The NEET 2025 attendance drop has become a crucial discussion topic across the country. According to the official data released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), only 20.8 lakh students appeared for the NEET 2025 exam. This marks a major decline compared to previous years. 1.9 lakh fewer students were absent for the exam despite a registration count of 22.7 lakh. The attendance rate stands at 91.4%, the lowest since 2021. This sharp NEET 2025 attendance drop is being attributed to a series of new anti-fraud security measures introduced by the NTA.

NEET 2025 Attendance Drop: Lowest Turnout Since 2021

Out of the 22.7 lakh registered candidates, 1.9 lakh students did not appear, causing the NEET 2025 attendance drop to reach historic levels. This 91.4% attendance rate is significantly lower when compared to recent years, sparking conversations regarding the NEET 2025 attendance drop:

• 2024: 97.9% attendance (23.3 lakh students appeared for NEET 2024 out of 24.1 lakh registered)
• 2023: 97.6% attendance (20.4 lakh students appeared for NEET 2023 out of 20.9 lakh registered)
• 2022: 94.2% attendance (17.6 lakh out of 18.7 lakh)
• 2021: 95.6% attendance (15.4 lakh out of 16.1 lakh)
  
  

The NEET 2025 attendance drop is being attributed to tightened security protocols, including biometric authentication, stricter document verification, and extensive surveillance.

Also Read: NEET 2025 Result Date, Expected Qualifying Cut Off, NEET Scorecard Details

Why Did the NEET 2025 Attendance Drop Happen?

A primary reason for the NEET 2025 attendance drop is the NTA's unprecedented crackdown on exam malpractice. The agency deployed multiple new layers of security that impacted both fraudulent and some genuine candidates:

1. Stricter Registration Checks: Incomplete or suspicious applications were eliminated early in the process.
2. Biometric Authentication: Mismatched biometrics led to onsite disqualifications.
3. Increased Surveillance: The addition of multi-tiered security, including CCTV cameras and a police presence, added pressure on students attempting dishonest practices, thus contributing to the NEET 2025 attendance drop.
4. Anti-Misinformation Measures: The NTA tackled fake Telegram and Instagram leak channels by escalating them to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
   
   

These steps resulted in a significant NEET 2025 attendance drop by filtering out ineligible and fake candidates. As a result, only 20.8 lakh students appeared for NEET 2025.

NTA's Security Enhancements Fuel NEET 2025 Attendance Drop

To reinforce transparency and exam integrity, the NTA implemented a "whole-of-government" strategy:

• Mobile signal jammers are at every exam centre
• Police escort for the transport of the question paper
• Centralized Control Room involving Defence, Health, IT, and Home Ministries
• Dedicated portals for reporting suspicious activities
  
  

These high-level measures led many unprepared or fraudulent applicants to opt out, directly contributing to the decline in NEET 2025 attendance. Over 2,300 suspicious cases were flagged, many of them related to fake leaks and impersonation.

Also Read: Low-Competition States for NEET UG 2025 and Expected NEET 2025 Cut Off

How the NEET 2025 Attendance Drop Affected Genuine Aspirants

While the NEET 2025 attendance drop helped eliminate fraudulent activity, it also impacted genuine students:

• Last-Minute Document Rejections: Some candidates were disqualified days before the exam.
• Biometric Mismatches: Even slight mismatches led to disqualification on the exam day.
• Remote Exam Centres: Candidates from rural or difficult-to-reach areas faced logistical issues.
  
  

These factors contributed not only to the NEET 2025 attendance drop but also to stress and anxiety among genuine aspirants.

State-Wise Breakdown of Students Appeared for NEET 2025

Among the 20.8 lakh students who appeared for NEET 2025, participation from larger states was highest:

• Uttar Pradesh: 3.3 lakh+ students
• Maharashtra: 2.4 lakh+ students
• Rajasthan: Over 2 lakh
  
  

Smaller states also registered notable numbers:

• Jammu & Kashmir: 51,000 candidates
• Assam: 45,000+ candidates
• Manipur: 10,198 candidates

To manage this massive turnout, the NTA increased the number of exam centres to 5,453, located primarily in government schools and universities.

Also Read: NEET UG 2025 Result: How to Download NEET 2025 Scorecard on neet.nta.nic.in

How Many Students Qualified NEET 2025?

12,36,531 students qualified the NEET 2025 exam. Of these, 11,01,151 candidates belong to the Unreserved and EWS categories. 88,692 total OBC students qualified NEET 2025, with 31,995 SC and 13940 ST candidates clearing the NEET 2025 qualifying cut off of 113. To understand the impact of the NEET 2025 attendance drop, here is a year-wise breakdown of registrations, students who appeared, and qualifications

For the General Category students, the NEET 2025 Qualifying Cut Off is 144 out of 720. For candidates in the OBC, SC, and ST categories, the NEET 2025 cut off is 113. These cut offs serve as a base for understanding the NEET Cut Off 2025 for MBBS across India and are subject to change based on the difficulty level of the exam and the NEET 2025 result statistics.

What the NEET 2025 Attendance Drop Means for the Future

The NEET 2025 attendance drop is a clear indication of the NTA's zero-tolerance policy towards malpractice. While only 20.8 lakh students appeared for NEET 2025, the examination is now regarded as more transparent and secure than ever before.

As the NEET result 2025 approaches, students, educators, and policymakers must understand the importance of a fair examination system. Though the NEET 2025 attendance drop may initially appear concerning, it serves as a decisive step toward restoring credibility in India’s most extensive medical entrance exam. The students appeared for NEET 2025 now represent a more authentic and better-prepared cohort. The NEET 2025 attendance drop is expected to set a new precedent for future examinations. Aspirants must now prepare for the NEET result 2025 and plan their next steps in their medical journey.

Also Read: 1,17,947 Admitted MBBS Students in NEET 2024, 34 Vacant MBBS Seats