NEET UG 2025: New tie-breaking rule, independent expert panel to resolve through ‘random process’

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revamped the NEET UG tie-breaking method again. An independent expert committee will resolve tie between two or more candidates obtaining equal marks in the exam through a “random process”, the information bulletin read. The NTA has started the registration process for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG 2025) through the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, today. NEET Registration 2025 Live

The NEET UG exam 2025 will be conducted on May 4 in pen and paper format. Students who fulfill the eligibility criteria will have to submit the NEET UG application form 2025 before March 7. The NTA recently clarified that APAAR ID is not mandatory for NEET UG registrations 2025.

As per the latest NTA NEET notification, Class 12 admit card, Aadhaar card, election card (EPIC No.), ration card, bank account passbook with photograph, passport number or number of any other photo identity card issued by the Government will be considered as valid ID proof.

Over 23 lakh candidates appeared in the NEET UG last year. Surprisingly, an unprecedented number of 67 candidates obtained All India Rank (AIR 1). However, the NEET UG controversies and rumours on paper leak reached the Supreme Court. As per the SC’s order, the NTA revised the results and the number of toppers was reduced from 67 to 17.

As per the revised NEET UG exam pattern 2025 , the question paper will have three parts - physics, chemistry, and biology. The question paper will consist of 180 compulsory questions which should be attempted by candidates in 3 hours. NEET UG will be conducted for a total of 720 marks.

NEET tie-breaking rule 2025

In case two or more candidates obtain equal marks or NEET percentile scores in the exam, the NTA will use the below given tie-breaking method to resolve the ties.

• Candidate obtaining higher marks, percentile score in biology - botany and zoology - in the test, followed by,
• Candidate obtaining higher marks, percentile score in chemistry in the test, followed by,
• Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in physics in the Test, followed by,
• Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the test,
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in biology in the test, followed by
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in chemistry in the test, followed by
• Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in physics in the test, followed by
• In case, a-g criteria are exhausted and tie still persists, it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.

Last year, the NTA removed the application number and age criteria from the tie-breaking method which decided NEET AIR in cases where candidates have scored the same across sections. It used a seven-step method to resolve ties. This year, it has added an additional rule to resolve tie if the existing criteria are exhausted. An independent expert committee will resolve the tie through a random process, it said.