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How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026? Expected Registration Numbers and Latest Trends

NEET 2026 registration has closed, with around 25 lakh students expected to appear for the exam. Check estimated applicant numbers, registration trends, year-wise data, and category-wise statistics to understand the growing competition for medical seats in India.
authorImageSoumya Tiwari18 Mar, 2026
How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026

How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026: The NEET 2026 registration process closed, marking the final opportunity for candidates to submit their application forms. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 3 May 2026 for admission to medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, and other allied health programmes across India.

Since the registration window has just closed, the exact NEET 2026 registration numbers have not yet been officially released. However, early estimates suggest that around 25 lakh students are expected to appear for NEET 2026, making it one of the largest medical entrance examinations in the country.

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How Many Students Registered for NEET 2026?

The number of registrations for NEET 2026 is expected to cross the record set in 2025, when more than 22.7 lakh students applied for the exam. With more courses being included and several medical entrance exams merged into NEET, the number of applicants has increased significantly.

This means NEET 2026 is likely to become one of the biggest medical entrance exams ever, with very high competition among students.

Stay tuned for more updates on NEET 2026 registrations and what these record numbers could mean for medical aspirants.

These figures will provide a clear picture of the total number of aspirants who applied for the exam this year.

NEET 2026 Registrations: Latest Trend and Estimated Numbers

The NEET 2026 registration process has witnessed a rapid rise in applications within a short period. As the deadline approaches, the number of candidates registering for the exam continues to grow steadily. Based on available estimates, the total registrations have already crossed 23 lakh, indicating intense competition for medical seats across India.

Below is a clearer breakdown of the estimated NEET 2026 registrations by time period:

Time Period Estimated Registrations
Feb 9 – Feb 15, 2026 ~2 Lakh
Feb 16 – Feb 22, 2026 ~6 Lakh
Feb 23 – Mar 1, 2026 ~11 Lakh
Mar 2 – Mar 6, 2026 ~16 Lakh
Mar 7 – Mar 9, 2026 ~21 Lakh
Mar 10 – Mar 11, 2026 ~23 – 26 Lakh

Key Insight:
The registration trend shows a sharp spike in the final weeks, which is common for national-level exams like NEET. Experts expect the final number of applicants to cross 26 lakh, making NEET 2026 one of the most competitive medical entrance exams in India.

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 25 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.
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