NEW DELHI: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 has seen a slight drop in registrations, with over 23 lakh applicants recorded so far. This is lower than last year’s 24.06 lakh registrations, causing worry among students and experts. However, this decline is not due to decreased interest in the exam but is instead linked to a more complicated registration process set by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Tougher Requirements Hindering Applications
Experts suggest that new procedural challenges introduced by the NTA have made it difficult for students, especially repeat candidates and those from reserved categories to complete their applications.
The mandatory submission of caste certificates has particularly impacted Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates, as these documents have a one-year validity period. Several applicants were unable to obtain fresh caste certificates in time, preventing them from completing their applications. Additionally, students from CBSE were required to submit a CGPA-to-percentage conversion certificate, which was not widely available, adding another obstacle to the process.
Technical Glitches on the Final Day
Another key issue was server-related failures on the last day of registration. In previous years, an extension of the deadline allowed an additional 2 to 2.5 lakh students to apply at the last minute. Experts believe that if the NTA extends the deadline, total registrations could still exceed 25-26 lakh.
Despite the decline in registrations, experts say that this does not make NEET-UG 2025 any easier.
However, the exam pattern changes this year could impact cutoff scores. NTA is expected to introduce a slightly tougher paper, which may prevent the increased cutoffs seen in the previous year.
Trust in NTA Remains Strong
Contrary to speculation, the drop in registrations does not indicate a loss of faith in the NTA due to past controversies.
With the exam scheduled for May 4, 2025, students are advised to stay updated with official NTA announcements, especially regarding possible deadline extensions.
