What Does Cutoff Mean In Neet: Understanding Ranks, Scores & Admission Thresholds 2026
The NEET UG 2025 qualifying cutoff for the General category saw a decrease, with the lower bound slipping from 162 marks in 2024 to 144 marks in 2025, reflecting a tougher examination paper. What does cutoff mean in NEET is the minimum score or percentile required for a candidate to become eligible for the subsequent counselling process, which for General candidates remained at the 50th percentile. This shift in qualifying marks indicates a notable change in candidate performance and exam difficulty between the two years. The official NEET 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release, following the re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026.
NEET UG 2026: Key Dates & Re-examination Schedule
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the following schedule for NEET UG 2026, including details for the re-examination.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application Form Start Date | February 8 |
| Application Deadline | March 11 |
| Original Exam Date | May 3 |
| Admit Card (Revised) | June 14 |
| Re-examination Date | June 21 |
| Result Declaration | July |
NEET UG 2025 Important Dates for Reference
For context, here are the key dates for the NEET UG 2025 examination cycle.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Application Form Start Date | February 7 |
| Application Deadline | March 7 |
| Correction Window | March 9-11 |
| City Allotment Slip | April 26 |
| Admit Card Release | April 30 |
| Exam Date | May 4 |
| Result Declaration | June 14 |
NEET Qualifying Cutoff Scores by Category: 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The table below outlines the minimum qualifying marks and percentiles for various categories in NEET UG 2025, as released by the NTA.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile (2025) | Cutoff Score Range (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 50th | 686 – 144 |
| OBC | 40th | 143 – 113 |
| SC | 40th | 143 – 113 |
| ST | 40th | 143 – 113 |
| UR/EWS-PwBD | 45th | 143 – 127 |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwBD | 40th | 126 – 113 |
NEET Qualifying Marks: Three-Year Trend (2023-2025)
Analyzing the NEET UG qualifying marks over the past three years reveals shifts in the competitive landscape for medical admissions.
| Category | Cutoff Score Range (2025) | Cutoff Score Range (2024) | Cutoff Score Range (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 686 – 144 | 720 – 162 | 720 – 137 |
| OBC | 143 – 113 | 161 – 127 | 136 – 107 |
| SC | 143 – 113 | 161 – 127 | 136 – 107 |
| ST | 143 – 113 | 161 – 127 | 136 – 107 |
| UR/EWS-PwBD | 143 – 127 | 161 – 144 | 136 – 121 |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwBD | 126 – 113 | 143 – 127 | 120 – 107 |
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between NEET qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff?
A: The NEET qualifying cutoff is the minimum score or percentile required to pass the exam and become eligible for counselling. The admission cutoff, on the other hand, is the actual score or rank needed to secure a seat in a specific medical college during the counselling process.
Q: How is the NEET cutoff determined each year?
A: The NEET cutoff is influenced by several factors, including the overall difficulty level of the examination, the total number of candidates who appeared, their collective performance, and the total number of available seats for medical courses.
Q: Will the NEET 2026 cutoff be higher or lower than 2025?
A: With high attendance and an easier paper reported for the NEET UG 2026 exam, educators suggest that the NEET UG 2026 cutoff may rise slightly compared to 2025. However, the official figures will only be known after the results are declared.
Q: What is considered a “safe score” for MBBS admission in government colleges?
A: While the qualifying cutoff is lower, a score of 610 or above is generally considered safe for securing a government MBBS seat. For top AIIMS or central institutions, candidates often need to aim for 650+ marks or even higher.
Q: Does the NEET cutoff vary by state?
A: Yes, the NEET admission cutoff varies significantly by state due to factors like domicile rules, the number of seats available under state quotas, and the competition level within that particular state.
Q: What is the percentile system in NEET cutoff?
A: The percentile rank indicates the percentage of candidates who scored below a particular candidate. For the General category, the qualifying percentile is 50th, meaning a candidate must score better than 50% of all test-takers to qualify.
