NEET UG 2026: NTA extends exam duration by 15 minutes; check major changes here

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a set of candidate-focused changes for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026, including additional rough-work pages and an extended examination window.

The medical entrance examination is scheduled to be held on 21 June 2026. According to the agency, the test will take place from 2 pm to 5:15 pm, providing candidates with a total window of 195 minutes.

The NTA said the additional 15 minutes have been incorporated to accommodate mandatory invigilation procedures, including document verification and signature requirements, which candidates had previously said reduced their effective time for attempting the paper.

In another key change, the number of pages available for rough work within the question-paper booklet has been increased from two to four. Candidates will now have more space for calculations and problem-solving during the examination.

The agency has also revised the layout of the booklet to better support left-handed candidates. Previously, rough-work pages were placed only at the end of the booklet. Under the new format, two rough-work pages will be included immediately after the instructions page, while the remaining pages will continue to appear at the back of the booklet.

The revised arrangement will be implemented across both English and regional-language versions of the question paper.

Highlighting the rationale behind the changes, the NTA said the new format is intended to make the examination experience more comfortable for all candidates, particularly left-handed students, who account for an estimated 10 per cent of test-takers.

The agency said the measures reflect its commitment to improving examination design and ensuring a fair, secure and candidate-friendly testing environment for the lakhs of aspirants appearing for NEET-UG each year.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to probe allegations of a paper leak linked to NEET-UG 2025. The examination, conducted on 3 May this year, was cancelled by the NTA on 12 May following the controversy.

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