NEET 2026 Registration Deadline Approaching; NTA to Close Application Portal on March 8

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is just ten days away from closing the registration window for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026. As of this morning, the portal exams.nta.ac.in/NEET has seen a massive surge in daily traffic, with experts predicting that the total number of applicants may cross the 2.5 million mark this year.

This single-window entrance exam remains the only gateway for admission into MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, and BUMS courses in all medical institutions across India, including prestigious centers like AIIMS and JIPMER. Aspirants are urged to complete their form submission and fee payment well before the final hours on March 8 to avoid potential server congestion.

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NEET 2026: Critical Timelines for Aspirants

Candidates must be extremely cautious about the clock on the final day, as NTA historically does not extend these deadlines for individual technical errors.

Essential Checklist: Avoiding Common Registration Pitfalls

As the pressure builds, students often make small errors that lead to major issues during counseling. Before hitting the final 'Submit' button, verify these four critical areas:

1. Aadhaar Authentication: Ensure your name and date of birth match your Aadhaar card exactly. If there is a mismatch, use the "Non-Aadhaar" login option with a valid alternative ID.
2. Document Specifications: The NTA system is automated. Photos must have a white background, covering 80% of the face, and ears must be visible. Postcard-sized photos (4"x6") are mandatory alongside passport-sized ones.
3. Category Selection: Be very careful when selecting General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, or ST. Since this data is used for state-quota seat allotment later, an error here could lose you a subsidized government seat.
4. Fee Confirmation: Your registration is not complete until you download the Confirmation Page. If the fee is deducted but the page isn't generated, contact your bank immediately and wait for the "Payment Status" to update.

The Road to May 3: What Happens After March 8?

Once the window closes, NTA will briefly open a Correction Window, allowing candidates to edit specific fields like their category or exam city preferences. Following this, the focus will shift entirely to the academic preparation for the pen-and-paper test. With the inclusion of more clinical-vignette based questions in the Biology and Physics sections this year, students are advised to focus on NCERT-plus concepts.

Conclusion for 2026 Aspirants

With the increase in the number of medical colleges in states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, the seat matrix for 2026 is slightly more favorable, yet the competition remains intense. Early registration ensures that you get your preferred exam city, minimizing travel stress on the day of the exam.

For a specialized list of "Top 50 Medical Colleges in India (NIRF Rankings)" and their 2025 NEET closing ranks, follow Only Education News.