NEET PG 2026 Exam Date Out: August 30 Confirmed, Registration Timeline, Eligibility, and Essential Details

By Rishi Pal | January 22, 2026

NEET PG 2026 Exam: Picture yourself after years of medical school, finally ready to pursue your dream specialization in general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, radiology, or another advanced medical field. That dream begins with cracking NEET PG. For thousands of MBBS graduates across India preparing to apply right now, the waiting for official exam dates is finally over. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has officially announced that NEET PG 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, August 30, 2026. This article covers everything you need to know about exam dates, registration windows, eligibility criteria, exam patterns, and smart preparation strategies to help you ace this highly competitive entrance test.

NEET PG 2026 Exam Date Officially Announced

According to the official NBEMS notification, the NEET PG 2026 exam is confirmed for Sunday, August 30, 2026. The exam will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode at designated centres across India. This official announcement marks a crucial moment for medical aspirants, as it provides nearly seven months of structured preparation time before the test day.

The key highlight here is timing. Unlike previous years when the exam date faced multiple postponements and shifts from January to August, this year’s August 30 date gives candidates additional breathing room to complete internships, prepare thoroughly, and submit applications without last-minute stress. For many MBBS graduates, especially those still completing their compulsory rotating internship (CRI), this timeline offers realistic feasibility.

According to the NBEMS official schedule released, the exam will run from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, giving you exactly three and a half hours to attempt 200 multiple-choice questions.

Also read:- NEET PG 2026 Exam Date Out: August 30 Confirmed, Registration Timeline, Eligibility, and Essential Details

NEET PG 2026 Important Dates and Application Timeline

Understanding the complete timeline is essential for planning your preparation and ensuring you don’t miss critical deadlines. Here is the expected schedule based on NBEMS tentative announcements:

Event	Expected Timeline
NEET PG 2026 Information Bulletin Release	May 2026
Registration Window Opens	First week of June 2026
Registration Window Closes	Last week of June 2026
Correction Window (if applicable)	First week of July 2026
Admit Card Release	Third week of August 2026
NEET PG 2026 Exam Date	Sunday, August 30, 2026
Internship Completion Deadline	September 30, 2026
Result Declaration	Approximately 10-15 days after exam (around September 10-15, 2026)
Counselling Process	Anticipated September-October 2026

These dates are tentative and subject to official confirmation by NBEMS. Candidates should regularly check the official NBEMS website at nbe.edu.in for updated schedules and notifications.

Who Can Apply

Before rushing to register, verify that you meet all eligibility requirements. NBEMS has strict criteria, and ineligible applications face automatic rejection, potentially blocking your entire year’s aspirations.

Educational Qualification You must hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from a university or institute recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The degree should be from an accredited medical college, whether government, private, or deemed university. Candidates with incomplete MBBS degrees are not eligible.

NMC Registration Registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or your State Medical Council (SMC) is mandatory. This must be either permanent registration or provisional registration. If you have not yet registered with NMC or your state council, apply immediately, as this is a non-negotiable requirement. Many candidates miss this crucial step and face rejection.

Compulsory Rotating Internship This is perhaps the most critical eligibility criterion. You must have successfully completed 12 months of compulsory rotating internship (CRI) by September 30, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you will be declared ineligible and barred from appearing in the exam and subsequent counselling. Many recent graduates worry about timing here. If your internship completion date falls after September 30, 2026, you cannot appear for NEET PG 2026. You would need to wait for NEET PG 2027. Plan your internship schedule accordingly. Consult your medical college’s internship coordinator to confirm your completion date well in advance.

Age and Attempt Limits There is no upper age limit for appearing in NEET PG 2026. You can attempt the exam even in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria. Similarly, there is no cap on the number of attempts. You can appear for the exam as many times as needed until you achieve your desired score and rank.

Nationality Indian nationals, NRI (Non-Resident Indians), OCI (Overseas Citizens of India), PIO (Persons of Indian Origin), and foreign nationals can all apply, subject to meeting other eligibility criteria.

Application Process

The entire application process is entirely online via the NBEMS official portal. Here is how to register and apply for NEET PG 2026:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website Go to nbe.edu.in and locate the NEET PG 2026 registration link on the homepage. Ensure you access only the official NBEMS website to avoid phishing scams or fraudulent portals.

Step 2: Complete Initial Registration Click on the registration link and fill in your basic details including name, date of birth, gender, nationality, email address, and mobile number. A valid email address and working mobile number are essential, as NBEMS will send your login credentials via SMS and email. Use an email and phone number that you check regularly to avoid missing communication.

Step 3: Create Your Login Credentials After submitting basic details, NBEMS will generate a unique user ID and send a temporary password to your registered email and phone number. You will use these credentials to log in and complete your full application form.

Step 4: Fill the Complete Application Form Log in using your user ID and password. The application form will have several sections requiring personal, academic, internship, and registration details. Your name, date of birth, gender, and nationality will be pre-filled based on your initial registration, but verify these carefully. Any discrepancies can lead to rejection or issues during counselling. Carefully enter all academic information, including your MBBS college name, NMC registration number, and internship completion status. This information is verified against official NMC records, so accuracy is critical.

