The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced major changes for NEET (UG) 2026, extending the exam duration to 195 minutes and increasing rough-work space in question booklets.
The exam will now run from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM on June 21, allowing students additional time for administrative formalities.
Officials said the revised duration ensures candidates can fully utilise their test-taking time without interruptions. The new format includes four rough-work pages instead of two, giving students more space for calculations and diagrams. Two pages will appear after the instruction sheet, while two will remain at the end of the booklet.
The NTA also redesigned the question booklet to improve convenience for left-handed candidates, addressing feedback received during previous exams. The updated layout will apply to both English and regional language versions of the paper.
The NEET-UG exam, originally held on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to probe the case, while the retest is scheduled for June 21. Authorities have placed all experts involved in preparing the new question paper under strict isolation to maintain security.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan directed officials to address all weaknesses identified during the previous cycle before the retest. The changes aim to enhance fairness, comfort, and efficiency for candidates appearing in India’s largest medical entrance examination.
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