Physics Wallah

How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026: Expected Applicant Count, Trends and Statistics

NEET 2026 registrations are expected to cross 23–24 lakh candidates as the application deadline has been extended to 11 March 2026. Around 22 lakh applications are estimated so far. The official NEET 2026 registration data will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the exam.
authorImageSoumya Tiwari9 Mar, 2026
How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026

How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026: The NEET 2026 registration process is currently ongoing, and the deadline to submit the application form has been extended to 11 March 2026. Because the registration window is still open, the exact NEET 2026 registration numbers have not yet been officially announced. 

However, based on early reports and past trends, it is estimated that around 22 lakh students have already applied for NEET 2026, and the final total candidates for NEET 2026 may reach 23 to 24 lakh once the application window closes.

These numbers are currently estimated figures compiled from multiple sources. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will publish the official NEET 2026 exam registration data on its official website after the completion of the exam process.

How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) is the largest medical entrance examination in India. It determines admission to undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other allied healthcare programmes.

As of early March 2026, the NEET 2026 number of applicants is estimated to be around 22 lakh candidates. Since the application window remains open until 11 March 2026, the final count is likely to increase.

The official NEET 2026 registration statistics will be released by NTA after the examination process is completed.

Year-wise NEET Registration Trend

The number of students appearing for NEET UG has consistently grown over the years. This shows the increasing popularity and competition for medical seats in India. The year-wise NEET registration trend provides a clear picture of this growth. Here is a look at the total NEET registrations from previous years:

Year-wise NEET Registration Trend

Year

Total NEET Registrations

 

2026

To be Updated

2025

22,76,069

2024

24,06,079

2023

20,87,462

2022

18,72,343

2021

16,14,777

NEET 2026 Registration Statistics by Category

The NTA also releases category-wise data for registered candidates. While the full breakdown for NEET 2026 registration statistics is awaited, we can observe patterns from past years. This data helps understand the distribution of total NEET aspirants 2026 across different reservation categories.

NEET 2026 exam registration data

Category

2025 Registrations

2024 Registrations

 

OBC

9,48,507

10,54,277

SC

3,33,646

3,56,727

ST

1,50,224

1,57,115

General

6,89,366

6,47,260

EWS

1,54,326

1,90,700

Total

22,76,069

24,06,079

NEET 2026 Applicant Count by Gender and Nationality

Beyond categories, the NEET 2026 applicant count in India also includes gender and nationality details. This helps in understanding the diverse pool of candidates. For NEET 2025, a significant number of female candidates registered, often outnumbering males. Most applicants are Indian nationals.

NEET 2026 registration statistics

Gender/Nationality

Registered (2025)

Appeared (2025)

 

Male

9,65,996

9,37,411

Female

13,10,062

12,71,896

Third Gender

11

11

Indian

22,73,528

22,06,968

Foreign Nationals

939

870

NRI

741

694

OCI

61

786

 

How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026 FAQs

What is the estimated total number of candidates for NEET 2026?

Current estimates suggest over 22-23 lakh students have registered for NEET 2026. The final number will be higher.

Has the number of NEET registrations increased compared to previous years?

Yes, the NEET 2026 candidates vs previous years trend shows a consistent increase, with 2026 expected to continue this growth.

Why is the NEET 2026 registration expected to be higher?

The inclusion of BSc Nursing and Physiotherapy courses, among others, under NEET UG admissions is a major factor.

When will the official NEET 2026 registration numbers be released?

The NTA usually releases the official and final registration statistics after the application process concludes and often with the result statistics.
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2026 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.