How are marks awarded in NEET PG? Understand the marking scheme for the 180 questions

NBEMS is expected to release the NEET PG exam answer key on its official website soon. Once the answer key is released, candidates will be able to compare the answers they marked during the exam with the official answers accepted by NBEMS.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted the NEET PG exam on August 30, 2026. Following the conclusion of the exam, candidates are now awaiting the answer key. NBEMS may release the answer key on its official website shortly. Upon its release, candidates can cross-check their responses against the official answers accepted by NBEMS and estimate their probable scores. However, the official answer key will serve as the basis for the final score. Let us now explain how marks are awarded in NEET PG and how the 180 questions are marked.

The paper consisted of 180 questions

This year, the number of questions in the NEET PG exam pattern was reduced. A total of 180 multiple-choice questions were asked, with a maximum of 720 marks allocated for the entire paper. Previously, the exam comprised 200 questions. Candidates can apply the marking scheme based on the number of correct and incorrect answers to calculate their probable scores.

4 marks for a correct answer; 1 mark deducted for an incorrect one

In NEET PG 2026, candidates receive four marks for every correct answer. Conversely, there is a negative marking of one mark for an incorrect answer. No marks will be added or deducted for questions left unattempted. This means candidates can estimate their score by subtracting the marks deducted for incorrect answers from the total marks obtained for correct answers.

Determining rank in case of a tie

If two or more candidates secure the same score, tie-breaking rules will be applied to determine their ranks. To do this, the candidates’ performance will be evaluated based on a specific order of criteria. Priority will first be given to the candidate with the fewest incorrect answers. In the event of a tie, the candidate with fewer incorrect answers in Section A will be ranked higher. Subsequently, if necessary, the number of incorrect answers in Sections B, C, D, and E will be considered in that order. If the tie persists, priority will be given to candidates who secured higher total marks in their MBBS professional examinations. Should the tie remain unbroken even then, the older candidate will be assigned a higher rank.

Examination Completed by 263,535 Candidates

According to the NBEMS exam update, 265,980 candidates were scheduled for NEET PG 2026. The examination was conducted at 1,111 centers across 338 cities nationwide. Of these, 263,535 candidates successfully completed the exam. However, the examination could not be completed at two centers in the Sitapura area of ​​Jaipur due to a power failure. A re-examination will be conducted for the 2,445 affected candidates.

Re-examination in Jaipur on September 5

The NEET PG re-examination for the affected candidates in Jaipur will be held on September 5, 2026, at 3:00 PM. These candidates were unable to complete their exam due to technical issues at the two centers in Sitapura.