NEET 2026 Registration – Start Date, Last Date, Fees, Documents & How to Apply

The wait is finally over. NEET 2026 Registration has officially started, and lakhs of medical aspirants across India are now in the middle of the most important step of their medical journey. If you are someone who has spent months buried in NCERT books dreaming of that MBBS seat, this is your moment to take action — and to take it carefully.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the official NEET UG 2026 notification on 8th February 2026, and the registration window opened the same day at neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates have until 8th March 2026 (9:00 PM) to complete their application form and pay the required fee. After that, no extensions are expected. The exam itself is scheduled for 3rd May 2026 (Sunday).

This guide covers everything you need — dates, fees, documents, step-by-step process, and common mistakes to avoid — so you can complete your NEET 2026 registration without any confusion or stress.

NEET 2026 Registration – Important Dates at a Glance

Before anything else, mark these dates. Missing even one of them can cost you an entire year.

One important thing — do not wait until 8th March to apply. Every year, the NTA portal slows down or becomes temporarily unavailable in the final 48 hours because millions of students try to apply at the same time. Applying within the first ten days is always the smarter choice.

Is NEET 2026 Registration Live Right Now?

Yes. The NEET UG 2026 registration is officially live and active. You can visit neet.nta.nic.in directly from your browser — type the address yourself rather than clicking on random links from WhatsApp groups or social media. Fake websites and phishing pages tend to pop up during registration season, and entering your personal details on such pages can cause serious problems.

The official NEET registration portal is: neet.nta.nic.in

There is no other portal. No other website. If someone is sharing a “direct link” on Instagram or Telegram claiming early access or easier registration, ignore it completely.

Who Can Apply? – NEET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

A lot of students skip reading the eligibility criteria and regret it later during counselling. Here is what you need to know before you even start filling the form.

Age Requirement: You must be at least 17 years old as of 31st December 2026. There is no upper age limit for NEET UG as per the current rules.

Educational Qualification: You must have passed Class 12 (or be appearing in 2026) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as compulsory subjects. English must also have been a part of your course.

Minimum Marks in Class 12:

• General category – 50%
• SC/ST/OBC – 40%
• PwD (General) – 45%

Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are all eligible to apply. Students planning to pursue MBBS abroad are also required to qualify NEET UG as per National Medical Commission guidelines.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, check the official information bulletin available on the NTA website before proceeding.

NEET 2026 Registration Fees – Category Wise

The registration fee depends on which category you belong to. This amount is non-refundable under all circumstances, so confirm your category carefully before making the payment.

Payment can be made online only — through debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. No offline or cash payment is accepted. Once the payment is done, download the fee receipt and keep it safe. You will need it later during counselling.

One thing students often ask — “What if my payment fails but the amount was deducted?” In most cases, the amount is automatically refunded within 24 to 48 hours. Do not panic and do not try to register again immediately. Wait and check your bank statement before taking any further step.

Documents Required for NEET 2026 Registration

Keeping your documents ready before you start filling the form saves a lot of time and avoids last-minute errors. Here is what you will need to upload during the NEET 2026 registration process.

Photographs and Biometrics:

• Recent passport-size photograph (JPG format, 10 KB to 200 KB, plain white background, name and date printed below)
• Postcard-size photograph (same specifications)
• Scanned signature (JPG format, 10 KB to 50 KB)
• Left thumb impression (JPG format, 10 KB to 200 KB)

Certificates and ID Proof:

• Class 10 Marksheet and Certificate (for name and date of birth)
• Class 12 Marksheet or Admit Card if result is awaited (PDF, 100 KB to 500 KB)
• Aadhaar Card (strongly recommended; reduces need for additional ID documents)
• Category Certificate for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates (PDF, 100 KB to 500 KB)
• UDID Card for PwD candidates
• Nationality proof for NRI/OCI/foreign nationals

NTA introduced live photograph capture this year, which means a webcam or phone camera will be required to take a real-time photo during the application process. Make sure your camera is working, your background is white or light, and the lighting is good before you sit down to fill the form.

How to Fill NEET 2026 Registration Form – Step by Step

This is the part most students need clarity on. The process has multiple steps, and each one needs to be completed in order.

Step 1 – New Registration Open neet.nta.nic.in and click on “New Registration.” Read all the instructions on screen carefully before proceeding.

Step 2 – Enter Basic Details Fill in your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. An OTP will be sent to both your phone and email. Enter the OTP to verify. Once verified, an application number and password will be generated. Note these down immediately.

Step 3 – Fill the Application Form Log in using your application number and password. Fill in your personal details, academic qualifications, exam medium preference, and choice of exam centre cities.

