NEET PG 2026 answer key and result by September 30, 2.63 lakh candidates appeared

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is anticipated to release the NEET PG 2026 answer key and candidate response sheet shortly on its official website, natboard.edu.in. This release precedes the declaration of the NEET PG 2026 result and merit list, which is officially scheduled for September 30, 2026.

The NEET PG examination serves as the gateway for admission to MD/MS and postgraduate diploma programmes. Approximately 2.63 lakh candidates participated in the NEET PG 2026 examination, which was initially conducted on August 30, 2026. A re-examination was subsequently held on September 5, 2026, for 2,445 candidates affected by disruptions at two examination centres.

Answer Key and Transparency Measures

The NBEMS helpdesk has confirmed that the answer key and candidate response sheet for NEET PG 2026 will be made available before the results. This practice of introducing answer keys, which began in 2025, follows a Supreme Court order aimed at enhancing transparency in the examination process.

Upon release, candidates will be able to access question ID numbers, correct answers, and their marked responses through their individual candidate logins on the official website. While a provisional answer key may be issued to allow candidates to identify and challenge disputed answers within a specified period, the NBEMS has not confirmed whether a fee will be required for such challenges. The final NEET PG result will be based on the answers accepted by the board after the review and evaluation process.

NEET PG 2026 Scoring and Tie-Breaking Criteria

The NEET PG 2026 examination comprised 180 questions, conducted in a computer-based mode. Candidates are awarded four marks for every correct answer, while one mark is deducted for each incorrect response. No marks are added or deducted for unattempted questions.

Candidates can calculate their probable NEET PG score by multiplying the number of correct answers by four and subtracting the total deductions for incorrect answers. In cases where two or more candidates achieve the same marks, their rank will be determined based on the candidate with fewer incorrect answers overall.

Qualifying Cut-Off Percentiles for NEET PG 2026

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has set specific qualifying cut-off percentiles and corresponding marks for the NEET PG 2026 examination. For candidates in the General / EWS category, the qualifying cut-off is the 50th percentile, which translates to 276 marks out of a total of 800. This threshold determines eligibility for admission to MD/MS and postgraduate diploma programmes.

Different qualifying criteria apply to other categories. General PwBD candidates must achieve the 45th percentile, corresponding to 255 marks out of 800. For candidates belonging to the SC / ST / OBC categories, the qualifying cut-off is the 40th percentile, requiring a score of 235 marks out of 800. These cut-offs are crucial for candidates aiming to participate in the counselling process for admission.

Recent Changes in NEET-Ss Qualifying Marks

The NBEMS issued an official notification on September 22, 2026, announcing a reduction in qualifying marks for the NEET-SS 2025 examination. This reduction lowered the NEET-SS 2025 qualifying marks to 180, corresponding to the 30th percentile. The revised qualifying scores for various NEET-SS 2025 specialties, out of a total of 600 marks, are detailed below.

The lowest qualifying cut-off for NEET-SS 2025 was 170 for the Medical Group. The recent reduction in NEET-SS qualifying marks has led to discussions regarding potential adjustments to NEET PG 2026 qualifying marks, though no official confirmation has been made by NBEMS regarding this.

Further reading

• NEET PG 2026 results declared by 19 September, cut-offs released by NBEMS
• NEET PG 2026 MD General Medicine Cutoff: Expected Ranks, Scores, and Fees Released
• NEET PG result: date and how to check Next step
• INI CET July 2026 session online seat allocation schedule released
• FMGE October 2026 Application Form Starts Today at natboard.edu.in; Check Fees & Process
• Ladakh Central Pool MBBS/BDS: Apply by Sep 10 for 2026-27 single merit list Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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