NEET UG 2026: Over 22 lakh appear, experts see slight rise in cut off

The National Testing Agency conducted NEET UG 2026 on May 3 across India and abroad, recording an overall attendance of 96.92% with more than 22 lakh candidates appearing for the exam.

The examination was held in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering more than 5,432 centers. Around 22.8 lakh candidates had registered, out of which over 22.05 lakh appeared across 37 states and Union Territories.

"NEET (UG) 2026 conducted successfully across India today," the National Testing Agency said in a post on X.

"A nationwide turnout of 96.92% (2,205,035 of 2,275,011 candidates present) across 37 States and UTs speaks to your dedication and the trust placed in this examination," it added.

Authorities deployed large-scale administrative and security arrangements, including invigilators, observers, center superintendents, and coordination teams, supported by district officials and police personnel to ensure smooth conduct.

Paper analysis and student feedback

Initial reactions from students and experts suggest that the paper was balanced and moderately difficult, with a slight tilt toward easier compared to last year.

Biology was widely considered the most scoring section, though lengthy, especially Botany, while Zoology remained relatively straightforward.

Physics and Chemistry required conceptual clarity and accuracy. Physics included calculation-based questions and some tricky numericals, while Chemistry was rated moderate.

Experts noted that the paper focused on consistency, time management, and strong understanding of NCERT concepts.

Cut off expectations

With high attendance and a relatively easier paper, coaching institutes have indicated that the qualifying cutoff may increase slightly compared to last year.

For general category candidates, estimates range between 135 and 144 marks. For reserved categories, expected ranges fall between 107 and 143 marks, while PwD candidates may see qualifying marks between 120 and 143.

Previous-year trends

Historical trends show that while percentiles remain fixed, cutoff marks vary each year depending on exam difficulty and overall candidate performance.

Answer key and evaluation process

The provisional answer key is expected to be released on the official website neet.nta.nic.in in the coming weeks. Candidates will be allowed to challenge the answer key by paying a non refundable fee of ₹200 per question.

"The OMRs are machine-gradable and are being evaluated through specific software impartial to all," the official notification stated.

Challenges submitted by candidates will be reviewed by subject experts. If found valid, corrections will be applied to the final answer key, which will be used for result preparation.

Results and counseling

The NEET UG 2026 results are expected to be declared in June. Qualified candidates will be eligible to participate in the Medical Counselling Committee process for All India Quota seats as well as state-level counseling.

NEET UG remains the gateway for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical programs across India.

Strict guidelines were followed at all centers, including biometric verification, dress code compliance, and mandatory documents such as the admit card and valid ID proof.

NTA dismissed rumors related to paper leaks and maintained that multiple layers of security checks were implemented to ensure transparency and fairness.

In Tamil Nadu, around 1.4 lakh candidates appeared across 31 centers, with no malpractice reported. In Maharashtra’s Latur district, 16,070 out of 16,285 candidates appeared across 34 centers.

Facilities such as drinking water, medical support, shaded waiting areas, and power backup were arranged.

Officials confirmed that extensive planning and monitoring ensured that the examination was conducted smoothly across regions.