The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the official Information Bulletin for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET-PG) 2026. The exam will decide admissions to MD, MS and PG Diploma courses, Post-MBBS DNB courses, Direct 6-year DrNB courses, and NBEMS Diploma courses for the 2026–27 academic session.
Here is a complete breakdown of what candidates need to know.
Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application window opens | July 1, 2026 (5:00 PM onwards) |
| Online application window closes | July 21, 2026 (11:55 PM) |
| Edit Window | July 25–28, 2026 |
| Selective Edit Window (image correction) | July 31 – August 10, 2026 |
| Test city intimation | August 11, 2026 |
| Admit card release | August 27, 2026 |
| Examination date | August 30, 2026 (Single Shift) |
| Result declaration | By September 30, 2026 |
| Internship completion cut-off | September 30, 2026 |
Exam Pattern
NEET-PG 2026 will be a computer-based test held in a single shift on a single day. Key features:
- 180 Multiple Choice Questions, each with 4 options, in English only
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Marking scheme: +4 for a correct answer, −1 for an incorrect answer, 0 for unattempted
- The paper will be split into five timed sections (Group A–E) of 36 questions each, with 42 minutes allotted per section. Candidates cannot move back to a previous section or revisit questions once that section’s time is over — the next section starts automatically.
- Exam timings: candidates can enter from 7:00 AM, entry closes at 8:30 AM, and the exam runs from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must:
- Hold an MBBS degree (or Provisional Pass Certificate) recognized under the NMC Act, 2019 and PGMER, 2023
- Hold permanent or provisional registration with the NMC/erstwhile MCI or a State Medical Council
- Have completed one year of compulsory rotating internship, or be likely to complete it on or before September 30, 2026
Foreign Medical Graduates must have qualified FMGE (Screening Test) and meet the same registration and internship requirements. Foreign nationals require security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs before applying, where applicable.
Important: Applications from candidates whose internship completes after September 30, 2026 will be summarily rejected — there is no scope for representation on this.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹3,500 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹2,500 |
Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. Payment must be made only through the official gateway (UPI, credit/debit cards) — no other mode is accepted.
What Cannot Be Edited After Submission
This year’s bulletin places heavy emphasis on getting core details right the first time. The following cannot be changed even during the Edit Window:
- Name, Nationality, Aadhaar number
- Email ID and Mobile number
- Correspondence Address
- Test State preferences
Only the Edit Window (July 25–28) allows correction of other fields such as category, PwBD status, or documents — and even then, changing category/PwBD status to a higher fee bracket requires paying the balance fee before the window closes, or the edited application will be treated as incomplete.
Test City Allotment — Not First-Come-First-Serve
A notable change: allotment of test city/state is not based on early submission. Candidates must select three preferred Test States, and the first choice must mandatorily be the state of their Correspondence Address. NBEMS will attempt allotment in this order of preference but reserves the right to allot a centre anywhere in India based on infrastructure, security, and operational needs.
Candidates must submit valid proof of their correspondence address (government ID, medical-profession document, or supporting residence document) — a forged or invalid proof will lead to cancellation of candidature.
Qualifying Percentile
| Category | Minimum Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th |
| UR PwBD | 45th |
| SC / ST / OBC (incl. PwBD) | 40th |
Test Day Essentials
Candidates must carry:
- Printed colour admit card
- Colour photocopy of SMC/NMC registration
- A valid, original, non-expired government photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence) — photocopies and DigiLocker IDs are not accepted
Mandatory security checks include metal detector screening, physical frisking, and checks for concealed communication devices. Finger biometrics and Face ID verification (matched against the uploaded photo and live captures during the exam, including at bio-breaks) will be conducted. No pens, pencils, or rough sheets are provided or permitted — and none are needed, since rough work is not required on the computer-based format.
Candidates who report even slightly after the reporting counter closes (30 minutes before the exam start) will be denied entry, with no exceptions.
Answer Key and Result
In compliance with a Supreme Court order dated April 29, 2025, NBEMS will publish the answer key along with each candidate’s marked responses. Question challenges (with supporting literature) are allowed only within 2 calendar days of the exam. There is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of responses.
PwBD Candidates: Interim Assessment Framework
For 2026, NMC has introduced an interim, functional-competency-based assessment framework for PwBD candidates seeking PG admission, replacing rigid disability-percentage cut-offs, in line with the RPwD Act, 2016 and recent Supreme Court directions. Candidates must submit a valid UDID card along with self-certified affidavits (format prescribed in Annexure-IV) declaring their functional competencies for their intended specialty, subject to verification by a designated medical board.
Where to Get Help
- NBEMS Candidate Care Helpline: +91-7996165333
- Communication Web Portal (via “Contact Us” on natboard.edu.in)
- Official website: https://natboard.edu.in
Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to submit applications or pay fees, given that NBEMS will not entertain requests arising from payment failures, server congestion, or last-minute technical issues.