NEET PG 2026 cut-off released: qualifying marks drop across categories

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) today, 28 September 2026, released the NEET PG 2026 qualifying cut-off on its official website, natboard.edu.in. This cut-off determines the minimum eligibility for candidates to participate in the counselling process for postgraduate medical admissions.

The qualifying scores have declined across all categories compared with the previous year. For General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates, the qualifying score is 262 marks out of a maximum of 729 for the NEET PG 2026 examination, a reduction from 276 marks in 2025.

NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Marks and Percentiles

The NEET PG 2026 qualifying score for General and EWS candidates is 262 marks. General PwBD candidates require 244 marks, while candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories, including PwBD, need 226 marks to qualify. The corresponding qualifying percentiles remain consistent with previous years: 50th percentile for General/EWS, 45th percentile for General PwBD, and 40th percentile for SC, ST, and OBC candidates (including PwBD).

The raw qualifying marks between 2025 and 2026 are not directly comparable due to a change in the examination’s maximum marks. The NEET PG 2026 examination was conducted for a maximum of 720 marks, whereas the 2025 examination had a maximum score of 800 marks. The qualifying cut-off refers to the minimum percentile and corresponding score candidates need to achieve to qualify for the counselling process.

Comparison of General and EWS Qualifying Scores (2021-2026)

The qualifying score for General and EWS candidates has seen fluctuations over the past few years. In 2021, the qualifying score was 302 marks. It then dropped to 275 marks in 2022, increased to 291 marks in 2023, and was 276 marks in 2025. The current 262 marks for 2026 represents a further decline in the raw qualifying score for this category.

The qualifying cut-off may vary depending on candidates’ performance and the difficulty level of the examination. It is distinct from the admission cut-off, which refers to the rank or score at which candidates secure particular courses and medical colleges during counselling. The admission cut-off can vary based on factors such as medical college, speciality, candidate category, seat quota, available seats, candidate preferences, and counselling round.

Further reading

• NEET PG 2026 cutoff lowest in six years: what it means for MD/MS aspirants
• NEET PG 2026 cutoff released: check category-wise qualifying marks
• NEET PG cutoff: previous closing ranks and marks Next step
• INI CET July 2026 session online seat allocation schedule released
• NEET SS 2025: Register by Sep 28, 3 PM; Fill choices by Sep 29
• 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.

View all posts →