The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to commence the NEET UG 2026 registration process in the first week of February.As of February 2, 2026, medical aspirants are preparing for the May 3 examination by updating their Aadhaar and category certificates.The application window will remain active for approximately one month, allowing students to submit their academic data and preferred exam cities.Meeting the minimum age of 17 years by December 31 remains a primary eligibility requirement for the upcoming admission cycle.Official notifications and the information bulletin will be accessible via the dedicated NTA NEET portal for all registered users.

As of February 2, 2026, the medical education community is awaiting the official activation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026 registration portal. Following the recent issuance of an advisory regarding document updates, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the formal Notification and application form within the next few days. This national-level Entrance exam serves as the sole gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs across all government and private medical colleges in India. Aspirants can monitor the official NTA NEET website for the live link.

Expected Timeline for the 2026 Session

Based on the consistent scheduling patterns observed in previous years, the 2026 testing cycle is projected to follow a strict calendar. The official Notification will provide a finalized schedule for the month-long application window.

• Registration Opening: Anticipated in the first week of February 2026.
• Last Date to Apply: Likely to be scheduled for the first week of March 2026.
• Correction Window: A brief period in mid-March will allow for data rectification.
• Examination Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026, has been tentatively identified as the test day.
• Admit Card Release: Expected to be available for download by May 1, 2026.
• Eligibility: Candidates must be at least 17 years old by December 31, 2026, to qualify for this Entrance cycle

Mandatory Documentation and Upload Specifications

The NTA has emphasized the importance of having verified digital records ready before the portal opens. To avoid technical rejections, the 2026 Notification will likely reiterate the specific file sizes and formats required for a successful submission.

• Photos must have a plain white background with 80% face coverage and visible ears.
• Candidates are advised to use black ink on white paper for the scanned signature.
• Both left and right-hand fingers and thumb impressions are required for this Entrance year.
• Address proof, such as an Aadhaar Card or Domicile Certificate, must be uploaded in a single PDF file.

Fee Structure for 2026 Applicants

The registration fee is determined by the candidate's category and must be processed through the integrated online payment gateway. Completion of the payment is necessary to generate the final confirmation page after the Notification goes live.

• General Category: ₹1,700
• General-EWS / OBC-NCL: ₹1,600
• SC / ST / PwBD / Transgender: ₹1,000
• Centres Outside India: ₹9,500
• All transactions are processed via SBI, HDFC, ICICI, or Canara Bank gateways using UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit cards.
• Processing charges and GST are applied over the base fee as per government regulations for this Entrance session.

Conclusion

The NEET UG 2026 registration cycle is on the verge of its official launch, with the National Testing Agency expected to open the portal in early February. Aspirants are currently in a high state of readiness, ensuring that their Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers and academic transcripts are prepared for the digital intake. Following the release of the notification, candidates will have approximately four weeks to navigate the multi-step application process and secure their examination slots. As the May 3 test date approaches, the focus remains on accurate data entry and timely fee submission to finalize admission eligibility for the 2026-27 medical academic year.