Step 4 – Upload Documents Upload all required files in the correct format and size. Make sure the photograph meets the specifications — blurry or incorrect photos are a common reason for application rejection.

Step 5 – Pay the Registration Fee Select your payment method and complete the fee payment. After successful payment, a confirmation page will be generated.

Step 6 – Download Confirmation Page This is your proof of successful registration. Download it and print at least two copies. Never delete this page.

NEET 2026 Correction Window – March 10 to 12

Even after submitting your form, NTA gives a short window to fix certain mistakes. The NEET 2026 correction window is open from 10th March to 12th March 2026.

During this period, you can make changes to specific fields such as exam centre preference, category, medium of question paper, and a few personal details. However, not all fields are editable. Your photograph and signature cannot be changed after submission.

Also important — if your corrections lead to a change in category that attracts a higher fee, you will need to pay the difference online during the correction window. The correction will only be confirmed after the additional payment is received.

Use the correction window only if absolutely necessary. Filling the form correctly the first time is always better.

Common Mistakes Students Make During NEET Registration

These are the mistakes that cause the most problems, and most of them are completely avoidable.

Wrong Name or Date of Birth: Your details must match exactly with your Class 10 certificate. Even a small spelling difference can create problems during document verification.

Inactive Email or Mobile Number: All future communication from NTA — including admit card updates, result links, and correction window notices — will go to the email and phone number you register with. Use your most active contact details.

Multiple Applications: Creating more than one registration account is not allowed. It leads to automatic disqualification. If you make a mistake, wait for the correction window rather than registering again.

Skipping the Confirmation Page: Many students feel that submitting the form is enough. It is not. Without downloading the confirmation page, you have no proof of successful application.

Wrong Category Selection: Choosing the wrong category affects your fee and your eligibility for reserved seats during counselling. Double-check before making the payment.

Low-Quality Photo Upload: This is one of the most common technical issues. Your photo must be recent, clear, taken against a white background, and within the specified file size. A rejected photo means a rejected application.

What Happens After Registration?

Once your NEET 2026 registration is complete, the next steps unfold over the coming months.

After the correction window closes in March, NTA will process all applications. The city intimation slip — which tells you which city your exam centre is in — is released a few weeks before the exam. After that comes the admit card, expected in the last week of April 2026. The admit card is the only document that allows you to enter the exam hall, so download it and keep multiple copies.

The exam will be held on 3rd May 2026 in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Results are expected in June 2026, followed by counselling managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats and by respective state authorities for state quota seats.

NEET 2026 Registration – FAQs

Q. Has the NEET 2026 registration started? Yes. The NEET UG 2026 registration started on 8th February 2026 and is currently active at neet.nta.nic.in.

Q. What is the last date to apply for NEET 2026? The last date to submit the NEET 2026 application form is 8th March 2026 by 9:00 PM. The fee payment window closes at 11:50 PM on the same day.

Q. Is there any offline mode for NEET 2026 registration? No. The entire NEET registration process is online only. No physical or offline application is accepted.

Q. Can I apply for NEET 2026 after 8th March? No. Once the registration window closes, no new applications are accepted under any circumstance.

Q. What is the NEET 2026 registration fee for General category? The NEET registration fee for General category candidates is ₹1,700. This amount is non-refundable.

Q. When will the NEET 2026 admit card be released? The admit card is expected in the last week of April 2026. Candidates can download it from neet.nta.nic.in using their application number and date of birth.

Q. Can I correct mistakes in my NEET 2026 application form? Yes, but only during the correction window from 10th to 12th March 2026. Not all fields are editable, so filling the form correctly in the first attempt is important.

Q. How many attempts are allowed in NEET UG? There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET UG as per the current rules.

Final Word for Students and Parents

Medical dreams take years of hard work, and the NEET registration form is the gateway to making all that effort count. With the window now open, there is no reason to delay. Apply early, check every detail twice, download your confirmation page, and then focus entirely on your preparation.

Parents — your role here is just as important. Sit with your child during registration, cross-check details against school documents, handle the fee payment carefully, and keep all downloaded documents in one safe folder. A calm registration process sets the right tone for the months of preparation ahead.

The NEET 2026 exam is on 3rd May 2026. Every day between now and then counts. Begin with getting registered. Do it right. The rest will follow.

Also Read:

CUET PG 2026 Time Table Released: Check Subject-Wise Schedule, Exam Dates & Download PDF

CTET Feb 2026 Registration Opens—Here’s Your Complete Guide to Eligibility & Exam Pattern