Women outshine men in NEET UG 2026; make up over 58% of qualifiers

Women Outshine Men in NEET UG 2026; Over 58% of Qualifiers Are Female

Bharatmorningnews.com – The National Testing Agency released the results for the NEET UG 2026 examination on Thursday evening. Nearly 20 lakh candidates participated, with 11.21 lakh securing qualification, according to the NTA.

Women performed stronger in the exam, comprising more than 58% of the qualifiers. This reflects a higher pass rate for female candidates, with 56.8% of them passing compared to 55.1% of male participants.

Aryan Gupta of Punjab and Panshul Bansal from Haryana tied for the highest score, achieving 715 out of 720 marks. This marks the top result in the 2026 edition of the test.

Re-Exam Held After Cancellation of Original Test

The NEET UG re-exam occurred on June 21, following the May 3 test’s cancellation due to a suspected paper leak. The exam remains a critical pathway for students aiming to gain entry into medical colleges nationwide.

Approximately 20 lakh candidates took part in the NEET UG re-exam, conducted across 5,440 centers in 551 Indian cities and 14 international locations. Those who passed are now eligible for undergraduate medical, dental, AYUSH, and allied programs.

Age Distribution of Top Performers

The majority of high scorers in NEET UG 2026 are aged 17 to 19. Of the 138 candidates scoring above 690 out of 720, over 93% are first-time test-takers, and 99% fall within this age group, as reported by the NTA.

Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions, and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness, and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available.

Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling, or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.

Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters, and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate, and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society, and international affairs.

The team closely tracks developments across states, institutions, and global capitals, while leading coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies, and significant international developments.