Slow Pace of Applicants for NEET 2026: Has a Mere Increase of 3,000 Raised Several Questions?

NEET UG 2026 has witnessed only a marginal increase in the number of applications, even as expectations run high regarding a significant rise in the number of MBBS seats. Let’s delve into the full details…

An intriguing scenario has emerged this year among the lakhs of students preparing for medical entrance exams. While previous years typically saw a massive surge in NEET UG applications, the increase for NEET 2026 has been remarkably modest. Compared to last year, only about 3,000 additional students appear to have registered this time around. This statistic is both surprising and reassuring—surprising because of the slow growth, yet reassuring given the concurrent expectations of a substantial increase in MBBS seats.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued admit cards to 2,279,743 candidates for NEET 2026. A noteworthy highlight is that over 99 percent of the students have been allotted their first-choice examination city. This is expected to significantly alleviate the pre-exam rush, travel-related hassles, and stress for the candidates. The examination is scheduled to be conducted nationwide on May 3rd, in a single shift.

How ​​Many Applications Were Received Last Year?

Last year, approximately 22.76 lakh students applied for NEET, while the number of available MBBS seats stood at around 1.29 lakhs. With the number of candidates being several times higher than the available seats, the competition becomes extremely fierce. However, the picture may change this time around. According to sources within the National Medical Commission (NMC), several new medical colleges have applied for permission to commence MBBS courses. Additionally, existing colleges have submitted proposals to increase their seat intake. It is widely believed that the upcoming academic session could witness a substantial increase in the total number of available seats.

This is precisely why there hasn’t been a significant surge in the number of candidates this year; however, the anticipated increase in seats could potentially help alleviate some of the pressure on the students. Through NEET, admission is granted not only to the MBBS program but also to courses such as BDS, Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha; nevertheless, the competition remains most intense for MBBS seats.

How ​​many examination centers were established?

The NTA has maintained the same arrangement for examination centers this time as in previous years. A total of 5,446 examination centers have been set up across the country. During the registration process, students were asked to list three preferred cities, and centers were allotted based on these preferences. Information regarding the examination city was released as early as April 12th, allowing students ample time to make necessary preparations in advance.

NEET is one of those examinations in the country that consistently records a very high attendance rate. Last year, approximately 97 to 98 percent of registered students appeared for the exam. This time around, given that the majority of students have been allotted their preferred cities, the attendance rate is expected to rise even further.