NEET UG ranks 5th globally by test-taker volume; what India can learn

A new research report from the State Bank of India has placed NEET UG among the world's five largest entrance examinations by candidate volume, with approximately 25 lakh students sitting for the test annually. The analysis compares India's medical entrance exam with major global tests such as China's Gaokao (which leads globally with 1.29 crore candidates) and Brazil's ENEM. The report goes beyond rankings to examine how other countries manage large-scale, high-stakes exams—and what structural improvements India's National Testing Agency (NTA) could adopt to strengthen security, transparency and accountability in NEET UG and other entrance tests.

Where NEET UG stands in the global exam landscape

NEET UG draws approximately 25 lakh candidates each year, placing it fifth among the world's largest entrance and selection examinations. This ranking is based purely on candidate volume—the sheer number of students who register and sit for the test. The scale is significant: only four exams globally attract more test-takers.

China's Gaokao leads the world with 1.29 crore candidates, followed by Brazil's ENEM with 48 lakh, China's Guokao civil-service exam with 37 lakh, and China's national master's entrance exam with 34 lakh. Turkey's YKS (24 lakh), Nigeria's UTME (22 lakh), and the US/international SAT (20 lakh) round out the top tier. NEET UG's position reflects both the size of India's medical education system and the intense competition for MBBS and BDS seats across the country.

How other countries secure and manage massive exams

The SBI Research report examined how China's Gaokao—the world's largest exam—maintains security and integrity across its vast scale. In 2026, Gaokao was administered to 12.90 million candidates across 7,981 examination centres, with 3.48 lakh individual examination rooms and 21,000 reserve rooms. The logistics alone are staggering, yet the system incorporates multiple layers of security.

Gaokao's security framework includes secure printing facilities with 24-hour surveillance, armoured and GPS-tracked vehicles for transporting question papers, and police escorts throughout the supply chain. Question papers are stored in monitored, steel-reinforced facilities. At examination centres, candidates undergo identity verification and prohibited-item checks, while all rooms are under video surveillance. The system also coordinates with local authorities for traffic management, noise control, food supply, health services, and weather contingencies. Additionally, over 14,000 candidates with disabilities received formal accommodations.

The report emphasises that while Gaokao is not presented as failure-proof, it demonstrates lessons in accountable custody of materials, pre-planned contingency responses, transparent marking procedures, accessible redress mechanisms, and evidence-based evaluation. These are structural and procedural strengths that extend beyond technology to encompass human oversight and institutional accountability.

Why India's test administrator needs stronger legal foundations

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which administers NEET UG, JEE Main, and over 240 other exams, is currently registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860—a 160-year-old legal framework designed for voluntary associations, not large-scale public examination systems. By July 2024, the NTA had conducted exams involving over 5.4 crore candidates across multiple tests. Despite this massive responsibility, the agency operates without a dedicated statutory law governing its structure, accountability or operations.

A critical vulnerability lies in staffing. Of the 194 personnel disclosed by the NTA, 171 were contractual or outsourced workers—approximately 88 per cent of the workforce. This heavy reliance on temporary staff creates continuity risks, reduces institutional memory, and can compromise the consistency of procedures and oversight. By contrast, large examination systems in other countries typically employ permanent, trained professional teams with clear hierarchies and accountability.

What the SBI report recommends for NEET and India's exam system

The SBI Research report, titled 'The State of Higher Education in India since 2014: A decade of proliferation with empowerment of women & marginalised sections,' proposes concrete reforms to strengthen the NTA and, by extension, NEET UG and other entrance exams. The primary recommendation is to grant the NTA a dedicated statutory framework through an NTA Act of Parliament. This would replace the current society registration with a law tailored to the agency's actual role and scale.

Additional recommendations include establishing an expert board to oversee exam design and conduct, building a permanent professional team to replace the current reliance on contractual staff, creating independent review mechanisms to audit exam procedures and outcomes, developing a formal candidate charter that outlines rights and redress procedures, and enhancing public accountability through transparent reporting and disclosure. These measures would align India's exam governance with international standards and reduce the risk of procedural lapses or integrity breaches.

• Enact a dedicated NTA Act of Parliament to replace the current Societies Registration Act framework
• Establish an expert board for oversight of exam design, conduct and evaluation
• Build a permanent, professional core team to reduce reliance on contractual and outsourced staff
• Create independent review and audit mechanisms for exam procedures
• Develop a formal candidate charter outlining rights, grievance redress and transparency commitments
• Enhance public accountability through regular, transparent reporting on exam conduct and outcomes

What this means for NEET UG aspirants and their families

For students preparing for NEET UG, this report underscores both the scale of the exam and the ongoing scrutiny of its administration. Being the world's 5th largest entrance test means NEET UG is a genuinely high-stakes, high-volume examination—and the stakes are reflected in the intense competition for limited MBBS and BDS seats. The report's focus on governance and security is not academic; it directly affects how fairly and transparently your exam is conducted and how your result is evaluated.

The recommendations for stronger NTA governance are particularly relevant if you are sitting for NEET UG in 2026 or later. A more robust legal framework, permanent professional staff, and independent oversight mechanisms would reduce the likelihood of procedural errors, security breaches, or inconsistencies in marking and result declaration. These reforms would also strengthen the grievance redress process, giving you clearer pathways to challenge errors or seek clarification on your result.

Additionally, the report's emphasis on a candidate charter suggests that future NEET UG administrations may include formal commitments to transparency, timely result declaration, and accessible support for candidates with disabilities or special circumstances. As these reforms are implemented, aspirants can expect clearer communication about exam procedures, security measures, and their rights as test-takers.

The broader context: Why exam integrity matters for medical education

NEET UG is not just a test; it is the gateway to medical education in India. The exam determines which students gain admission to MBBS and BDS programmes across government and private colleges. Because the stakes are so high—a single exam score shapes your entire medical career—the integrity and fairness of the examination process are non-negotiable. Any procedural weakness, security lapse, or lack of transparency undermines the credibility of the entire system and raises questions about whether the most deserving candidates are being selected.

The SBI report's comparison with global exams highlights that India is not alone in managing large-scale entrance tests, but it also reveals that other countries have invested in stronger institutional frameworks to protect exam integrity. By learning from these models and implementing the recommended reforms, India can ensure that NEET UG remains a fair, secure and credible pathway to medical education. This benefits not only individual aspirants but also the medical profession and the public, who depend on doctors trained through a transparent, merit-based selection process.

Timeline: When might these reforms take effect?

The SBI report's recommendations are not immediate mandates; they are proposals for policy reform. Enacting an NTA Act of Parliament would require legislative action, which typically takes time. However, some reforms—such as strengthening the candidate charter, improving grievance redress, or increasing transparency in result declaration—could be implemented by the NTA more quickly, even without new legislation.

If you are preparing for NEET UG in 2026 or 2027, it is worth monitoring announcements from the NTA and the Ministry of Education regarding any governance reforms or procedural changes. The report's recommendations may influence how the exam is administered in the coming years, potentially leading to improvements in security, transparency and candidate support.

Frequently asked questions

NEET UG's position as the world's 5th largest entrance exam reflects the scale and importance of medical education in India. The SBI report's recommendations for stronger NTA governance—including a dedicated statutory framework, permanent staffing, and enhanced transparency—are steps toward ensuring that your exam is conducted fairly and securely. Monitor announcements from the NTA and Ministry of Education for updates on these reforms as they are implemented.