
Low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 are a must-know topic for all aspiring medical students aiming to secure MBBS seats with relatively lower scores. With 11.7 lakh expected qualified candidates for 1,17,981 MBBS seats in Medical Colleges, understanding the NEET 2025 competition is imperative. However, some states offer better odds due to lower student-to-seat ratios, and understanding these low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 can significantly impact your admission strategy.
What Defines Low-Competition States for NEET UG 2025?
A lower ratio of qualified NEET candidates per available MBBS seat defines low-competition states for NEET UG 2025. These states either have:
- Fewer NEET UG applicants relative to available MBBS seats,
- Favorable domicile policies that are advantageous to local candidates, or
- High seat availability compared to the number of aspirants.
Such factors make these low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 a practical choice for students targeting top medical colleges with moderate NEET scores.
Also Read: 1,17,947 Admitted MBBS Students in NEET 2024, 34 Vacant MBBS Seats
Low-Competition States for NEET UG 2025: State-wise Trends
Here’s a data-driven view of the top 10 low-competition states for NEET UG 2025, based on the ratios of NEET 2024 qualified candidates vs the MBBS seats available in the respective states.
State
|
MBBS Seats
|
NEET 2024 Qualified Candidates
|
Ratio (Candidates per Seat)
|
Puducherry
|
1,873
|
3,433
|
1.83
|
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
|
177
|
693
|
3.91
|
Telangana
|
9,065
|
47,356
|
5.22
|
Sikkim
|
150
|
803
|
5.35
|
Andaman & Nicobar
|
114
|
615
|
5.39
|
Tripura
|
400
|
2,407
|
6.01
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
6,785
|
43,788
|
6.45
|
Karnataka
|
12,395
|
88,887
|
7.17
|
Tamil Nadu
|
12,050
|
89,198
|
7.40
|
Gujarat
|
7,250
|
57,232
|
7.89
|
Top low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 (MBBS Seat-to-Candidate Ratio)
Here are the states and union territories where competition is lowest:
Puducherry
- MBBS Seats: 1,873
- Qualified Students: 3,433
- Ratio: 1.83
Puducherry tops the list of low-competition states for NEET UG 2025, with nearly one MBBS seat for every two students.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- MBBS Seats: 177
- Qualified Students: 693
- Ratio: 3.91
A small union territory, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, offers a significant advantage for local candidates due to minimal competition.
Telangana
- MBBS Seats: 9,065
- Qualified Students: 47,356
- Ratio: 5.22
Telangana stands out among the states with a larger number of MBBS seats. With five students competing for one medical seat, native Telangana candidates have an edge, as the state is closed to non-domicile students for MBBS admissions.
Sikkim
- MBBS Seats: 150
- Qualified Students: 803
- Ratio: 5.35
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- MBBS Seats: 114
- Qualified Students: 615
- Ratio: 5.39
Tripura
- MBBS Seats: 400
- Qualified Students: 2,407
- Ratio: 6.01

Andhra Pradesh
- MBBS Seats: 6,785
- Qualified Students: 43,788
- Ratio: 6.45
Andhra Pradesh, an open state for MBBS, offers a favorable balance, with around six candidates competing for 1 MBBS seat, making it one of the better low-competition states for NEET UG 2025.
Karnataka
- MBBS Seats: 12,395
- Qualified Students: 88,887
- Ratio: 7.17
Karnataka offers the highest number of MBBS seats in India, is an open state, and has lower competition. Thus making it one of the key low-competition states for NEET UG 2025.
Tamil Nadu
- MBBS Seats: 12,050
- Qualified Students: 89,198
- Ratio: 7.40
Tamil Nadu is a closed state for MBBS admissions, but it offers a significant advantage to its local NEET aspirants, with seven students competing for one MBBS seat.
Gujarat
- MBBS Seats: 7250
- Qualified Students: 57,232
- Ratio: 7.89
Gujarat, also a closed state for MBBS admissions, only offers seats to its domicile students. Students hailing from the state can focus on the 7250 MBBS seats across 41 medical colleges.
