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NEET 2026 Registration — Step by Step Guide

How to register for NEET 2026 — complete step-by-step process, documents required, application fee, eligibility, important dates, and common mistakes to avoid.

NEET 2026 registration is done online at neet.nta.nic.in. The process takes 30–40 minutes with all documents ready. Registration fee: ₹1,700 for General/OBC (₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD). You need Aadhaar, Class 12 details, passport-size photo, and signature scan.

NEET 2026 Eligibility — Quick Check

CriterionRequirement
NationalityIndian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, foreign nationals
AgeMinimum 17 years by 31 Dec 2026. No upper age limit (currently)
QualificationClass 12 passed or appearing in 2026 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Minimum Marks in Class 12General: 50% aggregate in PCB. OBC/SC/ST: 40%. PwD: 45%
Subjects RequiredPhysics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology + English as compulsory
Number of AttemptsNo limit

Registration Process — Step by Step

NEET 2026 registration steps

Step 1: Create NTA Account

  1. Visit neet.nta.nic.in
  2. Click "New Registration"
  3. Enter name (as per Class 10 marksheet), date of birth, gender, mobile number, email
  4. Verify via OTP (sent to both mobile and email)
  5. Create a password and security question
  6. Save your Application Number — you will need this throughout the NEET process

Step 2: Fill Personal & Academic Details

  • Name: Exactly as in Class 10 marksheet. Even minor spelling differences cause verification issues.
  • Category: General / OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS. OBC candidates need NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate specifically.
  • State of domicile: Where you have lived. This determines your state quota eligibility for medical admissions.
  • Class 12 details: Board, school, year of passing/appearing, roll number, percentage (if passed).
  • Qualifying marks: PCB aggregate percentage. General needs 50%+, OBC/SC/ST needs 40%+.

Step 3: Upload Documents

DocumentFormatSizeRequirements
PhotographJPG/JPEG10KB–200KBWhite background, 80% face coverage, recent (within 3 months), no cap/goggles
SignatureJPG/JPEG4KB–30KBBlack ink on white paper, running hand (not block letters)
Left Thumb ImpressionJPG/JPEG10KB–50KBClear impression on white paper using blue/black ink
Class 10 CertificateJPG/JPEG/PDF50KB–300KBFor date of birth verification
Category CertificateJPG/JPEG/PDF50KB–300KBOBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS as applicable. Must be recent.
PwD CertificateJPG/JPEG/PDF50KB–300KBIf applicable — issued by competent authority

NEET requires a thumb impression — this is different from JEE Main. Get a clear left thumb impression using stamp ink pad on white paper.

Step 4: Select Exam City Preferences

  • Choose up to 4 exam city preferences from the list
  • NTA allots centres based on availability — your first preference is prioritised
  • Choose cities you can easily travel to, with reliable accommodation nearby
  • NEET is conducted in pen-and-paper mode (OMR) — unlike JEE which is computer-based
  • Medium of question paper: English, Hindi, or 11 regional languages

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

CategoryFee (India)Fee (Outside India)
General / OBC / EWS₹1,700₹9,500
SC / ST / PwD / Transgender₹1,000₹5,500

Payment methods: UPI, debit card, credit card, net banking, Paytm. Fee is non-refundable. Save the payment receipt.

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Important Dates — NEET 2026

EventExpected Date
Registration OpensFebruary–March 2026
Registration DeadlineMarch 2026
Correction WindowMarch–April 2026
Admit Card ReleaseApril–May 2026
NEET Exam DateMay 2026 (usually first Sunday of May)
Answer Key ReleaseMay–June 2026
Result DeclarationJune 2026
Counselling Starts (MCC)July 2026

Dates are tentative based on NTA's typical schedule. NEET is usually conducted once a year (unlike JEE Main which has 2 sessions).

10 Common NEET Registration Mistakes

  1. Name mismatch: Use name exactly as on Class 10 certificate. Discrepancies cause problems during counselling document verification.
  2. Wrong category certificate: OBC students need OBC-NCL certificate specifically (not just OBC). EWS certificate must be for the current financial year.
  3. Low-quality photo: Photo must be clear with white background. Studios charge ₹20 for a proper passport photo — do not use a selfie.
  4. Forgetting thumb impression: NEET requires left thumb impression unlike JEE. Prepare this before starting registration.
  5. Wrong state of domicile: This determines state quota eligibility. Choose the state where you have domicile — it significantly affects your admission chances.
  6. Not meeting minimum marks: General category needs 50% in PCB aggregate in Class 12. If you scored 49%, you are NOT eligible.
  7. Last-day registration: NTA servers crash on the last day. Register at least 5 days before the deadline.
  8. Not saving confirmation: Download the confirmation page immediately. Screenshot the payment receipt. Save the application number in 3 places.
  9. Missing correction window: If you made an error, the correction window is your only chance to fix it. Set a calendar reminder.
  10. Not checking eligibility criteria: Some state counselling bodies have additional eligibility requirements beyond NTA's. Check your state's medical education directorate website.

After Registration — Next Steps

  1. Download admit card when released (check neet.nta.nic.in regularly from April).
  2. Visit your exam centre a day before the exam to know the exact location and travel time.
  3. Carry required items: Admit card (colour print), valid photo ID (Aadhaar/passport), passport-size photos (2 extra), transparent water bottle, simple analog watch.
  4. Do NOT carry: Mobile phone, calculator, smart watch, Bluetooth devices, wallet, bags (these must be left outside).

Registration process based on NTA's NEET 2025 information bulletin. NTA may modify eligibility criteria, fees, or process for 2026 — always check the official information bulletin at neet.nta.nic.in. Last updated: February 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NEET 2026 registration fee?

General/OBC/EWS: ₹1,700. SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: ₹1,000. Fee can be paid via UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. The fee is non-refundable. For candidates opting for exam centres outside India, the fee is ₹9,500 (General) or ₹5,500 (reserved categories).

Minimum age: 17 years as on 31st December 2026 (i.e., born on or before 31st December 2009). There is currently NO upper age limit for NEET as per the Supreme Court ruling and NMC guidelines. However, this may change — check the official NEET 2026 information bulletin for the latest eligibility criteria.

Yes. Students from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) and other recognised open schooling boards can appear for NEET, provided they have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects in Class 12. They must have a valid pass certificate or appearing certificate from NIOS.

There is currently NO limit on the number of NEET attempts. You can appear for NEET any number of times. The only requirement is meeting the minimum age criterion. Many successful NEET candidates have cleared the exam on their 2nd or 3rd attempt — there is no stigma in re-attempting.

NTA opens a correction window (typically 3–5 days) after the registration deadline. During this window, you can correct: personal details, photograph, signature, academic details, and exam city preferences. You CANNOT change your application number or fee paid. After the correction window closes, no changes are possible — so use it carefully.

Aadhaar is the primary ID for Indian nationals. If you do not have Aadhaar, you can use: passport, ration card, bank passbook, or any government-issued ID with photo. However, NTA strongly recommends using Aadhaar for smoother verification. For candidates from J&K, Assam, and Meghalaya, alternative IDs are accepted more readily.