NEET 2025 Registrations Drop: Around 23 Lakh Candidates Expected to Appear

NEET UG 2025 registrations have dropped by over 1 lakh compared to last year, with possible reasons including technical issues, lack of deadline extensions, and shifting career interests.

18 Mar, 2025 03:30 PM
Harsh Bohot

Check NEET UG 2025 Registrations Drop Here!

New Delhi: NEET UG 2025 registrations have declined by over 1 lakh compared to the previous year. In 2024, 24,06,079 candidates registered for the exam, while recent reports indicate that as of March 5, 2025, more than 20 lakh candidates have registered, bringing the total to approximately 23 lakh so far. Experts had projected registrations to exceed 24 lakh, but the latest data suggests otherwise.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET UG 2025 exam on May 4, 2025, with the registration window set to close on March 7, 2025. This exam is the gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses. While experts initially estimated that around 26 lakh students would apply, recent statistics indicate a slight decline in registrations.

NEET 2025 Registration Drop Figures

The latest data confirms that around 23 lakh candidates have registered for NEET 2025. NTA will soon release the official registration statistics on its website, neet.nta.nic.in.

NEET UG Registration Trends Over the Last Five Years

Year	Total Registered Students (in Lakh)
2025	23 Lakh (Expected)
2024	24.06 Lakh
2023	20.87 Lakh
2022	18.72 Lakh
2021	16.14 Lakh
2020	15.97 Lakh

Despite the drop in NEET UG 2025 registrations, the overall trend over the past five years steadily increased.

Possible Reasons for the Decline in NEET 2025 Registrations

Several factors may have contributed to the lower registration numbers this year:

Impact of NEET 2024 Results

Reports of paper leaks, cheating, and result revisions in NEET 2024 may have discouraged aspirants.
Higher cutoffs could have led some students to reconsider retaking the exam.

Technical Issues During Registration

Many candidates faced website glitches and payment failures, preventing them from completing their registration.

No Extension of Registration Deadline

Unlike previous years, NTA has not extended the registration deadline for NEET 2025.
Students who encountered technical difficulties missed the opportunity to register.

Growing Interest in Alternative Careers

More students are exploring non-medical career paths or other healthcare-related fields.
Greater awareness of diverse career options may have influenced their decision to opt out of NEET.

Financial Constraints

The rising cost of medical education remains a significant barrier for many aspirants.
Some students may have chosen not to appear for NEET due to financial limitations.

As NEET 2025 registration approaches its final deadline, further insights into the reasons behind the decline may emerge.