NEET PG 2026: Check cutoff scores by September 24 to apply for counselling

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) today, 24 September 2026, released the NEET PG 2026 cutoff scores along with the examination results. Candidates can access their results and the official category-wise qualifying scores on the official website, natboard.edu.in.

These cutoff scores determine eligibility for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses for the 2026-27 academic year, and participation in the upcoming NEET PG counselling 2026. The NEET PG 2026 exam was conducted on 30 August 2026, with the evaluation standard updated to 720 marks for this academic year.

NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Scores Announced

The NBEMS has specified the minimum marks required for different categories to qualify for NEET PG 2026. For the General/EWS category, candidates need to achieve a 50th percentile, corresponding to a cut-off score of 262 out of 720. General PwBD candidates are required to meet a 45th percentile, with a cut-off score of 244 out of 720. For SC/ST/OBC categories, including PwBD candidates within these groups, the minimum qualifying criteria is the 40th percentile, with a cut-off score of 226 out of 720.

Securing these minimum scores is the initial step for all eligible doctors to proceed with the counselling process for postgraduate medical seats. The NEET PG 2026 result is valid solely for admissions to postgraduate medical courses for the current 2026-27 academic session.

Exam Structure and Marking Scheme

The NEET PG 2026 examination, held on 30 August 2026, was a 3-hour and 30-minute (210 minutes) test comprising 180 questions. The total marks for the examination were 720. The marking scheme awarded +4 marks for each correct answer, deducted -1 mark for each incorrect answer, and assigned 0 marks for unanswered questions.

Candidates can download their individual NEET PG 2026 scorecards from natboard.edu.in on 1 October 2026, by logging in with their registered credentials. The NEET PG 2026 answer key will also be released on the same date, 1 October 2026, on the official portal.

Comparison with Previous Year’s Cutoffs

The NEET PG 2026 cut-off scores show a shift compared to the previous year. For instance, the General/EWS category cut-off for 2026 is 262 out of 720. In 2025, the initial cut-off for General/EWS was 276 marks (50th percentile) out of 800. the evaluation standard for 2026 has been updated to 720 marks, whereas previous years often used an 800-mark scale.

Notably, in January 2026, NBEMS significantly reduced the NEET PG 2025 qualifying cutoffs for Round 3 counselling to fill vacant postgraduate medical seats. The General/EWS cutoff was revised from 276 marks (50th percentile) to 103 marks (7th percentile). Similarly, the General PwBD cutoff was revised from 255 marks (45th percentile) to 90 marks (5th percentile), and the SC/ST/OBC (incl. PwBD) cutoff was revised from 235 marks (40th percentile) to -40 marks (0th percentile) for Round 3 counselling. The NEET PG qualifying cutoff has generally ranged between 270 and 315 marks for the General category over the past five years.

Further reading

• NEET PG 2026: Download answer key by October 1
• NEET PG 2026 result out: merit list by September 30 for 2.65 lakh candidates
• NEET PG cutoff: previous closing ranks and marks 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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