The NEET UG 2026 exam took place on May 3, 2026, across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, presenting candidates with a significant increase in conceptual questions within the Physics section, which has raised concerns regarding their depth of understanding.
According to sources, over 22 lakh candidates registered for the NEET UG 2026 exam. Many candidates rated the question paper as moderate, indicating a challenging yet manageable experience.
Key facts about the NEET UG 2026 exam:
- The exam was conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm.
- Candidates can access the provisional answer key on the official NTA portal at neet.nta.nic.in.
- To download the answer key PDF, candidates need their registration number and date of birth.
Furthermore, candidates have the opportunity to raise objections against the provisional answer key for a fee of Rs 200 per question. This procedure allows for a review before finalizing the answer key.
Each question carries 4 marks for a correct answer and incurs a deduction of -1 mark for an incorrect response. However, if any question is deemed incorrect after review, all candidates receive an award of +4 marks regardless of their attempt.
Officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) have advised candidates to refrain from relying on unofficial answer keys circulating on social media platforms. Instead, they should monitor the NTA website closely for updates regarding both the provisional and final answer keys.
This year’s exam followed traditional patterns set by the NTA but introduced specific shifts in weightage that could impact scoring dynamics. Notably, while Physics saw an uptick in conceptual questions, Biology remained largely centered around NCERT materials.
The NTA will thoroughly review all objections submitted by candidates before releasing the final answer key. Candidates are encouraged to remain vigilant as updates unfold regarding their performance and subsequent results.
