The number of candidates qualifying in NEET (UG) 2026 declined across most Northeastern states compared to the previous year, according to data released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Mizoram and Nagaland were the only states in the region to register an increase in the number of successful candidates.
Assam recorded the highest number of qualifiers in the Northeast, with 18,435 candidates clearing the examination. However, the figure was lower than the 19,809 qualifiers recorded in 2025. The state registered 43,187 candidates for the examination, while 36,283 appeared.
Arunachal Pradesh also witnessed a decline, with the number of successful candidates dropping from 2,645 in 2025 to 2,179 this year. Of the 4,891 registered candidates, 3,940 took the examination.
In Manipur, 5,070 candidates qualified, down from 6,116 in the previous year. The state recorded 9,657 registrations, with 8,321 candidates appearing for the test.
Meghalaya reported a marginal decline, with the number of qualified candidates falling from 1,681 to 1,658. The state registered 4,183 candidates, while 3,425 appeared for the examination.
Mizoram was among the two states to register an improvement, with qualifiers increasing from 1,243 in 2025 to 1,353 this year. Nagaland also recorded a rise, with 1,946 candidates qualifying compared to 1,813 last year.
Tripura saw the number of successful candidates decline from 2,265 to 1,807, while Sikkim recorded a drop from 643 qualifiers in 2025 to 579 in 2026.
Nationally, 22,79,743 candidates registered for NEET (UG) 2026, of whom 19,99,895 appeared for the examination. A total of 11,21,185 candidates qualified.
The latest NTA figures indicate that although the Northeast continues to produce a significant number of medical aspirants, most states in the region experienced a year-on-year decline in successful candidates, with only Mizoram and Nagaland recording an increase.
