Since the portal opened on February 8, the agency has observed an unprecedented surge in digital traffic, with current application volumes estimated to be 12% higher than the same period last year. According to the official NTA public notice, the formal deadline is strictly established for March 8, 2026, and the NTA is monitoring server stability closely to manage the millions of medical aspirants currently accessing the system.
Data released this morning suggests that over 2.1 million candidates have already initiated the registration process. However, a significant portion of these users has yet to complete the final fee transaction. The NTA infrastructure is currently processing an average of 3.1 lakh successful submissions per day, but technical experts warn that this rate may lead to digital bottlenecks as the "midnight rush" approaches. Each candidate is reminded to verify their details against the NEET UG 2026 Information Bulletin before the window closes at 9:00 PM on the final day.
1. Analysis of Registration Trends and Regional Participation
The 2026 cycle has seen a notable shift in how students are interacting with the NEET portal. Enhanced cloud-scaling solutions have been deployed by the NTA to handle the heavy load, particularly from high-volume states. The integration of Aadhaar-based e-KYC has also streamlined identity verification, though it has increased the average time spent on each application session.
- Mid-Cycle Statistics: As of today, February 25, the total number of registered users has surpassed the 2.12 million mark.
- Geographic Concentration: Southern and Western states continue to lead in early submissions, accounting for nearly 45% of total registrations.
- Server Performance: Despite the application surge, the portal has maintained high uptime, with peak traffic recorded between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM daily.
- Correction Metrics: Preliminary data indicates that 5% of submitted forms may require edits during the correction window starting March 10, as per the NTA Exam Calendar.
| Category of Candidate | Registration Fee (In India) | Registration Fee (Outside India) |
| General | ₹1,700 | ₹9,500 |
| General-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹1,600 | ₹9,500 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹1,000 | ₹9,500 |
2. Technological Updates and Identity Verification
To maintain the integrity of the medical entrance exam, the NTA has implemented stricter biometric and verification protocols for the 2026 session. These technological shifts are designed to prevent impersonation but require every candidate to be more meticulous during the digital filing process. The introduction of live photo capture has replaced the traditional gallery upload system, ensuring that the candidate applying is the same individual who will appear on May 3.
- Live Photo Capture: The official registration portal now triggers a mandatory webcam session to match the live image with the Aadhaar database in real-time.
- Aadhaar Authentication: Over 90% of applicants have successfully used the Aadhaar-linked OTP method for instant registration verification.
- Document Specifications: The portal's AI-driven validator automatically rejects files that do not meet the 10 KB to 200 KB size requirement for photographs.
- Language Selection: Statistics show a rising preference for regional language mediums, with a 7% increase in candidates opting for papers in Gujarati, Marathi, and Tamil.
3. Examination Framework and Final Deadline Details
The examination is scheduled to take place on May 3, 2026, in a pen-and-paper (offline) format. This year's framework remains consistent with the 720-mark structure, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The NTA has clarified that the choice of examination city is primarily based on the permanent or present address provided during registration to ensure logistical efficiency and candidate convenience.
- Exam Duration: The test will be conducted for 200 minutes (3 hours and 20 minutes) from 02:00 PM to 05:20 PM IST.
- Marking Scheme: Candidates receive +4 for every correct answer, while -1 is deducted for every incorrect response.
- Admit Card Release: Following the registration closure, admit cards are expected to be available for download from the NTA services portal by the last week of April.
- Helpdesk Support: Aspirants facing persistent technical glitches are encouraged to contact the official NTA helpdesk at 011-40759000.
Conclusion
As the February 25 milestone passes, the focus shifts toward the absolute finality of the March 8 deadline. The National Testing Agency has confirmed that no extensions are currently planned, citing the rigorous schedule required to arrange logistics for over 500 exam cities. This final 12-day window represents the last opportunity for aspirants to secure their place in the May 3 examination. The current registration surge highlights the escalating competition for medical and dental seats across India. Every candidate is advised that the fee gateway will close at 11:50 PM on the final day, and downloading the confirmation page remains the only proof of a successful application.
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