The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced several candidate-friendly changes for NEET (UG) 2026, which is set to take place on June 21, 2026.
According to an official public notice released on June 12, 2026, these updates are designed to enhance fairness, security, and transparency in the examination process while ensuring greater comfort and convenience for candidates on exam day.
Exam Duration Extended
Extended Exam Duration
Based on feedback received from candidates in previous years, the NTA has increased the NEET UG 2026 exam duration to 195 minutes. The examination will now be conducted from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, giving students an additional 15 minutes to complete the test.
The NTA explained that the revised duration also accounts for essential pre-examination procedures, including attendance verification and invigilation formalities. This change is intended to prevent candidates from losing valuable writing time to administrative processes, allowing them to concentrate fully on answering the questions.
Additional Space Provided for Rough Work
As part of the latest updates, the NTA has expanded the rough-work section in the NEET UG 2026 question paper booklet. Candidates will now have access to four rough-work pages instead of the previous two, providing extra space for calculations, diagrams, and notes during the exam.
The layout of the question paper booklet has also been modified. Previously, all rough-work pages were placed only at the end of the booklet, but the revised format aims to make rough-work space more accessible and convenient for candidates.
Following feedback from candidates, the NTA has redesigned the rough-work layout in the question paper booklet. Under the new format, two rough-work pages will be placed immediately after the instruction page, while the other two pages will remain at the end of the booklet. This arrangement will be implemented across both English and regional-language versions of the question paper.
According to the NTA, the revision addresses concerns raised by candidates, particularly left-handed students, who found the previous layout less user-friendly. The agency stated that the updated design enhances convenience and accessibility while maintaining the integrity, security, and fairness of the examination process.
Enhancing Candidate Comfort and Fairness
The NTA emphasized that even minor enhancements to the exam format can contribute to a better experience and potentially improve candidate performance in a competitive examination such as NEET UG. The agency said these changes are intended to create a more candidate-friendly and comfortable testing environment while upholding high standards of security, transparency, and fairness.
Candidates have been urged to thoroughly review the instructions provided in their admit cards and the information bulletin, and to cooperate with examination officials to ensure the smooth conduct of the test.
For any assistance or queries, the NTA has provided a helpline number (+91-11-40759000), an email address (neetug2026@nta.ac.in), and details of its official website in the public notice.