NEET PG 2026 Gets Major Changes: Exam In Single Shift, 180 Questions, Aadhaar Must

New Delhi: In a major overhaul of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2026, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that the examination will be conducted in a single shift across the country. The ministry has also reduced the number of questions from 200 to 180, while making Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory to strengthen the security and transparency of the examination process.

The changes come ahead of the NEET PG 2026 examination scheduled for August 30 and are aimed at ensuring greater fairness, improving candidate convenience and preventing malpractice.

One of the biggest changes is the return to a single-shift examination, replacing the multiple-shift format adopted in recent years. The move is expected to eliminate concerns over varying difficulty levels between shifts and the need for score normalisation.

The ministry has also revised the examination pattern by reducing the total number of questions from 200 to 180. However, the overall duration of the examination will remain 210 minutes (3.5 hours), giving candidates more time to answer each question.

To enhance examination security, Aadhaar authentication will now be compulsory during the application process as well as at examination centres. Candidates will undergo biometric verification, and those whose fingerprints cannot be authenticated will be verified using iris recognition.

The Centre has also introduced multiple security measures, including CCTV surveillance, signal jammers, real-time monitoring, and strengthened encryption for question paper preparation and delivery. According to the Health Ministry, the final question paper will be digitally decrypted only when the examination begins, reducing the risk of leaks or unauthorised access.

Apart from security enhancements, candidates will also benefit from an improved examination centre allocation process. The number of preferred test city choices has been increased, and candidates will receive advance information about their allotted city, reducing last-minute travel difficulties.

The ministry said these reforms are intended to make NEET PG 2026 more secure, transparent and candidate-friendly while ensuring a uniform assessment process for all aspirants.