NEET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines - Exam Timing, NTA Rules & Instructions

NEET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines - Exam Timing, NTA Rules & Instructions

Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon
Manisha TiwariUpdated on 26 May 2025, 04:35 PM IST
Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET. The NEET exam day guidelines are released by the NTA along with the information bulletin. The details include the exam day schedule, exam timings, dress code and others. Candidates must familiarise themselves with NEET instructions 2026 to avoid trouble on the exam day.

This Story also Contains

  1. NEET exam day guidelines
  2. NEET 2026 exam pattern
  3. NEET exam timing 2026
  4. NEET exam day dress code 2026
NEET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines - Exam Timing, NTA Rules & Instructions
NEET 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

NEET UG is conducted in pen and paper (offline) mode for 3 hours. Over 24 lakh candidates are going to appear in the medical entrance exam. Candidates appearing in the NEET exam must report to the exam centre as per the given schedule. As per the latest NEET 2026 exam pattern, a total of 180 MCQs are asked in NEET UG. NEET is conducted for admission to MBBS, BDS, BSc nursing, AYUSH and veterinary seats in medical and dental colleges across the country including AIIMS and JIPMER. To know more details on NEET 2026 exam day guidelines, reporting time, restricted items, dress code and more, read the article below.

NEET exam day guidelines

The following NEET 2026 exam day guidelines by NTA are essential for candidates. Along with the NEET admit card 2026, the authority releases NEET exam guidelines. Candidates can have a smooth NEET 2026 exam day by following these guidelines and instructions. If they fail to follow the guidelines, aspirants are not permitted to appear in the entrance exam.

JSS University Mysore 2025

NAAC A+ Accredited| Ranked #24 in University Category by NIRF | Applications open for multiple UG & PG Programs

Know the NEET 2026 exam day guidelines

S. No.

Exam day guidelines

1

NEET exam date

2

NEET exam timing

3

Reporting time for NEET 2026

4

Things to carry for NEET exam

5

NEET dress code 2026

6

Be familiar with the general instructions

NEET 2026 exam pattern

Particulars

Details

Exam mode

Offline

Duration of examination

3 hours

Medium of exam

English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam and Urdu

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Sections

Physics

Chemistry

Biology (Botany and Zoology)

Total number of questions

180 questions

Maximum marks

720 Marks

Marking scheme

For each correct answer, the candidates will be given 4 marks; if an answer is wrong, then 1 mark will be deducted.

NEET exam timing 2026

Candidates must report to the NEET exam centre 2026 before the allotted time mentioned on the NEET admit card. This ensures NEET procedures which include security checks and other formalities to avoid any possibility of being late for the exam. Candidates can look at the table below for NEET exam date 2026 time.

Reporting time for NEET 2026

Particulars

NEET timing 2026

Duration of NEET 2026 exam

2 PM to 5 PM (3 hours)

Last entry in the examination hall as per the NEET timing

1:30 PM

Sitting in the examination room

1:15 PM

Announcement of important Instructions and checking of admit cards by the invigilator

1:30 PM to 1:45 PM

Distribution of the test booklet

1:45 PM

Writing of particulars on the test booklet by the candidates

1:50 PM

Starting time of NEET examination

2 PM

NEET UG 2026 conclude time

5 PM


NEET exam day dress code 2026

A proper dress code needs to be followed by the candidates to avoid any delay or restriction. Candidates appearing for the NTA NEET 2026 have to wear light-coloured clothes with half sleeves to avoid any rejection. As NEET is the only undergraduate medical entrance test conducted in India to grant admission to medical and dental courses, there is an increase in competition with every passing year. Therefore, some people turn to illegitimate methods to clear the exams. To avoid such practices, the NTA has specified solid guidelines regarding the NEET dress code 2026.

Students taking the NEET exam are expected to strictly adhere to the rules, failing to which may have serious repercussions. Frisking takes place at the time of NEET exam and in case a candidate dresses contrary to the NEET 2026, they must not be allowed to sit for the NEET test. The NTA also use AI technology to stop any kind of cheating in the NEET 2026.

As per the NEET 2026 exam day guidelines and dress code, it is recommended that candidates wear light clothes with half sleeves only. Long sleeves are strictly forbidden. Shoes are also not allowed in the examination hall. Candidates are therefore required to wear sandals with a low heel or footwear without thick soles.

