The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to open the NEET UG 2026 registration window in the first week of February. Medical aspirants can soon access the application form on the official neet.nta.nic.in portal for the national-level entrance exam. With the exam tentatively scheduled for May 3, 2026, students must prepare their documents and Aadhaar updates in advance. This session is expected to follow the traditional offline pen-and-paper format, serving as the sole gateway to MBBS and BDS courses.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to trigger the first major phase of the medical admission cycle by releasing the NEET UG 2026 notification shortly. Sources indicate that the registration window will likely open in the first week of February 2026, following the release of the official information bulletin. As of January 28, the official NTA NEET portal has already begun displaying advisories regarding document preparation, signaling that the application process is imminent. For over 20 lakh medical aspirants, this registration marks the formal beginning of their journey toward securing a seat in government and private medical colleges across India.

Document Readiness and Advisory

In a recent public notice, the NTA urged all candidates to ensure their digital and physical documents are updated to avoid last-minute technical hurdles. The 2026 cycle places a heavy emphasis on verified identity markers to maintain the integrity of the examination.

• Aadhaar Verification: Students are advised to ensure their Aadhaar card details match their Class 10 certificates.
• Photograph Specifications: The application requires recent passport-size and postcard-size photos with 80% face visibility against a white background.
• Category Certificates: Aspirants belonging to EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, or ST categories must have valid certificates ready for upload in PDF format.
• Digital Signature: Candidates must provide a scanned signature in black ink, ensuring it is not in capital letters as per the standard NTA guidelines.

Expected Examination Schedule

While the official calendar is yet to be published, historical trends and academic calendars point toward a familiar timeline for the NEET UG 2026 session. The exam continues to be the single largest entrance test in the country for undergraduate medical education.

• Exam Date: The test is tentatively scheduled for May 3, 2026 (the first Sunday of May).
• Registration Period: The window is expected to remain open for approximately 30 days, closing in early March.
• Correction Window: A brief period in mid-March will allow candidates to rectify specific errors in their submitted forms.
• Admit Card Release: Successfully registered students will be able to download their hall tickets in the final week of April 2026.

Eligibility and Fee Structure

The eligibility criteria for the NEET UG 2026 exam remain consistent with previous years, focusing on academic qualification and age limits. The NTA has maintained a "no upper age limit" policy, making the exam accessible to a wider range of students.

• Educational Qualification: Applicants must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English.
• Minimum Marks: General category students require 50% aggregate in PCB, while reserved categories require 40%.
• Application Fees: The expected fee for General candidates is ₹1,700, while General-EWS/OBC-NCL pay ₹1,600, and SC/ST/PwBD pay ₹1,000.
• Attempt Limit: There is no restriction on the number of attempts, provided the student meets the basic eligibility requirements.

Conclusion

As the January 28 dateline passes, the focus of the medical aspirant community is firmly on the upcoming NEET UG 2026 announcement. The anticipated start of the application process in February provides a clear roadmap for students to finalize their preparation and documentation. By adhering to the NTA’s advisories and staying updated via official channels, candidates can ensure a seamless registration experience. With the exam set for early May, the next few weeks are crucial for both administrative readiness and academic revision, setting the stage for one of the most competitive entrance exams in the 2026 academic year.