Official data released by NTA alongside the NEET UG 2026 result confirms a continuing trend: women candidates outperformed men in both absolute numbers and qualification rate. Of the 11.21 lakh qualified candidates, more than 58 per cent are female. Women recorded a qualification rate of 56.8 per cent compared to 55.1 per cent for male candidates.
The toppers also reflect strong female representation, with Kudale Shravani Krishna from Maharashtra securing AIR 5 — the highest rank among female candidates nationally. Riya Ranjan from Bihar followed at AIR 6. NTA noted that more than 93 per cent of top rankers were first-time NEET takers, and the top 138 candidates represent 66 different cities across India.
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Why It Matters to Students
- The data demonstrates growing female participation and performance in competitive medical entrance exams
- Female candidates from smaller cities and remote regions are increasingly among the top performers
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