Introduction

NEET PG 2026 is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate admissions in medicine for the year 2026. It is a single-window, all-India entrance examination for medical graduates seeking MD, MS, PG Diploma, DNB (Post MBBS) and DrNB (Direct 6-year) postgraduate seats. Conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on behalf of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), this exam holds paramount importance as it is the sole gateway to postgraduate medical education in India. Every year, tens of thousands of MBBS graduates participate in NEET-PG. In 2025, over 2.42 lakh candidates appeared, making it one of the largest computer-based exams in the country. Preparing for NEET PG 2026 is therefore a crucial step for medical graduates aiming to specialize, and understanding the exam’s details, requirements, and schedule is the first step towards success.

Exam Overview

Conducting Body: NEET PG 2026 will be organized by NBEMS, an autonomous body under MoHFW, Government of India. NBEMS sets the exam scheme, releases the official information bulletin, and conducts the test nationwide in designated centers. The exam is expected to be held in computer-based mode (CBT) in a single day. In recent years, NBEMS has conducted NEET-PG as a single-shift online exam across hundreds of cities. The test interface is on a computer, and candidates answer by selecting the correct option on-screen.

Expected Schedule: As of now, the official NEET PG 2026 exam date has not been announced. However, based on precedent, the exam is likely to take place in the first half of 2026. (For example, NEET PG 2025, after some delays, was finally held on 3rd August 2025) Candidates should monitor NBEMS notifications for the confirmed date. Typically, the exam duration is 3 hours 30 minutes. The test is conducted in English language only across all centers. Being a high-stakes national exam, strict security and fairness measures are in place. NBEMS coordinates with state authorities and even deployed cyber-security teams during NEET PG 2025 to prevent cheating.

Exam Format: The NEET PG question paper comprises 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be attempted in 3.5 hours. Each question has four options with a single best answer. The marking scheme awards +4 marks for every correct answer, while -1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer (25% negative marking). Unattempted questions do not affect the score (0 mark). The maximum possible score is 800. There is no sectional cut-off within the exam, but the paper may be divided into sections or groups for operational convenience (in 2025 the paper was organized in five sections of 40 questions each, covering different subject groups). The exam mode is online, so candidates must familiarize themselves with the computer-based test format. NBEMS provides a demo test on its website for practice, which aspirants should utilize to get comfortable with the interface and question navigation.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for NEET PG 2026, candidates must meet educational, internship, and registration requirements as stipulated by NBEMS and NMC:

• MBBS Qualification: You must possess an MBBS degree or Provisional MBBS Pass Certificate from a recognized medical college/institution. The degree should be recognized as per the NMC Act, 2019 and the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023. Essentially, your MBBS should be from an institution approved by the National Medical Commission (or the erstwhile Medical Council of India).
• Registration: Candidates need to have a Permanent or Provisional registration certificate of their MBBS qualification issued by the NMC (or erstwhile MCI) or a State Medical Council. This proves that you are authorized to practice medicine (even provisionally) and is usually obtained after completing MBBS. The registration must be presented during counselling/admission.
• Internship Completion: A one-year compulsory rotatory internship is mandatory. You should have completed your 12-month internship by the stipulated cut-off date to be eligible for NEET PG. For NEET-PG 2025, the cut-off was 31st July 2025. For NEET PG 2026, the internship completion deadline is expected to be around end of June or July 2026 (the exact date will be confirmed in the official notification). Candidates who will complete their internship after the specified cut-off (e.g. after July 2026) are not eligible to apply. Ensure that your internship certificate is ready as proof during counselling.
• Eligibility for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs): Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who obtained their primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent) from outside India must qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) screening test before they can apply for NEET PG. They should also be registered with NMC/State Medical Council after qualifying FMGE, and must complete their internship by the given cut-off (just like Indian graduates).
• Eligibility for Foreign Nationals: Foreign nationals (non-Indian citizens) can appear for NEET PG 2026 without FMGE, provided their basic medical qualification is recognized by NMC. They will need to obtain a temporary registration from NMC if selected, which is only valid for the duration of the PG course (this temporary registration is granted on condition that the candidate is duly registered in their own country). Additionally, foreign nationals may need to get security clearance from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs as per government requirements before the exam application.
• Nationality Criteria: Indian citizens, OCIs, NRIs, and foreign nationals are all eligible to take NEET PG, subject to the conditions above. There is no domicile restriction for the All India 50% quota seats. All Indian candidates compete on equal terms in AIQ counselling (except Jammu & Kashmir candidates are not eligible for AIQ unless they have special permission, as per past rules). State quota eligibility (for the 50% state seats) will depend on the respective state’s policies like domicile, etc., but that comes into play during counselling, not at the exam application stage.

