Unprecedented Surge: NEET-UG 2024-25 Sees Record 24 Lakh Applications
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The landscape of medical education in India continues to evolve, marked by the annual spectacle of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG). This year, the NEET UG for the 2024-25 academic year has shattered its own records yet again, boasting a staggering 24 lakh applications, a testament to its enduring popularity and significance in the medical domain.
The fervor surrounding NEET UG has reached unprecedented heights, with a notable surge in applications, marking the ninth consecutive year of improvement. This surge reflects the unwavering enthusiasm of aspiring medical, dental, and allied health professionals across the nation. Notably, the addition of approximately 6000 seats in government colleges has slightly eased the competition, with 42.2 aspirants vying for each coveted seat.
The trajectory of NEET UG’s growth is remarkable, with a notable surge of 3 lakh registrations in the latest cycle, the most substantial increase witnessed in the past seven years. Since its inception in 2017, when it crossed the 10 lakh mark, NEET UG has witnessed a remarkable increment, totaling an impressive 12.4 lakhs to date.
Scheduled for May 5th, 2024, the NEET UG test promises to be a watershed moment for aspiring medical professionals. The examination will be conducted offline across the nation, extending its reach to 14 cities worldwide under the auspices of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The ascendancy of NEET UG as the premier medical entrance exam in India is undeniable, outpacing its contemporaries, including the recently introduced CUET UG, by a substantial margin of five lakhs in 2024. Notably, NEET UG witnessed a monumental surge of 11.3 lakhs in 2017, followed by an impressive eight lakhs in 2016, setting the stage for its meteoric rise.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with disruptions witnessed in 2020-21, NEET UG has maintained an upward trajectory, with annual increases exceeding 11 percent consistently. However, until 2023, the expansion in government school seats failed to keep pace with the burgeoning number of candidates. Notably, between 2021 and 2022, while the number of applicants surged by 16 percentage points, seat increments lagged at a mere 3 percentage points.
In a significant turnaround, the year 2024 witnessed a remarkable alignment between seat increments (17) and applicant growth (14.1), marking a pivotal moment for aspiring candidates. Consequently, the seat-to-applicant ratio stands at an impressive 1:42.2, the most favorable in nine years, barring the anomaly of the COVID-19 impacted year of 2021.
The landscape of government colleges reflects this surge, with 56,385 seats across 706 colleges in 2024, a substantial increase from the 322 colleges in 2023, representing the most significant expansion in 15 years. The surge in seats peaked in 2021, with the addition of 8,329 seats to the 2020 count of 33,893, signaling a proactive response to the burgeoning demand for medical education.
A noteworthy trend in NEET UG is the consistent dominance of female candidates, surpassing their male counterparts for over a decade. In 2024, female participation reached an all-time high of 57.2%, continuing the trend of increasing female representation in the medical domain. This surge follows the trajectory of previous years, with 56.7% in 2023, 53.5% in 2022, and 51% in 2019, underscoring the growing role of women in the medical profession.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, the NEET UG 2024-25 cycle marks a watershed moment in the annals of medical education in India, characterized by unprecedented growth, increased accessibility, and a progressive shift towards gender inclusivity. As the medical landscape continues to evolve, NEET UG stands as a beacon of excellence, shaping the future of healthcare professionals in the nation.
