Past Years' NEET Registration Numbers: Year-Wise Statistics & Trends
NEET registration numbers, past years, year-wise data, trends — This article provides year-wise NEET registration numbers, highlighting trends, candidate growth, and insights into changing participation over the years, helping aspirants and analysts understand exam patterns.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is India's largest medical entrance examination, serving as the gateway to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical courses. Over the last decade, the number of medical aspirants has seen an exponential rise, reflecting the increasing demand for medical education in the country.
Understanding the Past Years' NEET Registration Numbers is crucial for students to gauge the competition level and prepare strategically for the upcoming sessions.
Year-wise NEET Registration Trends (2017–2025)
The registration data reveals a consistent upward trajectory until 2024, which recorded the highest-ever participation. Interestingly, 2025 saw a slight dip in registrations, breaking a long-standing streak of year-on-year growth.
| Year-wise NEET Registration Trends | ||
| Year | Registered Candidates | Candidates Appeared |
| 2025 | 22,76,069 | 22,09,318 |
| 2024 | 24,06,079 | 23,33,297 |
| 2023 | 20,87,462 | 20,38,596 |
| 2022 | 18,72,343 | 17,64,571 |
| 2021 | 16,14,777 | 15,44,275 |
| 2020 | 15,97,435 | 13,66,945 |
| 2019 | 15,19,375 | 14,10,755 |
| 2018 | 13,26,725 | 12,69,922 |
| 2017 | 11,38,890 | 10,90,085 |
Key Insights from Previous Years
1. The 2024 Record
NEET UG 2024 witnessed a "mega-jump" in registrations, crossing the 24-lakh mark. This was an increase of approximately 16.8% compared to the previous year. High participation often correlates with a higher cutoff, as seen in the 2024 results.
2. Gender Participation
A significant trend in NEET is that female candidates consistently outnumber male candidates. In 2024, over 13.76 lakh girls registered compared to 10.29 lakh boys. This trend continued in 2025, with girls making up more than 57% of the total applicant pool.
3. State-wise Participation
Certain states consistently lead in the number of NEET applicants. For the past several years, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have recorded the highest number of registrations, followed by Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
4. The Competition Ratio
With approximately 1.10 to 1.25 lakh MBBS seats available across government and private colleges, the competition ratio remains intense. In 2025, it was estimated that roughly 19 to 20 candidates competed for every single seat.
What These Numbers Mean for NEET 2026 Aspirants
While the sheer volume of candidates might seem daunting, it is important to note that the number of medical seats is also increasing. The government has been consistently establishing new AIIMS and medical colleges to meet the demand.