NEET SS 2026 is a national-level entrance examination for admission to eligible DM, MCh and DrNB Super Specialty courses in India. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducts the examination, while the designated counselling authority manages the applicable counselling and seat-allotment process.
For doctors planning to pursue super-speciality medical education after postgraduate training, NEET-SS is an important step in the admission process. Candidates should check the official information bulletin for the latest eligibility rules, feeder qualifications, examination scheme, application dates and admission requirements.
According to the tentative schedule published by NBEMS, NEET-SS 2026 is scheduled for 11 and 12 December 2026. The stated cut-off date for completing the prior entry qualification is 31 January 2027. Candidates should verify the final examination notification before making plans.
| Feature | Details |
| Application Form | Date yet to be announced. |
| Date of Examination | 11-12-2026 (Friday) 12-12-2026 (Saturday) |
| Examination Mode | Online (Computer-based Test) |
| Medium of Examination | English |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Total Number of Questions in Each Section | 50 |
| Duration of Each Section | 50 minutes |
| Duration of Examination | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Marks | 600 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 marks for each correct answer, -1 for each incorrect answer, 0 for unattempted questions |
| Result | Date yet to be announced. |
| Counselling Period (Tentative) | Date yet to be announced. |
| Conducted By | NBEMS |
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the Clear Vacancy List for the NEET SS Special Stray Vacancy Round for DM, M.Ch, and Dr DNB Super Speciality courses. This round is being conducted following the Supreme Court order that reduced the qualifying cutoff percentile from 50th to 30th.
This special round aims to fill remaining vacant super-speciality seats across government and private medical colleges in India.
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration & Fee Payment | |
| Choice Filling | |
| Choice Locking | |
| Seat Allotment Processing | |
| Result Declaration | |
| Reporting to College | 1 – 6 October 2026 |
Important: This is a non-upgradation round. Only eligible candidates without a previous seat can participate. Always verify the latest notices on the official MCC website.
The NEET SS examination serves as the single national gateway for MD/MS/DNB postgraduate degree holders seeking to advance to the highest level of medical specialization – the DM (Doctorate of Medicine) and MCh (Magister Chirurgiae) super specialty courses. Before NEET SS was established, admission to these elite super specialty programs was conducted through separate institutional examinations, creating significant inconsistency and lack of transparency. Since NBEMS unified the process under a single national examination, NEET SS has consequently become one of the most competitive and prestigious medical entrance tests in India, with thousands of postgraduate doctors competing for very limited DM/MCh seats annually.
While NEET SS is conducted by NBEMS for super specialty admissions at most medical colleges across India, INI CET SS is a separate examination conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for super specialty courses at Institutes of National Importance including AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER, and PGI Chandigarh. Candidates aspiring to study at INI institutions must appear for INI CET SS specifically, while those targeting government and private medical colleges elsewhere must qualify NEET SS 2026. Importantly, candidates can appear for both examinations simultaneously to maximize their admission opportunities across all institution types in India.
Expert Insight by Wing Educations Medical Entrance Research Team: The NEET SS 2026 exam date revision from November 7-8 to December 26-27, 2026 provides candidates with approximately 7 additional weeks of preparation time – a strategically significant advantage. Unlike NEET PG, which covers a broad MBBS curriculum, NEET SS requires highly specialized, group-specific preparation that demands focused depth rather than breadth. Candidates should use this additional window to intensify specialty-specific revision, analyze previous year questions systematically, and take structured section-wise mock tests consistently under strict 50-minute time conditions. Given that NEET SS consistently records extremely high competition for very limited DM/MCh seats nationally, every additional preparation week must be leveraged with maximum strategic discipline.⚠️ NEET SS 2026 Date Clarification – Read Carefully Before Planning: Several unofficial sources have incorrectly mentioned NEET SS 2026 dates as December 11-12, 2026. This is factually incorrect. The official NEET SS 2026 exam date confirmed by NBEMS is December 26 and December 27, 2026. The earlier tentative date of November 7-8, 2026 has also been officially revised and is no longer valid. Candidates must rely exclusively on nbe.edu.in and natboard.edu.in for all official NEET SS 2026 date information.
