Every year, students preparing for the NEET UG exam ask whether the NEET syllabus will be reduced. In recent years, the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have revised the syllabus to focus more on core concepts. Over the last few years, the syllabus has been trimmed from 97 chapters to 79 chapters. Considering these changes and the updated NCERT curriculum, it is likely that the NEET 2026 Syllabus may see further reduction.
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NEET 2026 Syllabus Reduction: Current Status
The NEET syllabus is primarily based on the NCERT curriculum for classes 11 and 12. In the academic year 2024–25, NCERT revised several chapters, removing some topics entirely. The NMC follows these revisions while finalizing the NEET UG syllabus.
- In the past, chapters like 'Hydrogen' and 's-Block Elements' in Class 11 Chemistry were removed.
- Physics topics such as motion, thermodynamics, and oscillations saw some sections trimmed.
- Biology chapters like transport in plants and digestion were reduced or deleted.
These changes suggest that NMC aims to reduce student overload and emphasize conceptual clarity, which is expected to continue for NEET 2026.
Changes in NEET 2025 Exam
NEET 2025 has some important changes that all students should know before preparing for the exam. From shorter exam duration and no optional questions to a new registration website and updated tie-breaking rules, these updates will directly affect how students plan their preparation. Here's a quick look at all the key changes introduced in NEET 2025.
Exam duration is reduced: The NEET 2025 exam was 180 minutes (3 hours) long, reduced from 200 minutes during the COVID period.
No optional questions: All 180 questions were compulsory. Students must answer 45 questions each in Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology.
Section B removed: The exam followed the old pre-COVID format, which means there will be no separate optional section in the question paper.
Total marks remain the same: The exam was conducted out of 720 marks (180 questions × 4 marks each).
New official website: The NEET 2025 official website is now www.neet.nta.nic.in, replacing last year’s www.neet.ntaonline.in.
APAAR ID introduced (optional): Students can use their APAAR ID during registration to automatically fill in academic details, but it is not compulsory.
Tie-breaking rules updated: If all other criteria fail, tie-breaking will now be done using a random method guided by an expert committee.
Fewer exam cities in India: The number of exam cities in India has been reduced from 557 to 552. Five cities have been removed from the list.
Will NEET 2026 Syllabus Be Reduced?
Based on NMC’s previous trends, there is a high chance that the NEET 2026 syllabus will see a reduction of approximately five to seven percent. This reduction will focus mainly on removing repetitive or less critical topics while emphasizing core concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Expected Chapters/Topics to Be Reduced in NEET 2026
The table below summarizes the chapters or topics likely to be reduced based on NCERT revisions:
Physics, Chemistry, and Biology: Expected Reduction for NEET 2026
Is Cockroach in NEET 2026 Syllabus?
Yes, Cockroach remains a part of the NEET 2026 syllabus under the Structural Organisation in Animals chapter. Similarly, the frog is included. These topics are essential for understanding animal anatomy and must be studied thoroughly.
Reasons Behind NEET 2026 Syllabus Reduction
The reduction in the NEET syllabus aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and other academic objectives:
- Revised NCERT syllabus: NMC follows NCERT closely; any reduction in NCERT directly affects NEET.
- Consistency across boards: Maintains fairness for students from CBSE, ICSE, and state boards.
- Focus on conceptual learning: Reduces exam stress and improves understanding of core concepts.
- Avoids topic redundancy: Eliminates overlapping content to streamline preparation.
How Students Should Approach NEET 2026 Preparation
To prepare effectively under the revised syllabus:
- Focus on core chapters in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Solve previous years’ question papers to identify high-yield topics.
- Use mind maps, diagrams, and formula sheets for quick revision.
- Prioritize NCERT examples and illustrations, as most questions are derived from them.
- Allocate time based on subject weightage, focusing more on topics with high probability in the exam.
Check How to Prepare for NEET 2026 at home?
NEET 2026 High Priority Topics
| Subject | Chapter / Topic |
| Physics | Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Work-Energy, Rotational Motion |
| Physics | Electrostatics & Current Electricity |
| Physics | Oscillations & Waves |
| Physics | Thermodynamics |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics & Equilibrium |
| Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Table & s/p-block |
| Chemistry | Biomolecules & Chemistry in Everyday Life |
| Biology | Human Physiology |
| Biology | Genetics & Evolution |
| Biology | Structural Organisation in Animals (Cockroach, Frog) |
| Biology | Ecology & Environment |
Check NEET 2026 Books
Conclusion
The NEET 2026 syllabus is expected to be slightly reduced, with around five to seven percent of topics trimmed, mainly due to NCERT revisions and NMC’s focus on conceptual clarity. Students should focus on high-priority chapters while using past papers, mind maps, and concise study materials to strengthen preparation. A strategic, focused approach will help aspirants score well and reduce unnecessary stress during NEET 2026 preparation.