Applicants who are unable to follow these rules due to religious commitments need to mention that on their application forms, under the option "Customary dress". Such applicants need to report at least an hour prior to the screening process.

NEET exam day guidelines 2026: Prohibited Items

The conducting body has listed the following items as prohibited during the NEET 2026 exam. The candidates who are appearing for NEET UG 2026 must follow the same otherwise they are not allowed to enter the examination hall. Candidates are thoroughly frisked at the entrance gate with the aid of highly sensitive metal detectors. Any candidate found to own such items is not allowed to appear in NEET 2026. Check the barred items list below.

  • Do not carry stationery items, prints, or other items besides the admit card and ID proof

  • Items such as geometry boxes, pencil boxes, calculators, pens, scales, writing pads, pen drives, and erasers are not permitted inside the NEET test centre

  • Communication devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth, earphones, pagers, health bands, etc. are strictly prohibited

  • Items such as watches, wallets, handbags, belts, caps, and ornaments cannot be carried inside the examination hall

  • Microchips, Bluetooth, cameras, which may be used for unfair means, are prohibited.

NEET 2026 Free Mock Test with Solutions
Download the NEET 2026 Free Mock Test PDF with detailed solutions. Practice real exam-style questions, analyze your performance, and enhance your preparation.
Download EBook

NEET 2026 exam day guidelines: Important instructions

Candidates need to follow the below listed instructions on the NEET exam day 2026.

  • Candidates have to sign the answer sheet twice: once at the beginning of the exam and again at the time of conclusion.

  • Candidates are required to provide figure impressions in the attendance sheet.

  • The test booklet is handed-over to the candidates 15 minutes before the examination so that they can fill out the particular information on it.

  • A ballpoint pen is provided to the candidates to write the exam.

  • Before the commencement of the exam, candidates have five minutes to open the seal on test booklets in order to check the number of pages in the booklet.

  • Applicants must ensure the code on the test booklet matches that provided on the answer sheet inside the booklet. It is mandatory to hand in the OMR sheet to the invigilator before leaving the exam room.

  • The candidates must fill in the details on both sides of the OMR answer sheet.

Guidelines for NEET 2026 exam day: General instructions

The following general instructions as a part of NEET exam day guidelines should be adhered to by the aspirants in the NEET UG for smooth conduct of exam. The NEET 2026 instructions are provided in the information brochure that is uploaded along with the NEET application form at NTA official website, neet.nta.nic.in.

  • There is a seat assigned to each candidate with a roll number. It is important that each candidate finds his or her designated seat and occupies it promptly

  • The candidates are advised to maintain a firm, upright posture and to face the camera when it approaches as all candidates are video recorded.

  • Candidates must enter the exam centre according to the scheduled time slot after that no candidates are permitted to enter the exam hall

  • Candidates need to present the following documents at the exam centre

  1. Printout of NEET 2026 admit card

  2. A passport size photograph (as uploaded on the NEET application form)

  3. A valid ID proof

  4. PwD certificate (if applicable)

  • It is important for candidates to ensure that they do not possess any of the prohibited items listed above

  • There are no safekeeping facilities provided by the authority, thus it is advisable that candidates do not bring items that have been barred

  • Candidates should ensure that the test booklet must contain the same number of pages as the number indicated on the test booklet's cover

  • The candidates are not allowed to leave the exam centre before the exam is over. Every candidate must handover the OMR sheet to the invigilator before leaving the room

  • Eating or drinking is not permitted in the hall, however, candidates with a genuine medical condition are permitted after assessment

NEET Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which authority is responsible for releasing the NEET exam day guidelines 2026?
A:

The National Testing agency is responsible for defining the rules of the exam before it is held.

Q: Are there any documents required on the day of the NEET exam?
A:

NEET admit card, self declaration form and photograph are some of the documents required on NEET exam day.

Q: Why is the NEET dress code one of the most important guidelines for exam day?
A:

The National Testing Agency provides a strict dress code for NEET candidates in order to curtail unfair practices.

Q: What items are allowed inside the NEET exam hall?
A:

NEET 2026 admit card and photograph are allowed inside the NEET exam centre. 

