One in every three candidates registered for the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam come from just three statesOne in every three candidates registered for the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam come from just three statesOne in every three candidates registered for the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam come from just three states12 NEW DELHI: One in every three candidates registered for the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam come from just three states — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan — according to data from National Testing Agency (NTA).NEET-UG — involving more than 22.7 lakh medical aspirants — is the single-largest national entrance test of the country. It is the gateway to nearly all UG medical seats, with students competing every year for limited places. The retest was necessitated due to the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to the question paper being leaked.UP alone accounts for 3,56,291 candidates, or 15.7% of the total — the largest share of any state or UT. Maharashtra follows with 2,22,905 (9.8%) and Rajasthan with 2,03,470 candidates (8.9%). Together, the three states make up 34.4% of all registrations.Bihar (1,56,061), Karnataka (1,45,466) and Tamil Nadu (1,42,489) round off the top six. These six states account for nearly 54% of the entire candidate pool, underlining how heavily registrations are centered on a few large states.The next tier includes Madhya Pradesh (1,18,162), Kerala (1,13,609) and West Bengal (1,09,527), each contributing around 5%. Gujarat (79,411), Telangana (73,058), Andhra Pradesh (65,790), Haryana (65,706) and Delhi (58,643) follow, with Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir close behind at over 56,000 each.The eight Hindi-belt states — UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi — together make up about 44% of all candidates. The five southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh contribute 23.8%.At the other end, the smallest numbers come from Lakshadweep (141), Daman & Diu (666) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (882). Among northeastern states, Manipur leads with 9,475 candidates, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (4,921), Tripura (4,684), Meghalaya (4,164) and Nagaland (4,128). The figures cover all states and UTs.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions GrowHow Jewar Airport Changed The Region: MLA Dhirendra Singh On Jobs, Investment And GrowthPunjab CM Bhagwant Mann Claims Forensic Reports Vindicate Him In ‘Sacrilege’ Video RowUBT Crisis Deepens as Raut Claims Rebel MPs Got More Cash and Moved to Safe LocationBJP Leader Burnt Alive, 2 Others Killed Over Sand Mining Clash In ChhattisgarhCalcutta High Court Refuses Interim Relief to TMC, Ritabrata Banerjee Stays Leader of OppositionSix Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Stay Away From Delhi Meet, Uddhav Camp on Edge As Defection Buzz IntensifiesVaiko-Vijay Meetings Trigger Buzz Over MDMK’s Future In Tamil Nadu’s Changing PoliticsModi-Starmer Confirm July 15 Launch Of Trade Pact Projected To Boost Bilateral Commerce123Photostories9 high-protein air fryer snacks for office tiffinThere are only 4 American states that start with the letter ‘A’; here’s why they’re famous among travellers5 famous Vande Bharat train routes in North India: Travel time, destinations and fareFrom Langra to Bombay (which has no Mumbai connection): Famous mangoes of India and why they are called soSkip the crowds and explore this offbeat mountain escape with rainbow viewsJapanese proverb of the day: “Life without endeavour is like entering a jewel mine and coming out…”5 relationship myths that can easily destroy a marriageCould these small changes be Alzheimer’s? 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NEW DELHI: One in every three candidates registered for the June 21 NEET-UG re-exam come from just three states — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan — according to data from National Testing Agency (NTA).NEET-UG — involving more than 22.7 lakh medical aspirants — is the single-largest national entrance test of the country. It is the gateway to nearly all UG medical seats, with students competing every year for limited places. The retest was necessitated due to the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to the question paper being leaked.UP alone accounts for 3,56,291 candidates, or 15.7% of the total — the largest share of any state or UT. Maharashtra follows with 2,22,905 (9.8%) and Rajasthan with 2,03,470 candidates (8.9%). Together, the three states make up 34.4% of all registrations.Bihar (1,56,061), Karnataka (1,45,466) and Tamil Nadu (1,42,489) round off the top six. These six states account for nearly 54% of the entire candidate pool, underlining how heavily registrations are centered on a few large states.The next tier includes Madhya Pradesh (1,18,162), Kerala (1,13,609) and West Bengal (1,09,527), each contributing around 5%. Gujarat (79,411), Telangana (73,058), Andhra Pradesh (65,790), Haryana (65,706) and Delhi (58,643) follow, with Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir close behind at over 56,000 each.The eight Hindi-belt states — UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi — together make up about 44% of all candidates. The five southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh contribute 23.8%.At the other end, the smallest numbers come from Lakshadweep (141), Daman & Diu (666) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (882). Among northeastern states, Manipur leads with 9,475 candidates, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (4,921), Tripura (4,684), Meghalaya (4,164) and Nagaland (4,128). The figures cover all states and UTs.