National Testing Agency Declares NEET-UG 2026 Results, Over 11.2 Lakh Candidates Qualify
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially declared the results of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, bringing to an end months of uncertainty following the cancellation of the original examination over allegations of a question paper leak. The results have paved the way for undergraduate admissions to MBBS, BDS and other medical courses across India, with counselling expected to begin as scheduled.
According to the NTA, more than 11.21 lakh candidates have qualified for admission this year. The agency said the timely declaration of results was intended to ensure that the national medical counselling process and admissions calendar remain on track despite the disruption caused by the re-examination.
This year’s examination witnessed Aryan Gupta of Punjab and Panshul Bansal of Haryana emerge as the joint highest scorers, each securing 715 marks out of 720. Under the prescribed tie-breaking criteria, Aryan Gupta was awarded All India Rank 1, while Panshul Bansal secured the next rank. A total of 19 candidates scored above 700 marks, while 138 candidates obtained more than 690 marks, reflecting strong performances despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the examination.
The results also indicate that women account for nearly 58% of all qualified candidates, continuing the trend of strong female participation in India’s largest medical entrance examination. The gender distribution has been viewed as a positive indicator of increasing representation of women in medical education.
The 2026 examination assumed extraordinary significance after the original NEET-UG test was cancelled following allegations of a widespread paper leak. The controversy triggered multiple investigations, legal proceedings and demands for examination reforms, ultimately leading to a nationwide re-examination conducted under enhanced security arrangements. The declaration of results is therefore regarded as a crucial milestone in restoring the admission process for thousands of aspiring medical students.
Candidates can now download their scorecards from the official NEET portal using their application credentials. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to announce the schedule for All India Quota counselling, while individual states will separately publish counselling timetables for seats under their respective quotas. Admissions will be based on NEET scores, category-wise cut-offs, seat availability and reservation policies.
With the results now announced, the focus shifts to the counselling and seat-allotment process, which will determine admissions to government and private medical colleges across the country. Authorities have indicated that every effort is being made to ensure that the academic calendar proceeds without further delay, allowing the 2026–27 medical session to commence on schedule.
