Application Process

NEET Application Process 2026: Registration, Documents, Fees and How to Apply Online

Medical

Updated on December 9, 2025

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the NEET UG examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. The NEET 2026 application process is expected to begin in February 2026. Candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, and other medical courses must complete the registration process through the official website neet.nta.nic.in.

The NEET application form 2026 involves four main steps. These include registration, filling personal and academic details, uploading documents, and paying the application fee. NTA has released an advisory for candidates to update their Aadhaar card details before the registration begins. This article provides complete information on how to apply for NEET 2026, documents required, application fees, and important guidelines.

NEET 2026 Application Form Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Application Mode	Online only
Official Website	neet.nta.nic.in
Expected Registration Start Date	February 2026
Expected Last Date to Apply	March 2026
Expected Exam Date	First week of May 2026
Application Fee (General)	Rs. 1,700
Application Fee (SC/ST/PwD)	Rs. 1,000

NEET 2026 Important Dates

NTA releases the official schedule for NEET registration in the information bulletin. Based on previous year trends, the tentative dates for NEET 2026 are provided below. Candidates should regularly check the official website for confirmed dates.

Event	Expected Dates
Release of Information Bulletin	February 2026
NEET 2026 Registration Start Date	First week of February 2026
Last Date to Submit Application Form	First week of March 2026
Application Correction Window	Second week of March 2026
NEET 2026 Admit Card Release	April 2026
NEET 2026 Exam Date	First Sunday of May 2026
NEET 2026 Result Declaration	June 2026

NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for NEET 2026, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria set by NTA and NMC. Only eligible candidates can complete the registration process successfully.

Criteria	Requirement
Minimum Age	17 years by December 31, 2026
Maximum Age	No upper age limit
Educational Qualification	Class 12 passed or appearing with PCB and English
Minimum Marks (General/EWS)	50% aggregate in PCB
Minimum Marks (OBC/SC/ST)	40% aggregate in PCB
Minimum Marks (General-PwD)	45% aggregate in PCB
Nationality	Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, Foreign Nationals
Number of Attempts	No limit

How to Apply for NEET 2026: Step-by-Step Process

The NEET 2026 application process is completely online. Candidates must visit the official website neet.nta.nic.in to complete the registration. The application process involves four main steps.

Step 1: NEET 2026 Registration

The first step is to register on the NEET official portal. Candidates must create a new account by providing basic details.

Visit the official website neet.nta.nic.in
Click on the "New Registration" link
Read the instructions carefully and proceed
Enter your name as per Class 10 certificate
Enter your mobile number and email address
Enter your date of birth
Create a strong password
Choose a security question and answer
Click on Submit button
Verify OTP received on mobile number and email
Note down the Application Number generated

Step 2: Fill NEET Application Form

After registration, candidates must log in using the Application Number and password. The application form requires personal, academic, and exam-related details.

Personal Details Required:

Candidate's Name (as per Class 10 certificate)
Father's Name and Mother's Name
Date of Birth
Gender
Nationality
Category (General/EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD)
Aadhaar Number
Present and Permanent Address
State of Eligibility

Academic Details Required:

Class 10 Board Name and Year of Passing
Class 10 Roll Number
Class 12 Board Name
Class 12 Year of Passing or Appearing
NEET Qualifying Code (1-7)
Marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology

Exam Preferences:

Select four exam city preferences
Choose question paper medium (13 languages available)

Step 3: Upload Documents

Candidates must upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and thumb impressions as per NTA specifications. Incorrect uploads may lead to rejection of the application form.

Step 4: Pay Application Fee

The final step is to pay the NEET 2026 application fee through online mode. The confirmation page is generated only after successful payment.

NEET 2026 Application Fee

NTA has fixed category-wise application fees for NEET 2026. The fee can be paid online only through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The application fee is non-refundable.

Category	Application Fee
General (Unreserved)	Rs. 1,700
General-EWS	Rs. 1,600
OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer)	Rs. 1,600
SC (Scheduled Caste)	Rs. 1,000
ST (Scheduled Tribe)	Rs. 1,000
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability)	Rs. 1,000
Third Gender	Rs. 1,000
Candidates opting for exam centres outside India	Rs. 9,500

Note: Additional GST and processing charges are applicable on the application fee. The fee once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances except in cases of duplicate payment due to technical issues.

