NEET UG 2026 Cutoff: Category-Wise Qualifying Marks, Rank & College-Wise Analysis
NEET UG 2026 cutoffs for MBBS government seats are expected to remain competitive, generally requiring 595–612+ marks for General/OBC in AIQ, while state quotas (e.g., Karnataka) may see lower cutoffs (520–580 for General). Qualifying marks are typically 50th percentile (Gen) and 40th percentile (SC/ST/OBC).
Based on increasing competition and recent trends, the NEET UG 2026 cutoff for qualifying is expected to remain high, with UR/General category qualifying scores likely around the 50th percentile, roughly 135-720 marks. For competitive government MBBS seats (AIQ), a score of 610+ is projected, while reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST) may face cutoffs in the range of 107-134.
The cutoff is released in two forms qualifying cutoff, announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in percentile and marks, and admission cutoff, determined later by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state authorities based on seat allotment. Since NEET cutoffs change every year due to exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability, analysing official 2025 data is the most reliable way to predict NEET UG 2026 cutoff trends.
NEET UG 2026 cutoff refers to the minimum marks and rank required to qualify for counselling and secure admission to MBBS or BDS courses through All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota.
The cutoff is released in two stages — qualifying cutoff, announced by NTA in percentile and marks, and admission cutoff, determined by MCC and state counselling authorities based on seat allotment. NEET UG cutoff varies every year depending on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability.
Expected NEET UG 2026 Cutoff Trends
- General (UR): 520–580+ marks.
- OBC: 505–565+ marks.
- EWS: 500–555+ marks.
- SC: 410–470+ marks.
- ST: 380–440+ marks.
- PWD: ~120+ marks.
NEET UG 2026 Cutoff Category, Rank & College-Wise Projections
1. Qualifying Cutoff vs. Admission Cutoff
Before looking at the numbers, you must understand that there are two different cutoffs you’ll deal with:
- Qualifying Cutoff: This is the minimum score required to be “eligible’’ for the counselling process. In 2025, for the General category, this was 144 marks. Scoring this doesn’t guarantee a seat; it only means you didn’t fail.
- Admission Cutoff: This is the closing rank or the score of the very last student who got into a specific medical college. For top-tier colleges, this number is significantly higher than the qualifying marks like for India’s top medical college AIIMS Delhi, this is usually within the top 50 ranks.
To see how these marks translate into the competitive ladder, read our detailed analytical blog NEET-2026 Percentile vs Rank.
Crucial Note: Passing the exam with 150 marks is mathematically a “success,’’ but it will not get you a seat in a Government Medical College (GMC).
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2. Expected Qualifying Cutoff 2026 (Category-Wise)
Based on the official 2025 results released by the NTA, the qualifying ranges have seen a slight dip due to increased paper complexity. Here is what to expect for 2026:
| Category | Percentile Criteria | 2025 Actuals (Official Marks) | 2026 Expected Range |
| UR / EWS | 50th Percentile | 144 | 145 – 165 |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th Percentile | 113 | 115 – 130 |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 45th Percentile | 127 | 130 – 145 |
| PwBD (OBC/SC/ST) | 40th Percentile | 113 | 115 – 130 |
3. College-Wise Closing Ranks: Where the Race Ends.
If you want to enter a premier institute, your focus must be on the All-India Rank (AIR). This is the most authentic way to set a target. Based on the 2025 toppers’ data and official closing trends, here is what the 2026 targets look like:
Qualifying vs Admission Cutoff
- Top AIIMS (Delhi, Jodhpur, etc.): You generally need to be in the Top 500 AIR. In 2025, this meant scoring roughly 670+ marks.
- State Top Government Colleges: For a general category student, the “Safe Zone” usually closes around AIR 20,000 to 25,000.
- Peripheral Government Colleges: The last seats in AIQ (All India Quota) often close around AIR 45,000 to 50,000, which historically requires a score of 500+ marks.
