The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the results for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026.21 lakh students have successfully qualified for the counseling process. These results will serve as the primary basis for admissions into various medical colleges across the country for MBBS, BDS, and other allied courses. The examination cycle for 2026 was marked by significant challenges, as the initial test held on May 3, 2026, had to be cancelled following reports of paper leaks and other administrative irregularities. To maintain the integrity of the competitive exam, the NTA conducted a re-examination on June 21, 2026, under stringent security protocols.
Toppers and Performance Highlights
In the recently declared results, Aryan Gupta from Punjab and Panshul Bansal from Haryana have emerged as the top performers, securing the highest score of 715 out of 720. The NTA has made the comprehensive list of top rankers, state-wise toppers, and category-wise cut-off marks available on its official website. A notable trend in this year's result is the performance of female candidates, who constitute more than 58 percent of the total qualified students, once again outshining their male counterparts in the medical entrance test.
The examination saw a massive participation of approximately 20 lakh candidates who appeared for the test on June 21, 2026.21 lakh candidates managed to cross the qualifying threshold. The exam was conducted in 13 different languages to ensure inclusivity for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds across all States and Union Territories. Data shows that the majority of the top-performing candidates fall within the age bracket of 17 to 19 years. Also, 138 candidates achieved an impressive score of more than 690 out of 720. Interestingly, 93 percent of these high achievers were appearing for the NEET UG exam for the first time.
State-wise and Category-wise Statistics
The distribution of qualified candidates varies Notably across states. 7 lakh students qualifying, while Lakshadweep had 43 successful candidates. The NTA also highlighted specific state toppers, including Jigmet Yangchan Lamo from Ladakh with 530 marks, Dhruv Tripathi from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 606 marks, and Fahmida Anees from Lakshadweep with 573 marks. A total of 17 state toppers managed to score 700 or more, while 26 candidates scored above 690. The top 138 rankers are spread across 66 cities nationwide. The top 17 rankers, all of whom scored above 705 marks, hail from states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
The category-wise breakdown of qualified candidates is as follows:
- General Category: 2.91 lakh candidates
- OBC-NCL Category: 5.12 lakh candidates
- SC Category: 1.59 lakh candidates
- ST Category: 63,716 candidates
- EWS Category: 95,026 candidates
- PwBD Category: 3,666 candidates
- PwD Category: 303 candidates
Counseling Process and Candidate Advisory
Following the result declaration, the NTA has clarified the counseling procedure through a post on X (formerly Twitter). The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) will be responsible for conducting the counseling for the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats in MBBS and BDS programs. For the state quota seats, the respective state authorities will manage the process. in, and authorized state counseling portals for any information regarding admissions.
The NTA has also issued a stern warning against fraudulent activities. Candidates should be cautious of fake calls, messages, or websites offering guaranteed admissions, seat blocking, or score improvements in exchange for money, while the agency emphasized that it never contacts candidates to ask for money or personal credentials. in or by calling the helpline number 011-40759000. Candidates can now download their scorecards and check the final answer keys, which were released an hour before the results, on the official NTA portal.