Documents Required for NEET 2026 Application Form

Candidates must keep all required documents ready before starting the application process. Both soft copies (for upload) and hard copies (for reference) are needed.

Documents to Upload

Document	Format	File Size
Passport Size Photograph	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Postcard Size Photograph (4" x 6")	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Signature	JPG/JPEG	4 KB to 30 KB
Left Hand Thumb Impression	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Right Hand Thumb Impression	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Left Hand Finger Impressions	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Right Hand Finger Impressions	JPG/JPEG	10 KB to 200 KB
Class 10 Certificate (for DOB proof)	PDF	50 KB to 300 KB
Category Certificate (if applicable)	PDF	50 KB to 300 KB
PwD Certificate (if applicable)	PDF	50 KB to 300 KB

Documents to Keep Ready

Aadhaar Card (updated with correct details)
Class 10 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
Class 12 Marksheet (if passed)
Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
PwD Certificate with UDID (if applicable)
Domicile Certificate (for state quota counselling)
Valid Photo ID Proof
Address Proof

NEET 2026 Photo Requirements and Specifications

NTA has strict guidelines for photograph and signature upload. Incorrect format or specifications can lead to rejection of the application form.

Passport Size Photo Specifications

Specification	Requirement
Photo Size	3.5 cm x 4.5 cm
File Size	10 KB to 200 KB
Format	JPG/JPEG only
Background	Plain White
Face Coverage	Minimum 80% of the photo
Photo Date	Taken on or after January 1, 2026
Name and Date	Must appear below the photo

Signature Specifications

Specification	Requirement
Signature Size	3.5 cm x 1.5 cm
File Size	4 KB to 30 KB
Format	JPG/JPEG only
Ink Color	Black ballpoint pen only
Paper	White paper
Style	Running hand (not capital letters)

Thumb Impression Specifications

Specification	Requirement
File Size	10 KB to 200 KB
Format	JPG/JPEG only
Ink Color	Blue ink only
Paper	White paper
Clarity	Must be clearly legible

NEET Qualifying Codes 2026

Candidates must select the appropriate qualifying code based on their educational qualification. Selecting the wrong code may lead to rejection of the application form.

Code	Description
Code 1	Appearing for Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2026
Code 2	Passed Class 12 or equivalent (10+2 pattern) - For Droppers
Code 3	Passed Intermediate or Pre-degree Examination in Science
Code 4	Passed Pre-professional or Pre-medical Examination
Code 5	First year of Bachelor's degree with PCB subjects
Code 6	Passed B.Sc examination with PCB subjects
Code 7	Qualification equivalent to Intermediate Science (for foreign candidates)

NEET 2026 Question Paper Languages

NEET 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages. Candidates can choose their preferred language while filling the application form. English is available with all other regional languages as a bilingual option.

S.No.	Language	S.No.	Language
1	English	8	Odia
2	Hindi	9	Punjabi
3	Assamese	10	Tamil
4	Bengali	11	Telugu
5	Gujarati	12	Urdu
6	Kannada	13	Marathi
7	Malayalam

NEET 2026 Application Form Correction Window

NTA provides a correction window for candidates to rectify errors in the submitted application form. The correction facility is available for a limited period after the application deadline.

Details That Can Be Corrected

Personal details (Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name)
Date of Birth
Gender
Category
Person with Disability status
Photograph and Signature
Educational details
Exam city preferences
Question paper language

Details That Cannot Be Corrected

Registered Mobile Number
Registered Email ID
Aadhaar Number (in most cases)

Note: Additional fees may be applicable for corrections that change the fee category. Candidates should use this one-time opportunity carefully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in NEET 2026 Application Form

Many candidates face rejection due to avoidable errors in the application form. Here are the common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake	How to Avoid
Spelling errors in name	Cross-check with Class 10 certificate before submission
Wrong date of birth	Enter DOB exactly as per Class 10 certificate
Blurred or incorrect photo	Follow NTA specifications for photo size and format
Invalid signature format	Use black ink on white paper, running hand only
Wrong qualifying code	Select code based on your educational status
Incomplete application	Fill all mandatory fields before submission
Payment failure	Use stable internet, verify payment status after transaction
Multiple applications	Submit only one application, use correction window for errors
Missing documents	Upload all required documents in correct format
Mismatched Aadhaar details	Update Aadhaar card before registration

NTA Advisory for NEET 2026 Document Updation

NTA has released an advisory on January 5, 2026, asking candidates to update their documents before the registration process begins. This advisory highlights the importance of having accurate and updated documents.