Step 5: Choose Your Exam Centre Select your preferred test city from the list of available centres. According to previous exams, there are over 500 test cities across India. Your registered state may have multiple centres, so choose based on accessibility and convenience. Remember, this choice aids exam logistics but does not directly impact your score or ranking.

Step 6: Upload Required Documents You must upload scanned copies of the following documents in the specified formats and sizes:

• Passport-size colour photograph (JPG, 10KB to 100KB)
• Signature on white background (JPG, 10KB to 100KB)
• Left thumb impression on white background (JPG, 10KB to 100KB)
• Category certificate, if applicable (SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate issued by competent authority) Ensure all documents are clear, well-lit, and properly cropped. Many rejections happen due to poor-quality scans or documents not meeting specifications. Re-check specifications before uploading.

Step 7: Pay the Application Fee NEET PG 2026 application fee is category-based:

• General, OBC, and EWS categories: Rs. 4,250
• SC, ST, and PwD categories: Rs. 3,250 Payment can be made online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Choose the method you trust and complete payment immediately. Retain the payment confirmation receipt.

Step 8: Final Submission and Confirmation Review your entire application form one more time before clicking submit. Verify every detail, especially your name, email, phone number, and exam centre choice. Once submitted, you cannot change these without using the official correction window. After submission, you will receive a confirmation page. Download and print this confirmation, as it serves as your application receipt. Keep it safely for future reference.

NEET PG Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme Explained

Understanding the exam pattern is the foundation of effective preparation. Here is the detailed structure of NEET PG 2026:

Exam Mode and Duration NEET PG is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted entirely online. Total duration is three and a half hours (210 minutes). Questions are not divided into sections with time limits, but time management remains crucial.

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration	Marking Scheme
Total	200	800	210 minutes	+4 per correct, -1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted

Understanding the Marking System For every correct answer, you earn 4 marks. For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted (which equals 25% of marks for a correct answer). Importantly, unattempted questions carry zero marks and no penalty. This has significant strategic implications for your test-taking approach. The total maximum score is 800 marks. Your final rank is determined not just by marks but by your percentile and merit order among all candidates.

The Negative Marking Impact With 25% negative marking, guessing randomly is risky. Let’s say you answer 10 questions at random, expecting 2.5 correct. You would gain 10 marks but lose 7.5 marks, netting only 2.5 marks. This means answering only confident, well-prepared questions is often better than attempting everything. Develop a clear strategy during mock tests to decide which questions to skip.

Question Type and Difficulty All questions are multiple-choice with four options (A, B, C, D). Questions test factual knowledge, clinical application, and problem-solving across the entire MBBS curriculum. The difficulty varies from straightforward recall to complex scenario-based questions mimicking real clinical situations.

NEET PG 2026 Syllabus

According to NBEMS and the National Medical Commission (NMC), the NEET PG 2026 syllabus covers the complete Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum as prescribed under NMC guidelines. This means you are already familiar with most topics from your MBBS coursework, but you need focused revision and deeper understanding for competitive performance.

Main Subject Areas The syllabus broadly includes:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Forensic Medicine
• Social and Preventive Medicine
• General Medicine (including Dermatology, Psychiatry)
• General Surgery (including Orthopedics, Anesthesia)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pediatrics
• Ophthalmology
• ENT
• Radiology

Strategic Approach to Syllabus Coverage Rather than studying every topic equally, focus on high-yield areas. Based on previous year trends, topics from General Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacology, and Pathology appear more frequently. However, do not completely neglect other subjects, as NEET PG is comprehensive. Refer to the official NMC curriculum document available on the NMC website. Many coaching institutes have compiled topic lists with weightage based on analysis of previous years’ question papers. Use these as study guides.

Category-Wise Eligibility, Fees, and Reservation Benefits

NEET PG 2026 follows India’s national reservation policy across categories. Here is the breakdown:

General Category Unrestricted eligibility. Application fee: Rs. 4,250. No marks relaxation. Cutoffs are typically the highest due to large competition.

OBC (Other Backward Classes) Non-creamy layer OBC candidates are eligible. Application fee: Rs. 4,250. No marks relaxation in NEET PG. Separate merit lists and seat reservations apply during counselling.

SC/ST Categories Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates are eligible. Application fee: Rs. 3,250 (discounted). No marks relaxation in exam, but reserved seats ensure reasonable cutoff scores for qualification. Separate counselling lists apply.

EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) EWS category is for economically weaker sections of society meeting defined income criteria. Application fee: Rs. 4,250. Eligibility requires a valid EWS certificate issued by competent authority. This is a general category but with reserved seats and benefits during counselling.

PwD (Persons with Disability) Candidates with a disability of 40% or more are eligible. Application fee: Rs. 3,250 (discounted). The exam can be taken with scribe and extra time depending on disability type. While no marks relaxation is given in NEET PG, reserved seats and age relaxation apply during counselling.

