Chennai: The NEET UG 2024 results revealed a record 67 students achieving the top All India Rank (AIR), sparking concerns about the impact on cut-offs and admissions.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) attributed this anomaly to changes in NCERT textbooks. A Chemistry question about atom stability had conflicting correct answers in the old and new NCERT books. Consequently, the NTA awarded 5 marks to students who selected either answer, boosting 44 students' scores from 715 to 720 and increasing the number of top scorers.

While this was a major factor, the NTA noted that the relative ease of the exam and a significant rise in registrations also contributed. This year, NEET UG saw a record 23.81 lakh registrations, up from 20.87 lakh last year, with a 96.94% overall attendance.

The NTA assured that the number of seats available for all categories remains unchanged, and the easier exam ensures that no group will suffer.