New Delhi. August 2: A major structural overhaul has been unveiled for the upcoming NEET-PG 2026 examination, featuring a unified single-shift schedule, home-state test centre allocation, and streamlined admission procedures aimed at benefiting more than 2.73 lakh candidates. The Union Health Ministry declared that the test will take place on August 30 in a single window across nearly 340 cities, moving away from multi-shift sessions to guarantee identical test conditions for all aspirants.
Preparation for the national examination was formally assessed over the weekend by high-level health officials. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda directed the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences along with associated technical partners to maintain absolute operational integrity and seamless execution across all 1,300 designated centres.
Significant adjustments have also been introduced regarding candidates’ geographical placement and test timing. Aspirants will now provide three state preferences, with their correspondence location serving as the primary choice to minimize travel distance. In addition, the question paper structure has been updated to 180 questions for a 210-minute duration, giving students additional time per question compared to previous years.
Security protocols have been comprehensively upgraded to safeguard the examination from external vulnerabilities. Authorities affirmed that multi-layer encryption, secure offline paper preparation, dynamic computer allocation, and live CCTV command monitoring will be deployed alongside iris-based biometric checks and signal jammers. Administrative improvements further extend to post-exam admissions, where seat upgrade procedures and resignation steps will be managed entirely through digital portals to ensure swift seat processing.
