What Will Be the Cutoff of NEET 2026: Category-wise Qualifying Marks & Percentile
For the majority of government medical college seats, specifically the 85% allocated under the State Quota, respective State Counselling Authorities, such as the CEE/DME, publish the NEET 2026 cutoff. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) concurrently manages admissions for the remaining 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats. The NEET cutoff fundamentally represents the final score or rank at which admissions close for various categories. For instance, 580+ marks may offer General and EWS candidates a better chance at government MBBS seats, with an expected safe score of 620 for UR under AIQ.
Expected NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks by Category
Candidates are eagerly looking for insights into the NEET 2026 cutoff. The safe score for Unreserved (UR) candidates to secure a Government College through All India Quota (AIQ) is expected to be around 620, while General category candidates may target 610+ for Government MBBS.
| 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 |
This table presents the expected category-wise cutoff marks for the exam, based on analysis from the June 21 exam. For qualifying, General/EWS candidates need to achieve the 50th percentile, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates require the 40th percentile.
State-Wise Expected MBBS Admission Scores for NEET 2026
This section provides the expected state-wise cutoff marks for MBBS admissions in NEET 2026. Understanding these cutoffs is crucial for your admission strategy, as they vary significantly by state and category. We also detail the key factors influencing these scores.
| 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 |
The table above illustrates the wide range of expected cutoff scores across different states and categories, highlighting the competitive nature of MBBS admissions. General category cutoffs are generally higher, while reserved categories typically see lower score requirements.
- State Quota share: 85% of government medical college seats.
- General category range: Around 590–610+ marks in many states for State Quota.
- Reserved category opportunities: Available at lower scores, depending on state-specific rules.
- Influencing factors: Seat availability, state reservation policy, candidate numbers, previous trends, and exam difficulty.
NEET 2026: Qualifying Marks vs. Admission Cutoffs
This section clarifies the NEET 2026 cutoff by distinguishing between qualifying marks and admission cutoffs, providing expected scores for eligibility and college admission.
| Aspect | Qualifying Marks | Cut Off |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Minimum marks required to qualify NEET exam | Minimum marks or rank needed for college admission |
| Purpose | Exam eligibility | College and course admission |
| Who Decides | NTA based on percentiles | Colleges/states during counseling rounds |
| Fixed or Variable | Set according to percentile; varies slightly each year | Highly variable; changes with competition and seat matrix |
| Implication | You can apply for counseling if qualified | A seat is allotted only if your marks meet or exceed the cutoff |
This comparison highlights that qualifying marks establish your eligibility for counseling, while the cutoff determines your actual admission to a specific medical college and course.
Qualifying marks in the exam are the minimum scores you must obtain to be declared “qualified.” The National Testing Agency (NTA) decides these marks based on percentile, not absolute scores, making you eligible to participate in further admission processes like counseling for MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical courses.
| Category | NEET 2026 Exam Qualifying Cutoff (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General / UR | 140- 170 |
| EWS | 125- 150 |
| OBC | 110–140 |
| SC | 115- 140 |
| ST | 115- 140 |
These expected qualifying scores indicate the minimum marks required across various categories to become eligible for NEET 2026 counseling.
The NEET cut off refers to the minimum marks or rank required to secure admission into a specific medical college, course, or category. It represents the closing rank or last admitted student’s score in each category. Unlike qualifying marks, this cutoff is highly dynamic, changing annually based on factors like seat availability, exam difficulty, number of applicants, and category-wise trends. Colleges and states announce their own cut off marks during counseling rounds, which can differ significantly between government and private colleges, as well as between states.
| 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 |
These safe scores provide an estimate for securing government or private college seats, demonstrating that actual admission cutoffs are significantly higher than the minimum qualifying marks.
For the General Category, the expected qualifying cutoff for the exam is 140-170 marks. However, to secure a government college seat, a safe score of 555-575 marks is typically needed, while private colleges may require 450-600+ marks.
Factors Influencing NEET 2026 Cutoff Scores
Understanding the NEET 2026 cutoff involves analyzing several critical factors. The difficulty level of the examination, the number of candidates, and seat availability significantly influence the final scores required for admission, with cut-offs generally expected to rise due to in
| Paper Type | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Paper | 600–620 | 575–590 | 460–480 | 450–470 |
| Moderate Paper | 580–600 | 550–570 | 430–450 | 420–440 |
| Tough Paper | 550–570 | 530–545 | 400–420 | 390–410 |
This table illustrates the projected cut-off ranges for NEET 2026 across different categories, highlighting how the paper’s difficulty level directly impacts the minimum scores required for qualification.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Number of applicants | More students = higher competition = higher cut-off |
| Seat availability | Very few seats vs huge applications increases difficulty |
| Question paper level | Conceptual / numerical questions make exam tough |
| Overall performance of students | If more students score high → cut-offs rise |
These key factors demonstrate the complex interplay of elements that determine the overall challenge of the exam and ultimately influence the required scores.
| Year | No. of Applicants | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24.4 Lakhs | Moderate-Tough |
| 2024 | 23.8 Lakhs | Moderate |
| 2023 | 20.8 Lakhs | Easy-Moderate |
| 2022 | 18 Lakh | Tough |
| 2021 | 16 Lakh | Moderate |
| 2020 | 15.9 Lakh | Easy |
Historical data from previous years reveals a clear trend: as the number of applicants increased, the difficulty level of the exam often correlated with the resulting cut-offs.
| Exam Level | Cut-off Impact |
|---|---|
| Easy Paper | Cut-off increases |
| Moderate Paper | Cut-off remains stable |
| Tough Paper | Cut-off decreases |
This table summarizes how the overall difficulty level of the paper directly influences whether the cut-off for the exam will increase, remain stable, or decrease.
- Expected Applicants: Over 24 lakh students are expected to appear for the exam.
- Expected Difficulty: The NEET 2026 paper is anticipated to be Moderate-Tough.
- Competition Impact: Increased competition from more applicants will likely raise cut-offs for government MBBS seats.
- Candidate Numbers: More candidates competing for seats directly increases the cut-off.
- Seat Availability: Limited government MBBS seats significantly intensify competition.
- Student Performance: If many students score well, the cut-off tends to rise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NEET 2026 qualifying marks and admission cutoffs?
Qualifying marks are the minimum scores required to be eligible for NEET 2026, while admission cutoffs represent the final score or rank at which admissions close for various categories in specific colleges.
Who publishes the NEET 2026 cutoff for State Quota seats?
For the 85% of government medical college seats allocated under the State Quota, respective State Counselling Authorities, such as the CEE/DME, publish the NEET 2026 cutoff.
What are the expected qualifying percentile requirements for different categories in NEET 2026?
General/EWS candidates need to achieve the 50th percentile for qualifying, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates require the 40th percentile.
What is considered a safe score for Unreserved (UR) candidates to secure a Government College through All India Quota (AIQ) in NEET 2026?
The safe score for Unreserved (UR) candidates to secure a Government College through All India Quota (AIQ) is expected to be around 620.
What factors influence the state-wise MBBS admission scores for NEET 2026?
Key factors influencing state-wise MBBS admission scores include seat availability, state reservation policy, candidate numbers, previous trends, and exam difficulty.
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