NEET UG Key Data Points 2019–2026: What NTA’s Official Numbers Reveal

Every year, lakhs of students across India compete in NEET UG for a seat in medical college — but behind every exam is a set of numbers that tell a bigger story about competition, trends, and opportunity. The National Testing Agency (NTA) recently released its official Key Data Points of NEET (UG) report, covering registration, participation, and qualification data from 2019 to 2026.

In this article, we break down these numbers in a simple, easy-to-understand way — so students and parents can see exactly how NEET UG has evolved, where the competition stands today, and what it means for NEET 2027 aspirants.

1. NEET UG Registration Trend (2019–2026)

NEET UG registrations have grown steadily over the years, with a few notable dips and spikes. Here’s how the numbers have moved:

The peak came in 2024, with over 24 lakh registrations. While registrations have slightly stabilised since, 2026 saw a sharp jump in the number of absentees (2,79,848), the highest in the eight-year dataset — a trend worth watching for future exam-day preparedness and stress management guidance.

2. Gender-Wise Participation: The Female Lead Continues

One of the clearest patterns in NEET UG data is the consistently higher participation and qualification rate among female candidates.

Female candidates make up nearly 58% of total NEET UG 2026 registrations and account for close to 59% of all qualified candidates — a gap that has widened consistently since 2019.

3. Category-Wise Qualification Numbers (2025 vs 2026)

OBC candidates continue to form the single largest qualified group, consistent with their share in overall registrations.

4. NEET UG Qualifying Cutoff Trend (2024–2026)

The qualifying percentile criteria remain unchanged (50th percentile for UR/EWS, 40th for SC/ST/OBC), but the actual marks range required has shifted year to year based on difficulty level and normalisation:

Total qualified candidates dropped from 12,36,531 in 2025 to 11,21,185 in 2026 — a decline of over 1.15 lakh, despite similar registration numbers, pointing to a tougher paper or stricter normalisation this year.

5. State-Wise Snapshot: Where NEET UG Aspirants Come From

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan continue to be the top three states by NEET UG registration volume:

Interestingly, Rajasthan’s qualification rate (nearly 64%) is notably stronger than Uttar Pradesh’s (~48%) and Maharashtra’s (~48%), despite lower registration numbers — reflecting the depth of coaching infrastructure and preparation ecosystem in the state.

6. Key Takeaways for NEET 2027 Aspirants

• Competition remains intense: With nearly 20 lakh candidates appearing and only about 11.2 lakh qualifying in 2026, roughly 56% of appeared candidates cleared the cutoff — but MBBS seats remain far fewer than qualified candidates, keeping actual admission competition high.
• Female candidates are outperforming: With higher registration, appearance, and qualification numbers, this trend is likely to continue — a positive signal for girls considering medicine as a career.
• Absenteeism is rising: Nearly 2.8 lakh registered candidates did not appear in 2026, the highest in recent years — a reminder of how crucial consistent preparation and exam-day readiness are.
• Cutoffs shift year to year: Since normalisation changes marks ranges annually, aspirants should focus on percentile-based preparation goals rather than fixating on a single year’s cutoff marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data Source: National Testing Agency (NTA), “Key Data Points of NEET (UG) Over Years” — Official Report, 2026.