The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to open the NEET UG 2026 registration window in the first week of February. Medical aspirants can apply online for the national entrance exam on the official portal at neet.nta.nic.in. The exam is tentatively scheduled for May 3, 2026. Ensure all academic documents and identification proofs are ready for the upcoming application cycle.

As of February 1, 2026, millions of medical aspirants are on high alert as the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the official information bulletin for NEET UG 2026. Following the historical trend of initiating the process three months prior to the exam, the registration link is likely to be activated on the official NEET portal within the next few days. This marks the beginning of the most critical phase for students seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses nationwide.

• Expected Start Date: First week of February 2026.
• Closing Date: The registration window typically remains open for 30 days, likely closing in the first week of March.
• Exam Date: Maintaining the tradition of the first Sunday of May, the test is tentatively scheduled for May 3, 2026.
• Official Website: Candidates must apply exclusively through neet.nta.nic.in.

Mandatory Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

To successfully complete the registration, aspirants must fulfill the updated academic and age requirements. The NTA has recently issued an advisory for candidates to verify their Aadhaar details or ensure their Digilocker IDs are active to facilitate a seamless one-time authentication process. For the 2026 cycle, a new "Live Photo Capture" feature is expected to be integrated into the portal to enhance security.

The official syllabus for the 2026 test remains aligned with the NCERT curriculum, though students are advised to check the 2026 Information Bulletin for any minor rationalization of topics.

Conclusion

The activation of the registration portal will trigger a month-long enrollment process for over 24 lakh students. Aspirants are encouraged to gather their Class 10 certificates, scanned signatures, and thumb impressions in advance to avoid last-minute rushes. With the NEET UG test date approaching in May, completing the form accurately in the first week of February will allow candidates to dedicate their remaining time to intensive revision. For the latest updates and the eventual release of the provisional answer key in June, students should keep the NTA's official handles bookmarked.