Karunagappally's Neeraj B topped Kerala in the NEET UG 2026 results, securing an All India Rank of 89 with a 99.9955 percentile. Nationally, 11.21 lakh candidates qualified, led by joint toppers from Punjab and Haryana with 715 marks, paving the way for upcoming medical admissions.
NEW DELHI — The National Testing Agency (NTA) formally declared the highly anticipated results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 re-examination late Thursday evening, July 16, 2026. According to official state merit rolls, Neeraj B from Karunagappally emerged as the top scorer from Kerala, securing an elite All India Rank (AIR) of 89.
Achieving a stellar 99.9955 percentile, Neeraj B led the medical aspirant community across the state. The national results showcase an extremely competitive field, with Aryan Gupta of Punjab and Panshul Bansal of Haryana jointly claiming the top position with 715 out of 720 marks. The release of the final scores ensures that the upcoming medical and dental admission counselling calendars will proceed exactly on schedule across the country.
Technical Evaluation and Nationwide Score Distribution
The final merit lists were processed through a re-engineered evaluation framework deployed by the testing agency to simultaneously handle multi-stage checking loops. The grading matrix incorporated essential corrections following final revisions to two specific Physics questions, which included dropping one question entirely and validating two distinct correct options for another effectively distributing eight bonus marks to eligible test takers.
Nationally, the competitive landscape reached unprecedented heights. NTA data indicates that nearly 20 lakh candidates appeared for the re-examination on June 21, 2026, across 5,440 designated centres in 551 Indian cities and 14 international hubs. Out of the total test-takers, 11.21 lakh candidates officially qualified for subsequent MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH undergraduate seat matrices.
Female Candidates Lead Demographics as Cut-Offs Shift Higher
Demographic data released by the central testing authority shows that women candidates continued to outperform their male counterparts, making up more than 58 percent of all successful qualifiers nationwide. Specifically, the qualification rate for women stood at 56.8 percent compared to 55.1 percent for men.
Concurrently, the minimum qualifying cut-offs experienced upward pressure across all institutional classifications in the re-test. The cut-off threshold for the General/Unreserved category was established at the 50th percentile, spanning a score spectrum from 715 down to 213 marks, which allowed 2.91 lakh general category candidates to advance. For Reserved Categories including Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the baseline qualification sat at the 40th percentile, encompassing a score range from 212 to 177 marks.
Official Sources Section
All percentile computations, individual scorecards, state-wise topper archives, and category-specific cut-off marks are officially authenticated and published via the web portal managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and cross-referenced with notices from the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
Quote Section
"The results have been declared within our targeted operational timeline to maintain absolute continuity for academic schedules," an official statement released by the NTA administrative desk confirmed. "We strongly advise qualified candidates to rely strictly on official state and central allocation websites, and remain vigilant against unauthorized individuals claiming to offer guaranteed seat modifications in exchange for financial processing."
Why It Matters
The final declaration of the NEET UG scores sets off a major series of operational steps across the domestic medical sector:
For High-Ranking Aspirants: Exceptional national ranks like Neeraj B's AIR 89 guarantee immediate access to premium premier medical institutions under the central All India Quota allocation.
For State Allocation Boards: The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) in Kerala can now quickly generate local rank structures to fill the 85% state quota seats.
For Academic Planners: Eliminating result delays allows universities to start first-year MBBS batches on time, preventing structural disruptions to hospital residency systems downstream.
Key Facts at a Glance
Kerala State Topper: Neeraj B from Karunagappally clinched the top state position with an All India Rank of 89.
Highest National Score: No perfect 720/720 scores were recorded; the absolute highest national score reached 715 marks.
Total Qualified Base: 11.21 lakh students cleared the test out of nearly 20 lakh registered participants.
Geographical Spread: Qualifiers emerged from all 36 States and Union Territories, with the top 138 scorers coming from 66 different cities.
FAQ Section
Who topped the NEET UG 2026 exam in Kerala?
Neeraj B, hailing from Karunagappally, topped the state of Kerala by securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 89 with a 99.9955 percentile score.
What was the highest score achieved nationally in the 2026 re-exam?
The top score was 715 out of 720, which was jointly achieved by Aryan Gupta from Punjab and Panshul Bansal from Haryana.
How will the medical seats be distributed during the upcoming counselling?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will manage the allotment for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, while the respective state authorities will handle the remaining 85% institutional quota allocations.
Source: National Testing Agency (NTA) Official Portal, Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Notifications.