One wrong answer in NEET can cost you more than just one mark. It can cost you a rank. Sometimes, even a college.
So let’s address the question every NEET aspirant asks, often a little too late: Is there negative marking in NEET?
Yes. And understanding it properly can be the difference between a safe score and a borderline miss.
Is There Negative Marking in NEET?
Yes, there is negative marking in NEET. The NEET UG exam follows a strict negative marking system designed to reward accuracy, not guesswork.
Here is the official marking scheme used by NTA:
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
| Correct answer | +4 marks |
| Incorrect answer | –1 mark |
| Unanswered question | 0 mark |
This means:
- Every wrong answer cancels 25% of the marks gained from a correct one.
- Five wrong answers can wipe out the benefit of more than one full correct question.
So when students ask, does NEET have negative marking?
The honest answer is: Yes, and it is unforgiving if you are careless.
What Is Negative Marking in NEET?
To put it simply, negative marking in NEET means you are penalised for incorrect answers.
The logic is simple:
- NEET is not testing how many questions you attempt
- It is testing how many you get right
This is why NEET toppers often attempt fewer questions than the total, but with extremely high accuracy.
At Aakash, we see this pattern every year:
Students with 180 attempts but poor accuracy lose ranks. Students with 160–165 attempts and clean execution climb up
Accuracy beats aggression. Always.
Does NEET Have Negative Marking for All Questions?
Yes. Negative marking applies to all MCQs across all subjects.
There is no section in NEET where incorrect answers are “safe.”
Important clarity:
- Unattempted questions carry ZERO penalty
- Blind guessing is worse than leaving a question
If you are unsure between two options and cannot eliminate one logically, leave it.
Why NTA Uses Negative Marking in NEET
The NEET exam negative marking system exists for three reasons:
- To prevent random guessing
- To reward conceptual clarity
- To differentiate serious preparation from casual attempts
With over 24 lakh students, NEET needs a system that filters for accuracy. Negative marking does exactly that.
How Negative Marking Affects NEET Rank (Real Impact)
Let’s look at a simple comparison.
Student A
- Correct answers: 155 → 620 marks
- Wrong answers: 20 → –20 marks
Final Score: 600
Student B
- Correct answers: 150 → 600 marks
- Wrong answers: 5 → –5 marks
Final Score: 595
Only 5 marks difference. But the rank gap? Often 3000–5000 ranks.
That’s the power and danger of negative marking in NEET.
Smart Attempt Strategy to Handle Negative Marking in NEET
At Aakash, we don’t teach “attempt everything.” We teach: attempt smartly.
The 3-Tier Question Strategy
During the exam, mentally classify questions into:
- Sure-shot questions
- Attempt immediately
- Elimination-based questions
- Attempt only if one option is clearly eliminated
- Risky / Guess-based questions
- Skip without guilt
Remember:
Leaving a question costs nothing
Getting it wrong costs marks and confidence
Common Mistakes That Increase Negative Marking
Let’s be brutally honest.
These are mistakes we see every year.
1. Over-attempting Biology
Students attempt all 90 questions.
Accuracy drops. Marks bleed.
2. Rushing Physics Calculations
Speed without verification = negative marking magnet.
3. Second-Guessing Correct Answers
Changing answers in the last 5 minutes causes more damage than benefit.
4. Guessing in Section B Without Elimination
Section B is optional, not compulsory. Treat it like a bonus, not a compulsion.
Final Take: Master Accuracy, Not Just Syllabus
So, is there negative marking in NEET? Yes. And it is non-negotiable.
But here’s the good news: Negative marking is not your enemy, carelessness is.
If you:
- Build strong NCERT concepts
- Practise time-bound mocks
- Analyse mistakes honestly
Negative marking stops hurting you. It starts protecting your rank.
At Aakash, we’ve seen this year after year:
The topper is not the one who attempts the most; it’s the one who wastes the least.
FAQs on Negative Marking in NEET
Is there negative marking in NEET UG 2026?
Yes. Negative marking in NEET UG 2026 will be applicable as per the standard NTA marking scheme. Candidates will get +4 marks for every correct answer, –1 mark for every incorrect answer, and 0 marks for unanswered questions.
What is negative marking in NEET exactly?
Negative marking in NEET means that one mark is deducted for each wrong answer. This system is used to discourage random guessing and reward accuracy and conceptual clarity.
Does NEET have negative marking for unanswered questions?
No. Unattempted questions do not attract any negative marking. Leaving a question blank is always safer than making a blind guess.
Is negative marking the same for all subjects in NEET?
Yes. The NEET exam negative marking scheme is uniform across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Every incorrect response in any subject results in a deduction of one mark.
Is there negative marking in NEET Section B questions?
Yes. Section B also follows the same marking rules. Even though you can choose which questions to attempt, any incorrect answer still leads to –1 mark.
Does negative marking affect NEET rank significantly?
Absolutely. Even a loss of 5–10 marks due to negative marking can push a student down by thousands of ranks, especially at higher score ranges where competition is intense.
Does negative marking apply if two options seem correct?
Yes. NEET has only one correct answer per question. Marking any other option, even if it seems partially correct, will result in negative marking.