Expected NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Cutoff (Category-wise)
Based on 2025 admission data, here are the closing ranks for the most sought-after government medical colleges:
| Medical College | General (AIR) | OBC (AIR) | SC (AIR) | ST (AIR) |
| AIIMS, New Delhi | 48 | 207 | 644 | 1,405 |
| MAMC, New Delhi | 103 | 381 | 5,218 | 5,543 |
| VMMC, New Delhi | 132 | 232 | 2,934 | 7,556 |
| JIPMER, Puducherry | 258 | 748 | 3,877 | 12,503 |
| IMS-BHU, Varanasi | 1,165 | 1,808 | 20,606 | 28,782 |
4. Quota Impact: AIQ vs. State Quota
Remember that 15% of seats in all government colleges are filled via the All-India Quota (AIQ), where competition is national and cutoffs are high. The remaining 85% are State Quota seats, where students with domicile certificates often find seats at slightly lower scores. For a general category student, while AIQ might close around 620–640 marks, some State Quotas can go down to 580–600 depending on the state. The official 2025 record shows that Rank 1,00,000 was at 464 marks. However, in 2024 (an easier paper), that same rank might have required over 500 marks.
MyExams takeaway: Don’t get comfortable with a specific score. If the 2026 paper is easy, the cutoff will shoot. If it’s tough, then it will drop.
Key Strategic Correlation (KSC Insight)
The trend from 2025 clearly shows that the “safe score’’ is a myth. As competition crosses the 24-lakh mark, even a score of 600 can sometimes leave you without a seat in a top-tier college. The only way to guarantee a seat is to aim for consistency in high-difficulty mocks. Using the ABHIJAY Test Serieswill help you measure your performance against the actual national average, ensuring you are not surprised by the final cutoff list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the cut off marks for NEET 2026?
A:-The NEET 2026 cut-off is expected to remain competitive, with qualifying percentiles fixed (50th UR, 40th OBC/SC/ST), but actual marks likely rising due to increased competition, aiming for 610+ for government MBBS, 685-710+ for top colleges, and 590+ for OBCs, with official figures released after the exam, typically around June 2026, varying greatly by paper difficulty and seat availability.
2. What will be the expected NEET UG 2026 cutoff marks?
A:-
Based on official NEET 2025 cutoff data, the expected NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff is likely to remain in a similar range. For UR/EWS, it may fall between 145–165 marks, while for OBC/SC/ST, it may range from 115–130 marks. The final cutoff will depend on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and overall performance.
3. Is NEET rank more important than marks for MBBS admission?
A:- Yes. NEET rank is more important than marks for MBBS admission because counselling and seat allotment are done strictly on the basis of All India Rank (AIR). Even a small difference in marks can lead to a large rank shift due to high competition, which directly impacts college allocation.
4. Is 550 marks enough for a government seat in 2026?
A:- For a General category student in a competitive state like Delhi or Rajasthan, 550 is usually not enough for a government seat. However, for reserved categories (SC/ST), this could be a winning score in many states.
5. What happens if I score exactly the qualifying marks?
A. You will be eligible to apply for private medical colleges or study MBBS abroad, but due to the low score you will not secure a seat in a government medical college through the merit list.
6. Does the cutoff change in every round of counseling?
A. Yes, cutoffs generally drop slightly in the second and mop-up rounds as students vacate seats for better options, but for top colleges like AIIMS Delhi, Jodhpur and Rishikesh the change is almost nil.
7. Are the cutoffs different for “MBBS’’ and “BDS’’?
A. Yes, BDS (Dental) cutoffs are significantly lower than MBBS. If your rank is around 30,000–50,000, you have better chance of securing dental seat in a government college.
8. Will the cutoff of NEET UG be higher in 2026?
A. It depends on the difficulty. However, with more students appearing, the rank cutoff (closing rank) usually gets tighter every year
9. Does NTA decide the final admission cutoff?
A. No. NTA only conducts the exam and provides the rank. The final admission cutoffs are decided by the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) based on student choices.