Karnataka NEET UG 2025 Results: 58% Pass Rate, Mangaluru’s Nikhil Sonnad Tops State with AIR 17
The National Testing Agency (NTA) recently declared the NEET UG 2025 results, indicating that 58% of candidates from Karnataka qualified this year. Out of approximately 1.42 lakh students who appeared for the exam from the state, 83,582 managed to clear the cut-off. This represents a slight decline compared to last year’s figures, where 59% qualified—88,887 out of 1.5 lakh candidates. The number of qualified students dropped by 5,305, signaling a slightly more challenging year for aspirants.
Mangaluru’s Nikhil Sonnad Tops Karnataka, Ranks 17th All India
Emerging as Karnataka’s state topper is Nikhil Sonnad from Mangaluru, who achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 17. A native of Vijayapura, Sonnad is currently studying at Expert PU College in Mangaluru. He secured an outstanding score of 670 out of 720 marks, translating to a 99th percentile, making him one of the highest scorers in the state.
For Sonnad, ranking in the top 20 nationwide was a moment of immense satisfaction. Reflecting on his success, he said, “I loudly exclaimed – YES! after hearing my rank. It was pure validation of my hard work.”
Notably, Nikhil also performed well in other competitive exams, ranking 8th in the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) for BSc Agriculture and securing a rank of 8000 in JEE Mains.
Recipe for Success: Strong Basics and Consistent Practice
Nikhil credits his achievement to a disciplined approach that emphasizes mastering fundamentals rather than relying solely on rote memorization. He dedicated the final two months leading up to NEET to extensive mock tests, but stresses that understanding core concepts was crucial.
“I believe mere mock tests will not fetch you success. It is important to get your basics right, concepts correct, and the foundation strong to face the examination,” Nikhil explained. His strategy helped him tackle even the trickiest questions, especially in Physics, a subject many find challenging.
He also revealed that his approach towards life and learning played a key role. “When I entered college, my aim was not just to crack NEET. It was about learning concepts and building a strong grip on the basics,” he said. This principle, he shared, was something he learned from his father.
A Family Legacy and Future Aspirations
Nikhil’s inclination towards medicine comes naturally, being born into a family of doctors. His father is a neurosurgeon, and his mother is an ophthalmologist, which has profoundly influenced his career choice. With his stellar NEET rank, Nikhil aims to pursue higher medical education at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Karnataka’s Second Topper: Ruchir Gupta from Bengaluru
Following closely behind Nikhil is Ruchir Gupta, who secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 22. A student of Alpine Public School in Bengaluru, Ruchir attributed his success to consistent revision and a focus on NCERT textbooks, which he considers the "bible" for NEET preparation.
Ruchir spoke candidly about the exam day, recalling that Physics was the toughest section for him. “In the first few minutes… my thoughts were not in line. But somehow, I managed to finish it,” he shared.
Ruchir’s Preparation Strategy: Conceptual Clarity Over Memorization
Ruchir’s preparation strategy revolved around avoiding rote learning. Instead, he emphasized conceptual understanding, backed by rigorous practice. Over the course of two years, he completed approximately 600 mock tests. He made it a point to space out his learning rather than cramming, which helped maintain steady progress and reduce stress.
“I never loaded myself with all the concepts in a single day. I used to stretch it out over the days to gain conceptual clarity instead of mere textbook learning,” Ruchir explained. Like Nikhil, he also has ambitions to secure a seat at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Other Notable Karnataka Rankers: Diganth S Among Top Performers
Another notable performer from Karnataka is Diganth S, who secured AIR 80. Studying at Narayana College in Kempapura, Diganth also excelled in other competitive exams, ranking 289 in KCET engineering and 10,000 in JEE Mains.
Diganth’s preparation included solving numerous practice questions daily, often through educational apps. “I used to solve 50-60 problems a day,” he revealed, demonstrating his commitment to consistent practice beyond textbooks.
Balancing Study and Leisure: Insights from Diganth’s Mother
According to his mother Nagarathna, Diganth maintained a balanced lifestyle throughout his preparation. “He was jovial and never tense about examinations. He would watch TV, mainly IPL matches, have his dinner, and then start studying from 9 pm. He used to study for four hours,” she shared.
This approach of combining relaxation and focused study might have contributed to his steady performance and ability to handle exam stress effectively.
Conclusion: Karnataka NEET 2025 – A Year of High Achievement Amidst Slight Challenges
The NEET UG 2025 results from Karnataka reflect a highly competitive environment, with nearly 60% of candidates qualifying. While there was a slight dip in the pass percentage compared to last year, several students, such as Nikhil Sonnad, Ruchir Gupta, and Diganth S, demonstrated exemplary performance and dedication.
The key takeaways from their success stories include the importance of conceptual clarity, consistent revision, mock tests, and a balanced lifestyle. These students’ achievements also highlight the growing competition in medical entrance exams and the need for focused, well-planned preparation strategies.
For aspiring medical students in Karnataka and across India, these results and insights offer motivation and practical lessons to guide their journey toward securing coveted medical seats.
