NEET Tie Breaking Factors 2025- High Marks, Subject-wise Tie Breaking Rules

Why are NEET tie breaking factors 2025 necessary?

NEET 2025 exam is a high-stakes exam where even a single mark can determine a candidate's rank and eligibility for admission to top medical colleges in India. In cases where two or more candidates score the same marks, tie-breaking factors are applied to determine the NEET merit list. These NEET tie breaking factors ensure transparency and fairness in the ranking process for allocation of seats during NEET UG counselling.

NEET tie breaking factors for 2025

The NTA in its NEET information brochure has provided the tie-breaking factors for the NEET 2025 exam in case any two or multiple candidates score the same marks. The NEET 2025 tie breaking criteria are as follows:-

1. Higher marks in Biology (Botany and Zoology) - Biology tie-breaker rule

The first criterion as per the NEET 2025 tie breaking factors is the candidate's score in the Biology section. Biology carries the highest weightage in NEET (50% of the total marks), making it a critical factor in determining ranks. The candidate with the higher score in Biology will be awarded a better rank.

Example - If Candidate “A” scores 340/720 overall and 170/360 in Biology, while Candidate “B” scores 340/720 overall and 165/360 in Biology, Candidate “A” will be ranked higher than candidate “B”.

2. Higher marks in Chemistry

If the tie still remains after comparing Biology scores, the next criterion is the candidate's score in the Chemistry section. The candidate with the higher marks in Chemistry will be ranked higher in NEET 2025.

Example - If both candidates have the same Biology score, but Candidate A scores 120/180 in Chemistry and Candidate B scores 115/180, Candidate A will secure a better rank.

3. NEET Physics tie-breaker - Higher marks in Physics

If the tie still remains even after considering the marks in Biology and Chemistry, then the candidate with the higher marks in Physics will be ranked higher as per the NEET 2025 tie breaking rule.

Example - If both candidates have the same Biology and Chemistry score, but candidate A scores 130/180 marks in Physics, and candidate B scores 125/180, candidate A will be ranked higher in the NEET 2025 merit list.

4. Fewer incorrect answers in NEET 2025 exam

If the tie remains unresolved after comparing Biology, Chemistry, and Physics scores, the candidate with fewer incorrect answers (negative marking) in the NEET UG exam will be ranked higher. This tie breaking criteria of NEET 2025 emphasises the importance of accuracy in the exam.

5. Fewer incorrect answers in Biology

If the tie still persists, the candidate with the lesser number of incorrect answers in the Biology section will be given a better rank.

6. Fewer incorrect answers in Chemistry

If the tie still persists, the candidate with the less number of incorrect answers in the Chemistry section will be given a better rank.

7. Fewer incorrect answers in Physics

If the tie still persists, the candidate with the lowest number of incorrect answers in the Physics section will be given a better rank.

8. Random selection process

Even after applying all the criteria from 1-7, the tie still persists. Then it will be resolved through a random process with the guidance of an independent expert committee

Removed NEET tie breaker policy

The NTA each year determines and revises the NEET tie breaking policy to ensure transparency and fairness in the event of candidates scoring similar marks. Over the years, NTA has removed some NEET tie breaker criteria, which are discussed below.

• Preference to the older candidate - Earlier if no tie breaker in NEET works, the older candidate (based on the date of birth) used to be given preference. This was a rare scenario but served as a final tie-breaker in 2020. In NEET UG 2020, two candidates Soyeb Aftab and Akanksha Singh both scored 720 marks. However, Soyeb Aftab was given AIR 1 and Akanksha Singh got AIR 2 because Soyeb Aftab was older in age than Akanksha Singh. The NTA removed this older age criterion from the NEET tie breaking policy in 2023.

• Application number in ascending order - In NEET 2024, NTA introduced the NEET application number in ascending order as one of the NEET tie breaker factors. As per this criteria, if even after considering all tie breaker factors, the tie still persists, then the candidate with the ascending application number was ranked higher. However, NTA has removed this rule from the NEET 2025 tie breaker policy in 2025.

Tie-breaking NEET guidelines - Key points to remember

• The tie-breaking factors in NEET 2025 will be applied in a specific sequence. Only if the first criterion fails to resolve the tie, only then the next NEET tie-breaking criteria will be considered.

• The NEET UG marks tie-breaking process is entirely automated and based on predefined factors by the NTA. No human intervention is involved in NEET tie-breaking factors ensuring fairness and transparency.

• Since the number of incorrect answers is a tie-breaking criterion, candidates are advised to attempt questions carefully and avoid guesswork to avoid negative marking in NEET.

• The NEET 2025 tie breaking factors ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged due to a tie in scores.

How NEET tie-breaking factors impact admission?

The NEET tie-breaking factors play an important role in determining the final ranks of candidates in the NEET merit list, which directly impacts their chances of securing admission to their preferred medical colleges. A higher rank can mean the difference between getting a seat in a government medical college or a private institution, or even between securing a seat and missing out altogether.

Tie breaking NEET guidelines 2025 - Tips for candidates

Based on the NEET 2025 tie breaking policy, below are some tips for candidates they should focus on -

1. Focus more on Biology - Since higher marks in Biology is the first NEET 2025 tie-breaking criterion, aspirants should focus more on scoring good marks in the Biology section followed by Chemistry, and Physics.

2. Improve accuracy - Candidates should improve their accuracy to minimise incorrect attempts by practising NEET mock tests and have an edge in case their rank is decided through the NEET tie-breaking 2025 rule.

Must check - How to avoid negative marking in NEET 2025