NEET UG Category Wise Cutoff 2026: Category-wise Qualifying Marks & Percentile
The National Testing Agency (NTA) establishes the minimum qualifying marks for NEET UG 2026, defining a candidate’s eligibility for subsequent medical counselling. The NEET cutoff represents the final score or rank at which admissions close across various medical and dental colleges. For government MBBS seats, the General Category safe score is projected between 620 and 650+ marks, with AIIMS Delhi typically requiring around 690+. This overall cutoff trend is expected to remain close to NEET 2025 levels, potentially with a slight increase.
Expected Qualifying Thresholds for NEET UG 2026
Understanding the qualifying thresholds for NEET UG 2026 is crucial for aspirants. This section details the expected marks and percentiles for various categories, helping you gauge your performance against the anticipated requirements for the exam.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| General / UR | 140- 170 |
| EWS | 125- 150 |
| OBC | 110–140 |
| SC | 115- 140 |
| ST | 115- 140 |
These marks represent the minimum expected scores to qualify for the exam. The expected qualifying percentile is 50th for General/EWS candidates and 40th for OBC, SC, and ST categories.
NEET UG 2026 Safe Scores for Top Colleges
This section provides a comprehensive overview of the expected safe scores for NEET UG 2026, detailing the marks required by category for top colleges and government MBBS seats. The exam was moderate to tough overall, influencing the projected cutoffs.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | NEET 2026 Cut-Off (Expected) | Safe Score for Govt MBBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 50th | 686 – 144 | 620 – 650+ |
| EWS | 50th | 686 – 130 | 600 – 630 |
| OBC-NCL | 40th | 143 – 113 | 580 – 610 |
| SC | 40th | 143 – 113 | 500 – 530 |
| ST | 40th | 143 – 113 | 480 – 510 |
| General-PwD | 45th | 143 – 127 | — |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwD | 40th | 126 – 113 | — |
The table above illustrates the expected NEET UG 2026 category-wise cutoff and safe scores, highlighting that a score of 650+ offers a strong chance for Government MBBS under the All India Quota.
MBBS Government College Admissions: NEET UG 2026 Cutoffs
Understanding the expected cutoffs for MBBS government colleges in NEET UG 2026 is vital for your admission strategy. This section provides a detailed look at the anticipated scores across different categories, helping you gauge your chances for securing a seat in top institutions.
| Category | Expected Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 615–630+ |
| EWS | 610–625+ |
| OBC | 590–610+ |
| SC | 520–550+ |
| ST | 500–540+ |
This table highlights the expected All India Quota (AIQ) cutoff marks for different categories, indicating that General category candidates generally require higher scores for government MBBS admission compared to reserved categories.
AIIMS Delhi & Top Medical Colleges: NEET UG 2026 Admission Benchmarks
This section provides a detailed overview of the expected admission benchmarks for AIIMS Delhi, the country’s top-ranked medical college. We cover qualifying percentiles, seat distribution, and predicted marks and ranks, helping you understand the competitive landscape for admission.
| Candidate Category | Tentative AIR Cutoff |
|---|---|
| General | Around Rank 53 |
| OBC | Approximately Rank 240 |
| EWS | Close to Rank 260 |
| SC | Nearly Rank 840 |
| ST | Around Rank 2000 |
This table shows the anticipated All India Ranks (AIR) for admission to AIIMS Delhi across various candidate categories for 2026.
| Year | General | OBC | EWS | SC | ST Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rank 47 | Rank 207 | Rank 254 | Rank 644 | Rank 1405 |
| 2024 | Rank 47 | Rank 186 | Rank 214 | Rank 647 | Rank 1150 |
| 2023 | Rank 56 | Rank 255 | Rank 258 | Rank 989 | Rank 1624 |
| 2022 | Rank 61 | Rank 247 | Rank 195 | Rank 965 | Rank 3087 |
Reviewing previous year trends reveals the consistent high competition for AIIMS Delhi, with ranks generally remaining within a tight range.
The NEET UG 2026 exam was held on 21 June 2026, and candidates found the paper difficulty moderate to tough overall. This year’s cutoff trend may remain close to the 2025 levels, with a slight increase possible.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Expected marks range for AIIMS Delhi MBBS admission | 675 – 686 marks |
| Total AIIMS Delhi MBBS seats available for the General category | 55 seats |
| Predicted closing rank for AIIMS Delhi (General category) | Around AIR 55 |
| Expected opening rank for AIIMS Delhi MBBS | Likely to begin from AIR 1 |
For the General category, securing admission to AIIMS Delhi requires an exceptionally high score, likely within the top 55 ranks nationally.
| Information Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated MBBS seat count for OBC in AIIMS Delhi | Total 32 seats |
| Anticipated marks range for AIIMS Delhi MBBS (OBC) | Expected between 670 and 690 marks |
| Likely opening rank for AIIMS Delhi under the OBC quota | Around All India Rank 57 |
| Predicted closing rank for AIIMS Delhi MBBS (OBC) | Could go up to All India Rank 240 |
OBC candidates aiming for AIIMS Delhi should target marks between 670 and 690 to secure one of the 32 available seats.
| Marks Out of 720 | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|
| 650-686 | 1 – 72 |
| 600-650 | 72 and 1259 |
| 500 | 39,522 and 69,503 |
This table illustrates the expected mark ranges corresponding to various All India Ranks, highlighting the intense competition for top positions.