When is NEET SS 2026 Exam Date? December 26-27, 2026 (Official – confirmed by NBEMS August 4, 2026). When is the Next NEET SS Exam Date 2026? December 26 (Friday) and December 27 (Saturday), 2026. NEET SS 2026 Tentative Date Status: Was November 7-8, 2026 – NOW OFFICIALLY REVISED to December 26-27, 2026. Expected Date of NEET SS 2026: No longer expected – CONFIRMED as December 26-27, 2026 by NBEMS. NEET SS 2026 Date Latest News: December 26-27, 2026 officially confirmed on August 4, 2026. SS Exam Date 2026: December 26-27, 2026. DM Exam Date 2026 / NEET DM Exam Date 2026: December 26-27, 2026 (NEET SS covers DM admission). MCh Exam Date 2026: December 26-27, 2026 (NEET SS covers MCh admission also). NEET SS 2026 Admit Card: December 22, 2026. NEET SS 2026 Result: January 28, 2027.
| Day | Date | Slot 1 (Morning) | Slot 2 (Evening) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Friday | December 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Day 2 – Saturday | December 27, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
NEET SS 2026 Application Form – Quick Guide: Available: Fourth week of August 2026 at nbe.edu.in. Application fee: INR 3,500 (online payment). Application last date: Third week of September 2026. NEET SS 2026 form fill up date: August-September 2026. Correction Window 1: November 28-30, 2026. Correction Window 2: December 12-14, 2026. Documents needed: PG degree certificate (MD/MS/DNB), MCI/NMC registration, category certificate, valid photo ID, recent photograph, signature scan. Steps: Register → Fill form → Upload documents → Pay INR 3,500 → Submit → Print confirmation. NBEMS official website for application: nbe.edu.in and natboard.edu.in.
Visit the official NBEMS website at nbe.edu.in and locate the NEET SS 2026 application link when it opens in the fourth week of August 2026. Register using your full name, valid email ID, and active mobile number to generate secure login credentials. A professional email address that you actively monitor is essential, since all NBEMS communication – including admit card and result notifications – will arrive at this registered email throughout the entire admission process.
After receiving login credentials, carefully fill the detailed NEET SS 2026 application form with accurate personal information, postgraduate educational qualifications, preferred specialty group, and preferred exam center cities. Double-check every field before proceeding, because errors discovered after submission create significant complications. The specialty group selection is particularly critical – you must select the group corresponding to your completed MD/MS/DNB specialization, as specialty group changes are not permitted after form submission under any circumstances.
Subsequently, upload all required documents in the NBEMS-specified format and file size limits. Incorrectly sized or formatted documents cause application rejection, making careful verification of all technical specifications before uploading absolutely essential. Having all documents scanned and ready before beginning the application significantly accelerates the upload process and reduces the risk of technical errors during submission.
Pay the NEET SS 2026 application fee of INR 3,500 using any available online payment method – net banking, UPI, credit card, or debit card – through the secure payment gateway on the NBEMS portal at nbe.edu.in. After successful payment, review all entered details carefully before final submission. Immediately after submission, download and print the NEET SS 2026 application confirmation page and store multiple copies safely for all future reference throughout the admission process.
| Category | NEET SS 2026 Application Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | INR 3,500 | Online at nbe.edu.in (Net Banking/UPI/Credit/Debit Card) |
| SC / ST / PwD | INR 3,500 (check official notification for any concessions) | Online at nbe.edu.in |
| NRI Candidates | As per NBEMS official notification at nbe.edu.in | Online at nbe.edu.in |
NEET SS 2026 Eligibility Criteria: (1) Must hold MD/MS/DNB provisional pass certificate or equivalent qualification recognized by NMC. (2) Must possess provisional or permanent MCI/NMC or State Medical Commission registration certificate. (3) NRI candidates need MCI registration plus valid registration from their home country’s medical authority. (4) Foreign medical graduates qualify for temporary registration valid for postdoctoral studies duration. (5) DNB SS holders are also eligible – verify at nbe.edu.in for DNB-specific eligibility details. (6) No specific age restriction for NEET SS 2026. (7) Must appear in the specialty group corresponding to feeder broad specialty qualification. Anesthesia entrance exam date 2026: NEET SS December 26-27, 2026 for DM in anesthesia specializations.
Unlike NEET PG which is open to all MBBS graduates, NEET SS has strict specialty-specific eligibility requirements. Candidates must choose the appropriate NEET SS specialty group that corresponds directly to their completed postgraduate (MD/MS/DNB) specialization. Selecting an incorrect specialty group results in immediate application rejection regardless of academic qualifications – making this the single most important eligibility check during the application process.
The postgraduate degree held by the candidate must be from an institution and program recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Degrees from unrecognized institutions are not eligible for NEET SS 2026 under any circumstances. Candidates can verify recognition status at the official NMC website nmc.org.in before investing time in the application process.
