NEET UG 2026: Application Process Continues as March 8 Deadline Approaches

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is actively processing NEET UG 2026 registrations on the official website neet.nta.nic.in. Eligible medical aspirants must complete their application submission and fee payment by the March 8 deadline to appear for the May 3 entrance test. This year's cycle includes mandatory Aadhaar-based e-KYC and live photo capture to ensure a secure examination process for millions of students nationwide.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is currently in the second week of the registration window for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET UG 2026. Since the portal opened on February 8, the agency has seen a consistent flow of traffic as medical aspirants from across the country log in to secure their spots. With the final submission date of March 8 fast approaching, the current phase marks a critical period for candidates to ensure their documentation is in order and their profiles are accurately completed via the official NTA NEET portal.

Key Dates and Registration Timeline

As of today, February 16, exactly twenty days remain for candidates to finalize their application forms. The NTA has reiterated through its latest exam calendar that the medical entrance exam will be conducted on May 3, 2026, in a single shift. Unlike previous years where extensions were sometimes granted, the 2026 calendar is strictly adhering to the pre-announced milestones to ensure the timely start of the academic session. Following the closure of the registration window, a brief three-day window will be provided for corrections, but this will be limited to specific fields only.

• Application Commencement: February 8, 2026
• Deadline for Form Submission: March 8, 2026 (9:00 PM)
• Final Fee Payment: March 8, 2026 (11:50 PM)
• Correction Window: March 10 to March 12, 2026
• Examination Date: May 3, 2026 (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM)

Eligibility and Enhanced Security Measures

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has maintained the eligibility standards for the 2026 cycle, where applicants must have passed or be appearing in their 10+2 examinations with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. A significant change this year is the full-scale implementation of Aadhaar-based e-KYC during the registration process. This system cross-verifies the candidate’s identity in real-time. Furthermore, the application portal now requires a live photograph capture, replacing the traditional gallery upload, to further curb impersonation during the medical entrance exam.

• Identity Verification: Mandatory Aadhaar-based e-KYC or valid government ID for non-Aadhaar users.
• Live Photo Capture: Candidates must use a webcam or smartphone camera during the live session.
• Age Requirement: Minimum 17 years completed by December 31, 2026.
• Center Allocation: Allotment is strictly based on the permanent or present address provided in the application.

Conclusion

As the mid-February milestone passes, the focus of the National Testing Agency remains on maintaining the stability of the online portal. The NEET UG 2026 is expected to draw over 23 lakh registrations, making it the largest competitive exam in the country. Candidates are currently completing the final steps of fee payment and downloading their confirmation pages, which serve as the primary record of their registration. The exam will be held in 13 languages across more than 550 cities, continuing its role as the singular gateway for undergraduate medical education in India as per the NMC Act 2019 guidelines.

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