Campus Times | Lucknow 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced a series of candidate-focused changes for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026, scheduled to be conducted on June 21, 2026. The move is aimed at enhancing exam-day convenience while maintaining the highest standards of fairness and security.

Exam duration increased to 195 Minutes

One of the most significant changes is the extension of the examination window. NEET UG 2026 will now be conducted from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, providing candidates with a total duration of 195 minutes.

NTA clarified that the revised timeline includes mandatory pre-examination procedures such as attendance verification, document checks, and invigilation formalities. The decision is intended to ensure that students receive adequate writing time without losing valuable minutes to administrative processes.

The agency believes that the additional time will help candidates remain focused and manage the examination more effectively.

More rough-work pages for better convenience

In another major relief for aspirants, NTA has doubled the rough-work space available in the question paper booklet. Candidates will now receive four rough-work pages instead of the existing two.

The extra pages are expected to benefit students who rely heavily on calculations, diagrams, and detailed working notes while solving questions, particularly in Physics and Chemistry sections.

Revised question paper layout introduced

Along with increasing the number of rough-work pages, NTA has also redesigned the layout of the question paper booklet.

Previously, all rough-work pages were placed at the end of the booklet. Under the new format, two rough-work pages will be provided immediately after the instruction page, while the remaining two pages will continue to appear at the end.

The revised arrangement will be implemented across both English and regional language question papers.

Candidate feedback drives the change

The examination body stated that the updated layout was introduced following feedback from candidates who found the earlier format less convenient. The change is expected to particularly benefit left-handed students and others who faced difficulties accessing rough-work pages during the examination.

NTA emphasized that the redesign improves usability without compromising examination security or operational efficiency. For any queries related to NEET UG 2026, candidates can contact the NTA helpline at +91-11-40759000 or reach out via the official email support channel.