KKN Gurugram Desk |  The NEET UG 2025 results, declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 14, have sent shockwaves across the medical aspirant community. For the first time in seven years, no candidate scored above 700 marks out of 720, marking a sharp departure from past trends. This year’s top score of 686 not only indicates a more challenging exam pattern but also holds significant implications for government medical college admissions.

 Low Top Marks – A First After Seven Years

Leading the pack is Mahesh Kumar from Hanumangarh (Rajasthan), securing 686/720 with a 99.99995 percentile, becoming the 2025 All India Rank 1 . In contrast, annual NEET toppers from 2017 to 2024 consistently scored 700+ marks, and even in 2016, the top scorer got 685 . This year’s drop signals both a tougher question paper and stricter evaluation standards.

The impact of this shift is wide-reaching:

• Medhavi list (merit list) has shifted downward, benefiting mid-range scorers

• Cut-off marks are expected to fall, easing entry into government MBBS seats

 Boost for Government College Aspirants

Experts estimate that the general category cut-off may dip to 530 marks, a decline of around 100 points from previous years . Because no candidate crossed 700 and toppers are clustered around 686, the average percentile across all ranks has decreased—substantially improving prospects for central pool government medical seats.

 Marks Distribution: Uncovering the Data Trend

NTA’s data reveals a significant number of students clustered in mid and lower score brackets:

• 144–200 marks: ~1.98 lakh students

• 201–300 marks: 1.26 lakh

• 301–400 marks: 1.05 lakh

• 401–500 marks: 1.02 lakh

• 501–600 marks: 0.39 lakh

• 601–650 marks: ~12,659 students

• 651–686 marks: 73 students 

This breakdown shows a broad-based preparation, with a significant number potentially eligible for BDS seats and postgraduate NEET.

Demographics & Medium of Exam

OBC candidates dominated the qualifiers with over 5 lakh bookings . Remarkably, 70% of successful candidates come from reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, EWS) . Another striking trend: Hindi-medium registrations surged by 83% over seven years—from 1.36 lakh in 2019 to 2.5 lakh in 2025—indicating rising confidence in non-English backgrounds competing in NEET .

 Meet the 2025 NEET Topper: Mahesh Kumar

Mahesh Kumar’s story stands out—not only for topping NEET but for coming from a Hindi-medium background in rural Rajasthan . His approach highlights:

• Stress-free study routines with disciplined mock tests

• Health-first mindset, steady perseverance under pressure

• Effective use of coaching insights and constructive feedback

• Confidence-building despite language hurdles, disproving English-medium bias 

He was felicitated by Rajasthan’s CM and Deputy CM, gaining recognition for balancing ambition and humility .

Top Performers & State Representation

Top 100 rankings reveal notable state contributions:

• Delhi: 15 toppers

• Rajasthan: 14

• Maharashtra: 12

Unfortunately, Bihar and Jharkhand saw zero entries in the top 100—marking a surprise performance dip for these states usually well-represented .

 What Caused the Score Shift?

Two main factors:

1. Harder exam paper: NEET was reportedly more challenging than previous editions

2. Tightened evaluation: Resulted in no candidate attaining 700+ marks 

As a result, the general cut-off dropped to 113, from 137 in 2024 ; the performance shift paves the way for broader selection admissions.

 Implications for Aspiring Doctors

1. Lower cut-offs widen access to government colleges for general and reserved category students

2. Mid-range scorers (550–600 marks) now stand a good chance at public institutions

3. Surge in Hindi-medium students could influence regional medical education dynamics

4. Increased stress on AIQ and state-level counseling due to record slots now open

The NEET UG 2025 result marks a significant turning point—no candidate scoring 700+, top marks capped at 686, and a downward slide in cut-offs. While this may signal tougher times, it presents new opportunities for thousands aiming for MBBS seats in government colleges.

Mahesh Kumar’s achievement, especially as a Hindi-medium candidate topping NEET, redefines norms and underscores the changing face of Indian medical aspirants.

Stay with KKNLive.com for live updates on MBBS counseling schedules, seat allotment trends, and detailed state-wise admission forecasts.