Candidates who completed their Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in the relevant broad specialty are eligible to appear for NEET SS 2026. DNB holders compete for DM/MCh super specialty seats alongside MD/MS degree holders on completely equal terms through the same examination, ranking, and counselling process managed by MCC at mcc.nic.in.
Every candidate must carry a valid provisional or permanent registration certificate from NMC or the concerned State Medical Commission to the NEET SS 2026 exam center on December 26-27, 2026. Entry will be strictly denied without this document regardless of any circumstances. Obtaining the registration certificate well before the exam date is therefore an urgent administrative priority for all candidates.
NEET SS 2026 Syllabus Overview: The NEET SS 2026 syllabus is specialty-specific and based entirely on the feeder broad specialty group chosen by each candidate. Medical Group (MD/DNB General Medicine): Cardiology, Hematology, Immunology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Neurology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases. Surgical Group (MS/DNB General Surgery): Cardiovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology. Pediatrics Group (MD/DNB Pediatrics): Neonatology, Pediatric Cardiology, Nephrology, Neurology, Oncology, Hepatology. Anesthesia Group: Cardiac Anesthesia, Neuro Anesthesia, Critical Care, Pediatric Anesthesia. Complete specialty group syllabus available at nbe.edu.in information bulletin.
The Medical Group covers super specialty topics that MD/DNB General Medicine postgraduates must prepare comprehensively for NEET SS 2026. This group consistently records high competition due to the large number of DM seats in Cardiology and Neurology specializations. Both the DM Cardiology entrance exam 2026 and DM Neurology entrance exam 2026 fall within this group’s NEET SS paper on December 26-27, 2026.
Candidates from the Surgical Group holding MS/DNB in General Surgery must prepare the following MCh super specialty surgical topics comprehensively. Neurosurgery and Cardiovascular Surgery consistently rank among the most sought-after MCh specializations. The MCh exam date 2026 for all surgical super specialties is December 26-27, 2026 through NEET SS 2026.
Candidates holding MD/DNB in Pediatrics must prepare the following pediatric super specialty DM topics comprehensively. Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology are particularly competitive specializations within this group, attracting high numbers of applicants relative to available seats.
| Specialty Group | Feeder Qualification | Super Specialty Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Obstetrics and Genecology Group | MD/DNB OBG | Gynecological Oncology, Reproductive Medicine and Surgery |
| Orthopedics Group | MS/DNB Orthopedics | Hand Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedics |
| Anesthesia Group (Anesthesia Entrance Exam 2026) | MD/DNB Anesthesia | Cardiac Anesthesia, Neuro Anesthesia, Organ Transplant Anesthesia, Pediatric/Neonatal Anesthesia, Critical Care |
| Radiodiagnosis Group | MD/DNB Radiodiagnosis | Neuro Radiology, Interventional Radiology |
| Respiratory Medicine Group | MD/DNB Respiratory Medicine | Pulmonary Medicine (DM) |
| Microbiology Group | MD/DNB Microbiology | Virology (DM) |
| Pathology Group | MD/DNB Pathology | Onco-Pathology (DM) |
| Psychiatry Group | MD/DNB Psychiatry | Geriatric Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| ENT Group | MS/DNB ENT | Otology, Rhinology, Head and Neck Surgery |
| Pharmacology Group | MD/DNB Pharmacology | Clinical Pharmacology (DM) |
NEET SS 2026 Admit Card: Available from: December 22, 2026, at nbe.edu.in. Download steps: Visit nbe.edu.in → Click NEET SS 2026 admit card link → Enter User ID, Password, Security Code → Download PDF → Print minimum 3 copies. Carry on exam day: Printed admit card + valid original government-issued photo ID – entry denied without both documents. Admit card contains: Name, roll number, exam date (December 26 or 27, 2026), exam center address, time slot, photograph, signature, official NBEMS instructions. Report discrepancies to NBEMS immediately after downloading on December 22, 2026.
NEET SS 2026 Exam Centers are expected to be available across 36 cities in India, providing candidates with convenient test locations in different regions of the country. Moreover, NBEMS allocates exam centers based on availability and candidate preferences submitted during the application process. Therefore, applicants should select their preferred cities carefully while filling out the NEET SS 2026 application form. In addition, choosing a nearby exam center can help reduce travel stress and ensure a smoother examination experience. Below, candidates can find the complete zone-wise list of NEET SS 2026 exam centers along with important guidelines regarding center allocation and city preferences.
