Chennai: The state selection committee received nearly 60,000 applications for undergraduate medical and dental admissions on Friday, marking a 39.5% increase compared to the 43,000 applications received in 2024. Officials expect at least 5,000 to 10,000 more applications before the June 25 deadline.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 as lower NEET scores are likely to pull down cut-offs by at least 100 marks in almost all categories. As many students with similar scores are clustered between 451 and 550 marks, more candidates with fewer scores have applied for counselling this year. “Students with a score of 450 – 500/720 marks in NEET 2024 did not stand a chance if they applied in the general category last year. This year, students are hopeful,” said R Naveen, a student counsellor. “The govt’s decision to open admission portal early has had its impact. Many people have applied because there was time,” he added.The admission, however, is likely to be tougher because of the clustering. Also, there have been 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. “This means the number of students getting admissions is unlikely to change. Also, if the performance is not similar to that of candidates from other seats, students from Tamil Nadu will find it difficult to get seats under all India quota seats,” said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam.