NEET-UG 2026: Over 11.21 lakh qualify in re-test, women outperform men
- 11.21 lakh candidates qualified in the NEET-UG 2026 re-test
- Women candidates outperformed men in the exam
- Higher cut-off marks announced across all categories
- Bihar's Ayush Bhalotia secured 4th rank with 710 marks
- 12 students from Tamil Nadu scored above 390
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared the results for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. A total of 11.21 lakh candidates have qualified this year. Women candidates have outperformed their male counterparts across most categories.
The re-test was conducted after the original exam faced controversy over alleged irregularities. This time, the NTA implemented stricter protocols to ensure a smooth process.
Women outshine men in qualifying scores
Data from the NTA shows that female candidates secured a higher pass percentage compared to male candidates. In several states, women accounted for a larger share of top scores. Officials noted that this trend has been consistent over the past few years.
The overall qualifying percentage has increased marginally from last year. The NTA attributed this to better preparation among students and improved exam management.
Higher cut-off marks announced for all categories
The NTA has released revised cut-off marks for the NEET-UG 2026 counselling process. Cut-offs for General category candidates have risen to 165 marks from 155 last year. For OBC, SC, and ST categories, the cut-offs have also seen an increase.
This has made the competition stiffer. Candidates with scores near the previous cut-off may now find themselves ineligible for certain seats. The counselling schedule is expected to be announced soon.
Top performers and state-wise highlights
Bihar's Ayush Bhalotia has secured the 4th rank in the NEET-UG 2026 re-exam with 710 marks out of 720. His achievement has brought attention to the state's growing presence in medical entrance exams.
In Tamil Nadu, 12 students scored above 390 marks. This is a significant number for a state that has traditionally produced strong medical aspirants. The state's top scorer is yet to be officially named by the NTA.
Overall, the number of candidates scoring above 600 marks has increased by 8% compared to the previous year.
What happens next
With results now out, the focus shifts to counselling and seat allocation. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will begin the process for 15% All India Quota seats. State counselling authorities will handle the remaining 85% of seats.
Students are advised to check their results on the official NTA website and prepare for the counselling registration. The NTA has said it will release a detailed schedule within a week.