1 in 4 Kerala candidates skips NEET, Rajasthan posts 69% success

NEW DELHI: NEET-UG's nationwide attendance fall acquired a regional pattern in 2026, with Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka recording high absenteeism while Rajasthan expanded its candidate base and posted the strongest qualification rate among large states.Kerala had 1.14 lakh registrations, but only 84,664 candidates appeared, leaving 29,122 absent (25.6%). Tamil Nadu lost 33,893 of its 1.42 lakh registrants (23.8%), while Karnataka recorded 28,288 no-shows (19.4%). Maharashtra's absentee rate was lower, but still elevated at 9.8%, with 21,749 candidates staying away. The rates are computed on registrations. The contrast was stark in the north, where absenteeism stood at 7.9% in Rajasthan and 7.6% in UP. Kerala's appeared count fell from 1.22 lakh in 2025 to 84,664 this year - a decline of over 30% - and the number those qualifying dropped by 21,546 to 51,782. Tamil Nadu had 2,336 more registrations than last year, but 27,114 fewer candidates appeared and 14,875 fewer qualified. Karnataka's qualifiers fell by 17,681.Rajasthan moved in the opposite direction. Registrations increased 15.5%, from 1.81 lakh to nearly 2.1 lakh, while qualifiers rose by 13,275 to 1.33 lakh. It recorded a 69.3% qualification rate among those appearing, the highest among large states, reinforcing Rajasthan's position as the country's medical-entrance coaching hub.Punjab registrations rose 18.6% to 34,858, while Jammu and Kashmir increased from 50,957 to 56,420. The "others, including outside India" category more than doubled, from 1,997 to 4,732. NRI registrations climbed from 741 to 1,066, up nearly 44%. Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.