NEET UG 2026 Exam: 22.7 Lakh Candidates Appear Today; Check NTA Answer Key Date & Result Timeline
NTA conducts NEET UG 2026 today for 22.79L candidates in 551 cities. Exam ends at 5:20 PM. Official Answer Key and OMR Sheets expected at neet.nta.nic.in by late May. Results likely in June. Challenge fee: ₹200/question. Record competition for 1.1L MBBS seats!
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is all set to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET UG 2026 today, May 3, across the globe. As one of the world’s largest entrance exams, the stakes are higher than ever this year, with a record-breaking 22,79,743 registered candidates vying for approximately 1.1 lakh MBBS seats, alongside BDS, AYUSH, and Nursing spots.
Exam Hall Countdown: 551 Cities, One Goal
The examination is being held in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM in pen-and-paper mode. The NTA has deployed multi-layered security protocols, including biometric verification and AI-based frisking, at 5,432 centers spanning 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad.
Important Note: Entry gates closed strictly at 1:30 PM. No candidate is allowed entry beyond this point, regardless of the reason.
Post-Exam Roadmap: When will the NEET 2026 Answer Key be Released?
Once the exam concludes at 5:20 PM, the focus will immediately shift to the NEET UG 2026 Answer Key.
-
Unofficial Answer Keys: Leading coaching institutes are expected to release memory-based answer keys by 7:00 PM today.
-
NTA Provisional Answer Key: Based on previous trends (like the June 3 release for a May 4 exam last year), the official NTA provisional answer key is expected within 3 to 4 weeks.
-
OMR Response Sheets: NTA will also upload scanned images of the OMR answer sheets for all candidates on the official portal, neet.nta.nic.in.
How to Challenge the NTA Answer Key?
Applicants who find discrepancies in the provisional key can submit objections through the
-
Fee: A non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question.
-
Verification: A panel of subject experts will review all challenges.
-
Final Key: If a challenge is upheld, a Final Answer Key will be published, which forms the basis of the NEET UG 2026 Results.
Competition Analysis & Expected Cut-off
With over 22 lakh aspirants, the competition ratio stands at approximately 20 candidates for every 1 medical seat. Experts predict that due to the high volume of applicants, the NEET 2026 Cut-off for the General category might see a slight upward trend compared to previous years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the official website for NEET UG 2026 updates?
The only official website for all NTA NEET updates, admit cards, and results is neet.nta.nic.in.
Q2: Will there be a re-exam for NEET 2026?
Unless there is a documented systemic lapse or center-specific issue reported by NTA, no re-exam is scheduled.
Q3: How can I calculate my score using the NEET answer key?
Use the formula: (Total Correct Answers × 4) – (Total Incorrect Answers × 1). Unattempted questions carry zero marks.
Q4: When will the NEET UG 2026 Result be declared?