20.8 Lakh Students Appear for NEET 2025, Lowest Since 2021, 1.9 Lakh Absent

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET-UG) 2025 witnessed 20.8 lakh students appear for NEET 2025, marking a significant decline in attendance compared to previous years. A staggering 1.9 lakh absent candidates were recorded, the highest number since 2021. The National Testing Agency (NTA) attributed this drop to stringent anti-fraud measures implemented from registration to exam day, aiming to eliminate "bogus" candidates.

This article delves into the details of NEET 2025, analyzing attendance trends, security enhancements, state-wise participation, and the NTA’s efforts to maintain exam integrity.
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NEET 2025 Total Attendance Trends and Statistics

This year, 20.8 lakh students appear for NEET 2025 out of 22.7 lakh registered candidates, resulting in a 91.4% attendance rate, the lowest since 2021. In comparison:

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

The 1.9 lakh absent figure is the highest in four years, indicating stricter verification processes may have deterred non-serious or fraudulent candidates.

Why Did Only 20.8 Lakh Students Appear for NEET 2025?

The NTA attributed the decline in attendance to enhanced scrutiny at every stage:

1. Stricter Registration Checks: The agency implemented rigorous verification to filter out fake applicants.
2. Biometric Authentication: NEE5 2025 Exam centers used biometric systems to prevent impersonation.
3. Increased Surveillance: Multi-level monitoring, including CCTV and frisking, discouraged malpractice.
4. Crackdown on Fake News: The NTA acted against Telegram and Instagram channels spreading false claims about paper leaks.
   
   

A senior official stated, "The 'whole of government' approach ensured real-time coordination between education institutions and district administrations, minimizing irregularities."

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Unprecedented Security Measures as 20.8 Lakh Students Appear for NEET 2025

To prevent leaks and cheating, the NTA deployed:

• Mobile Signal Jammers at all centers
• Police Escorts for question paper transportation
• Centralized Control Room with officials from Health, Defence, IT, and Home Ministries
• Special Online Portal to report suspicious activities

Over 2,300 suspicious claims were flagged, mostly linked to Telegram channels promoting fake leaks. These cases were escalated to the Home Ministry’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

State-Wise Candidate Participation in NEET 2025 as 20.8 lakh students appear 

20.8 lakh students appear for NEET 2025, with the highest numbers from:

1. Uttar Pradesh: Over 3.3 lakh candidates
2. Maharashtra: Over 2.4 lakh candidates
3. Rajasthan: Over 2 lakh candidates
   

Smaller states also saw significant participation:

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

The NTA increased exam centers to 5,453, prioritizing universities and government schools for better supervision.

Impact of Stricter Policies on Future NEET Exams

The 1.9 lakh absent statistic highlights the NTA’s success in reducing fraudulent registrations. However, some genuine students may have faced difficulties due to:

• Last-Minute Document Rejections
• Biometric Authentication Failures
• Travel Challenges to Remote Centers

Experts suggest the NTA should balance security with accessibility to avoid discouraging serious aspirants. NEET 2025 saw 20.8 lakh students appear for NEET 2025, with 1.9 lakh absent, the highest absentee rate since 2021. While stricter measures improved exam integrity, they also contributed to lower turnout. The NTA’s multi-agency coordination and cybercrime crackdown set a new benchmark for future exams.

As NEET continues to be India’s largest medical entrance test, balancing security and inclusivity will remain crucial. For now, the 20.8 lakh students appear for NEET 2025 mark a new chapter in the exam’s evolving transparency measures, while the 1.9 lakh absent figure serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining fairness at scale.

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