New Delhi: Registrations for NEET (UG) 2026 have inched up by around 3,000 candidates compared to last year, even as a significant expansion in MBBS seats is expected for the upcoming academic session, offering a potential easing of pressure in one of the country’s most competitive entrance exams. National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued admit cards for 22,79,743 candidates, of whom over 99% were allocated their first-choice city for the exam.Last year saw 22.76 lakh registrations as against 1.29 lakh MBBS seats. According to sources in the National Medical Commission, a large number of fresh applications have been received for starting new MBBS courses, along with proposals from existing medical colleges to increase seat capacity. “There will be a substantial increase in seats. The exact numbers are likely to be announced in the coming days,” a source said. Apart from MBBS, admissions to courses such as Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha are also conducted through NEET.Scheduled for May 3, the exam will be conducted in a single shift across the country. Candidates can download their admit cards from NEET portal. The total number of exam centres remains broadly similar to last year, with 5,446 centres identified for 2026. NTA said nearly all candidates (99.2%) have been accommodated at their preferred locations, a move aimed at easing travel and logistical stress.