NEET PG 2025 Cutoff Trends

Understanding previous cutoffs helps set realistic targets. However, cutoffs vary annually based on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. Here is a snapshot of NEET PG 2025 trends: The minimum qualifying score to appear in the merit list hovers around 50th percentile (approximately 300-350 marks out of 800 for General). However, to actually secure a PG seat in a reputable government college or specialty of choice, you typically need scores between 500 and 650 marks, depending on your category and specialty preference. For government medical colleges, cutoffs for General category candidates ranged from 550 to 700 marks for popular specialties like General Medicine and Surgery in 2025. SC/ST candidates generally faced lower cutoffs due to reservation benefits. Private college seats were available at lower cutoff marks, around 350 to 500, depending on the institution’s reputation and geographic location. These are indicative trends and may shift in 2026. The key insight: scores below 400 make securing government seats very challenging, while 500 and above open significant opportunities across government and private colleges.

Smart Preparation Strategies

With nearly seven months to go, structured preparation is your winning formula. Here are evidence-based strategies used by top rankers:

Start With Previous Year Papers Download NEET PG question papers from the last five years. Analyse which topics appear frequently, what types of questions are asked, and how questions evolve. This gives you a study roadmap. Many candidates find this more valuable than coaching material.

Create a Study Schedule Divide the seven months into phases: foundation (10 weeks), intermediate (8 weeks), advanced (5 weeks), and revision (3 weeks). Allocate subjects based on your strengths and weaknesses. Dedicate 6 to 8 hours daily to structured study.

Use Quality Study Resources Standard MBBS textbooks (Harrison’s for Medicine, Bailey & Love for Surgery, etc.) are excellent. However, condensed revision notes from reputable coaching institutes or online platforms can save time. Avoid scattered resources; stick to 2 to 3 trusted sources per subject.

Take Regular Mock Tests Start mock tests from week 8 of your preparation. Take at least 2 to 3 full-length mocks weekly as you approach the exam. This helps you practice time management, identify weak areas, and build exam temperament. Analyse every mock test thoroughly; time spent on analysis is more valuable than time spent taking tests.

Join Study Groups Group discussions clarify difficult concepts and expose you to different perspectives. Study groups also provide motivation and accountability. Meet once or twice weekly with 3 to 4 peers to discuss challenging topics.

Focus on Weak Areas Identify your weakest subjects early. Allocate extra time to these topics. It is easier to improve from 40% to 60% in a weak area than to go from 85% to 95% in a strong area.

Manage Exam Anxiety Many high scorers on mock tests fail to replicate performance on exam day due to stress. Practise relaxation techniques, maintain regular exercise, and ensure 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly. On exam day, take deep breaths, read questions carefully, and avoid panic.

NEET PG 2026 Registration

Hundreds of candidates face rejections every year due to preventable errors. Here is what to avoid:

Incomplete NMC Registration Not having permanent or provisional NMC registration before applying is the most common fatal error. Register with NMC well before the application window opens. Verify your registration on the NMC website using your registration number.

Missing Internship Deadline Even if your internship is scheduled to complete on October 15, you risk ineligibility if documentation gets delayed. Ensure your internship formally concludes by September 30, 2026, at the latest.

Poor Document Quality Blurry photographs, signatures, or thumb impressions lead to application rejection. Invest time in getting clear scans. Use a good scanner or smartphone app to ensure quality.

Wrong Email or Phone Number If you provide a typo in your email or phone number, you won’t receive your login credentials. Double-check before submitting.

Mismatched Name Spelling Ensure your name on the application exactly matches your NMC registration and certificate. Any mismatch complicates counselling and seat allotment.

Missing Correction Window After application submission, there is usually a correction window. Review your form meticulously during this period and make changes if needed. Missing the correction window means living with errors.

After NEET PG 2026: What Happens Next?

Clearing NEET PG is just the beginning. Here is what follows:

Result Declaration and Merit List Results will be released approximately 10-15 days after the exam on the NBEMS website. Your scorecard will be downloadable using your login credentials. Merit lists will be published separately for different categories.

Counselling Process The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities conduct counselling based on NEET PG scores. All India Quota (AIQ) seats and state quota seats are allotted based on your choice, category, score, and availability.

Seat Allotment and Joining Seats are allotted in successive rounds. After allotment, you need to physically report to your allotted college within a specified deadline to complete formalities and begin your PG programme.

Programme Duration Most MD/MS courses span three years, while PG Diplomas are two years.

Frequently Asked Questions on NEET PG 2026

Conclusion

The official confirmation that NEET PG 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, 2026, marks the beginning of a critical seven-month journey. This is your opportunity to transition from a general physician to a specialist, opening doors to advanced clinical skills, research, teaching, and enhanced career prospects. Registration is expected to open in early June 2026 on nbe.edu.in.

Verify your eligibility right now. Ensure your NMC registration is active and your internship completion is on track. Start gathering documents for registration. With smart preparation, high-yield study strategies, regular mock testing, and disciplined effort, thousands of Indian medical graduates crack NEET PG every year and secure coveted PG seats. You can be one of them. Begin today. Access the official NBEMS website at nbe.edu.in for the latest updates. Subscribe to notifications. Download the information bulletin when released. Take the first mock test. Every action you take today compounds your chances of success on exam day. Your dream specialization awaits. All the best for NEET PG 2026!