What Is Cut Off Marks in NEET 2026: Category-wise Qualifying Marks & Percentile
The National Testing Agency (NTA) first establishes the NEET 2026 qualifying cut-off marks, defining eligibility for medical counselling, while the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) subsequently manages the admission cut-offs for the 15% All India Quota seats. The NEET cut-off marks represent the final score or percentile at which admissions close for medical and dental college seats. Following the NEET 2026 re-exam on 21 June 2026, where over 20 lakh candidates competed for 1,29,603 MBBS seats, these cut-offs are anticipated to be 5-10% lower, accounting for exam difficulty and around 11,000 additional MBBS seats.
Qualifying: Detailed Overview
The NEET cut-off is the minimum marks required for candidates to qualify for the exam, released by the NTA. Understanding what is cut off marks in neet is crucial for your admission strategy, as it determines eligibility for various medical courses.
- NEET Cutoff: Minimum marks required to qualify for NEET, released by NTA.
- Expected Cutoff: Estimated qualifying mark predicted before the official release.
- Types of Cutoff: Qualifying marks and marks for admission to top/government colleges.
These definitions clarify the different benchmarks you should consider when assessing your performance and admission prospects.
| Category | Qualifying Marks (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General | 150 to 180 |
| OBC | 120 to 150 |
| EWS | 120 to 150 |
| SC | 115 to 140 |
| ST | 115 to 140 |
These expected qualifying marks indicate the minimum score you need to be eligible for further counselling rounds.
- Exam Date: The exam was held on June 21, 2026.
- Paper Difficulty: Moderate to tough overall; Biology easy, Physics difficult.
- Appeared Candidates: More than 20 lakh candidates appeared for the exam.
- Total MBBS Seats: 1,29,603 seats, with around 11,000 additional expected.
- Qualifying Percentile: 50th for General/EWS; 40th for OBC, SC, ST.
- Influencing Factors: Paper difficulty, seats, candidate performance, reservation, counselling.
Several critical factors, including the exam’s difficulty and the high number of candidates, influence the final cutoff scores.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 540 – 550 |
| EWS | 535 – 545 |
| OBC | 530 – 540 |
| SC | 440 – 470 |
| ST | 400 – 430 |
| General-PwD | 460 – 490 |
| OBC-PwD | 440 – 470 |
| SC-PwD | 350 – 390 |
| ST-PwD | 320 – 360 |
This table provides a detailed breakdown of expected admission cutoffs across different categories for the exam.
| Division | Cutoff Marks (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General | 540 to 560 Marks |
| OBC | 535 to 555 Marks |
| EWS | 530 to 550 Marks |
| SC | 450 to 460 Marks |
| ST | 430 to 450 Marks |
Achieving these scores is generally essential for securing a seat in government medical colleges.
| Category / College Type | Expected Safe Score Range |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 580+ |
| OBC | 560+ |
| SC | 500+ |
| ST | 470+ |
| Top Government Medical Colleges | 650+ |
| AIIMS Delhi | 690+ |
Aiming for these safe scores significantly increases your chances of admission to government MBBS programs, including top institutions.
| Score Range | Possible Admission Direction |
|---|---|
| 600+ | Stronger options in private or semi-government colleges |
| 500–600 | Private MBBS options possible in several states |
| 400–500 | Private college options may be possible, depending on the state and the fee |
| Qualifying marks to 400 | Limited MBBS options; BDS, AYUSH or private options may be explored |
Your score range will guide your options for admission into private medical colleges across various states.
| Course | Admission Through | Cutoff Trend |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | NEET UG | Highest competition |
| BDS | NEET UG | Usually lower than MBBS |
| BAMS | NEET UG | Depends on AACCC/state AYUSH counselling |
| BHMS | NEET UG | Depends on the state and the college |
| BUMS | NEET UG | Depends on eligibility and counselling rules |
| BSMS | NEET UG | Depends on course availability and state |
The competition for MBBS seats remains the highest, with other courses having varying cutoff trends based on counselling.
