The NEET UG 2025, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 4, turned out to be one of the most challenging editions in recent memory. Over 22.7 lakh students appeared for the exam across 5,452 centres in more than 500 cities, making it the largest undergraduate medical entrance exam in India’s history.
What Stood Out This Year
This year's paper was notable not just for its difficulty, but also for a significant shift in structure and testing style. Unlike previous years that featured up to 24 different paper sets, NEET UG 2025 had only four sets—all uniformly tough and heavily focused on application-based and concept-driven questions. The emphasis moved away from rote memorization and leaned towards deeper analytical thinking, critical for future doctors.
Tougher Questions, Shorter Time
The total marks (720) and number of questions (180) remained unchanged, with four marks for each correct answer and a negative mark for every incorrect one. However, the exam introduced full compulsory questions with no internal choices, and Biology was no longer split into Botany and Zoology, adding an extra layer of challenge for students used to compartmentalizing their preparation.
As a result, many candidates found it difficult to complete the paper within the three-hour time limit—especially the Physics section, which required intensive calculation and reasoning.
Subject-Wise Breakdown
Physics:
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Considered the toughest section by most students.
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Heavily focused on Class 11 topics, especially Mechanics.
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Questions were long, calculation-heavy, and required deep conceptual clarity.
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No match-the-column, assertion-reason, or statement-based questions were included.
Chemistry:
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Difficulty ranged from moderate to high.
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More weight given to Organic and Physical Chemistry from Class 12.
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Conceptual and multi-concept questions dominated.
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Assertion-reason and matrix-match formats were present.
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Overall, it was more time-consuming than in previous years.
Biology:
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Moderate to difficult, with a higher number of Class 12-based questions.
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Almost entirely based on NCERT textbooks, though one question included content not directly found in the text.
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Many questions were drawn from introductory passages and end-of-chapter exercises.
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A mix of factual, analytical, and conceptual questions, including multi-statement and diagram-based formats.
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Genetics and Biotechnology had significant representation.
Impact on Cut-Offs and Aspirants
Given the increased complexity—especially in Physics—experts predict a likely drop in cut-off scores for top-tier government medical colleges. Many believe this year's paper marks a fundamental shift in NEET’s evaluation style, aligning more closely with global medical entrance standards that value clinical reasoning and application over factual recall.
In short, NEET is evolving. It’s no longer just about memorizing textbook lines—it’s about thinking like a future doctor, right from the entrance exam.
NEET UG Growth Over the Years
| Year | No. of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 22.7 lakh |
| 2024 | 24.06 lakh |
| 2023 | 20.87 lakh |
| 2022 | 18.72 lakh |
| 2021 | 16.14 lakh |
| 2020 | 15.97 lakh |
| 2019 | 15.19 lakh |
With candidate numbers growing every year, competition has intensified. But now, success in NEET demands not just hard work, but smart, strategy-driven preparation focused on understanding and applying concepts rather than simply memorizing them.