NEET PG 2026: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG 2026)
stands as one of India’s most competitive medical entrance examinations, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). NEET PG 2026 examination is conducted for admission to MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), and various PG Diploma programs. NEET PG 2026 exam is scheduled for August 30, 2026.
NEET PG 2026, the counselling process is primarily handled by two bodies:
1. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and
2. Respective State Counselling Authorities.
Highlights: NEET PG 2026
| Feature / Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | NEET PG 2026 (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate) |
| Conducting Authority | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma, Post-MBBS DNB, and NBEMS Diploma courses across India |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT / Online) |
| Shift Format | Single-shift exam |
| Exam Date | August 30, 2026 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 800 Marks |
| Section Format | Time-bound sections (Candidates cannot toggle between sections before the allotted section time ends) |
| Language | English |
| Eligibility Criteria | • Degree: Recognized MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate • Internship: Must complete 1-year rotatory internship (Cutoff: Sept 30, 2026) • Registration: Permanent or provisional registration with NMC or State Medical Council |
| Application Fee | • General / OBC / EWS: ₹3,500 • SC / ST / PwD: ₹2,500 |
| Official Website | natboard.edu.in |
Important Dates: NEET PG 2026
| Event / Activity | Date / Timeline |
| Online Registration Window | July 1, 2026 – July 25, 2026 |
| First Edit/Correction Window | July 25, 2026 – July 28, 2026 |
| Final Edit Window (Photo/Signature) | July 31, 2026 – August 10, 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip Release | August 11, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Admit Card Release | August 27, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 Exam Date | August 30, 2026 |
| Re-examination Date (Select Centers) | September 5, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet Release | September 2026 (Expected shortly) |
| NEET PG 2026 Result Declaration | By September 30, 2026 |
| Internship Completion Deadline (Eligibility Cut-off) | September 30, 2026 |
| Scorecard & All India Quota Merit List Release | October 2026 (Expected) |
| MCC NEET PG Counselling Commences | October 2026 (Expected) |
Eligibility Criteria for NEET PG 2026
To be eligible for NEET PG 2026, candidates must fulfill several fundamental requirements established by the National Board of Examinations.
- MBBS Degree: Candidates must possess an MBBS degree or a provisional MBBS pass certificate from an institute recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the National Medical Commission (NMC).
- Internship: One year of completion of compulsory rotating residential internship on or before July 31, 2026.
- Registration: Hold a permanent or provisional registration certificate for MBBS issued by the NMC/erstwhile Medical Council of India or a State Medical Council.
- Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs): Must have completed their MBBS or equivalent degree from a recognized foreign institution, qualified for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), and obtained a provisional or permanent registration certificate from the NMC or SMC. A 1-year internship in India is also necessary.
- Foreign Nationals: Do not need to clear FMGE, but the NMC should recognize their basic medical qualification (equivalent to MBBS), and they must be registered as medical practitioners in their respective countries. Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, might be required.
- Number of Attempts: No limit on the number of attempts for NEET PG.
Exam Pattern: NEET PG 2026
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium | English only |
| Duration | 3.5 hours |
| Total Marks | 720 |
| Total Questions | 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer (negative marking applies) |
Step-by-step counseling process: NEET PG 2026
For NEET PG 2026, the counselling process is conducted by two bodies: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Respective State Counselling Authorities.
MCC NEET PG 2026 Counselling Process (for AIQ, Deemed/Central Universities):
Step 1: Registration (Online): NEET PG 2026
- Visit the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in).
- Click on the “PG Medical Counselling” link.
- Register as a new user by providing your NEET PG Roll Number, Application Number, Name, Date of Birth, and other required details.
- Create a password and login credentials.
- Pay the Registration Fee: The MCC counseling registration fee includes a refundable security deposit and a non-refundable registration fee. The amount varies for different categories (e.g., General, SC/ST/OBC/PwD, Deemed Universities). Pay the counseling registration fee online (via credit card, debit card, or net banking).
- Print the registration confirmation page.
Step 2: Choice Filling and Locking (Online): NEET PG 2026
- Log in to your MCC account.
- The candidate will see a list of available colleges and courses.
- Fill in candidates’ choices of colleges and specializations in order of preference. Be very careful and strategic with your choices.
- You can add, delete, or rearrange your choices multiple times before the locking deadline.
- Lock your choices before the specified deadline. If you don’t manually check them, they will be auto-locked on the last day.
- Print a copy of the candidate’s filled choices for your records.
Step 3: Seat Allotment Process: NEET PG 2026
- MCC processes the seat allotment based on the candidate’s NEET PG rank, the choices the candidate filled, the reservation criteria, and the availability of seats.
Step 4: Seat Allotment Result Declaration (Online): NEET PG 2026
- The Medical Counselling Committee will publish the seat allotment result for each round on its official website.
- Download your provisional allotment letter. This letter will contain details like your All India Rank, allotted institute, course, and category.
Step 5: Reporting to the Allotted Institute & Document Verification:
- If aspirants are satisfied with the allotted seat, download the allotment letter and report to the allotted college within the stipulated time duration.
- Carry all original documents (as listed above) and their photocopies for physical verification.
- The aspirants must complete admission formalities by paying the requisite admission fees.
- Options after Round 1 Allotment:
- Accept and Join: If you’re happy with the seat and complete admission.