| State | Expected General Cutoff | Expected EWS/OBC Cutoff | Expected ST/SC Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 490 to 500 | 480 to 495 | 450 to 470 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 490 to 500 | 480 to 495 | 450 to 470 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 490 to 500 | 480 to 495 | 450 to 460 |
| Assam | 470 to 490 | 450 to 480 | 400 to 450 |
| Bihar | 540 to 580 | 530 to 550 | 430 to 460 |
| Chandigarh | 530 to 570 | 520 to 540 | 420 to 450 |
| Chattisgarh | 525 to 560 | 520 to 535 | 415 to 445 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 525 to 560 | 520 to 535 | 415 to 445 |
| Delhi | 540 to 580 | 530 to 550 | 430 to 460 |
| Goa | 520 to 540 | 510 to 530 | 400 to 420 |
| Gujarat | 530 to 570 | 520 to 540 | 420 to 450 |
| Haryana | 540 to 580 | 530 to 550 | 430 to 460 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 530 to 540 | 520 to 535 | 410 to 420 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Jharkhand | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Karnataka | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Kerala | 550 to 560 | 530 to 550 | 430 to 440 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Maharashtra | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Manipur | 530 to 540 | 520 to 530 | 410 to 420 |
| Meghalaya | 530 to 540 | 520 to 530 | 410 to 420 |
| Mizoram | 530 to 540 | 520 to 530 | 410 to 420 |
| Nagaland | 530 to 540 | 520 to 530 | 410 to 420 |
| Odisha | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Pondicherry | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Punjab | 535 to 550 | 525 to 545 | 420 to 430 |
| Rajasthan | 540 to 580 | 530 to 550 | 430 to 460 |
| Tamil Nadu | 530 to 570 | 520 to 540 | 420 to 450 |
| Telangana | 530 to 570 | 520 to 540 | 420 to 450 |
| Tripura | 530 to 540 | 520 to 530 | 410 to 420 |
State-specific cutoffs vary significantly, reflecting regional demand and seat availability for different categories.
NEET 2026 Expected Cut-off: General, OBC, SC, ST Categories
Knowing the expected NEET 2026 cut-off is crucial for aspiring medical students. This section details the expected qualifying percentiles, projected scores, and safe scores for government MBBS seats across General, OBC, SC, and ST categories, offering a comprehensive overview.
| 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 | — |
This table offers a clear picture of the expected NEET 2026 cutoff scores and safe marks for various categories, helping you gauge your performance and set realistic goals for securing a government MBBS seat.
NEET 2026 Category-Wise Cut-off: General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD
The NEET 2026 cut-off marks are crucial for aspiring medical students, with expectations indicating a harder exam this year. This section provides a comprehensive overview of the anticipated category-wise safe scores and qualifying cut-offs for various medical and dental courses.
| Category | NEET 2026 Safe Score for Government College Seats | NEET 2026 Safe Score for Private College Seats |
|---|---|---|
| General | 555- 575 | 450- 600+ |
| Gen-EWS | 555- 575 | 440- 590+ |
| OBC | 555- 575 | 420- 580+ |
| SC | 465- 485 | 380- 550+ |
| ST | 450- 470 | 350- 500+ |
| PwD | 450- 490+ | 450- 500 |
This table illustrates the expected safe scores for securing admission to government and private medical colleges across different categories. General, Gen-EWS, and OBC candidates will likely need scores above 555 for government seats, while SC, ST, and PwD categories have lower, yet competitive, score ranges.
The NEET 2026 exam is likely to be harder than in past years, which could lead to a 5–10% lower cutoff due to increased difficulty and seat availability. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve at least the minimum qualifying marks out of 720.
- General Category Qualifying Cutoff: 140-170 marks
- SC Category Qualifying Score: 115-140 marks
| Category | Expected Marks |
|---|---|
| General | 615–630+ |
| EWS | 610–625+ |
| OBC | 590–610+ |
| SC | 520–550+ |
| ST | 500–540+ |
For All India Quota (AIQ) government medical college seats, candidates should aim for significantly higher scores, with General category requiring 615–630+ marks.
| Category | State Quota Cutoff | AIIMS Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 590 – 610+ | 700 – 715+ |
| OBC-NCL | 580 – 600+ | 690 – 705+ |
| EWS | 575 – 595+ | 690 – 700+ |
| SC | 480 – 520+ | 650 – 670+ |
| ST | 450 – 500+ | 630 – 650+ |
Admission to AIIMS colleges demands the highest scores, often exceeding 700 marks for General/UR candidates, while state quota cutoffs are generally lower than AIQ but still competitive.
