NEET 2018: 13.26 lakh candidates to appear for NEET; Girls continue to outnumber boys

New Delhi, May 5: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to be held on May 6 is all set to witness a record number of test takers for MBBS and BDS admissions with more than 13 lakh candidates expected to appear for the national-level entrance exam.

The number of exam centres this year has increased from 1,921 in the previous year to 2,255 this year. The maximum number of candidates will be appearing from Maharashtra and the state also has the most number of centres, exam officials said.

Increase in number of candidates 

As per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the number of candidates taking NEET on May 6 will be 13,26,725. This is a significant 16 % increase from last year’s number of 11,38, 890 applicants. Also, the number of female applicants continues to be significantly higher than male candidates in the entrance exam. This year, 1.65 lakh more girls have applied for NEET than boys. Last year also, number of girl candidates was 1.44 lakh more than the boys.

The increase in the number of candidates was expected as admission to AYUSH courses will also be through NEET this year. Moreover, the candidates who wish to pursue MBBS from foreign countries will also be required to qualify NEET as eligibility criteria from this year onwards. There will be approximately 65,000 MBBS and 25,000 BDS seats available for admission in different Medical and Dental colleges across the country.  Except for AIIMS and JIPMER, all medical and dental colleges will have to take admission through NEET only.

NEET in Numbers: 2018 vs. 2017

The NEET result is expected by the first week of June. The All India Counselling and state level counselling process will begin immediately after the results are announced. The admission to all MBBS and BDS programmes will strictly be on the basis of NEET merit.