NEET 2026 retest results: 12 students from Tamil Nadu score above 690

Students in Chennai on NEET-UG Reexamination Day 21st June 2026 | Photo credit: R. Ragu

Twelve students from Tamil Nadu scored more than 690 marks in the National Eligibility Test (NEET) 2026 re-test, the results of which were released by the National Testing Authority (NTA) late yesterday evening (July 16, 2026). The exam originally held on May 3 was canceled on May 12 due to an alleged paper leak and a make-up exam was held on June 21.

With a percentile of 99.99915, Venkatapathi Velayutham VA was ranked 12th in the all-India rankings and topped the charts among Tamil Nadu candidates. The other candidates are Srinika V. (All India Rank 27), Sudar AM (45th Rank), Vanisha Satish (51st Rank), Sabaree GN (59th Rank), R. Jaikrishna (75th Rank), Samvitha P. (82nd Rank), Navithana V. (88th Rank), Janahil Sivaanthana (Rank 92), Nikhil Sivaanthan S. 112), Rohith Mathew Rabindrarajan E. (115th). position) and J. Jayakrishna (134th position). Four students belong to Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) category.

Out of a total of 1,42,494 candidates who registered for NEET (UG) from Tamil Nadu this year, 1,08,601 appeared. Among them, 61,306 qualified. Last year, out of 1,40,158 registered candidates, 1,35,715 appeared for the exam out of which 76,181 qualified.Percentage of candidates who qualified from Tamil Nadu, remained more or less unchanged this year at 56.45% as against 56.13% last year.

Meanwhile, of the 138 candidates who scored more than 690 marks out of 720 across India, more than 93% appeared for NEET-UG for the first time and 99% are between the ages of 17 and 19, the National Testing Agency said in a statement.

This year’s NEET results indicated an increase in cut-off marks to around 30 to 35 compared to last year. Interpreting the results, Ashwin Ramaswamy, an independent career counsellor, said it was because more students achieved better grades than last year. As an example, he said that in the 2025 all-India ranking, 73 candidates scored more than 650 marks, while 1,390 students scored this year. “That would mean there would be more competition for seats this year,” he noted.

In this regard, the proportion of students who scored more than 600 points is one of the highest increases compared to last year. A total of 1,332 students scored more than 600 in 2025, compared to 9,815 this year. “Part of the increase in all-India levels should also be seen in Tamil Nadu,” noted Mr. Ashwin. Using the same formula, Tamil Nadu should have 76 students scoring above 650 and over 800 students scoring above 600, he predicted.

According to the National Medical Commission (NMC) seat matrix released on July 13, Tamil Nadu will have an additional 950 MBBS seats this year, taking the total number of MBBS seats in the state’s 78 colleges to 13,999.

While the Tamil Nadu Medical Selection authorities are yet to release the counseling schedule, applications for admission to MBBS/BDS courses can be submitted through the portal www.tnmedicalselection.net.

Teleconsultation for students, parents

After the release of the NEET results, the Tamil Nadu Health Department said that students and parents who need counseling can contact the toll-free tele-mental health services at 14416 (Natpudan Ungalodu) or 104, the state health helpline, for tele-counseling. The service is provided through psychiatrists and counsellors.

In a press release, the ministry said the state government has been providing round-the-clock tele-counseling services through its ‘Natpudan Ungalodu’ initiative to protect students’ mental well-being.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 12:53 IST