The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is an essential gateway for aspiring medical and dental professionals, serving as the sole national-level entrance examination for undergraduate programs in India. With over a million candidates appearing every year, understanding NEET total marks 2026, the NEET marking scheme 2026, and cut-off trends is crucial for aspirants to plan their preparation smartly. As we look ahead to NEET UG 2026, many students are curious about the NEET 2026 total marks out of 720, NEET passing marks 2026, and other important details. As per the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NEET exam carries a maximum score of 720 marks. This score is derived from the subjects, which include 180 marks each for Physics and Chemistry, and 360 marks for Biology (Botany and Zoology). By the end of this article, candidates will have a clear understanding of NEET Total Marks 2026 – NEET Passing Marks, Marking Scheme and NEET 2025 Cut-Off Trends.
NEET Total Marks 2026
The NEET UG 2026 exam is a crucial examination for aspirants aiming for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses. The NEET total marks 2026 play a major role in determining eligibility for admission to undergraduate medical, dental, nursing, and other allied courses in both government and private institutions across India. The NEET 2026 exam pattern includes Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology, and the complete paper carries a total of 720 marks. Each correct answer gives 4 marks, while each wrong answer leads to a deduction of 1 mark due to NEET 2026 negative marking.
- Total marks in NEET 2026: 720
- Total number of questions: 200 (out of which 180 are to be attempted)
- Marks per question: 4
- Negative marking: 1 mark for each incorrect answer
This structure makes it essential to be accurate and strategic while attempting the paper. By understanding the NEET 2026 marks distribution, marks per subject, and cut-off trends, aspirants can set realistic targets. Candidates often search for NEET qualifying marks 2026 and NEET passing marks 2026 to plan their score range. The best approach is to aim above the minimum qualifying marks, especially if your target is a government medical college.
NEET Total Marks 2026 – Overview
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is responsible for conducting NEET UG. NEET 2026 provides students the opportunity to gain admission to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses such as BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, and BPT. The exam is expected to be held in offline mode (pen and paper). The syllabus is based on classes 11 and 12, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Candidates should understand the NEET 2026 exam pattern, marking scheme and cut-off expectations to prepare accordingly.
Seats and participating colleges may vary each year. Candidates must regularly check the official NTA website and counselling authorities for updated seat matrix and counselling notifications for NEET UG 2026.
Key Highlights of NEET Total Marks 2026
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency ( NTA ) |
| Examination Mode | Offline Mode ( Pen & Paper Based Test ) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology) |
| Total No. of Questions | 200 (180 questions to be answered) |
| Total Marks | 720 Marks |
| Time Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes (200 Minutes) |
| Types of Question(s) | MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Marking Scheme | Each correct answer will award 4 marks. There will be a penalty of ( -1 ) mark for each incorrect answer. Questions that are not attempted will not be marked. |
NEET Total Marks Per Subject (Subject-wise Marks Distribution)
Understanding NEET 2026 subject wise marks helps candidates prioritise subjects smartly. Here is the breakdown of marks per subject:
| Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum marks to be attempted |
|---|---|---|
| Botany | 35 + 15 questions | 180 |
| Zoology | 35 + 15 questions | 180 |
| Chemistry | 35 + 15 questions | 180 |
| Physics | 35 + 15 questions | 180 |
| Total | 200 (180 questions are compulsory to be attempted) | 720 |
This clearly shows that Biology has the highest weightage (360 marks). So, students should score maximum in Biology while maintaining a strong grip on Chemistry and Physics. This is especially important if you aim for top ranks as per NEET marks vs rank 2026 trends.
NEET Total Marks 2026 Passing Marks out of 720
NEET passing marks 2026 refers to the minimum marks required to qualify the exam and become eligible for counselling. These are also called NEET qualifying marks 2026. The qualifying criteria depends on category, and cut-offs vary every year. While the official NEET UG 2026 cut-off will be announced after the exam, students can refer to the NEET 2025 cut off trends to estimate their target score.
