The National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared the NEET-UG 2025 results on June 14, 2025, revealing a shift in the scoring landscape. Unlike previous years, this year saw no candidate achieving a perfect score of 720. Mahesh Kumar from Rajasthan emerged as the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder, securing an impressive score of 686 out of 720, with a percentile of 99.9999547. This year's results also show a dip in the qualifying cut-offs across all categories, a trend that has sparked discussions among students and experts alike.
Several factors contributed to the absence of perfect scores and the lowered cut-offs. Analysis of the NEET-UG 2025 question paper suggests that it was tougher compared to previous years. Many students found the paper more time-consuming and conceptually demanding, especially in Physics and Chemistry. Experts noted that the Physics section was particularly challenging, requiring strong analytical thinking and a deeper understanding of concepts. The Chemistry section was considered lengthy, demanding precision and careful reading. While Biology was largely NCERT-based, it leaned more towards conceptual understanding.
The decreased cut-off scores across categories also reflect the increased difficulty level. For the general category, the cut-off is 686-144, a decrease from 720-162 in 2024. Similarly, the cut-off for SC, ST, and OBC candidates has fallen to 143-113 from 161-127 in the previous year. This dip indicates that a tougher paper might have impacted the overall performance, leading to lower scores. The largest drop in cut-off was observed in the OBC category.
Despite the challenging paper, over 12 lakh candidates qualified out of the 22.7 lakh who appeared for the exam. Uttar Pradesh led the states with the highest number of qualified candidates (170,684), followed by Maharashtra (125,727), Karnataka (83,582), and Kerala (73,328). This widespread participation highlights the continued interest in medical careers across the country. Participation from Tier-2 and rural regions also saw a significant increase, reflecting the growing accessibility of medical education.
Mahesh Kumar, the NEET-UG 2025 topper, hails from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. He prepared for the exam while staying in Sikar, a rising hub for medical and engineering exam preparation. His success story underscores the importance of consistent dedication and proper guidance. Avika Aggarwal from Delhi (NCT) emerged as the female topper, securing AIR 5 with a percentile of 99.9996832.
With the results declared, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will commence the All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for 15% of government MBBS and BDS seats. The remaining 85% of seats will be handled by state counselling authorities independently. Qualified candidates will be vying for seats in MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical programmes.
The NEET-UG 2025 results showcase a year of intense competition and evolving examination patterns. The absence of perfect scores and the decrease in cut-off marks signal a shift towards a more conceptually challenging exam, requiring students to have a deeper understanding of the subjects.
