With NEET 2026 just around the corner, one question on every medical aspirant’s mind is, “Will NEET 2026 be in two phases?”. Following the controversies in relation to NEET 2024, which sparked a lot of talks about making the exam more transparent, discussion regarding making NEET more transparent have gained momentum. The idea of a two-phase NEET has been one that surprised everyone, much like how JEE is held. Is it really on the cards, though? Let us know.
Where Did the Two-Phase Idea Come From?
The whole concept of the NEET two-phase exam came into the play for the first time after the NEET UG 2024 row, which saw paper leaks and concerns related to fairness. As a solution to this, the apex court, Supreme Court directed to set up a committee for providing measures and one of the top recommendations was to carry out NEET in two phases. This was a plan in order to cut down on the chance for malpractice and increase transparency.
Other recommendations were:
- Carrying out the test online or hybrid mode
- AI-powered monitoring of applicants
- Restricting attempts and applying an age limit
Although the education ministry had in principle accepted these suggestions, the one major change for NEET 2025 was enhanced monitoring. Experts and students had thus anticipated more reforms for NEET 2026, particularly the two-phase format.
Where Did the Two-Phase NEET 2026 Rumor Come From?
Beyond the official concerns raised after NEET UG 2024, the idea kept gaining traction online. Posts, videos, and coaching discussions sparked fresh doubts: could NEET shift to a two-phase model like JEE Main (which runs in two sessions each year)? Here are the main triggers behind the buzz:
- Technical glitches and irregularities reported in past NEET cycles created demand for a backup attempt.
- Education experts and some committees informally floated the two-stage idea for transparency and fairness.
- Students wanted flexibility so that one bad day would not define their medical future.
Even after all this chaos and commotion, NTA even now has not come forward to make any announcement that NEET 2026 examination will be conducted in two phases. Therefore, until we get to know this information through any official notification, we can rule out that this is a mere rumour.
Has NEET Ever Been Conducted in Two Phases?
Yes. NEET in the year 2016, as per the directions of the Supreme Court, was conducted in two rounds, where Phase 1 held in May and Phase 2 happened in July, especially for candidates who missed to appear in the first phase (or the ones who wanted to take the exam in the second round). Since 2016, the test has reverted back to the single-phase with pen and paper mode which has already been persisted from 2017 up to 2025.
NEET Exam Pattern Till Now
So far, NEET UG has always been a single-phase exam held once a year, on a single day, across India. Based on this single exam, admissions to medical colleges are decided.
What Would Two Phases in NEET 2026 Look Like?
If introduced, the NEET 2026 two-phase exam would work as follows:
- First Phase (Pre-NEET): A preliminary exam where all registered candidates appear. On the basis of the cutoff of the NEET exam or any other form of selection method, a limited number of aspirants qualify for the next round of the exam..
- Second Phase (Main NEET): Only shortlisted students attempt this phase, which will ultimately determine final rankings of the students and also their seat allocation.
This system is created to make the examination process much more transparent, very manageable, and utmost fair.
Benefits of Two Phases in NEET
According to K. Swaminathan’s committee, these are the key benefits of a two-phase NEET format:
- Higher Transparency: By conducting the test into two phases, the chances of malpractice, paper leaks, or any sort of unfair advantage have been significantly reduced.
- Better Screening of Candidates: With more than 25 lakh aspirants every year, filtering out candidates who are less likely serious in the first phase will turn the main exam more competitive and focused.
- Efficient Management: Managing a lesser number of candidates in the second phase will provide assistance to NTA in organising exams with higher security, fewer logistical hurdles, and enhanced monitoring.
- Fair Opportunity: Students who fail to perform well in Phase 1 will now still have a second chance to prove themselves and secure better marks in Phase 2.
Pros and Cons of Two-Phase NEET
Pros:
- Reduced Malpractice: Two phases will make it harder for any type of unfair advantage to influence the final result.
- One More Attempt: Students have one more chance to showcase their talent, which will lower the stress on them due to a single-day exam.
- Better Candidate Quality: Only deserving students will now be able to make it to the last phase or final round.
- Enhanced Fairness: This will increase the trust of people in the examination system, especially after the occurrence of recent controversies.
Cons:
- Extended Stress Period: The examination cycle will be stretched a bit more longer, which can create mental pressure and physical fatigue for aspirants.
- Uncertainty Over Scoring: It can raise lack of clarity for the students on whether Phase 1 marks will matter or Phase 2 ones and this could create confusion.
- Financial and Logistical Strain: Students will have to travel more, this will increase the cost for examination centers as well and constant preparation cycles will be there.
- Higher Pressure for Consistency: Students will also need to stay in exam mode for months instead of weeks.
Will NEET 2026 Exam Be Held Twice?
Here’s the reality: Chances are very low. If NTA intended to introduce two phases, NEET 2025 would have been the ideal time. Since no alterations were observed then, hence, it’s unlikely for the year of 2026. Until there’s no official notification, every aspirant should assume that the NEET test will be a single-phase exam only.
What Should Students Do Now?
- Ignore Rumors: In this online era, social media speculations or misinformation often create unnecessary panic. Try to follow and fetch official updates only from nta.ac.in.
- Stick to Current Pattern: Prepare for one comprehensive exam in May 2026. The syllabus, question types, and preparation strategy is most likely to remain the same.
- Practice Smart: Get your preparation done from the books of NCERT, try different mock tests, and do time management. These are very essential things irrespective of the format.
- Stay Mentally Flexible: In case, any change is announced, you’ll still have a window of several months to make adjustments in your strategy, so don’t stress now.
Conclusion
No confirmation is issued yet that NEET 2026 will be conducted in two phases. Although the concept was suggested to enhance transparency, it is still a possibility. However, candidates must not divert their attention or focus anywhere else as the syllabus for the exam and fundamental concepts relevant will be the same whether the test takes place in one or two phases.
FAQs
Phase 1 of the exam could act as a qualifying round, while Phase 2 might determine the final rankings. But as of now nothing is confirmed.
There is no official update suggesting this format for NEET.
No. All discussions so far are based on recommendations and speculation.
There were proposals, but no official announcement yet.
It can reduce paper leak risks, improve screening, and make exam management easier.