The qualifying percentile for General and EWS candidates is 50th, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates require a 40th percentile to qualify for the exam.
- AIIMS Delhi Ranking: Top-ranked medical college in the country.
- Total MBBS Seats: AIIMS Delhi offers 132 MBBS seats.
- NEET 2026 Top Score: The highest score achieved was 686 marks.
- AIIMS Delhi Admission Percentile: You need 99th percentile or higher.
- Other AIIMS Marks Range: Expect 590 to 660 marks for other institutes.
- SC Category Seats: AIIMS Delhi has 18 MBBS seats for SC candidates.
AIIMS Delhi allocates 55 MBBS seats for the General category, 32 for OBC, 11 for General-EWS, 9 for ST, and 7 for foreign nationals.
Factors Influencing NEET UG 2026 Cutoffs
The cutoffs for NEET UG 2026 are significantly influenced by the exam’s difficulty and applicant numbers. The NEET 2026 exam was moderately difficult and slightly lengthy compared to the exam held on May 3, 2026, which typically leads to lower cutoffs.
- Exam Difficulty: Moderately difficult and slightly lengthy compared to the exam held on May 3, 2026.
- Impact of Exam Difficulty on Cutoff: Tougher examinations may decrease cutoffs, while easier papers generally result in higher cutoffs.
- NEET 2026 Paper Complexity: Noticeably more complex than the 2024 version, with tricky Biology and calculative Physics problems.
- Number of Candidates: Approximately 23 lakhs students take the exam each year, impacting competition levels.
- Candidate Participation Impact: Higher participation increases competition, which can push the cutoff scores upward.
- Time Extension Impact: A 15-minute extension is expected to push individual scores up by 15 to 20 marks.
These factors collectively shape the competitive landscape for medical admissions. The interplay between paper complexity and applicant volume is crucial for predicting final cutoff scores.
| Factor | Impact on Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Question Paper Difficulty | Directly impacts the qualifying cutoff. |
| 2024-2025 Cutoff Drop Reason | Higher difficulty of the NEET exam in 2025 caused the drop. |
| Candidate Performance | Distribution of top scores significantly impacts rank and counselling trends. |
| Re-exam Psychology | Stress from a re-exam announcement can lead to lower overall cutoffs. |
| Other Influences | Previous year trends, seat availability, and reservation policies. |
Understanding these additional influences helps you anticipate how various elements contribute to the final cutoff, guiding your expectations for admission.
NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Criteria: A Detailed Overview
The NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff represents the minimum percentile score required for counselling eligibility, not fixed marks. This section details the expected qualifying criteria for the exam, which differs significantly from the higher admission cutoffs needed for securing a medical seat.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Marks Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) / EWS | 50th Percentile | 686 – 144 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 143 – 113 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 143 – 113 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 143 – 113 |
| General-PwD | 45th Percentile | 143 – 127 |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwD | 40th Percentile | 126 – 113 |
This table illustrates the varying minimum percentile and corresponding marks required for different categories to qualify the exam, highlighting the 50th percentile for General/EWS candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the expected qualifying marks for NEET UG 2026 for General category candidates?
For NEET UG 2026, General/UR candidates are expected to have qualifying cutoff marks between 140-170, with a qualifying percentile of 50th.
What are the safe scores for securing a government MBBS seat in NEET UG 2026 for OBC candidates?
OBC candidates should aim for a safe score between 580 and 610 marks to secure a government MBBS seat in NEET UG 2026.
What was the overall difficulty level of the NEET UG 2026 exam?
The NEET UG 2026 exam, which was held on 21 June 2026, was found to be moderate to tough overall by candidates.
What is the projected safe score for General Category candidates to get into AIIMS Delhi for NEET UG 2026?
AIIMS Delhi typically requires around 690+ marks for General Category candidates, with the expected marks range for admission being 675 – 686 marks.
How do the expected cutoff trends for NEET UG 2026 compare to previous years?
The overall cutoff trend for NEET UG 2026 is expected to remain close to NEET 2025 levels, potentially with a slight increase.
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