Kamal Ghorui
Lakhs of medical aspirants appeared for the NEET UG 2026 exam on Sunday, and as the test concluded, students across cities shared mixed reactions, ranging from “easy paper” claims to relief over manageable difficulty levels.Some students described the paper as balanced and less time-consuming, especially in Physics. Speaking to news agency IANS, a NEET UG aspirant said, “It was easy. It took less time for physics. Comparatively, it was an easy paper. It took less time for me to manage. I don’t know about others, but it took less time for me.” Another candidate expressed confidence after the exam, saying the paper went well and raised hopes for a strong result. “The paper was very good. This time, it will be cleared with good marks. I want to become a doctor in MBBS,” the aspirant said.Some students also highlighted smooth arrangements at exam centres, calling the overall experience comfortable. “Overall, it was good. Everything was comfortable. Arrangements were good. I didn’t find it too strict. It wasn’t too much. It was normal,” said one aspirant after the exam.
High competition despite mixed difficulty
According to officials, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET UG 2026 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, at more than 5,400 exam centres. Around 22.79 lakh candidates had registered this year, making it one of the largest medical entrance exams in the country.Even if students find the paper easy, competition remains extremely high due to limited MBBS seats. A small difference in marks can significantly impact ranks and admission chances.While the idea of a “safe score” in NEET is not officially defined by NTA, it is based on past trends and counselling outcomes. The expected cut-off varies every year depending on paper difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. If the paper is easier, cut-offs may rise; if tougher, they may slightly dip. However, competition remains intense regardless of difficulty level.
