As of January 24, 2026, millions of medical aspirants across India are awaiting the official commencement of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) registration. Following the annual trend, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to activate the application portal in early February, allowing students to submit their details for the country’s largest medical entrance examination.

• Tentative Timeline: The online registration process is projected to start during the first week of February and will likely remain open for a duration of one month.
• Official Notification: The NTA will release a comprehensive information bulletin detailing the eligibility criteria, fee structure, and the examination pattern along with the live link.
• Aadhaar Requirement: In a recent advisory, the agency emphasized that candidates should ensure their Aadhaar details are updated, as the registration process involves mandatory identity verification.
• Application Fee: While the final figures are awaited, the fee is expected to remain around ₹1,700 for General category candidates, with relaxations for reserved categories.

Eligibility and Documentation for 2026 Medical Aspirants

To ensure a smooth filing process, the NTA has advised students to keep their academic and personal documents ready. The National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines remain consistent with previous years, focusing on a transparent and merit-based entrance system.

• Age Criteria: Candidates must have completed 17 years of age by December 31, 2026; notably, there remains no upper age limit for appearing in the test.
• Academic Qualifications: Students must have passed or be appearing in the Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
• Required Percentages: A minimum of 50% aggregate in PCB subjects is required for General category students, while SC/ST/OBC candidates require 40%.

Tentative Schedule for NEET UG 2026

Conclusion

The upcoming February window represents the start of a high-stakes period for every medical aspirant in the country. As the National Testing Agency prepares to host the examination in its traditional pen-and-paper format on May 3, students are moving into the final phase of their preparation. The timely opening of the registration portal will allow candidates to finalize their choice of exam centers and ensure all administrative formalities are completed well before the summer entrance season begins. With over 24 lakh students expected to participate, the 2026 cycle is poised to be as competitive as ever.