NEET 2025 Registered Candidates: Total Numbers, Trends, and What It Means for Aspirants
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is India’s largest and most competitive medical entrance exam for undergraduate admissions. Every year, lakhs of students register for NEET in hopes of securing a seat in top government or private medical colleges. For NEET 2025, the number of registered candidates has reached record-breaking levels, highlighting the increasing popularity of the medical profession and the competitiveness of the exam.
In this article, we will break down the total number of NEET 2025 registered candidates, compare it with previous years, analyze trends, and discuss what this means for medical aspirants.
📊 NEET 2025: Total Registered Candidates
According to official sources, NEET 2025 has seen more than 22 lakh registrations, marking a new high in the history of the exam.
✅ Key Numbers:
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Total Registered Candidates: 22.2 lakh (approx.)
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Male Candidates: 9.7 lakh (approx.)
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Female Candidates: 12.4 lakh (approx.)
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Transgender Candidates: 50+
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Foreign/NRI/OCI/PIO Registrations: Over 2,000
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Number of Exam Centres: 500+ across 500 cities including 15 foreign cities
This is a significant increase compared to NEET 2024, which saw around 20.5 lakh registrations.
📅 NEET 2025 Registration Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start Date | 9 February 2025 |
| Registration End Date | 9 March 2025 |
| Correction Window | 13–15 March 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2025 |
| Exam Date | 4 May 2025 |
| Result Declaration | June 2025 (Tentative) |
🧾 State-wise Registration Statistics (Estimated)
Here’s an approximate breakdown of candidate registrations by major states:
| State | Approx. Registered Candidates |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 3.2 lakh |
| Maharashtra | 2.9 lakh |
| Rajasthan | 2.1 lakh |
| Tamil Nadu | 1.7 lakh |
| Bihar | 1.5 lakh |
| Karnataka | 1.3 lakh |
| West Bengal | 1.4 lakh |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1.2 lakh |
| Gujarat | 1.1 lakh |
| Delhi-NCR | 90,000 |
📈 Registration Trends Over the Years
Let’s look at how NEET registration has grown since its introduction:
| Year | Registered Candidates |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 11.5 lakh |
| 2018 | 13.3 lakh |
| 2019 | 14.1 lakh |
| 2020 | 15.9 lakh |
| 2021 | 16.1 lakh |
| 2022 | 18.7 lakh |
| 2023 | 20.2 lakh |
| 2024 | 24.5 lakh |
| 2025 | 23.2 lakh (approx) |
NEET 2025 has witnessed the highest-ever number of registrations, signaling the growing interest among students to pursue MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical courses.
🎯 Reasons Behind the Increase in NEET 2025 Registrations
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Rising Interest in Healthcare Careers
Post-pandemic, the respect and demand for doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff have surged significantly. -
Expansion of Government Medical Colleges
The central government has announced new AIIMS and increased the number of MBBS seats across states, motivating more students to prepare for NEET. -
Increased Awareness & Accessibility
Better awareness, coaching facilities in rural areas, and online prep platforms have enabled even tier-3 city students to prepare. -
More Repeaters and Droppers
With multiple attempts allowed, many students appear more than once, adding to the count. -
Parental Push and Peer Influence
In many parts of India, becoming a doctor is still seen as the most respected and stable career.
🧠 What Does This Mean for Aspirants?
The increase in NEET registrations is a double-edged sword. While it shows growing interest, it also makes the competition more intense.
✔️ Key Impacts:
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Cut-offs are likely to rise due to a higher number of test-takers.
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More students scoring above 600 marks, raising the bar for government medical colleges.
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Demand for better preparation strategies, smart time management, and stress control.
🏥 Number of Medical Seats in India (2025)
As of now, there are approximately:
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MBBS Seats: 1,10,000+
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Govt. Colleges: 55,000+
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Private Colleges: 55,000+
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BDS Seats: 26,000+
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AYUSH Courses: 50,000+
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AIIMS & JIPMER MBBS Seats: 2,000+
Despite over 1.1 lakh MBBS seats, the number of aspirants (22.2 lakh) means that only 1 in 20 candidates may get a seat, making NEET one of the toughest exams in the world in terms of competition.
📍 Categories of NEET Aspirants
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Freshers (Class 12 Appearing):
Around 65–70% of applicants fall under this group. -
Repeaters (Droppers):
Approximately 25–30% of the total. -
Private/Distance Learners & Open School Candidates:
2–3% of total registrations. -
International/Foreign Nationals:
About 1% or less, mostly applying under NRI quota.
📚 Exam Pattern for NEET 2025
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 45 to be attempted | 180 |
| Chemistry | 45 to be attempted | 180 |
| Biology (Botany + Zoology) | 90 to be attempted | 360 |
| Total | 180 to be attempted | 720 |
Marking Scheme:
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+4 for each correct answer
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-1 for each wrong answer
🧾 Tips for NEET 2025 Aspirants
With 22 lakh+ candidates in the pool, smart preparation is essential.
🧠 Strategy Tips:
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Revise NCERT thoroughly (especially Biology).
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Attempt mock tests weekly to track improvement.
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Use tools like time-bound question-solving.
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Previous year questions are a must.
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Focus on conceptual clarity in Physics and Chemistry.
💬 Expert Opinions
“The rising number of NEET applicants shows how important the medical profession has become in Indian society. But students must remember that quality preparation, not quantity, will determine success.”
— Dr. Anjali Verma, NEET Coach & Author
“Cut-offs are expected to go up by 5–10 marks due to the higher number of test-takers and improved preparation levels among students.”
— Rajesh Singh, Senior NEET AnalystALSO READ THIS
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