Key Points from NTA Advisory

Ensure Aadhaar card details match Class 10 certificate (name, date of birth)
Update facial recognition data in Aadhaar for smooth verification
PwD candidates must have valid UDID card with updated disability details
OBC-NCL, EWS, SC/ST candidates should ensure category certificates are in latest format
Category certificates must be within validity period
Mismatched Aadhaar details can cause issues during registration and exam day

NEET 2026 Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Exam Mode	Offline (Pen and Paper based)
Exam Duration	3 hours 20 minutes (200 minutes)
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Total Questions	200 (180 to be attempted)
Total Marks	720
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology

NEET 2026 Helpline and Contact Details

Candidates facing issues during the application process can contact NTA through the following channels.

Contact Type	Details
Official Website	neet.nta.nic.in
NTA Website	nta.ac.in
NTA Helpline	011-40759000
Email	neet@nta.ac.in

When will NEET 2026 application form be released?

The NEET 2026 application form is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026. NTA will announce the official dates through the information bulletin on the website neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates should regularly check the official website for updates.

What is the application fee for NEET 2026?

The NEET 2026 application fee varies by category. General category candidates pay Rs. 1,700, OBC-NCL/EWS candidates pay Rs. 1,600, and SC/ST/PwD candidates pay Rs. 1,000. Candidates opting for exam centres outside India pay Rs. 9,500. The fee must be paid online through Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

What documents are required for NEET 2026 application form?

Candidates need passport size photograph, postcard size photograph, signature, thumb impressions, Class 10 certificate for date of birth proof, and category certificate if applicable. All documents must be uploaded in JPG/JPEG format with specified file sizes. PwD candidates need to upload their disability certificate with UDID.

Can I apply for NEET 2026 if I am appearing in Class 12?

Yes, students appearing for Class 12 board exams in 2026 can apply for NEET 2026. They should select Qualifying Code 1 in the application form. However, they must pass Class 12 with the required percentage before the counselling process begins.

What is the qualifying code for NEET droppers?

NEET droppers who have already passed Class 12 should select Qualifying Code 2 in the application form. This code is for candidates who have completed their Higher/Senior Secondary Examination or equivalent (10+2 pattern) from any recognized board.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for NEET 2026 registration?

Yes, Aadhaar card details are required for NEET 2026 registration. NTA uses Aadhaar for identity verification and to auto-fill application details. Candidates should ensure their Aadhaar details match their Class 10 certificate before registration. Many applicants on Reddit and Quora have reported facing issues due to Aadhaar mismatches.

What happens if my NEET application form is rejected?

If the application is rejected due to correctable errors, candidates can use the correction window to fix mistakes. Common reasons for rejection include blurred photos, incorrect details, or incomplete payment. If rejection is due to eligibility issues, candidates may have to wait for the next year to apply again.

Can I edit my NEET application form after submission?

Yes, NTA provides a correction window after the application deadline. Candidates can edit personal details, photograph, signature, category, and exam preferences during this period. However, registered mobile number and email ID generally cannot be changed. Additional fees may apply for category changes.

What is the photo size for NEET 2026 application form?

The passport size photograph should be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm with file size between 10 KB to 200 KB in JPG format. The photo must have a white background with 80% face coverage. The candidate's name and date of taking the photo must appear below the image. Photos taken on or after January 1, 2026, are valid.

How many times can I attempt NEET?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The attempt limit was removed in 2018 by the Medical Council of India.

What is the last date to pay NEET 2026 application fee?

The last date to pay the NEET 2026 application fee is the same as the last date to submit the application form, expected in the first week of March 2026. The application is considered incomplete without fee payment, and the confirmation page is generated only after successful payment.

Can I change my exam city pref