NEET UG 2027: Apply Feb-Mar, Exam May 2 (CBT)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), NEET (UG) 2027, on Sunday, 2 May 2027. This pre-medical entrance examination assesses the competency of candidates for admission to undergraduate medical programs at government and private colleges, as well as international institutions, across India.

Approximately 23 lakh candidates are anticipated to appear for NEET 2027, making it one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country. A significant change for the upcoming cycle is the reported shift of NEET-UG to a computer-based test (CBT) mode, as announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in May 2026.

Expected NEET UG 2027 Schedule and Application Process

The official exam date for NEET 2027 has not yet been announced by the NTA. However, the application form is expected to open in February 2027, with the last date to apply anticipated in the first half of March 2027. The admit card for NEET 2027 is expected to be released around the second-last week of April 2027.

Candidates are advised to monitor the official portal, neet.nta.nic.in, for the NEET 2027 notification for confirmed dates and instructions. The NTA, established by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GOI), has historically conducted the NEET-UG in the first week of May for several consecutive cycles.

Changes in Exam Mode and Pattern

The NEET-UG examination is officially reported to shift to a computer-based test (CBT) mode from 2027. This change was recommended by a parliamentary committee in October 2026, following an announcement by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in May 2026 regarding the move to computer-based testing “from next year.” The NEET UG 2026 cycle experienced disruption due to a paper leak, leading to a re-exam on 21 June 2026, which saw 20 lakh students compete and 11.21 lakh qualify.

The NEET 2027 exam pattern is expected to feature 180 compulsory questions, with 45 questions each for Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Each correct answer will carry 4 marks, while an incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 1 mark. Biology remains the subject with the highest weightage, accounting for 360 marks, which is 50% of the total paper. The exam duration is expected to be 180 minutes (3 hours) and will be conducted in 13 languages.

Eligibility Criteria and Syllabus for NEET 2027

To be eligible for NEET 2027, candidates must be at least 17 years old on or before 31 December 2027. There is no upper age limit under current norms for NEET. Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects.

The minimum passing marks criteria vary by category: 50% for General/EWS, 40% for OBC/SC/ST, 45% for General-PwD, and 40% for Reserved-PwD. The NEET 2027 syllabus is expected to align with the revised NEET UG syllabus prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB).

Admissions Through NEET UG Scores

NEET UG scores are accepted by approximately 542 medical colleges, 313 dental colleges, 914 AYUSH colleges, and 47 BVSc & AH colleges across India. In addition, 15 AIIMS campuses and 2 JIPMER campuses also accept NEET scores for admission to their undergraduate medical programs. Admission to the B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing programme will also be supported through the NEET exam.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages the counselling process for 15% of government MBBS/BDS seats under the All India Quota (AIQ), while 85% of government seats and 100% of private college seats in-state are reserved for the State Quota. Candidates are advised to retain a copy of their NEET results until the admission process is complete.

Further reading

• NEET mock test 2027 PDFs available for download, includes solutions and answer keys
• NEET UG 2026 stray round result out: report to colleges by 26 October
• NEET result: date and how to check Next step
• KCET registration 2027 to open tentatively in January, application fee details
• KEAM 2027: Apply online for engineering seats starting January
• KEAM 2026: Apply for 84 MBBS, 106 BDS stray seats. CEE to announce dates Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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