the syllabus. Sit at the exam's real timing, such as 2 pm to 5 pm, so your body gets used to it.
Use past-year papers and mock papers for different jobs. Past-year papers show the real level and the topics NTA likes to ask about, so solve them first. Mock papers train your speed, stamina and guessing method.
The real learning comes after the test. Keep an error log with these columns:
Question | Why I lost marks | Correct idea | Review date |
Chapter and question number | Concept gap, careless mistake, time pressure or guess | One or two lines in your own words | After 1 week |
Spend as much time on the review as on the test. Read the log every week.
Revision cycles
You forget most of what you read unless you see it again. Revise each chapter after 1 day, after about 1 week, and after about 1 month. Use short notes, diagrams, and flashcards, not whole chapters.
In the last 30 days, use this checklist:
Biology: NCERT diagrams, tables and boxes.
Chemistry: reactions, trends and exceptions.
Physics: formulas, units and graphs.
All subjects: your error log. Do not start new books now.
Common mistakes
Skipping NCERT lines, diagrams and tables, and reading only reference books.
Using too many books. Two or three good sources per subject are enough.
Taking mock tests but not reviewing them.
Leaving whole chapters out because they seem to carry few questions.
Sleeping very little and burning out before the exam.
Staying healthy during prep
NEET preparation takes months, so your health is part of your study plan. Sleep 7 to 8 hours, move for 20 to 30 minutes a day, take short breaks, and keep one half-day a week free.
Bad mock scores early on are normal. They show what to fix. If worry or low mood stays for many days, talk to a parent, teacher, or counsellor. Tele-MANAS (14416) is a free government helpline for mental health support.
NEET Result, Marks vs Rank and Qualifying Percentile
The NEET scorecard shows your marks, your All India Rank (AIR), and your percentile. Qualifying means you can take part in counselling. Getting a seat depends on your rank, your category, the college, and the state.
Your scorecard usually shows:
marks in each subject and total marks out of 720
your All India Rank and category rank
your percentile and qualifying status
A percentile tells you how many candidates scored at or below you. The 50th percentile means you scored as well as or better than about half of all candidates.
Category | Qualifying percentile |
General and EWS | 50th |
SC, ST and OBC | 40th |
General PwBD | 45th |
SC, ST and OBC with PwBD | 40th |
The marks that match each percentile change every year. From 2022 to 2025, the general-category qualifying score ranged from about 117 to 164 marks.
Qualifying cutoff vs admission cutoff. The qualifying cutoff only makes you eligible. The admission cutoff is the last rank that got a seat in a particular college and category. It is much higher, and it differs by college.
Marks and rank are not fixed. The same marks can give different ranks in different years, because it depends on how everyone else scores. In 2024, several students scored a perfect 720. In 2025, the top score was 686. A score of 650 therefore meant a different rank each year.
If two students have equal marks, NTA breaks the tie using rules in the bulletin. In recent years these have looked at marks in Biology first, then Chemistry, then Physics, then the number of wrong answers, and then age.
No single score guarantees a government seat. To estimate your chances:
Find last year's closing ranks for MCC rounds on mcc.nic.in and for your state on its counselling website.
Look at your own category and quota, not only the general list.
Compare two or three years, not one.
Note the colleges where you are safe and the ones that are a stretch.
More than 20 lakh students took NEET in recent years, and there are a little over one lakh MBBS seats, so competition is high.
NEET Counselling: MCC vs State, Rounds and Seat Allotment
Counselling is the process where you choose colleges using your NEET rank. Two systems run side by side: MCC for national seats and state authorities for state seats. You can and should take part in both if you are eligible.
MCC counselling | State counselling | |
Run by | Medical Counselling Committee (Health Ministry) | Each state's counselling authority |
Seats | 15% all-India quota seats in government colleges, plus seats in central universities, deemed universities and similar institutes. AIIMS and JIPMER seats are also filled through MCC | 85% state quota seats in government colleges, plus private college seats |
Who can apply | Candidates from all states | Usually needs state domicile or meeting state rules |
Website | The state's official website |
Seat rules, fees, and deposits differ by seat type. Read the MCC information bulletin and your state's bulletin before you register.
How a counselling round works
Register and pay the counselling fee. A refundable security deposit may also apply.
Fill choices: list colleges and courses in order of preference.
Lock choices before the deadline.
Check the allotment result. The system gives you the best seat your rank and choices allow.
Report to the college with your documents and pay the fee. If you do not report on time, you can lose the seat.