Articles
|
Upcoming Medicine Exams
Ongoing Dates
GAHET Application Date

7 Oct'25 - 26 Dec'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
Odisha BSc Nursing Counselling Date

1 Dec'25 - 31 Dec'25 (Online)

Upcoming Dates
MH BSc Nursing CET Exam Date

6 May'26 - 7 May'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Management of Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice
Via Tagore Dental College and Hospital, Chennai
Industrial Biotechnology
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Maternal Infant Young Child Nutrition
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Experimental Biotechnology
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Coursera
 355 courses
Futurelearn
 310 courses
Edx
 233 courses
Udemy
 191 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to NEET

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NEET ?

Hello aspirant,

Students can finish their NEET preparation and pass the test with flying colors thanks to the mock exams.  For NEET, NTA offers test papers and online practice exams.  To assess their level of preparation, students must rehearse the exams.  After completing the test, assess and analyze it to determine ways to raise your score.

To get the sample papers, you can visit our site through following link:

https://medicine.careers360.com/articles/neet-sample-paper

Thank You

First, understand the NEET syllabus clearly for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Focus only on the NCERT syllabus, as most NEET questions are directly or indirectly based on NCERT, especially in Biology and Chemistry. Avoid unnecessary reference books at this stage.

Divide your 4 months into phases. In the first 2 months, focus on completing the entire syllabus. Study Biology daily, as it carries the highest weightage. Read NCERT Biology line by line, make short notes, and revise regularly. For Chemistry, give priority to NCERT for Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. Practice basic numericals and reactions consistently. In Physics, focus on understanding concepts and practicing standard questions rather than memorizing formulas.

In the third month, start intensive revision along with topic-wise and full-length mock tests. Analyze each test carefully to identify weak areas and work on them. Improve time management and accuracy during this phase.

In the last month, focus mainly on revision and mock tests. Revise NCERT multiple times, especially Biology diagrams, tables, and examples. Avoid learning new topics at the last moment. Maintain a proper sleep schedule and take short breaks to avoid burnout.

Stay consistent, avoid distractions, and believe in your preparation. Even a few focused hours daily with proper planning can make a big difference. All the best!

Scoring 600+ marks in NEET within 4 months is definitely challenging, especially if you are starting almost from scratch, but it is not impossible. It largely depends on your discipline, daily study hours, clarity of basics, and how smartly you plan your preparation.

First, you need to be very realistic and focused. In 4 months, your main goal should be to strengthen NCERT-based concepts rather than trying to study everything in extreme detail. NEET questions are largely NCERT-oriented, especially in Biology and Chemistry. If you can master NCERT thoroughly, your chances improve significantly.

Biology should be your top priority because it carries the maximum weightage and is comparatively scoring. Read NCERT line by line for both Class 11 and 12. Revise multiple times and practice MCQs daily. Even if Physics feels tough initially, focus on high-weightage and formula-based chapters like Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Semiconductors, Ray Optics, and Laws of Motion. Chemistry can be divided smartly: give more time to Organic and Inorganic NCERT, and practice numericals regularly for Physical Chemistry.

You should ideally study 10–12 focused hours daily with a fixed timetable. Daily revision and weekly full-length mock tests are extremely important. Initially, your mock scores may be low, but what matters is consistent improvement and learning from mistakes. Analyze each test carefully to understand weak areas.

Since you are already enrolled in another college, time management becomes even more important. Try to minimize distractions and use early mornings or late evenings effectively. Avoid too many reference books; stick to NCERT and one reliable question bank.

That said, aiming for 600+ in 4 months is ambitious and depends on your learning speed and consistency. Even if you fall slightly short, a strong score improvement can still open opportunities in government or private colleges depending on category and cutoff trends.

Stay disciplined, trust the process, and do not compare your journey with others. Many students have made significant jumps in short durations with focused effort. All the best.

Hello,

Here are the important naming reactions for the NEET preparation.

Naming Reaction for NEET Preparation

Hope it helps your preparation. Good luck.


Hello

If you are asking about Motilal Nehru Medical College (MLN Medical College), Prayagraj, then admission is strictly through the NEET exam. For MBBS in this medical college, students usually need a high NEET rank because the cutoff is quite competitive.

In recent years, the closing ranks have often been within the top 20,000–30,000. This means you need a strong score to secure a seat. The exact marks may change every year depending on difficulty and competition.

You can get more information by visiting Careers360.com.