NEET UG 2026 Registration: What’s new this year? Aadhaar-based eKYC, live photograph, city selection

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started accepting applications for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET-UG 2026) from today, February 8. NTA has introduced new rules this year for NEET UG 2026 registration, including Aadhaar-based eKYC, a live photograph, supporting documents, and other requirements for form filling. NEET UG 2026 live updates

Eligible candidates can apply for NTA NEET UG 2026 on the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, by March 8. The NEET UG 2026 medical entrance test is scheduled on May 3 from 2 pm to 5 pm at various exam centres across the country.

NTA has adopted new rules for filling out the NEET UG 2026 application form to prevent impersonation and duplication during registration and to improve the integrity of the national-level exam.

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NEET UG 2026 Application: New rules

NTA has updated registration rules with new security measures. The changes are listed below.

Aadhaar-Based eKYC: NTA has introduced Aadhaar-based eKYC for the identification verification of the candidates. Students applying for NEET UG 2026 must check if their Aadhaar-linked number is active and has network connectivity.

“Remember to check if your Aadhaar-linked number is active and has proper network coverage,” the NTA notice reads.

Live Photograph Capture: Students must capture a live photograph for the application form submission. All students applying for the exam should make sure their photo covers 80% of the frame and avoid wearing caps, glasses, or goggles to prevent mismatches.

“Ensure your webcam is working, or you can scan the QR code in any phone and upload the photo using the mobile camera and complete your application.”

Through this, the system will automatically compare the live photograph with the Aadhaar photograph to confirm the genuineness of the NEET UG 2026 applicant. However, if the live photograph does not match the Aadhaar photograph, candidates can upload a valid supporting certificate during the form-filling process.

For NEET UG 2026 application form filling, candidates have to upload a recent photograph, address proof, scanned signature and other documents to complete the registration.

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Exam City and Medium: For NEET UG 2026, the choice of exam city and medium will be determined based on the applicant's current and permanent address provided in the application form.

NEET UG 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Farsi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

NTA conducts NEET 2026 exam once a year for admission to undergraduate medical education across institutions for medical courses, including MBBS, BDS, BSc nursing, BVSC, AH, BAMS, BUMS and BHMS programmes.