NEET 2026: The Ultimate Guide to Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Eligibility

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) stands as the single gateway for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses (MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH) across India. For those setting their sights on NEET 2026, starting your preparation with a clear understanding of the rules of the game—the syllabus, exam pattern, and eligibility—is paramount.

While the National Testing Agency (NTA) is the official body and the complete information bulletin is expected closer to the exam date (tentatively in late 2025/early 2026), an analysis of past years' trends and the current structure provides a highly accurate roadmap for your preparation.

1. NEET 2026 Syllabus: The Foundation

The syllabus for NEET (UG) 2026 is expected to remain largely consistent with the previous years, primarily drawing from the core concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany & Zoology) as taught in the NCERT textbooks for Classes 11 and 12.

Key Components and Topics:

Subject	Class 11 Topics (Core Areas)	Class 12 Topics (Core Areas)
Physics	Units & Measurements, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids & Liquids, Thermodynamics, Oscillations & Waves.	Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction & AC, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter & Radiation, Atoms & Nuclei, Electronic Devices.
Chemistry	Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, s-Block, Hydrocarbons.	Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, General Principles of Extraction of Elements, p/d/f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes & Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids, Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen, Biomolecules, Polymers.
Biology	Diversity of Living Organisms, Structural Organization in Plants and Animals, Cell Structure and Function, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.1	Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and its2 Applications, Ecology and Environment.

Important Note for Aspirants:

NCERT is Non-Negotiable: The vast majority of questions are either directly picked from NCERT lines or are based on NCERT concepts. Treat your Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks as your Bible for NEET preparation.
Recent Changes: In the immediate past, a revised/rationalized NCERT-based syllabus was used. While the NTA is expected to stick to this revised core, always check the official information bulletin once it is released to note any minor additions or deletions.

2. NEET 2026 Exam Pattern: Format and Marking Scheme

Based on the most recent trends, the NEET 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the single-section format, replacing the earlier Section A and Section B division.

Particulars	Details (Expected for NEET 2026)
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen and Paper Test - OMR-based)
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Total Questions	180 Compulsory Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Maximum Marks	720
Marking Scheme	Correct Answer: +4 Marks Incorrect Answer: -1 Mark (Negative Marking) Unattempted/Unanswered: 0 Marks
Medium	Offered in 13 languages (English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, etc.)

Subject-wise Marks Distribution:

Subject	No. of Questions	Marks
Physics	45	180
Chemistry	45	180
Biology	90	360
Total	180	720

Key Takeaways for Strategy:

Time Management: With 180 questions to be solved in 180 minutes, you have exactly one minute per question. Practice solving Physics and Physical Chemistry numericals quickly.
Biology's Weightage: Biology (Botany and Zoology) accounts for 50% of the total questions (90 out of 180) and 50% of the total marks (360 out of 720). A b score in Biology is crucial for a high overall rank.
Negative Marking: The $-1$ penalty for incorrect answers means reckless guessing is bly discouraged. Accuracy should be prioritized over mere attempts.

3. NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria are set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and executed by the NTA. It covers age, education, and nationality.

A. Age Limit

Minimum Age: A candidate must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026, of the year of admission.
Upper Age Limit: As per the latest Supreme Court ruling and NTA guidelines, there is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET (UG).

B. Educational Qualification

Qualifying Exam: Candidate must have passed the 10+2 (or equivalent) examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.
Minimum Aggregate Marks (in PCB/Biotech):

General/EWS Category: 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
OBC/SC/ST Category: 40% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.
PwD (Persons with Disability) Category: 45% (General) and 40% (Reserved) in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology.

Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the NEET (UG) examination.

C. Nationality

Indian Nationals
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
Foreign Nationals

4. How to Start Your NEET 2026 Preparation

With the official notification still some time away, now is the perfect time to build a b base:

Master the Basics: Start with your Class 11 concepts. Ensure you have absolute clarity in all chapters before moving to Class 12.
Prioritize NCERT: Devote the most time to thoroughly reading, understanding, and revising NCERT textbooks. Solve all in-text and exercise questions.
Practice MCQs: Supplement your study with ample multiple-choice questions (MCQs) practice, focusing on high-weightage topics (e.g., Genetics, Human Physiology, Electrostatics, Organic Chemistry).
Mock Tests: Integrate full-length mock tests into your schedule as the exam approaches to simulate the actual exam environment and improve time management.

Adding a section on Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is an excellent way to make the NEET 2026 preparation blog more practical and action-oriented. Here is the added section, ready to be inserted into the existing blog post:

5. The Power of PYQs: What to Expect in NEET 2026

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are arguably the single most important resource for NEET preparation. Analyzing PYQs provides direct insights into the mind of the examiner and reveals the recurring nature of certain concepts.

A. Subject-Wise PYQ Analysis & High-Yield Topics

While the exact questions change, the core concepts that appear frequently remain stable. Focusing your preparation on these high-yield topics, as identified through an analysis of past NEET papers, is a strategic move.

Subject	High-Weightage Class 11 Topics (Expect 2-3 Questions Each)	High-Weightage Class 12 Topics (Expect 3-4 Questions Each)
Biology (Botany & Zoology)	Plant Kingdom, Cell Cycle and Cell Division, Human Physiology (especially Digestion, Breathing, and Excretion).	Genetics (Molecular Basis of Inheritance), Biotechnology, Ecology (Ecosystem and Organisms & Populations).
Physics	Laws of Motion, System of Particles & Rotational Motion (Mechanics is the backbone), Thermodynamics.	Current Electricity, Electrostatics, Ray Optics, Semiconductor Electronics (Modern Physics).
Chemistry	Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics (Physical Chemistry), Hydrocarbons (Organic).	Coordination Compounds (Inorganic), Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids (Organic), Solutions, Chemical Kinetics.

B. Why You Must Solve NEET PYQs

Understand the Exam Temperament: NEET questions are often direct, fact-based (especially in Biology/Inorganic Chemistry), or formula-based (in Physics/Physical Chemistry). PYQs train your mind to recognize the type of question asked.
Identify Repetitive Themes: Certain principles, like Kepler's laws in Physics, or the structure of DNA in Biology, are tested almost every year, often with slight variations. PYQs help you pinpoint these themes.
Benchmark Your Speed & Accuracy: Solve the previous years' papers under a strict 3-hour time limit. This is the best way to develop the speed, accuracy, and endurance needed to complete the 180 compulsory questions on exam day.

C. Suggested PYQ Strategy for NEET 2026

Start Early (Topical Practice): As soon as you complete a chapter (e.g., 'Kinematics'), immediately solve all NEET PYQs related to that topic. This confirms your understanding and application ability.
The Final 3 Months (Full Mock Tests): In the final months leading up to May 2026, dedicate one day every week to solving a complete paper from the past 5-7 years as a full mock test.
Analyze Errors: The real value of a PYQ test is in the analysis. For every question you get wrong or had to guess, go back to the NCERT textbook or your notes and revise that specific concept immediately.