The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has brought clarity to thousands of medical graduates by announcing the tentative schedule for the NEET PG 2026. According to the official calendar released by the board, the national-level entrance test is set to take place on August 30, 2026. This examination is the single doorway for doctors who want to pursue postgraduate courses like MD, MS, or PG Diploma in India. Since the date has been announced months in advance, candidates have already started their long-term study plans to secure a good rank in this highly competitive test.
Key Dates and Internship Deadlines
The NBEMS has provided a clear timeline so that students can align their hospital duties with their studies. It is very important for every medical graduate to check if they meet the eligibility rules before they start the registration process.
- Tentative Exam Date: August 30, 2026 (Sunday).
- Internship Cut-off Date: September 30, 2026.
- Admit Card Release: Expected in the third week of August 2026.
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT) at various centers across India.
One of the most important rules is the internship deadline. To be eligible for the NEET PG 2026, you must finish your one-year mandatory rotatory internship on or before September 30, 2026. If your internship ends in October, you will unfortunately not be allowed to sit for the exam this year. You can check the detailed notification on the official NBEMS notice board.
Exam Pattern and Scoring System
The examination is known for being quite tough because it covers all the subjects taught during the five and a half years of the MBBS course. Understanding the pattern helps candidates manage their time better during the actual test.
| Feature | Description of the Paper |
| Total Questions | 200 Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Marks | 800 Marks |
| Time Duration | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Marking Rule | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
The questions are usually divided into three sections: Pre-clinical subjects (like Anatomy), Para-clinical subjects (like Pathology), and Clinical subjects (like Medicine and Surgery). Because there is a penalty for wrong answers, top students suggest that candidates should only mark answers they are fairly sure about.
Registration and Application Process
While the exam date is out, the online application window has not opened yet. It is expected that the NBEMS will release the information bulletin and start the registration in the month of March or April. Once the link is live on the NBEMS services portal, you will need to upload several documents.
- MBBS Degree: Your permanent or provisional degree certificate.
- Medical Registration: Proof of registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or a State Medical Council.
- Internship Proof: A certificate showing you will finish your internship by the September deadline.
- ID Proof: A valid Aadhaar card, Passport, or PAN card.
Conclusion
With the NEET PG 2026 scheduled for August 30, the countdown has officially begun. The NBEMS has given enough time for candidates to finish their clinical rotations and focus on revision. Since the exam is a single-window entrance for almost all medical seats in India, the competition will be very high. Students are advised to keep visiting the official website to ensure they do not miss the application start date. Start your preparation early, focus on high-yield topics, and make sure your documents are in order for a stress-free examination journey.