Move to the next round if you want to try for a better seat. Each round has its own rules about keeping or upgrading a seat.
Documents to keep ready: NEET admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, ID proof, passport-size photos, category or PwBD certificates, domicile certificate for state counselling, and the allotment letter.
The 2026 round dates as an example. MCC Round 1 registration began on 5 August 2026. The Round 1 final result came on 24 August, the Round 2 result in the second week of September, and the Round 3 final result on 1 October. Dates were revised several times, so always follow MCC's own notices.
A few tips: fill as many choices as you can, and put your dream choices first. Do not skip a round without reading the rules. Register with your state separately from MCC.
What If You Don't Get an MBBS Seat? Alternatives
Missing an MBBS seat does not end your path in healthcare. Your NEET score can still lead to other courses, and some courses do not need NEET at all. Choose based on your rank, your goals, and your family's budget.
BDS (dentistry): uses NEET scores and MCC or state counselling.
AYUSH courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS): use NEET scores and AACCC or state counselling.
BVSc & AH (veterinary): use NEET scores with VCI or state counselling.
B.Sc Nursing: some institutes use NEET, and some run their own admission. Check each one.
Allied health courses such as physiotherapy, medical lab technology and optometry: admission rules vary by state and college. Many do not need NEET.
Life science degrees such as B.Sc in biology-related subjects: often admit through CUET or college merit.
A drop year: you can try NEET again because attempts are not limited. Decide this after checking your mock scores and your plan, not only your wish.
MBBS abroad: Indian students must qualify NEET to study MBBS abroad. After returning, they must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practise in India. NMC has talked about replacing it with another exam, so check the current rule. Check the college's NMC recognition, language of teaching, total cost, and clinical training before you pay anything.
Ask yourself two questions. Do I want to be a doctor above all, or do I want a healthcare career? And can I afford the full course fee? Your answers narrow the choice quickly.
Stray vacancy rounds can still open seats after the main rounds. Keep your documents ready until the counselling ends.
Official Resources and Contacts
Use official websites for dates, forms, and results. Many fake websites copy NTA and MCC pages.
NEET UG portal: neet.nta.nic.in. Notices, bulletin, registration, admit card, answer key, and result.
NTA main site: nta.ac.in. General notices and contact details.
MCC: mcc.nic.in. National counselling for MBBS and BDS.
NMC: nmc.org.in. Rules, recognised colleges and syllabus.
AACCC: aaccc.gov.in. National counselling for AYUSH courses.
Helpline numbers and email addresses are listed in the NEET Information Bulletin. Do not pay anyone who promises a seat or a better rank. No agent can change a rank or a seat allotment.
FAQs About NEET Exam 2027
When is NEET 2027?
NTA has not announced the date yet. In recent years, NEET exam was held on the first Sunday of May, which would be 2 May 2027. Wait for the notice on neet.nta.nic.in before you plan around any date.
Who is eligible, and is there an age limit?
You need to be at least 17 years old on 31 December of the admission year, and to have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in Class 12. Recent bulletins have no upper age limit. Minimum PCB marks are 50% for General and EWS, and 40% for SC, ST, and OBC.
How many attempts are allowed?
Recent bulletins set no limit on attempts. You can appear every year if you meet the other rules. Confirm this in the 2027 bulletin.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. You lose 1 mark for each wrong answer, and you get 0 for a blank. Each correct answer gives 4 marks.
What marks are needed for a government MBBS seat?
There is no single number. It depends on your category, the state, the college, and that year's paper. Use the last two or three years of closing ranks to judge your chances.
Can I prepare for NEET while studying for boards?
Yes. Both use NCERT, so careful NCERT study helps both. Keep a daily NEET slot of 3 to 4 hours, and give extra time to board revision and practicals in the weeks before board exams.
Is NEET difficult?
The questions are mostly based on NCERT, but the competition is very high. Physics numerical problems and detailed Biology facts make it hard to score near the top. Regular practice and revision make it manageable.
What happened to NEET 2026?
NTA held the exam on 3 May 2026 and cancelled it after reports of a paper leak. A new exam, Re-NEET, was held on 21 June, and the result came on 16 July. Counselling then ran from August to October.
Conclusion
NEET Exam 2027 is one exam with a clear path: check eligibility, register on time, study NCERT first, practise past papers and mocks, and plan for counselling. The details for 2027 are not official yet, so trust only NTA, MCC, and NMC notices.
Your next step is simple. Download the latest syllabus, match it to the time you have left, and start your plan this week.
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