A NEET UG aspirant's post on X, asking the National Testing Agency (NTA) to confirm or deny rumours of a 400-mark computer-based test (CBT) in January, got a direct reply: no such exam is scheduled that month, and students should not believe unverified claims circulating online. This matters because NEET UG is the single entrance exam for MBBS and BDS admissions across India, and any change to its marks, mode or timing directly affects how millions of students prepare. The clarification comes months after the government had already announced that NEET UG would eventually shift to CBT mode, so some confusion around specifics is understandable. This piece separates what is confirmed from what is still rumour, and tells you where to look for real updates instead of social media chatter.
The NTA has denied rumours of a 400-mark CBT NEET UG exam in January, but has not yet released an official NEET UG 2027 date, format or marks structure — so aspirants should prepare on the current 720-mark, pen-and-paper pattern until NTA notifies otherwise.
What actually happened
A student posted on X saying they had heard multiple rumours that NEET UG would be held as a 400-mark computer-based test in January, replacing the current 720-mark pen-and-paper exam, and asked the NTA to clarify in advance.
The NTA replied directly on the same platform, stating that no such examination is being held in January and urging students not to trust such rumours. It did not, however, share any fresh detail about the eventual NEET UG 2027 date, marks, or exam mode.
Why the CBT rumour started in the first place
This isn't a rumour that came from nowhere. Back in May, the then Union Education Minister had announced that NEET UG would move to computer-based testing, a decision that followed concerns over an alleged paper leak that had also led to a re-test being conducted on June 21.
Since then, the government has not issued a detailed roadmap on when the CBT shift will happen, what the new marking scheme will look like, or whether the total marks will change from the current 720. In the absence of an official notification, speculation has filled the gap — including the specific claim of a 400-mark January exam that the NTA has now denied.
The exam pattern that still applies today
Until NTA says otherwise, NEET UG 2026 remains the reference pattern for anyone preparing for the next cycle. It is conducted in pen-and-paper mode with 180 compulsory multiple-choice questions across Physics, Chemistry and Biology, for a total of 720 marks.
- Marking scheme: +4 for a correct answer, -1 for an incorrect one, 0 for unattempted questions.
- Exam duration: 3 hours 15 minutes (increased from the earlier 3 hours).
- Each subject now has one section of 45 compulsory questions — the old optional-question format (Section A + Section B) has been discontinued.
- Syllabus currently stands at 79 chapters across the three subjects, after roughly 18 topics were dropped two years ago.
What has genuinely changed in counselling, separate from the exam
While the exam format is still under speculation, the counselling process — what happens after NEET UG results, when students choose colleges through MCC or state authorities — has already seen real procedural updates in recent cycles.
These include One-Time Reporting-based physical verification, digital document checks and fee payment at the reporting stage, freeze and float options for candidates holding a seat while still hoping for an upgrade, and the ability to resign a seat online rather than through in-person visits. None of this is affected by the CBT rumour, but it's worth knowing that counselling mechanics have evolved even where the exam pattern hasn't.
How aspirants should treat this
The sensible approach is to treat social media posts, including replies from official handles, as pointers rather than final policy documents. A denial of a specific rumour (400 marks, January) is useful, but it is not the same as an official notification confirming the NEET UG 2027 date, mode, or marks.
Students preparing right now should continue with the current 720-mark syllabus and pattern, since that is what is verified and unchanged. Any move to CBT mode, when it is formally notified, will likely come with a transition period and detailed guidelines — NTA does not spring format changes on students without notice given how high-stakes this exam is.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is NEET UG really moving to a 400-mark CBT format?
There is no official confirmation of a 400-mark format. The NTA has only denied that a 400-mark CBT exam is scheduled for January. A shift to computer-based testing was announced earlier this year, but marks, dates and other details have not been officially notified yet.
Will NEET UG 2027 be held in January?
No. NTA has explicitly said no such exam is happening in January. NEET UG has historically been held around May, and no official 2027 date has been announced yet.
Should I prepare for a 720-mark exam or a 400-mark exam?
Prepare for the current, verified 720-mark pattern with 180 questions and +4/-1 marking, since that is the only officially confirmed structure right now. Switch your preparation only if NTA issues a formal notification changing it.
Why did the government announce a move to CBT mode earlier this year?
The announcement followed concerns about an alleged NEET paper leak, which also led to a re-test in June. Computer-based testing is seen as one way to reduce risks associated with a single paper-based exam held at thousands of centres.
Where should I check for real NEET UG updates instead of social media?
Rely only on the official NEET UG website (neet.nta.nic.in) and NTA's verified announcements. Avoid acting on rumours, even ones that appear to be widely shared, until there's an official notification.
Has the NEET UG syllabus changed recently?
Yes, around two years ago about 18 topics were removed, bringing the syllabus to 79 chapters across Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This is separate from the CBT-mode discussion.
Nothing about your NEET UG preparation needs to change based on this rumour — the current 720-mark, pen-and-paper pattern still stands until NTA notifies otherwise. Keep checking neet.nta.nic.in directly for any official update on exam mode, marks or dates, and treat unverified posts on social media, even ones the NTA responds to, as clarification rather than a full policy announcement.
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