A total of 4,549 candidates were absent for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) held at 21 exam centres in the Salem range, covering Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, on Sunday (June 21).

A total of 9,169 candidates, including 3,408 men, 5,760 women and one transperson, received hall tickets for the exam. Of those, 7,320 candidates appeared. A total of 1,849 candidates, including 638 men and 1,211 women, were absent in Salem district.

In Namakkal district, NEET was held at nine centres, and 4,116 candidates got hall tickets. Of those, 3,397 appeared, and 719 candidates were absent.

In Dharmapuri district, the exam was held at nine centres. Of the 4,453 candidates who received hall tickets, 3,581 appeared and 872 were absent.

In Krishnagiri district, NEET was held at 11 exam centres, and 4,697 candidates had received hall tickets, including 1,607 men and 3,090 women. Of them, 3,588 candidates appeared, and 1,109 candidates were absent, including 336 men and 773 women.