Lakhs of medical aspirants appeared for the NEET UG 2026 exam on Sunday, and as the test ended, students across cities had mixed reactions, ranging from claims of an “easy paper” to relief at manageable difficulty levels.Some students described the paper as balanced and less time-consuming, especially in physics. Speaking to news agency IANS, the NEET UG aspirant said, “It was easy, it took less time for Physics. Comparatively, it was an easier paper. It took less time for me to handle. I don’t know about others, but it took less time for me.” Another candidate expressed confidence after the exam, saying that the paper went well and gave hope for strong results. “The paper was very good. Will pass with good marks this time. I want to become a doctor in MBBS,” said the aspirant.Some students also highlighted the smooth arrangements at the exam centres, describing the overall experience as comfortable. “Overall, it was good. Everything was comfortable. Arrangements were good. I didn’t find it too hard. It wasn’t too much. It was normal,” said a candidate after the exam.
High competition despite mixed difficulty
According to officials, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET UG 2026 at more than 5,400 examination centers in 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. 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 high due to limited MBBS seats. A small difference in marks can significantly affect grades and chances of admission.Although the idea of a “safe score” in NEET has not been officially defined by the NTA, it is based on past trends and counseling results. The expected cut off varies every year depending on the paper difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. If the paper is easy, the cutoff may increase; If hard, they may sink a little. However, competition remains fierce regardless of difficulty level.
