ST Cutoff for NEET 2026: Qualifying Marks by Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST)

The NEET 2026 cutoff marks represent the final score or rank determining admission to medical and dental colleges. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) establishes the NEET qualifying marks 2026—the compulsory minimum required for eligibility in courses like MBBS and BDS—the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities manage the actual admission cutoffs. For the ST category NEET 2026 cutoff, the expected qualifying range is 115-140 marks, critical for eligibility after the exam completed on June 21, 20

NEET 2026 Expected Cutoff: Category-Wise Marks and Percentiles

Understanding the qualifying marks for NEET 2026 is crucial for aspirants. The qualifying percentile for General/EWS candidates is the 50th percentile, while OBC/SC/ST candidates need the 40th percentile. This section provides expected safe scores and qualifying marks, guiding your preparation for the exam.

Matrix Academy’s analysis indicates the expected safe scores for securing admission to both government and private medical colleges. Aspirants should aim for these ranges to enhance their chances in the upcoming admission cycle.

ST Category NEET 2026 Cutoff: Expected Marks for Government MBBS

For ST category candidates aiming for Government MBBS seats in NEET 2026, an expected safe score is 490+ marks. This section details the anticipated All India Quota (AIQ) cutoff ranges for various categories, including ST, to help you understand your admission prospects.

The table above illustrates the expected All India Quota (AIQ) cutoff for government medical colleges, showing that ST category candidates will likely need scores between 500 and 540+ marks. This st cutoff for neet 2026 indicates the competitive nature of securing a government MBBS seat through AIQ.

NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks: Detailed Overview

The NEET qualifying marks 2026 are the compulsory minimum marks you need to clear the exam and secure eligibility for medical courses. This section provides a detailed overview of these qualifying marks, including the expected cutoff for ST and other categories, along with safe scores.

This table outlines the expected qualifying percentiles for various categories, indicating the minimum percentile required to become eligible for counselling.

Qualifying marks determine your eligibility for counselling, but the admission cut-off, also known as a safe score, is the minimum score required to get an MBBS seat. This score is typically much higher than the qualifying marks, as simply clearing them does not guarantee an MBBS seat.

These figures represent the expected cutoff marks corresponding to the qualifying percentiles for different categories in the exam.

Securing a government MBBS seat requires a significantly higher score than the qualifying marks. The following table details the expected safe scores you should aim for based on your category.

This table provides a clear benchmark for the scores you need to target for a strong chance of securing a government MBBS seat.

Several factors influence the final NEET cut-off, including the exam’s difficulty level, the number of candidates appearing, overall student performance, availability of medical seats, and reservation policies.

• All India Quota counselling: Participate in national-level counselling.
• State quota counselling: Apply for seats reserved in your state.
• Deemed university admissions: Seek admission in deemed universities.
• Central university admissions: Apply to central universities.
• Private medical college counselling: Explore options in private colleges.

Factors Influencing NEET 2026 Cutoff: Paper Difficulty, Applicants, Seats

The primary reason for cutoff variation is paper difficulty and candidate performance. This section explores the key factors influencing the NEET 2026 cutoff, including the exam’s difficulty, the number of applicants, and seat availability, helping you understand the competitive landscape.

• Exam Difficulty: A tougher paper generally reduces cutoff marks.
• Candidate Numbers: Higher participation increases competition.
• Student Performance: Top scores significantly affect rank and cutoff movement.
• Medical Seats: An increase in seats can influence admission trends.
• Reservation Policies: Category-wise cutoffs vary depending on reservation norms.
• NEET 2026 Difficulty: The exam was moderately difficult and slightly lengthy compared to the 3 May 2026 exam.

Comparing the NEET 2026 exam to NEET 2025 reveals specific shifts in difficulty and time pressure, which collectively contribute to the competitive expected cutoff.

These comparisons highlight the varied challenge levels across subjects and the overall increased time constraint for the exam.

2025 vs 2026 Expected Analysis: Detailed Overview

For NEET 2026, the expected qualifying cutoff for ST candidates is projected to be 115-140 marks, indicating a slight shift from previous years. This section provides a detailed overview of expected scores and past performance, helping you understand the trends.

The table illustrates the historical range of qualifying marks across different categories, showing how the cutoff has varied each year. You can observe the specific trends for the ST category and other groups over the past five examinations.

State-Wise NEET 2026 Cutoff: Expected Marks for ST and Other Categories

This section outlines the expected qualifying percentiles for the NEET 2026 exam, which was completed on June 21, 2026. Understanding the expected cutoff for ST and other categories helps you gauge your performance. We detail the minimum percentiles required for various candidate groups.

The table clearly indicates that the expected qualifying percentile for OBC, SC, and ST candidates is 40th percentile. This cutoff varies across different categories, with General/EWS candidates requiring a higher percentile for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the NEET 2026 qualifying marks for the ST category?

For the ST category, the expected NEET 2026 qualifying range is 115-140 marks, and candidates need to achieve the 40th percentile to be eligible for courses like MBBS and BDS.

What is considered a safe score for ST candidates aiming for a government MBBS seat in NEET 2026?

For ST category candidates aiming for Government MBBS seats in NEET 2026, an expected safe score is 490+ marks, or specifically between 500 and 540+ marks for All India Quota (AIQ).

Who establishes the NEET 2026 qualifying marks and who manages the admission cutoffs?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) establishes the NEET 2026 qualifying marks, while the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities manage the actual admission cutoffs.

What is the difference between NEET qualifying marks and admission cutoff (safe score)?

NEET qualifying marks are the compulsory minimum marks needed to clear the exam and secure eligibility for medical courses, whereas the admission cutoff, or safe score, is the minimum score required to actually get an MBBS seat, which is typically much higher.

When was the NEET 2026 exam completed?

The NEET 2026 exam was completed on 21 June 2026.

Related Reading

• What Was the Cutoff of NEET 2026: Qualifying Marks by Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST)
• All India Quota Cutoff NEET 2026: Qualifying Marks by Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST)
• NEET Cutoff for SC Category 2026: Qualifying Marks & Percentile
• EWS NEET Cutoff 2026: Qualifying Marks by Category (Gen/OBC/SC/ST)
• What Is Cut Off Marks in NEET 2026: Category-wise Qualifying Marks & Percentile

Written by Nishit Kumar

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

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