| Category | Admission Cutoff Marks (Out of 720) |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 500 – 540+ |
| OBC | 470 – 520+ |
| SC | 400 – 460+ |
| ST | 350 – 430+ |
| UR / EWS – PwBD | 380 – 450+ |
| SC / ST / OBC – PwBD | 330 – 420+ |
For government BDS colleges, the expected admission cutoff marks range from 500–540+ for UR/EWS to 330–420+ for SC/ST/OBC PwBD candidates.
| Category | Admission Cutoff Marks (Out of 720) |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 450 – 500+ |
| OBC | 430 – 480+ |
| SC | 350 – 420+ |
| ST | 300 – 400+ |
| UR / EWS – PwBD | 320 – 400+ |
| SC / ST / OBC – PwBD | 280 – 380+ |
Government BAMS colleges have slightly lower admission cutoffs compared to BDS, with UR/EWS candidates needing 450–500+ marks and PwBD categories ranging from 280–400+.
NEET 2026 All India Quota vs State Quota Cut-offs
Understanding the expected cut-off marks for NEET 2026 is crucial for your admission strategy. This section details the anticipated scores for both All India Quota and State Quota seats, helping you gauge your chances for medical college admission.
| Category | Expected Safe Score |
|---|---|
| General/UR | 540 – 550 |
| OBC | 540 – 550 |
| EWS | 535 – 545 |
| SC | 450 – 460 |
| ST | 430 – 440 |
This table illustrates the expected safe scores for various categories under the 15% All India Quota for the upcoming exam, indicating the marks you should aim for.
AIQ cut-offs are generally higher than state quota cut-offs, a key factor to consider when planning your applications.
- Expected All India Quota (General): 610 to 630+ marks
- Expected State Quota (General): 590 to 610+ marks
- State Quota for Reserved Categories: Often available at lower scores, depending on state-specific rules.
Raw Marks: Detailed Overview
Understanding the raw marks needed to qualify for NEET is crucial for aspiring medical students. These are the compulsory minimum marks candidates need to clear the exam and secure a medical seat in various courses like MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH. Achieving these marks makes you eligible for admission to government colleges.
| Category | NEET 2026 Exam Qualifying Cutoff (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / UR | 140- 170 |
| EWS | 125- 150 |
| OBC | 110–140 |
| SC | 115- 140 |
| ST | 115- 140 |
This table outlines the expected raw marks required for different categories to qualify for the NEET UG 2026 counselling process, showing a range for each category.
- Qualifying Marks: The minimum score you need to participate in the counselling process.
- Admission Cut-off: The score at which the last seat in a medical college is filled.
| Category | 2024 Cut Off (Score) | 2025 Cut Off (Score) | NEET 2026 Expected cut off |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 656 | 527 | 550 ± 10 |
| OBC | 650 (approx) | 527 | 550 ± 10 |
| EWS | 650 (approx) | 520 | 545 ± 10 |
| SC | 553 | 441 | 450 ± 10 |
| ST | 530 | 425 | 440 ± 10 |
The expected cutoff scores for government medical colleges in NEET UG 2026 show a slight increase for some categories compared to 2025, indicating competitive admissions.
- Paper Difficulty: A more complex exam than previous years can influence scores.
- Time Extension: The 15-minute extension may increase scores by 15-20 marks.
- Candidate Psychology: Stress from re-exam affects student efficiency.
- Seat Availability: An increase in MBBS seats usually lowers the required rank.
| Category | Expected Safe AIR | Expected Safe Score |
|---|---|---|
| General/UR | Up to 28,000 | 540 – 550 |
| OBC | Up to 29,000 | 540 – 550 |
| EWS | Up to 32,000 | 535 – 545 |
| SC | Up to 1,40,000 | 450 – 460 |
| ST | Up to 1,70,000 | 430 – 440 |
This table provides estimated safe All India Ranks and corresponding scores for securing a seat under the All India Quota for various categories.
- Biology Marks: NTA prioritizes higher marks or percentile in Biology.
- Chemistry Marks: If the tie persists, higher marks in Chemistry are considered.
