NEET 2025 tie-breaking policy have been changed as compared to last year. A new factor of a random process has been introduced this year. This article of Shiksha discusses in detail the NEET 2025 tie-breaking policy, and also analyses the policies of the past few years and how the factors have changed over the years.
NEET 2025 tie-breaking policy have been changed as compared to that of last year. It is one of the many changes in NEET 2025 that has been introduced this year. Tie-breaking refers to the mechanism deployed to determine the ranks of two or more candidates in the NEET merit list, in case all of them score the same marks in the exam.
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Yes, NTA removed five cities from the NEET 2025 exam city list in India. The total number of NEET 2025 exam cities outside India as remained the same, which is 14. Since NTA limits the state and city choice as per the present address, applicants need not think for long to select the right exam city choices. The five cities, which have been removed from the list are Surampelam (Andhra Pradesh), Deoghar (Madhya Pradesh), Basar (Arunachal Pradesh), Mamit (Mizoram) and Kiphrie (Nagaland).
The duration of NEET exam is three hours. The exam timing is 2 PM to 5 PM. Test takers needed to report to the exam centre latest by 1 PM. They could not leave the exam hall before 5 PM.
Also Read: NEET Total Marks 2025: Check Exam Pass Marks and Marking Scheme
The NEET tie-breaking policy is dynamic and changes every year. This article by Shiksha.com analyses the NEET tie-breaking policy over the past few years.
- NEET 2025 Tie-Breaking Policy
- NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
NEET 2025 Tie-Breaking Policy
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- With less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- With less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
In case, the first seven criteria are exhausted and the tie still persists, it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee.
NEET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
Upon the release of the NEET 2024 application form and information bulletin on February 9, 2024, it was seen that the NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria had been changed. In this, the final factor was a computerised draw of lots, which replaced the subject-wise accuracy proportion of candidates, that was followed in the previous years. Later, the factor of the computerised draw of lots has been replaced with a subject-wise accuracy proportion.
The revised NEET 2024 tie-breaking criteria are given below.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test.
- Obtaining higher marks in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Draw of lots by using the computer or IT with no human intervention.
The NEET 2026 dates have not been announced yet. However, it is likely that the NTA will hold the NEET exam 2026 events as per the previous years' trends. On the other hand, the NEET 2025 dates were almost scheduled in the same timeline as that of its last year. The exam was held on May 4, 2025, in a similar trend to the last couple of years. The NEET 2025 result was declared on June 14, 2025. On the other hand, NEET 2024 result was scheduled for June 14, 2024, but was preponed to June 4, 2024, 10 days ahead of the scheduled date.
NTA announced the NEET 2024 exam date on September 19, 2023. NEET 2024 exam was conducted on May 5. The result of NEET 2024 was declared on June 4, 2024. After the result declaration, several irregularities and anomalies were found in the result and the scoring system. Hence, NTA is reconducting NEET 2024 on June 23, 2024, for 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks. The result will be declared on June 30, 2024. The NEET 2024 counselling process for the 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats is likely to be conducted from July 6, 2024 onwards.
The NEET 2024 application process was conducted from February 9, 2024, to March 16, 2024. The last date of application was extended from March 9, by a week. The application and correction windows were reopened in April. While the NEET exam dates were scheduled in September and July a couple of years ago owing to the pandemic situation, it took a toll on the medical admission schedule. To bridge this gap, NTA conducted NEET in May last year. The trend is being continued for NEET 2024 as well.
The NTA is likely to release the NEET UG 2026 notification in February 2026. The notification will be released with the information bulletin containing the exam dates and details. Students need to go through the notification before filling out the NEET UG form 2026.
Now, let us take a look at the NEET tie-breaking criteria for the previous years.
NEET 2023 Tie-Breaking Criteria
The NEET 2023 tie-breaking criteria is mentioned in the following points given which focuses on the candidates’ performance in each of the subjects in the order of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. After that, the proportion of accurate responses in each of the subjects was tallied.
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Candidate with less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Candidate with less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test.
NEET 2022 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Physics in the Test, followed by,
- Less proportion of the number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test,
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the Test, followed by
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the Test, followed by
- Candidate Older in Age, followed by
- Application Number in ascending order.
NEET 2021 Tie-Breaking Criteria
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Biology (Botany & Zoology) in the Test, followed by,
- Obtaining higher marks/percentile score in Chemistry in the Test, followed by,
- Less proportion of a number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the Test.
Read More:
NEET 2025: Know Major Changes Introduced This Year
List of Documents Required for NEET 2025 Application Form, Document Size and Formats
NEET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Upper Age Limit, Number of Attempts, Qualification

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Student Forum
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NIMS University NEET UG cutoff 2024 was released for admission to the MBBS and BDS courses. The NIMS University BDS Cutoff 2024 was 766583 in the last round closing cutoff as per the NEET UG examination for the General Al quota. For the General HS quota, the last round closing rank was 572020 for BD
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Answered 19 hours ago
The Jaipur National University NEET Cutoff 2024 for the General category candidates under the All India quota was 1106920 as per the last round closing rank. Whereas, for the General Category female candidates, the NEET Cutoff 2024 was 975413. For the students belonging to the General HS quota, the
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Answered 20 hours ago
The Jaipur National University NEET Cutoff 2024 for the General category candidates under the All India quota was 1106920 as per the last round closing rank. Whereas, for the General AI quota female candidates, the cutoff was 975413.
Among the General HS quota, the NEET Cutoff 2024 for admission to
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Answered 2 days ago
Students who either are born in Gujarat or hold a domicile in the state are eligible to appear for Gujarat NEET UG Counselling for MBBS and BDS courses. Moreover, students need to clear the NEET UG exam to take part in the state counselling.
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The minimum qualifying percentile for OBC category in NEET UG exam is 40th. In NEET 2025, the cutoff score for OBC was 143-113. The NEET percentile of OBC remains the same every year. However, the scores get changed.
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Answered a week ago
The minimum qualifying percentile for NEET UG exam is shared below-
Category | NEET 2025 Cutoff percentile |
|---|---|
UR/EWS | 50th |
OBC, SC, ST | 40th |
UR/EWS-PwD | 45th |
OBC/SC/St-PwD | 40th |
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Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The NTA NEET UG 2026 exam city slip will be released around 10 days before the exam. Students will get to know the allotted exam city through the city intimation slip. The NEET exam centre will be located at the allotted city.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The NTA will release the admit card for the NEET 2026 around three to four days before the exam. The NEET admit card will be displayed at neet.nta.nic.in. Registered students can download their hall tickets using the login details.
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Answered a week ago
The NEET 2026 exam pattern has not been released as of now. The NTA will mention the pattern in the information bulletin. The change in the NEET pattern will be known after the release of notification. The NTA changed the NEET question paper pattern in 2025. The NTA removed the optional questions an
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Candidates can fill the NEET form using the process shared below-
- Visit neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the registration link.
- Read the instructions carefully and acknowledge them.
- Register for the exam and generate a password.
- Enter the OTP to verify the details.
- Log in with the registration details.
- Fill the c
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Counselling - 13 Dec '25 - 18 Dec '25
NEET will be conducted in 13 languages. Till 2020, NEET was held in 11 languages. NTA increased the number of languages or medium to 13 from 2021 onwards. Malayalam and Punjabi are the latest additions. The list of languages are as follows: