Record-Breaking 25 Lakh Students Register For NEET-UG 2024

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET-UG-2024) has seen a record-breaking number of registrations this year. Over 25 lakh students have registered for the May 5 medical entrance exam. This figure surpasses last year's count by 4.2 lakh, marking a significant increase in aspirants aiming to enter the medical field.

Despite the registration deadline being on Saturday, many students continued to apply well into the evening. Challenges such as the absence of an Aadhaar card, issues with mobile linkage, and difficulties in obtaining a One Time Password (OTP) were noted. Some students faced obstacles as their Aadhaar was linked to outdated phone numbers, while others lacked a PAN card, necessary for registration.

Parijat Mishra, a career counselling expert from Allen Career Institute, highlighted these issues. Mishra noted, "Even on the last day, a large number of students are getting registered and are also demanding an extension of the last date as several aspirants could not apply due to lack of Aadhaar card and mobile link."

Gender Disparity and Seat Allocation

Of the total applicants, over 13 lakh are women, competing for approximately 2 lakh seats. These seats span across various disciplines, including 1.09 lakh for MBBS, 26,000 for dental, and others in Unani, Homeopathy, Veterinary, Ayurveda, and nursing.

Why Medicine is a Coveted Profession

Medicine is recognized as one of India's highest-paying fields, with an MBBS doctor's national average salary ranging between Rs 9-10 lakh per annum. "Doctors with postgraduate specialisation can expect better salaries. Income and social prestige increase further after higher degrees in super specialty subjects," explained Kuldeep Tyagi from Pace Medical Academy.

Job security is a significant factor attracting India's bright minds to medicine. With a doctor-patient ratio of 1:834, India is in urgent need of 5 lakh more doctors to meet the World Health Organization's standards.

Additionally, medical tourism is burgeoning in India. Patients from abroad are increasingly turning to India for their medical needs, further emphasizing the demand for qualified doctors.

As NEET-UG registrations hit a new high, the path to becoming a doctor remains a prestigious and sought-after career choice for many students in India. The surge in registrations reflects the enduring appeal of the medical profession, underscored by lucrative salaries, job security, and the noble pursuit of saving lives.