- Accept and Opt for UG: If a student joins the allotted college but wishes to participate in the next round for a better seat. If upgraded, students must join the new college; if not, they retain their Round 1 seat.
- Free Exit: If students don’t join the allotted seat in Round 1, they can exit the counselling process without forfeiture of their security deposit. You can re-register for Round 2 if students wish.
Step 6: Subsequent Rounds (Round 2, Mop-Up, Stray Vacancy): NEET PG 2026
- Round 2: New candidates can register. Aspirants who exited Round 1 (free exit), those who didn’t get a seat in Round 1, or those who opted for upgradation can participate. Fresh choice filling is mandatory.
- Note on Security Deposit: If you are allotted a seat in Round 2 and do not join, you will forfeit your security deposit and become ineligible for further MCC counselling rounds for that academic year.
- Mop-Up Round: Conducted for Central Universities, Deemed Universities, AFMS, and ESIC seats that remain vacant after Round 2. Fresh registration and choice filling may be allowed for eligible aspirants.
- Stray Vacancy Round: Subsequent Rounds are the final rounds to fill any remaining vacant seats. It is typically conducted by the institutions themselves after receiving a list of eligible candidates from MCC.
State Quota NEET PG 2026 Counselling Process: NEET PG 2026
Step 1: State Registration: NEET PG 2026
Aspirants visit the official website of their respective State Medical Counselling Authority. The Students register for state quota counselling, which may require a domicile certificate. Pay the state-specific registration fee.
Step 2: State Merit List: NEET PG 2026
The state authority will release a provisional and then a final state merit list based on the NEET PG ranks of eligible candidates.
- Step 3: Choice Filling: NEET PG 2026
- Fill in aspirants’ choices of colleges and specializations available under the state quota.
- Step 4: Seat Allotment & Reporting: NEET PG 2026
- The state authority will conduct seat allotment rounds, and aspirants will report to the allotted colleges for document verification and admission.
Mandatory documents for NEET PG 2026
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card
- NEET PG 2026 Rank Letter/Scorecard
- MBBS Degree Certificate
- MBBS Mark Sheets (all professional years)
- Internship Completion Certificate
- Permanent/Provisional Medical Registration Certificate issued by MCI/NMC/State Medical Council
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, Voter ID)
- Date of Birth Certificate (if not mentioned on Class 10th certificate)
- Caste Certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC-NCL)
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (for OBC candidates)
- Domicile Certificate (for state quota counselling)
- Passport-sized photographs (same as used in NEET PG application)
- Any other relevant certificates as specified by MCC or state authorities.
Participating Colleges NEET PG 2026
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) – all branches
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry/Karaikal
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
- Delhi University (DU) – colleges like Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) & Safdarjung Hospital (SJH).
- Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions
- National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi
Cut-off: NEET PG 2026
| Category | Qualifying Criteria | NEET Marks Range |
| General (UR) / EWS | 50th percentile | 275-320 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th percentile | 245-275 |
| UR-PwD | 45th percentile | 260-290 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PwD | 40th percentile | 245-275 |
Seat Reservation: NEET PG 2026
| Category | Seats Reserved (%) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) – Non-Creamy Layer | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
FAQ for NEET PG 2026
1. What is the eligibility cutoff date for completing the compulsory rotational internship?
Candidates must complete their 1-year compulsory rotational internship on or before September 30, 2026. In addition, applicants must hold a recognized MBBS degree or Provisional Pass Certificate and maintain valid registration with the NMC or a State Medical Council.
2. Has the exam pattern changed for NEET PG 2026?
Yes. While the total exam duration remains 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes), the total number of questions has been reduced from 200 to 180 MCQs, and the total marks have been reduced from 800 to 720.
3. What is the structure of the time-bound sections in the exam?
The exam is divided into 5 groups/sections (Group A to E) containing 36 questions each. Each section gets an independent 42-minute clock. Once the 42 minutes for a section expire, that section locks permanently, and you automatically move to the next section.
4. Can I toggle between different sections or go back to re-check answers from a previous section?
No. You can only review, edit, or answer questions within the active section’s allotted 42 minutes. Once a section closes, you cannot return to it under any circumstances.
5. What is the marking scheme for NEET PG 2026?
The marking scheme remains unchanged:
Correct Answer: +4 marks
Incorrect Answer: -1 mark
Unattempted Question: 0 marks
6. What is the application fee for NEET PG 2026?
General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹3,500
SC / ST / PwBD candidates: ₹2,500
7. What happens to questions marked under “Mark for Review”?
Questions marked for review will be evaluated according to the standard marking scheme [+4 / -1] when time expires for that section, provided an answer option was selected. However, you can only clear or modify these marks while working within that specific section.
8. What is the qualifying cut-off score/percentile for NEET PG?
NEET PG qualification is percentile-based:
General / EWS: 50th Percentile
General-PwBD: 45th Percentile
SC / ST / OBC (including PwBD): 40th Percentile
9. Can Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) apply for NEET PG 2026?
Yes. Foreign Medical Graduates are eligible provided they have passed the FMGE (Screening Test), completed their mandatory internship by the cut-off date, and obtained registration with the NMC or a State Medical Council
10. Where will counselling be conducted for All India Quota (AIQ) seats?
Counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, Deemed/Central Universities, and AFMS seats is conducted online by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at mcc.nic.in. The remaining 50% state quota seats are managed by the respective State Counselling Authorities.
