About NEET PG 2026: Exam Dates, Syllabus, Pattern, Cutoff, Answer Key & Result
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Post Graduate (NEET PG) is India’s premier national-level entrance examination conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). As mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act and post-graduate medical education regulations, NEET PG serves as the single eligibility-cum-entrance examination for admission to postgraduate medical courses across India.
NEET PG governs admissions into Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), PG Diploma, Post MBBS DNB Courses, Direct 6-year DrNB Courses, and Post MBBS NBEMS Diploma Courses across all government, private, deemed medical universities, and Armed Forces Medical Services institutions nationwide. It regulates 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 50% State Quota seats, and 100% seats in Deemed and Central Universities through transparent merit-based counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and respective state counselling authorities.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Postgraduate) — NEET PG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Regulatory Authority | National Medical Commission (NMC) & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) |
| Programmes Offered | MD, MS, PG Diploma, Post MBBS DNB, Direct 6-Year DrNB, Post MBBS Diploma |
| Exam Level | National Level (Postgraduate Medical Entrance) |
| Official Examination Portal | natboard.edu.in / nbe.edu.in |
| Central Counselling Portal | mcc.nic.in (Medical Counselling Committee) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT Online) |
| Medium / Language | English Only |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours 30 Minutes (210 Minutes) divided into 5 time-bound sections |
| Total Questions | 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) — 36 Questions per section |
| Total Maximum Marks | 720 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer; -1 for incorrect answer; 0 for unattempted questions |
Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG 2026
Candidates aspiring to appear in NEET PG must fulfill strict statutory eligibility conditions formulated under the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations by the NMC:
- Basic Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a recognized MBBS degree or provisional MBBS pass certificate from an institute recognized as per the provisions of the NMC Act and the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI).
- Compulsory Rotatory Internship: Candidates must have successfully completed or be due to complete the mandatory 12-month compulsory rotatory residential internship on or before the cutoff date prescribed by NBEMS.
- Medical Registration Certificate: Candidates must possess a valid permanent or provisional registration certificate of MBBS qualification issued by the Medical Council of India / National Medical Commission or any State Medical Council. A copy of the registration certificate must be produced on exam day and during counselling.
- Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs): Indian citizens or OCIs who obtained their basic medical qualification outside India must have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE / Screening Test) and must be registered with the NMC or State Medical Council.
- Attempt Limits: There is no cap on the number of attempts permitted for candidates appearing in NEET PG.
Application Fee Structure
The prescribed application fee for NEET PG must be paid online via debit card, credit card, or net banking through the payment gateway integrated with the NBEMS portal:
| Candidate Category | Prescribed Examination Fee | GST (18%) | Total Amount Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 3,500 | Included | ₹ 3,500 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹ 2,500 | Included | ₹ 2,500 |
NEET PG 2026 Revised Examination Pattern & Sectional Timing
NBEMS conducts NEET PG as a single-day computer-based examination. The question paper features 180 multiple-choice questions divided into 5 mandatory time-bound sections to promote standardized evaluation and integrity:
| Section / Group | Number of Questions | Allotted Time Window | Section Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 36 Questions | 42 Minutes | 144 Marks |
| Section B | 36 Questions | 42 Minutes | 144 Marks |
| Section C | 36 Questions | 42 Minutes | 144 Marks |
| Section D | 36 Questions | 42 Minutes | 144 Marks |
| Section E | 36 Questions | 42 Minutes | 144 Marks |
| Total | 180 Questions | 210 Minutes (3 Hrs 30 Mins) | 720 Marks |
Crucial Rule on Section Navigation: Candidates can review or change answers only within the active 42-minute section. Once the time for a section expires, the portal automatically locks that section and navigates to the next one. Candidates cannot return to previously locked sections under any circumstances.