NEET 2019: Number of registrations increased; 15.19 lakh candidates to appear for medical entrance exam

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 13: The registration for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2019) has closed on December 7, 2018, with a growth of 14.4% of registrations from the last year. The regulatory body of NEET, National Testing Agency (NTA) has seen an ascend in the NEET registration 2019 to a record of 15.19 lakh candidates. Earlier, a total of 13,26,725 aspirants appeared for NEET 2018, while 11.38 lakh registrations were received for the year 2017.

Reportedly, the government officials feel that the reason for the increase in the number of registration is that NEET is now mandatory to pursue MBBS and BDS courses abroad. Apart from medical and dental courses, NEET is also mandatory for AYUSH courses and 15% All India Quota seats of Veterinary courses across the country.

As per the sources, female candidates continue to outnumber male candidates as the number of registered female medical aspirants are 1.5 lakh more than the male candidates. Even last year, the number of registered female candidates was more than 1.65 lakh as compared to male candidates. The applications of OBC candidates are highest among all categories and are 1.42 lakh more than the general category students.

Also, it has been found that as per the state-wise data, with 2,19,883 registrations, Maharashtra has registered the highest number of test takers. The table below provides the data of top five states with the number of registration received.

State-wise NEET registration

The Supreme Court of India, one day before the scheduled last date of NEET application form 2019, permitted the students of 25 years and above to appear for NEET (UG) entrance examination for admission to around 66,771 MBBS and 27,148 BDS seats in government, private, deemed and central universities across India. NTA then on November 29, extended the last date to fill the application form to December 7, 2018.

NEET was previously conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which will now be conducted by government body NTA on May 5, 2019. The result of NEET will be announced by June 5.