- Physics Marks: If still tied, higher marks in Physics determine the rank.
- Incorrect Answers: Fewer incorrect answers across the paper break further ties.
- Randomized Selection: In rare cases of identical metrics, a computer-generated selection occurs.
You can check the NEET 2026 cutoff through the NEET UG result and scorecard released by NTA. Your scorecard will include your marks, All India Rank, category rank, qualifying status, and category-wise cutoff marks for the exam.
- General/EWS: Expected 50th percentile.
- OBC, SC, ST: Expected 40th percentile.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Criteria as per Information Bulletin of NEET-PG 2026 | NEET PG Cut-off Score as per Information Bulletin (Out of 800) | Revised Minimum Qualifying Criteria Dated: 09.01.2026) | Revised Cut-off Score After Lowering of Percentile (Out of 800) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50th % | 276 | 7th Percentile | 103 |
| General PwBD | 45th % | 255 | 5th Percentile | 90 |
| SC/ST/OBC (Including PwBD of SC/ST/OBC) | 40th % | 235 | 0th Percentile | -40 |
This table details the NEET PG 2026 expected cut-off, showing both initial and revised qualifying criteria and scores for various categories, including a significant lowering of percentiles.
Factors Influencing Annual NEET Cut-offs
Several critical factors influence the NEET cut-off marks annually, with the paper’s difficulty level being a primary determinant. The NEET 2026 examination presented unique challenges and changes, significantly influencing the expected cut-off marks for admission to medical colleges.
- Paper Difficulty: NEET 2026 was more complex than 2024, with tricky Biology and calculative Physics.
- Time Extension: NEET 2026’s extra 15 minutes allowed 6-8 more questions, potentially adding 15-20 marks.
- Medical Seats: Increased availability of seats, including new colleges, typically lowers the required admission rank.
- Number of Candidates: Higher competition from more candidates appearing directly influences the cut-off.
- Student Performance: High overall scores among candidates typically lead to a rise in the cut-off.
- Candidate Psychology: Re-exam stress reduced aspirant efficiency, often leading to a lower overall cut-off.
Beyond these immediate factors, other established elements consistently shape the cut-off, providing a broader context for understanding the final scores.
| Factor | Influence on Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Previous Year’s Cut-off Trends | NEET 2026 cut-off patterns are based on 3-5 year trends, aiding future predictions. |
| Reservation Policies | Category-wise seat allocation directly impacts admission cut-offs for various groups. |
You can analyze historical data and policy frameworks to gain further insight into score fluctuations and category-specific requirements.
NEET 2026 Safe Score for MBBS Admission: Category-Wise Targets
This section outlines the expected qualifying and safe scores for NEET 2026 MBBS admission, helping you understand the cut-off for your category. The exam was initially scheduled for 3 May 2026 but was re-conducted on 21 June 2026.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Expected Qualifying Score Range (Out of 720) | Expected Safe Score for Govt. MBBS (AIQ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) / EWS | 50th Percentile | 130 – 150 Marks | 615 – 630+ |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 120 – 140 Marks | 590 – 610+ |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 110 – 125 Marks | 520 – 550+ |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 110 – 125 Marks | 490 – 540+ |
The table clearly illustrates the varying score requirements across categories, with General/EWS candidates needing a significantly higher safe score for government MBBS seats compared to other categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of the NEET 2026 cut-off marks?
The NEET 2026 qualifying cut-off marks, established by the National Testing Agency (NTA), define eligibility for medical counselling, while the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages admission cut-offs for the 15% All India Quota seats.
What were the expected qualifying marks for the General category in NEET 2026?
For the General category, the expected qualifying marks for NEET 2026 were between 150 to 180.
Which factors influenced the final NEET 2026 cut-off scores?
Several critical factors influenced the final NEET 2026 cut-off scores, including the exam’s difficulty, the number of seats available, candidate performance, reservation policies, and the counselling process.
How many candidates appeared for the NEET 2026 re-exam, and when was it held?
More than 20 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET 2026 re-exam, which was held on 21 June 2026.
What were the expected safe scores for admission to top government medical colleges in NEET 2026?
For top government medical colleges, an expected safe score of 650+ was suggested, with AIIMS Delhi requiring 690+.
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