The National Testing Agency (NTA) is scheduled to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET UG) on May 3, 2026. As seen every year, the exam has attracted a massive number of registrations from medical aspirants across the country. Typically, over 20 lakh candidates apply annually for this national-level entrance examination, which is conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, and other related programmes.

According to various reports, the NEET UG 2026 registration count has exceeded all previous records. Media estimates indicate that more than 26 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the NEET UG 2026 examination.

Over the years, NEET UG registrations have shown a steady increase, rising from 16.14 lakh in 2020 to 22.76 lakh in 2025. This year, the number is likely to have gone beyond all earlier benchmarks. While the official NEET 2026 registration data will be released later, initial estimates suggest that the total number of applicants may have crossed the 26 lakh mark.

NEET 2026 Registration: Previous Year Candidate Data

As per official data, more than 24 lakh candidates had registered for the NEET UG 2025 session. With the growing interest in medical education, the number of applicants continues to rise every year. Since NEET UG serves as a single entrance exam for admission into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical courses, it consistently sees high demand. The examination is conducted in multiple cities across India and abroad, usually on the first Sunday of May each year.