NEET UG Among World’s Biggest Exams as Gaokao Leads With 1.29 Crore Candidates
NEET UG ranks among the world’s largest exams with around 25 lakh candidates, while China’s Gaokao tops the list with 1.29 crore.
India’s NEET UG has emerged as one of the world’s largest examinations, with around 25 lakh candidates, according to a new SBI Research report. Based on candidate numbers, NEET UG ranks fifth globally, while China’s Gaokao leads with around 1.29 crore candidates.
Brazil’s ENEM follows with approximately 48 lakh candidates, while China’s civil-service Guokao and national master’s entrance exam have around 37 lakh and 34 lakh candidates respectively.
The report compares major examination systems worldwide to identify practices that could help India strengthen the security, staffing and accountability of its own high-stakes exams.
China’s Gaokao is highlighted for its extensive examination infrastructure. In 2026, about 1.29 crore candidates registered across 7,981 centres, with strict security measures covering question-paper transportation, storage, candidate identification and examination-centre surveillance.
The report also points to systems for accommodations, transparent marking and grievance redressal as areas from which India could draw lessons.
The recommendations come as scrutiny continues around the National Testing Agency, which has conducted hundreds of examinations involving crores of candidates since its creation.
SBI Research has proposed giving the NTA a stronger statutory foundation through an NTA Act, along with an expert board, permanent professional staff, independent review mechanisms, a candidate charter and greater public accountability.
Because apparently conducting exams for millions of students wasn’t already complicated enough — now the system also needs to survive the paperwork.
