The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially started the NEET UG 2026 registration process with several important changes this year. Aspirants aiming for MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses must know these updates in advance to avoid mistakes and successfully complete their applications.

1. Registration Window and Key Dates

The NEET UG 2026 application window is open from 8 February to 8 March 2026. Candidates must complete their forms, upload documents, and pay the application fee within this period. After the form submission window closes, a correction window will be available from 10–12 march 2026 to fix limited errors.

· 📅 Registration Start: 8 Feb 2026

· 📅 Last Date to Apply: 8 march 2026 (fee payment until 8 march night)

· 📅 Correction Window: 10–12 march 2026 (for limited edits)

· 📅 Exam Date: 3 May 2026
(Dates from official NTA notification and press updates)

2. Aadhaar‑Based eKYC and Live Photo Verification

This is one of the major new rules by NTA:

✔ Aadhaar Identity Verification

NEET UG 2026 registration now requires Aadhaar‑based eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer). Candidates must link and verify details such as name, date of birth, and photo with their Aadhaar data when registering.

✔ Live Photo Capture

During the online form submission, a live photograph will be captured directly through the application platform. This live photo must match the Aadhaar photo; otherwise, candidates might have to provide valid supporting certificates if discrepancies arise.

Why this change?
These identity checks aim to prevent impersonation and fraudulent registrations, ensuring that the applicant and the test‑taking candidate are the same person.

3. New Exam City Selection Rules

NTA has revised how aspirants choose their NEET exam city:

🔹 Previously, candidates could select any three cities of their choice.

🔹 For NEET UG 2026, aspirants must choose exam cities based on their present or permanent address, meaning the selections are limited to closer nearby cities only.

This change is intended to ensure fair distribution of exam centres and reduce long‑distance travel issues for test‑takers.

4. Strict One Form Rule

The NTA has clearly stated that each candidate should submit only one application form. Submitting multiple applications will lead to cancellation of all forms with no reconsideration.

This rule encourages candidates to fill their forms accurately the first time and avoid unnecessary duplicates.

5. Documents and Preparation Before Applying

To ensure smooth registration, candidates are advised to keep the following ready:

· Aadhaar Card (updated)

· Class 10 certificate (for date of birth)

· Class 12 marksheet / appearing certificate

· Recent passport‑data-size photo (as per guidelines)

· Scanned signature and essential certificates (category, PwBD/UDID if applicable)

➡️ reliance on accurate Aadhaar details is crucial — any mismatch with school records can cause verification issues or rejection.

6. Payment and application Caution Tips

· Applicants must pay the application fee before 11:50 pm on 8 March 2026 using credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.

· If payments fail or take time to reflect, candidates should not retry immediately. NTA advises logging out, waiting, and then checking payment status via the portal’s verification tool.

These tips help avoid duplicate transactions and unnecessary issues during submission.

7. Avoiding Common Mistakes

NTA has issued advisories pointing out common errors that may lead to form rejection, including:

❌ Uploading incorrect documents
❌ Mistakes in photo/signature uploads
❌ Wrong Aadhaar number or mismatched personal details

Candidates are strongly recommended to read the official information bulletin carefully before filling the form.

8. What Stays the Same?

Despite these new rules, some aspects remain unchanged:

· NEET UG will continue to be the sole nationwide entrance for MBBS/BDS.

· The exam pattern (based on Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and offline pen‑and‑paper mode are expected to remain consistent with recent formats. (exam pattern from earlier trends)

Final Words

The NTA’s updated NEET UG 2026 registration rules are focused on identity verification, fairness, and transparency. New requirements like Aadhaar eKYC, live photo capture, and revised city selection aim to reduce fraud and improve the application experience. However, candidates must prepare documents carefully, follow instructions precisely, and submit their forms well before the deadline.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.