NEET PG 2026 registration is currently underway. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has started the application window on July 1, 2026, and candidates can apply online at natboard.edu.in until July 21, 2026. The exam is scheduled for August 30, 2026, in a single shift. NBEMS has also released the official information bulletin along with several process changes this year, so candidates are advised to read it carefully before submitting the form.
NEET PG 2026 Key Dates
NBEMS has confirmed the full schedule in the information bulletin. Here’s the complete schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application starts | July 1, 2026 (5:00 PM onwards) |
| Last date to submit application | July 21, 2026 (11:55 PM) |
| Edit window | July 25 – July 28, 2026 |
| Selective edit window (photograph, signature, thumb impression) | July 31 – August 10, 2026 |
| Exam city intimation | August 11, 2026 |
| Admit card release | August 27, 2026 |
| NEET PG 2026 exam | August 30, 2026 |
| Result declaration | By September 30, 2026 |
| Internship completion cut-off | September 30, 2026 |
Who Is Eligible for NEET PG 2026?
To apply, candidates must meet the following conditions set by NBEMS and the National Medical Commission (NMC):
- MBBS degree: Candidates must hold an MBBS degree, or a provisional MBBS pass certificate, recognised under the NMC Act, 2019 and the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023.
- Internship: Candidates must have completed their one-year compulsory rotatory internship, or be likely to complete it on or before September 30, 2026.
- Medical registration: A permanent or provisional registration certificate issued by the NMC, the former Medical Council of India (MCI), or a State Medical Council is mandatory.
- Foreign medical graduates: Candidates who completed their MBBS abroad must have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) screening test.
- Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are all eligible to apply.
- Age and attempts: There is no upper age limit and no cap on the number of attempts.
NBEMS has clarified that candidates found ineligible at any stage — even after appearing for the exam or clearing it — will have their candidature or result cancelled.
What’s Changes in NEET PG 2026
Several changes have been introduced this year, and candidates are advised not to rush their applications because of them:
- No more first-come-first-served exam cities. Test cities will no longer be allotted based on who registers earliest. Instead, candidates must select three preferred test states — their own state as the first preference, and two neighbouring states — with the final city allotted by NBEMS based on availability.
- Aadhaar authentication is mandatory. Aadhaar is used only for identity verification during the application and exam process; NBEMS has clarified it does not store Aadhaar details beyond the authorised UIDAI system. Importantly, the Aadhaar number cannot be edited once submitted, even during the correction window.
- Stricter image and biometric rules. Photographs must be recent (taken within the last three months), and candidates are warned not to apply henna, ink, or colour on their fingers/palms on exam day, as it can interfere with biometric verification.
- No changes after final submission. Once the form is submitted, it’s locked — review everything carefully beforehand.
How to Apply for NEET PG 2026?
The application process is entirely online. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Visit natboard.edu.in and click on the NEET PG 2026 registration link.
- Click “New Registration” and create your profile using your name, email ID, mobile number, Aadhaar number, and nationality.
- Generate your User ID and password — keep these safe, as you’ll need them to log back in.
- Log in and click “Go to Application” to open the actual form.
- Fill in personal, academic, and internship details carefully. Remember: your name, Aadhaar number, email ID, mobile number, and nationality cannot be changed after submission.
- Upload documents — photograph, signature, and thumb impression — in the prescribed format and size.
- Select your three preferred test states, starting with your home state.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment options (UPI, credit card, debit card, or net banking).
- Review everything and submit. Download the confirmation page for your records — the form cannot be withdrawn once submitted.
If you forget your password after registering, use the “Forgot Your Password” option on the portal to reset it.
NEET PG 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General, OBC & EWS | ₹3,500 |
| SC, ST & PwD | ₹2,500 |
Documents Required
Keep these ready before you begin the form, and carry the physical/digital copies to your exam centre:
- Recent passport-size photograph (taken within the last 3 months)
- Signature and left-hand thumb impression, scanned as per specification
- MBBS degree or provisional pass certificate
- Internship completion certificate (or proof of expected completion)
- NMC/MCI/State Medical Council registration certificate
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, etc.)
NEET PG 2026 Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam date | August 30, 2026 |
| Shift | Single shift |
| Total questions | 180 MCQs |
| Sections | 5 (Group A, B, C, D, E) |
| Questions per section | 36 |
| Time per section | 42 minutes |
| Total duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Marking scheme | +4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unanswered |
| Medium | English only |
What Happens After Result
Once results are declared, a merit list is prepared based on NEET PG scores. Counselling for All India Quota (AIQ) seats is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), while State Quota seats go through respective state counselling authorities, each with additional state-level eligibility conditions. Note that NEET PG is the only valid entrance test for MD/MS/PG Diploma admissions — no separate state or institutional-level exam is recognised, except for a handful of standalone institutes like AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, and NIMHANS Bengaluru, which run their own admission processes outside centralised NEET PG counselling.
When will NEET PG 2026 registration be closed?
The application window closes on July 21, 2026, at 11:55 PM.
What is the NEET PG 2026 application fee?
₹3,500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹2,500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates, plus applicable payment gateway charges.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for NEET PG 2026?
Aadhaar-based authentication is mandatory for identity verification, though it does not affect exam eligibility. Enter it carefully, since it can’t be edited later.