Luck Joins Logic – NEET 2025 Tie-Breaker to Be Settled by Random Draw

Luck Joins Logic – NEET 2025 Tie-Breaker to Be Settled by Random Draw

Introduction: When Destiny Decides Admission

In an unexpected move, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the tie-breaking rules for NEET 2025, introducing a random draw of lots as the final deciding factor for candidates scoring identical marks. This change comes amidst growing concerns about fairness and transparency, particularly after NEET 2023 and 2024 saw multiple toppers with identical 720/720 scores.

The change is sparking national debate: should future doctors be selected by merit or chance?

What’s Changing and Why?

Previously, NEET tie-breakers followed a logical hierarchy:

1. Higher marks in Biology.

2. Then in Chemistry.

3. Then fewer incorrect answers.

4. Then older age.

5. Then application number.

But in NEET 2025, if students score the same and all academic criteria match, the final selection will be based on a lucky draw—a lottery system.

This is a first in NEET's history and is being seen as both pragmatic and controversial.

The Catalyst: What Triggered the Policy Shift?

Let’s rewind to NEET 2024:

67 students scored a perfect 720/720.

Many shared identical scores in individual subjects.

All were of similar age groups due to revised eligibility criteria.

NTA had to rely on application numbers and age, which many claimed was unfair.

A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) was filed in the Delhi High Court by the parent of a NEET aspirant, questioning how the application form submission time could determine who gets into AIIMS Delhi.

The NTA responded with a review committee, which eventually recommended the inclusion of a lottery system as a last resort.

How Will the Draw Work?

Conducted via computerised randomisation, under official supervision.

Candidates with identical marks and equal tie-breaking criteria will be grouped.

A lottery will decide the rank among these tied candidates.

The process will be digitally logged and recorded for transparency.

This method is already used in certain foreign admission processes and even in Indian schools for RTE admissions.

Public Reaction: Mixed, Polarised, Emotional

Students’ Take: Some students believe this is unjust. After years of preparation, they don’t want their future decided by luck.

> “If two students score equally, shouldn’t their internal performance or board marks matter, rather than flipping a coin?” – Pranav Joshi, NEET 2025 Aspirant

Parents’ Opinion: Parents are more divided. Some see it as a fair way to break deadlocks. Others argue it undermines the purpose of hard work.

Coaching Institutes: Experts from coaching giants like Aakash and Allen argue that while it’s rare for so many students to score perfect marks, the scaling issues in NEET are now exposed.

Historical Comparison: How Other Exams Handle Ties

JEE Advanced: Uses Physics, Chemistry scores and finally the older candidate.

CBSE Board: Also uses subject-specific scores and internal assessment.

UPSC Civil Services: Has a detailed process including date of birth and alphabetical order.

NEET’s random draw now seems unique—and controversial.

Advantages of the Lottery System

1. Avoids discrimination based on age or application timing.

2. Maintains transparency if digitised properly.

3. Treats students with identical merit equally.

4. Reduces legal battles over arbitrary tie-breakers.

Disadvantages and Risks

1. Luck overrides logic, which feels wrong in a merit-based exam.

2. Emotional toll on students missing seats due to randomisation.

3. Risk of mistrust if the lottery process isn’t fully transparent.

4. May push students to aim only for perfect scores, increasing pressure.

What Can Be Done Instead? Alternatives to Consider

Re-introduce subjective exams or interviews for top ranks.

Include Class 12 Board performance as an extra tie-breaker.

Consider internal school rankings or Olympiad performances.

However, these solutions bring their own set of complications related to standardisation, bias, and accessibility.

Future Outlook: More Lotteries or System Reform?

Education policy analysts like Prof. Ramesh Kadam from NCERT say that NEET’s growing scale (over 24 lakh students in 2024) means tie-breaks will become increasingly common.

> “If everyone scores full marks, the system must evolve—not devolve to luck.”

The Ministry of Health has been alerted. An expert panel may be set up to study alternate scoring models, such as percentile systems or scaled ranks, as used in international tests like SAT or GRE.

Final Thoughts: Luck or Logic – What's the Right Prescription?

NEET has always tested a student’s grit, knowledge, and stamina. But NEET 2025 may now also test their fortune.

Whether the lottery system stays or evolves will depend on how fairly it's implemented and how many lives it ends up impacting. Until then, aspirants must prepare not just with books—but perhaps with a bit of hope, too.