NEET SS 2026 Result Date: January 28, 2027, at nbe.edu.in. Steps to check: Visit nbe.edu.in on January 28, 2027 → Navigate to NEET SS section → Click Results → Select result PDF for your specialty group → Find roll number → Note marks, percentile, qualifying status → Download individual scorecard via login. NEET SS 2026 result date latest news: January 28, 2027 is the expected result announcement date. Counselling starts: February 2027 at mcc.nic.in. Save multiple copies of the result for counselling documentation requirements.
NEET SS 2026 Cutoff (Expected – Based on 2024 Reference Data): Respiratory Medicine Group: 365 (historically highest). OBG Group: 354. ENT Group: 350. Medical Group: 299. Pediatrics Group: 287. Surgical Group: 285. Anaesthesiology Group: 279. Orthopaedics Group: 254 (historically lowest). Official NEET SS 2026 cutoff: Released with result on January 28, 2027 at nbe.edu.in. SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories: Separate lower cutoff thresholds as per Government of India reservation policy. Note: Time-bound section change in 2026 may slightly lower cutoffs compared to 2024 reference data.
INI CET SS 2026 vs NEET SS 2026 – Quick Comparison: INI CET SS 2026: Conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for DM/MCh at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS campuses across India, JIPMER Puducherry, and PGI Chandigarh. INI CET SS 2026 exam date: Check aiimsexams.ac.in for official schedule. INI SS November 2026 and INI SS January 2026 cycles: Check aiimsexams.ac.in. NEET SS 2026: Conducted by NBEMS for DM/MCh at all other government and private medical colleges (except INI institutions). NEET SS 2026 exam date: December 26-27, 2026 (confirmed). Can appear for both INI CET SS and NEET SS: YES – highly recommended to maximize DM/MCh admission opportunities.
| Parameter | NEET SS 2026 | INI CET SS 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NBEMS (nbe.edu.in) | AIIMS New Delhi (aiimsexams.ac.in) |
| Admission To | DM/MCh at government and private medical colleges across India | DM/MCh at AIIMS, JIPMER, PGI Chandigarh only |
| 2026 Exam Date | December 26-27, 2026 (Official NBEMS Confirmed) | Check aiimsexams.ac.in for INI CET SS 2026 date (INI SS May 2026 and INI SS November 2026 cycles) |
| Score Validity | Valid for NEET SS counselling at mcc.nic.in only | Valid for INI counselling at aiimsexams.ac.in only |
| Appear for Both? | Yes – can and should appear for both | Yes – can and should appear for both |
| Prestige Level | Very High – national examination for most DM/MCh seats in India | Highest – elite INI institutions (AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER) |
| Official Website | nbe.edu.in and natboard.edu.in | aiimsexams.ac.in |
The official NEET SS 2026 exam date is December 26 and December 27, 2026. NBEMS revised this from the earlier tentative NEET SS 2026 date of November 7 and November 8, 2026, through an official announcement published on August 4, 2026, at nbe.edu.in and natboard.edu.in. The SS exam date 2026, DM exam date 2026, NEET DM exam date 2026, and MCh exam date 2026 all refer to this same December 26-27, 2026 examination. Candidates must update their preparation schedules and travel plans accordingly.
The NEET SS 2026 exam date is no longer “expected” – it is officially confirmed as December 26 and December 27, 2026 by NBEMS through their August 4, 2026 official announcement. The “next NEET SS exam date 2026” is also December 26-27, 2026, as this is the only NEET SS examination scheduled for 2026. Always check nbe.edu.in for the most current official NEET SS 2026 date information to avoid being misled by incorrect unofficial sources.
The NEET SS 2026 tentative date was originally announced as November 7 and November 8, 2026. NBEMS officially revised the dates to December 26 and December 27, 2026, through an official announcement on August 4, 2026. Some sources also incorrectly mentioned December 11-12, 2026 – this date is factually incorrect and should not be followed. The confirmed official NEET SS 2026 exam date is December 26-27, 2026, from nbe.edu.in.
As of August 2026, the NEET SS 2026 exam date of December 26-27, 2026 is officially confirmed by NBEMS with no further postponement announced. The earlier tentative date of November 7-8, 2026 was the date that was revised – not December 26-27. The NEET SS 2026 court case has no active stay as of August 2026. Candidates should continuously monitor nbe.edu.in for any future official communications from NBEMS.
“SS exam 2026” refers to NEET SS 2026 – National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Super Specialty. The SS exam date 2026 is December 26 and December 27, 2026 (official, confirmed by NBEMS on August 4, 2026). Similarly, the “DM exam date 2026,” “MCh exam date 2026,” and “NEET DM exam date 2026” all refer to this same NEET SS 2026 examination, since NEET SS is the unified gateway to both DM and MCh super specialty admissions across India.
