The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key for candidates who appeared in the medical entrance examination.
Students can now check the answer key through the official NEET UG portal and compare their responses to estimate their expected score.
The NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3, 2026, across centres in India and abroad. NTA has uploaded the provisional answer keys for all question paper series on the official NEET website.
NEET UG 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window
Although the provisional answer key is available, candidates cannot challenge it immediately in all cases. NTA has clarified that the objection process will begin only after the scanned OMR answer sheets are uploaded online.
According to the official notice, candidates will be allowed to challenge the provisional answer key after the OMR sheets are made available. The schedule for uploading OMR sheets and opening the challenge window will be announced separately.
This means students should regularly check the official NTA and NEET websites for the latest updates.
How to Check NEET 2026 Provisional Answer Key
Candidates can follow these steps to download the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key:
- Visit the official NEET UG website.
- Click on the provisional answer key link.
- Open the answer key PDF for the relevant paper code.
- Match the official answers with your attempted responses.
- Calculate your expected score using the NEET marking scheme.
The official answer key PDF includes answer options for different test booklet codes.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Pattern and Marks
NEET UG 2026 was conducted from 2 PM to 5 PM. The paper included Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Physics carried 45 questions for 180 marks, Chemistry carried 45 questions for 180 marks, and Biology carried 90 questions for 360 marks, making the total paper worth 720 marks.
Candidates can use the answer key to estimate their probable score before the result is declared.
NEET 2026 Result Date
NTA has not yet announced the official NEET UG 2026 result date. However, based on recent reporting and previous result trends, scorecards are expected in June 2026, likely around the second week if there are no delays.
Students should wait for the final answer key before treating any estimated score as final.
NEET UG 2026 Counselling Details
After the NEET UG 2026 result is declared, counselling will begin for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS and other eligible courses.
The NTA bulletin states that admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses will be done through NEET UG 2026, with counselling conducted under different quotas, including All India Quota and State Quota seats.
Candidates seeking seats under All India Quota, AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities and deemed universities will need to follow MCC counselling updates after the result.
Conclusion
The release of the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key is an important step for medical aspirants waiting to estimate their scores.
However, the challenge window has not fully opened yet and will begin only after NTA uploads the scanned OMR sheets.
Candidates should download the answer key, check their responses carefully, wait for the OMR update, and follow official notifications for objection dates, result announcements and counselling schedules.