In summary, MBBS graduates with valid registration who finish internship by mid-2026 can apply for NEET PG 2026. Those in final year of internship can apply provisionally but must complete the internship by the deadline. It is crucial to fulfil all criteria; ineligible candidates will be barred at any stage, and even if they somehow take the exam, their result can be cancelled. Always refer to the official information bulletin for the detailed eligibility conditions and any updates or relaxations announced (for instance, internship deadlines have been extended in the past due to COVID or other administrative reasons. The NMC decided the internship cut-off for 2025 should be 31 July 2025 in an official notice).

Application Process

The application for NEET PG 2026 is an online process. NBEMS will release an official notification and information bulletin detailing the steps and timeline. Here is a step-by-step guide to the typical application process (based on the 2025 process):

1. Online Registration: Visit the official NBEMS website for examinations (natboard.edu.in or nbe.edu.in the exact link will be given in the NBEMS notification). Look for the “NEET-PG 2026 Application” link. You will need to register by entering basic details like name, date of birth, contact number, email, etc., and create a login. This generates an Applicant ID and password which you will use for all future logins.
2. Fill Application Form: After registration, login and fill out the NEET PG 2026 application form. You will have to enter your personal details, educational background (MBBS degree details, college, university, year of passing), internship details (start and completion date), medical registration details, category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS), and exam city preferences. It’s important to enter all information correctly and verify it, as these details will be reflected in your admit card and used for counselling. NBEMS cautions that the information in the application form is treated as “final” and mistakes can lead to disqualification if not corrected in time.
3. Upload Documents: During the form fill-up, you will need to upload scanned images as per NBEMS specifications. Typically, this includes:
   • A recent passport-size photograph (usually color, with white background) NBEMS often requires both an uploaded photo and capturing a real-time photo via webcam during form fill, to prevent impersonation.
   • Your signature (scanned on white paper).
   • Thumb impression (usually left thumb, scanned image).
   • Any other documents if specified for example, sometimes you may need to upload your MBBS provisional or degree certificate, internship completion certificate (if already completed), or category certificate for reservation (though usually category certificates are verified at counselling, not during application). Check the information bulletin for the list of “prescribed documents” to upload.
   NBEMS provides detailed image upload instructions (like file format, size, dimensions) in the bulletin. Make sure to follow these to avoid your form being rejected due to improper images. After submission, NBEMS will give a window to correct image deficiencies if they find any issue, but it’s best to get it right initially.
4. Choose Exam City: You will be asked to select your preferred exam city from the list of available cities. All states and union territories have designated NEET PG centers. The sooner you apply, the better chance to get a preferred city, since city allocation is first-come-first-serve as per seat availability at each center. The form will show you cities that still have slots at that moment. Choose a convenient location (typically near your MBBS college or home city). Note that exam centers within that city will be allotted by NBEMS later on the admit card. Once a city is full, you’ll have to pick another, so apply early.
5. Pay Examination Fee: Next, pay the exam fee online through the provided payment gateway. The fee can be paid via credit card, debit card, or internet banking. The fee for NEET PG 2026 (based on last year’s rates) is expected to be:
   • ₹ 3500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
   • ₹ 2500 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
   (This amount is excluding applicable GST and transaction charges, which are added at payment.) After payment, ensure that the payment status in your application is shown as “Successful” (often indicated by an “S”). If the fee status is pending or “F” (failed), your application is incomplete you may need to attempt the payment again. NBEMS does not refund fees for incomplete or rejected applications, so double-check everything before final submission.
6. Confirmation & Printout: Once you have filled all details and paid the fee, submit the form. A confirmation page or application PDF will be generated. Download and print the completed application form for your records. This printout (or PDF) will contain your application number and the details you entered. It’s useful to have this in case of any discrepancies later and will be required during counselling as proof of application.
7. Edit Window: NBEMS typically provides an edit window after the application deadline, during which you can correct certain mistakes (like personal details, etc.) except critical fields such as name, email, nationality etc. There is also usually a final edit window specifically to correct any image upload issues (photograph, signature, thumb impression) as notified by NBEMS. Keep an eye on NBEMS announcements for the edit window schedule. For instance, in NEET PG 2025, the primary application window was from 17th April to 7th May 2025, followed by an edit window for all applications and then a final window to fix deficient images.
8. Admit Card Release: If your application is accepted, NBEMS will issue the NEET PG 2026 Admit Card on its website around 1-2 weeks before the exam date. You will be alerted via email/SMS when admit cards are available. You must download your admit card by logging in on the NBEMS site. The admit card will have your exam date, time (shift), exam center address, and instructions. You will need to affix a passport photo on it and carry it to the exam center along with required photo ID. (The exact admit card instructions will be given in the information bulletin and on the admit card itself.)

Throughout the application process, make sure to use the official NBEMS portal only. Be cautious of any fake websites or agents: NBEMS does not authorize any third-party to assist in applications. As the bulletin warns, “Candidates are advised not to be allured or misled by unscrupulous agents/touts making false and bogus claims…”. Always cross-verify the URLs (they should be *.gov.in or *.edu.in domains for official sites) and rely on information published in the official information bulletin or NBEMS website.