With the NEET 2026 registration date already released, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has released revised guidelines for the NEET 2026 exam regarding exam city selection and language allocation to ensure greater transparency and candidate convenience. As per the updated rules, applicants must select three preferred exam cities while completing the application form. These cities must be chosen only from the state of the candidate’s permanent address or present address.
Candidates are advised to opt for their own city or a nearby location, as the final allotment of exam centres will be determined based on administrative feasibility and logistical considerations.
Opting for a permanent or present address simplifies the allotment process and makes it more secure. It also makes it easier to ensure that candidates are allotted NEET 2026 exam city address or centres to their nearest verified locations. Further, this move will also ensure that there aren’t any exam city errors, and most importantly, it will totally eliminate the use of fake addresses.
NEET UG 2026 Exam City and Language Allocation Rules according to the official guidelines.
The table below provides detailed information for a better understanding.
| Details | Exam City Allotment | Language Allotment |
| Basic guidelines | Candidates must pick three preferred cities from Appendix-V according to priority (subject to address criteria). | NEET UG 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages. Candidates are advised to carefully choose the medium, as it cannot be changed later. |
| Address Criteria | Choice of cities is restricted to the State of Permanent Address or the State of Current Address only. | Question paper available in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. |
| Allotment Rules | Final allotment is based on administrative, technical, and logistical convenience. NTA has the right to allot a different city, and change requests will not be entertained. |
English: English only. Hindi: English + Hindi (Bilingual). Regional Language: English + Selected Regional Language. |
| Special Conditions | Cities can be merged if the number of candidates are lesser than the minimum required. Centre details will be mentioned on the Admit Card. |
The English version will be treated as final in case of any translation ambiguity. Medium does not affect eligibility for All India Quota or State Quotas. |
Candidates may choose any one of the 13 available languages as the medium of the NEET (UG) 2026 examination while filling out the application form. Once selected, the medium of the question paper cannot be changed under any circumstances. Candidates opting for English will receive the question paper in English only, while those choosing Hindi will be provided a bilingual question paper in English and Hindi.
Candidates selecting a regional language will receive the question paper in English along with the chosen regional language. In the event of any discrepancy or ambiguity in translation, the English version of the question paper shall be considered final.
Candidates can now select their preferred exam city and question paper medium according to their convenience. The choice of question paper medium must be made carefully while filling out the online application form, as once selected, it cannot be changed later.