Also Read: NEET 2025 Result Date, Expected Qualifying Cut Off, NEET Scorecard Details
Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off for Low-Competition States
20.8 lakh students appeared for NEET 2025, with 11.7 lakh candidates expected to qualify the exam. Based on the data trends from 2024 and anticipated candidate volumes, here are the expected NEET 2025 Cut Off scores for some low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 (State Quota):
Low-Competition States for NEET UG 2025
|
Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off Score (Expected)
|
Telangana
|
500-510
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
510-530
|
Karnataka
|
550+ (Top colleges)
|
Tamil Nadu
|
520-540
|
These expected NEET 2025 Cut Off scores are estimates and subject to final counselling results.
NEET UG 2025 Category Wise Qualifying Cut Off and Safe Scores
For a more personalized counselling strategy, students must align their preparation with the NEET UG 2025 Category-Wise Qualifying Cut-off. Here's the expected percentile and mark range:
Category
|
Qualifying Percentile
|
Expected NEET UG 2025 Category Wise Qualifying Cut Off
|
General (UR)
|
50th
|
720 - 110
|
OBC/SC/ST
|
40th
|
90 - 109
|
UR-PH
|
50th
|
720 - 110
|
Beyond qualification, candidates need safe scores to secure seats in Government Medical Colleges:
MBBS Safe Scores for Government Colleges (AIQ):
Category
|
Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off and Safe Scores
|
General
|
550 - 560
|
OBC
|
550 - 560
|
SC
|
430 - 460
|
ST
|
410 - 420
|
These estimates help students in low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 target scores strategically based on their category and competition levels.
Karnataka State Quota NEET 2025 Cut Off
Karnataka, despite having a large number of MBBS seats, is still considered one of the key low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 due to its favourable 7:1 student-to-seat ratio and large seat pool of 12,395 MBBS seats.
College Name
|
NEET 2024 State Quota Round 1 Cut Off
|
Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off Score
|
Bangalore Medical College
|
2,154
|
640 - 650
|
Mysore Medical College
|
7,069
|
600 - 610
|
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College
|
7,166
|
600 - 610
|
KIMS Hubli
|
11,378
|
580 - 590
|
Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences
|
18,444
|
560 - 570
|
Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences
|
19,893
|
550-560
|
For General Category students under the state quota, a score of 550+ is recommended to secure MBBS seats in top Government Medical colleges in Karnataka.
Also Read: Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off for MBBS in Government Medical Colleges and Safe Scores
Why Target Low-Competition States for NEET UG 2025?
Students across India are turning to low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 due to:
- Higher chances of admission due to better student-to-seat ratios.
- Lower expected NEET 2025 Cut Off scores.
- Domicile advantages in low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 that are closed states for MBBS admissions.
- Opportunities in union territories and northeastern low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 with less saturation.
These States with low competition in NEET offer smart alternatives to highly competitive hubs like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
Strategy for Aspiring Candidates
If you're aiming for a seat in one of the low-competition states for NEET UG 2025, here’s what you should focus on:
- Research the expected NEET 2025 Cut Off for your category and domicile.
- Use the NEET UG 2025 Category Wise Cut Off as a baseline, but aim for the safe scores listed above.
- Prioritize filling college choices in low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 during counselling.
- Apply for state domicile benefits wherever applicable.
Choosing the right state is a crucial part of NEET counselling, and identifying low-competition states for NEET UG 2025 can increase your chances of MBBS admission significantly. Focus your strategy on regions where the Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off is lower and the student-seat ratio is favorable. For students from the General, OBC, SC, and ST categories, especially those scoring in the mid-500s or below, low-competition states for NEET UG 2025, such as Puducherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, can become new opportunities.
Also Read: Hello Mentor NEET Rank Predictor 2025: Know NEET Marks Vs Rank
