NEET-UG Candidates Increase by 42% in 7 Years; Nearly 20 Lakh Took the Exam in 2026

According to data released by the Ministry of Health, the number of candidates appearing for NEET-UG has risen by approximately 42.5% over the last seven years. While 14.10 lakh candidates took the exam in 2019…

The impact of rising competition for medical education in the country is evident in the number of students appearing for NEET-UG. Data presented by the Union Ministry of Health indicates that the number of candidates has increased by about 42.5% over the past seven years. While 14.10 lakh candidates took the exam in 2019, the figure rose to 1,999,895 in 2026—an increase of approximately 5.99 lakh candidates over the seven-year period. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, shared this information in the Lok Sabha.

Highest Number of Candidates in NEET-UG 2024

Ministry data shows a consistent rise in the number of students appearing for NEET-UG over the last few years. In 2019, 14.10 lakh candidates took the exam. This figure rose to 15.44 lakh in 2021 and 17.65 lakh in 2022. In 2023, the number of candidates taking NEET-UG crossed the 20-lakh mark for the first time, with 20.39 lakh students participating. Subsequently, in 2024, the number climbed to 23.33 lakh, marking the highest figure recorded to date. However, there was a decline in the number of candidates after 2024; 22.09 lakh candidates took the NEET-UG exam in 2025, and 1,999,895 took it in 2026. Despite this, the figure for 2026 remains approximately 42.5% higher than that of 2019.

Increase in Medical Colleges Over the Decade

Alongside the rise in the number of NEET-UG candidates, the capacity for medical education in the country has also expanded. According to the Ministry of Health, the number of medical colleges in the country rose from 387 in 2014 to 846 in 2026. There has also been a significant increase in the number of MBBS seats during this period. In 2014, there were 51,348 MBBS seats in the country, whereas by July 30, 2026, this figure had reached 139,864. Of these, 464 government medical colleges offer 66,221 MBBS seats, while 382 private medical colleges provide 73,643 seats.

Around 20 Lakh Candidates vs. Approximately 1.40 Lakh Seats

Government data indicates a steadily growing demand for admission into medical education. Although the number of MBBS seats in medical colleges has expanded over the last decade, the available seats are still considered limited when compared to the number of candidates appearing for the NEET-UG exam. This disparity is evident from the fact that approximately 20 lakh candidates took the NEET-UG exam in 2026, while the total number of MBBS seats in the country stands at around 1.40 lakh.