NEET UG 2026: NTA Introduces Student-Friendly Changes, Extends Exam Duration

Longer Exam Duration

NEET UG 2026 will now have a total duration of 195 minutes. The examination is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. According to NTA, the revised timing ensures that candidates do not lose valuable writing time due to attendance verification, signatures, and other mandatory procedures conducted during the examination.

Additional Space for Rough Work

To help students manage calculations and notes more effectively, the question booklet will now include four rough-work pages instead of two. This change is expected to provide greater flexibility during problem-solving and answer planning.

Revised Question Paper Layout

The structure of the question booklet has also been updated. Two rough-work pages will be placed immediately after the instruction section, while the remaining two pages will continue to appear at the end of the booklet. This format will be available across both English and regional language versions of the examination.

Improved Candidate Experience

NTA stated that these modifications are intended to improve comfort and usability for candidates during the exam. The revised layout is expected to be particularly helpful for students who found the previous arrangement less convenient while working through the paper.

Important Advice for Candidates

Students are encouraged to carefully review the instructions provided in their admit cards and official information bulletins before the examination. Following all guidelines and cooperating with examination staff will help ensure a smooth testing experience.

With these updates, NTA aims to create a more efficient and candidate-friendly examination environment while maintaining the fairness, security, and integrity of NEET UG 2026.