Candidates planning to pursue MBBS must score well above the qualifying marks, because qualifying alone does not guarantee admission. Higher marks are required to clear college cut-offs, especially for government colleges.
NEET Passing Marks out of 720 (Previous Year Cutoff Reference)
| Category | NEET Cutoff Percentile | NEET UG 2025 Cutoff Trend (Reference) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile | 720-164 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile | 163-129 |
| General -PwD | 45th Percentile | 163-149 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PwD | 40th Percentile | 145-129 |
A very common question among students is NEET cut off marks for MBBS 2026. The actual required score depends on category, state quota, and college preference. For government medical colleges, the score requirement is generally much higher. That’s why aspirants should aim beyond the minimum cut-off, especially if they want admission in top institutions.
NEET 2026 Marking Scheme
Understanding the NEET marking scheme 2026 is crucial for smart exam strategy. Here is the marking scheme:
- Correct Answer: +4 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking)
- Unattempted Question: 0 marks (no penalty)
- More than one option marked: -1 mark
Because of NEET 2026 negative marking, accuracy matters more than attempting all questions. Avoid blind guessing and focus on solving questions you are confident about to maximise your final score.
How to Calculate NEET Total Marks 2026?
Calculating your NEET score is simple if you understand the marking scheme. Use this formula:
Total Marks = (4 × Number of Correct Answers) − (1 × Number of Incorrect Answers)
By practising mock tests using this method, students can analyse their score improvement and match it with expected NEET marks vs rank 2026 ranges.
NEET Cutoff Trends (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Cut-off marks vary each year depending on the difficulty level and number of candidates. Here’s a comparative analysis of cutoff trends for reference. This is useful for students trying to estimate NEET cut off 2026 expected scores.
| Category | NEET Cutoff Percentile | NEET UG 2025 Cutoff | NEET UG 2024 Cutoff | NEET UG 2023 Cutoff | NEET UG 2022 Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile | 720-164 | 720-164 | 720-137 | 715-117 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile | 163-129 | 163-129 | 136-107 | 116-93 |
| General -PwD | 45th Percentile | 163-149 | 163-149 | 136-121 | 116-105 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PwD | 40th Percentile | 145-129 | 145-129 | 120-107 | 104-93 |
NEET 2026 Exam Pattern
Understanding the NEET 2026 exam pattern helps in planning preparation. The exam is expected to be conducted in offline mode and includes:
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency ( NTA ) |
| Examination Mode | Offline Mode ( Pen & Paper Based Test ) |
| Subjects | Physics (45 questions), Chemistry (45 questions), Biology (Botany and Zoology: 90 questions) |
| Total No. of Questions | 200 (180 questions to be answered) |
| Total Marks | 720 Marks |
| Time Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes (200 Minutes) |
| Types of Question(s) | MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu |
| Marking Scheme | Each correct answer awards 4 marks. There is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry 0 marks. |
NEET Total Marks 2026: Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Cutoff, and Preparation Tips
To score well in NEET UG 2026, candidates should focus on NCERT, practise mock tests regularly, and analyse performance. Targets should not be limited to passing marks only. Students aiming for top ranks should focus on improving accuracy and time management. A high score improves chances of getting seats in government colleges as per NEET cutoff for government medical college 2026 expectations.
Conclusion
NEET is a highly competitive exam, and understanding the exam’s total marks, passing marks, marking scheme, and cut-off trends is essential for success. By staying informed and practising diligently, aspirants for NEET UG 2026 can refine their preparation and boost their chances of achieving the desired score. Keep tracking cut-off trends and aim higher than qualifying marks to improve chances for MBBS admission in top colleges.
FAQs
The total marks in NEET 2026 are 720.
NEET qualifying marks 2026 depend on category and percentile. Official cut-off is released after the exam, but students can refer to previous year trends for estimate.
Each correct answer gives +4 marks and each wrong answer results in -1 mark. Unattempted questions have no penalty.
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