NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern Revised – Question Distribution, Marking Scheme, Duration
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the NEET UG 2026 exam pattern by removing the COVID-era optional questions and returning to a streamlined pre-COVID structure. NEET UG 2026 will be conducted as a single-day offline exam with 180 compulsory MCQs to be solved in 180 minutes. Understanding the updated NEET 2026 exam pattern, question distribution, and marking scheme is essential for aspirants to plan their preparation and choose the right NEET test series.
If you are NEET UG 2026 aspirant, then you need to pay close attention to this article. While the syllabus has stayed the same, there is a significant shift in how the paper is structured for year 2026. The “COVID-era” format with optional questions is officially gone.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved back to a more streamlined, “pre-COVID’’ style pattern. This means you no longer have to waste time choosing between questions; instead, you need to be ready to tackle every single one.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern – Revised Structure Explained
1. Highlights of NEET UG 2026: Exam Pattern
The NEET UG 2026 exam will be a single-day, offline test. Here is the quick summary of what to expect on your desk:
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper-based OMR) |
| Total Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Questions | 180 (All Compulsory) |
| Total Marks | 720 Marks |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Language Options | 13 Languages (including Hindi & Regional) |
2. Subject-Wise Question Distribution
The biggest change is the removal of “Section B’’. Previously, you had 50 questions per subject and had to pick 45. In 2026, you will be given exactly 45 questions per subject (90 for Biology), and all are mandatory.
- Physics: 45 Questions (180 Marks)
- Chemistry: 45 Questions (180 Marks)
- Biology (Botany + Zoology): 90 Questions (360 Marks)
3. The Marking Scheme: Accuracy is Key
The marking logic remains strict to discourage blind guessing.
- Correct Answer: +4 Marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 Mark
- Unanswered: 0 Marks
- Multiple Options Marked: -1 Mark (treated as incorrect)
Note: If a question is found to be incorrect or “dropped’’ by NTA, all candidates receive +4 marks, regardless of whether they attempted it or not.
4. Language and Medium Options
You can choose to take the exam in 13 different languages. If you choose a regional language or Hindi, you will receive a bilingual booklet (English + your chosen language). In case of any translation ambiguity, the English version is always considered final.
KSC Insight (Key Strategic Correlation):- The shift from 200 minutes back to 180 minutes and the removal of optional questions means the exam has become a pure race against time. You no longer have the ‘safety net” of skipping 5 hard questions per subject. This makes your choice of practice material critical. Since every question counts, you should use the ABHIJAY Test Series – a focused test series for NEET to train your brain to handle 180 questions in exactly 180 minutes. There is no room for “selection time”- you just have to execute.
NEET UG 2026 Language and Medium Options
NEET UG 2026 is conducted in 13 languages. Candidates opting for Hindi or regional languages receive a bilingual question paper (English + selected language).
In case of any discrepancy, the English version is treated as final.
How the NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern Impacts Preparation
With the removal of optional questions and reduction back to 180 minutes, NEET UG 2026 has become a time-bound accuracy-driven exam. Aspirants no longer have flexibility to skip difficult questions, making full-syllabus coverage and exam-simulation practice essential.
Practicing with a focused NEET test series helps candidates adapt to:
- Solving 180 questions in 180 minutes
- Reducing decision fatigue
- Improving accuracy under real exam pressure
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are there optional questions in NEET UG 2026?
A: No. The National Testing Agency has removed the optional question format. All 180 questions in NEET UG 2026 are compulsory.
Q2: What is the total duration of the NEET UG 2026 exam?
A: NEET UG 2026 is conducted for 3 hours (180 minutes) with no sectional time limit.
Q3: Can I change my exam language after submitting the NEET application form?
A: No. The exam language selected during application is final and cannot be changed later.
Q4: What is the ideal time per question in NEET UG 2026?
A: Ideally, candidates should aim for 1 minute per question. Practically, Biology can be completed faster to save time for Physics calculations.
