Chennai: The state selection committee received nearly 72,743 applications for undergraduate medical and dental admissions on Monday when the deadline for returning filled-in applications ended. Officials say there is more than a 100% increase in applications compared to the 43,063 applications received in 2024, as lower NEET scores have pulled down cut-offs by more than 100 marks.Among the applications, more than 42,000 were for govt quota seats, while 30,000 were for management quota. Of the 1,35,715 candidates who appeared for the medical entrance test this year, 76,181 (56%) qualified. While the number of students who qualified was fewer than in 2024, more students applied for admissions this year, officials said. Many students with similar scores are clustered between 451 and 550 marks.Counsellors said students with a score of 450–500/720 marks in NEET did not stand a chance in the general category last year. This year, students have hope, but competition will remain tough, they said. Also, there are no additional seats in existing colleges or new medical colleges in the state.The TN health policy note in 2025 stated that Tamil Nadu has an annual admission capacity of 11,700 MBBS seats, with 5,050 seats in govt medical colleges. There are 22 self-financing private medical colleges, four private universities, and 13 deemed-to-be universities.
