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NEET 2025 Exam: The NEET-UG 2025 examination has sparked widespread conversation among students, educators, and academic institutions — and for good reason. Many are calling it the most challenging NEET paper in the history of the medical entrance exam. With significant changes in exam format and difficulty levels, experts are predicting a noticeable drop in cut-off scores across all categories this year.
Why NEET 2025 Was More Difficult Than Previous Years?
Several key factors contributed to the increased difficulty of NEET 2025. For starters, the duration of the exam was reduced by 20 minutes — a change that has placed added pressure on students who were already tackling a tough paper. Additionally, the revised structure left no room for optional questions. All 180 questions were compulsory, making time management and accuracy critical.
Physics, in particular, posed a substantial challenge with a heavier emphasis on complex numerical problems that required lengthy calculations. This added to the strain and made it harder for students to complete the exam within the allotted time.
Nitin Vijay, the Founder and CEO of Motion Education, shared that both Physics and Biology sections were notably rigorous. The Biology section, often considered the scoring part of the paper, was not only lengthy but also more detailed than in past years. Given these factors, he anticipates a dip in cut-off scores for admissions into government medical colleges.
Predicted Cut-Off Scores Across Categories
According to Mr. Vijay, the “safe score” threshold, the score range that gives students a decent chance of securing a medical seat is expected to be lower this year. His projections for category-wise cut-offs are as follows:
- General Category: 595–605
- OBC: 595–600
- EWS: Around 580
- ST: Around 470
- SC: Around 460
These projections reflect a considerable drop when compared to previous years, particularly for the General and OBC categories.
Academic Experts Weigh In
Rohit Gupta, Chief Academic Officer at PhysicsWallah, echoed similar sentiments. He highlighted that NEET 2025 was more concept-driven, with Biology being relatively easier and closely aligned with NCERT materials. Chemistry, while balanced, leaned toward application-based questions. However, it was Physics that stood out as the most demanding subject — filled with intricate, time-consuming numerical challenges.
Based on his analysis and historical trends, Mr. Gupta believes the General category cut-off could fall within the 540–560 range — even lower than what many expect. He also noted that the rising complexity of the exam, combined with a shorter time frame, has added pressure on students who were already navigating a high-stakes environment.
Decline in Candidate Numbers: A Silver Lining?
Interestingly, this year saw a decline in the number of NEET aspirants nearly 1 lakh fewer candidates appeared compared to the previous year. While the competition remains fierce, this dip in participation, coupled with an increase in medical seats and new colleges, might slightly improve the odds for those who performed reasonably well.
State-Wise Cut-Off Variations
Cut-off marks in NEET are not uniform across the country. Harish Butle, founder of Deeper — an NGO known for conducting mock exams — explained that cut-offs fluctuate depending on the state. In Maharashtra, for instance:
- 85% State Quota Seats: Expected cut-off may range between 490 to 500
- 15% All India Quota (AIQ): Likely to fall around 530–540
He also clarified that State Merit Lists (SML) are derived from All India Ranks (AIR), and the lower a candidate’s AIR, the better their chances of getting into a preferred medical college.
“Hardest NEET Paper Ever” – First-Hand Feedback
Dhruv Chavan, another academic mentor, confirmed that this year’s Physics section left many students visibly distressed. He described the numerical problems as “more demanding and time-consuming” than in previous years. Drawing from student feedback and his own analysis, he estimates the cut-off to land between 550 and 575 for the General category.
Final Thoughts
NEET 2025 has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for difficulty. With reduced exam time, no internal choices, and a Physics section that tested every bit of a student’s conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills, it’s no surprise that cut-off scores are expected to drop.
However, the reduction in the number of test-takers and an increase in available medical seats could mean better chances for dedicated aspirants. While exact cut-offs will be revealed later, one thing is clear — NEET 2025 was not just another exam; it was a true test of endurance, precision, and preparation.
