Based on an initial analysis of the NEET UG 2026 examination, the expected cutoff for NEET 2026 is as follows: 700–135 for General/EWS (50th percentile), 150–120 for OBC/SC/ST (40th percentile), 150–110 for UR/EWS-PwD (45th percentile), and 120–110 for OBC/SC/ST-PwD (40th percentile). These are merely estimated figures, and the actual cutoff may turn out to be higher or lower. Following the declaration of the NEET UG 2026 results, the National Testing Agency will soon release the official cutoff for NEET 2026.
The NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3, 2026. Approximately 23 lakh candidates appeared for this examination and are now eagerly awaiting to check the NEET 2026 cutoff. The cutoff represents the minimum score required to qualify for the examination. Any candidate securing a score lower than this is not considered eligible for the subsequent stage. Ahead, in this blog, you will find information regarding the expected cutoff for NEET 2026, category-wise cutoff details, cutoffs for admission into government and private medical colleges, and trends observed in the cutoffs from previous years.
NEET 2026 Expected Cutoff for General, OBC, SC, ST & EWS
This year, there may be slight changes in the NEET UG cutoff. As per the expert analysis, a stable percentile is expected this year, but the qualifying marks may be shifted directly depending on the overall exam difficulty and candidates’ performance. To get an idea of the category-wise expected cutoff for NEET 2026, you should go through the table below.
NEET 2026 Marks Required for MBBS
| Category | NEET 2026 Expected Safe Score for MBBS Admission |
| General | 700 – 135 |
| OBC/ SC/ ST | 150 – 120 |
| UR/ EWS-PwD | 150 – 110 |
| OBC/ SC/ ST -PwD | 120 – 110 |
Category-Wise Cutoff Percentile for NEET 2026 (Standard)
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to be eligible for counselling. NTA uses the percentile-based mechanism, and each category requires this percentile score to participate in the NEET 2026 counselling process. Check out the category-wise cutoff percentile required for students:
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
| General/ EWS | 50th Percentile |
| OBC/ SC/ ST | 40th Percentile |
| UR/EWS – PwD | 45th Percentile |
| OBC/ SC/ ST – PwD | 40th Percentile |
Predicted Cutoff for NEET 2026 Government Medical Seats
The NEET 2026 expected cutoff for government medical college admission is likely to be higher as general/ OBC requires 550 – 620+ marks, 570 – 610+ marks for EWS, 555 – 600+ marks for OBC, and 470 – 520+ marks for SC/ ST. The final cutoff for NEET 2026 for government medical seats will vary with the available state quota. To get the NEET 2026 expected government seat cutoff, may check the table below.
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| Category | Expected Cutoff for NEET 2026 |
| General | 580 – 620+ |
| EWS | 570 – 610+ |
| OBC | 555 – 600+ |
| SC & ST | 470 – 520+ |
NOTE: The final cutoff may slightly change, and to get admission in top medical colleges, such as AIIMS, etc., requires a higher cutoff like 650 – 700+ marks. In some states, scoring below 520 may reduce the chances of admission to the government medical colleges.
NEET 2026 Expected Cutoff for Private Medical College Seat
Even if you miss the opportunity to secure admission to government medical colleges, you still have the chance to enrol in renowned private medical colleges, provided that you meet the required NEET 2026 cutoff for private institutions. As of now, around 52 thousand private MBBS seats across 710 colleges in India offer the medical course admission through NEET.
| Category | Predicted NEET 2026 Cutoff for Private Medical College Admission |
| General/ EWS | 550 – 650+ Marks |
| OBC-NCL | 480 – 600 Marks |
| SC/ ST | 350 – 550 Marks |
| General – PwD | 450 – 580 Marks |
NEET Previous Year Cutoff Trends (2021 – 2025)
You should analyse the NEET previous cutoff trend to predict the NEET 2026 expected cutoff. Based on the following table, we see an upward trend in the NEET cutoff due to rising competition. This year, the NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff may go very high compared to the previous trend.
| Category | NEET 2021 Cutoff | NEET 2022 Cutoff | NEET 2023 Cutoff | NEET 2024 Cutoff | NEET 2025 Cut Off |
| UR/ EWS | 686 – 144 | 720 – 162 | 720 – 137 | 715 – 117 | 720 – 138 |
| UR/EWS – PwD | 143 – 127 | 161 – 144 | 136 – 121 | 116 – 105 | 137 – 122 |
| OBC/ST/SC | 143-113 | 161 – 127 | 136 – 107 | 116 – 93 | 137 – 108 |
| OBC/ST/SC- PwD | 126 – 113 | 143 – 127 | 120 – 107 | 104 – 93 | 121 – 108 |
NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks vs Admission Cutoff
Are you confused between the NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff and the NEET 2026 admission cutoff? If so, here’s a clear explanation. The qualifying cutoff indicates the minimum score or percentile score required just to pass the NEET Exam. The admission cutoff is the actual score needed to get a seat in a specific college for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other courses.
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Generally, the admission cutoff depends on the total number of MBBS seats, state quota competition, college preference, counselling rounds and category. To understand better, follow the table below.
| Aspect | NEET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff | NEET 2026 Admission Cutoff |
| Meaning | Passing marks | Seat-getting marks |
| Purpose | Eligibility for counselling | Admission to college |
| Release by | NTA | MCC / State / Colleges |
| Same for all colleges? | Yes (category-wise) | No, varies by college |
| Guarantees a seat? | No | Yes, if you reach it |
Factors Affecting NEET 2026 Cutoff Scores
Every year, the NEET Exam Cutoff remains different and directly or indirectly impacts candidates’ performance and ranking. The main reasons for this NEET cutoff fluctuation are as follows.
- Exam Difficulty Level: The NEET UG cutoff depends entirely on the difficulty level of the examination paper. If the paper is difficult, the cutoff may decrease; conversely, if the difficulty level of the paper is easy, the cutoff may increase.
- Availability of Seats: A limited availability of seats requires a higher cutoff; as the total number of seats increases, the chances of getting admission become higher. Typically, the seat matrix influences the NEET UG 2026 cutoff year by year.
- Number of Participants: The NEET UG Cutoff also depends on the number of candidates who took the exam. This year, the number is larger than in previous years. So, the NEET 2026 cutoff may also rise this year.
- Changes in NTA Policy: It is also a factor that commonly affects the NEET Cutoff. Policy changes directly affect the overall performance trends of the exam.
- Reservation Policy: The reservation policy also affects the NEET Cutoff 2026 because it is influenced by government-mandated reservation quotas, lowering the score compared to the general category.
- Exam Trends: NTA always considers the exam trends to maintain consistency in releasing the NEET exam cutoff.
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NTA Reservation Policy and Its Impact on NEET 2026 Cutoff
The NEET 2026 category-wise reservation is divided into two parallel systems, i.e., 15% All India Quota (AIQ) governed by the Central Government and 85% State Quota governed by respective state governments. The table shows the exact percentage distribution applied to all Central institutes (AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU, and AMU) and to 15% AIQ seats.
| Category | Reservation |
| OBC (NCL) | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% (horizontal) |
| General (UR) | Remaining seats |
NOTE: The reservation doesn’t change the NEET 2026 qualifying marks, but it significantly lowers the category-wise rank required for admission, especially in government medical colleges
Conclusion
This year, the NEET qualifying cutoff 2026 is expected to remain high due to massive competition. The number of applicants had increased significantly from previous years. The NEET cutoff for 2026 is crucial for students to estimate their chances of admission to medical courses across India.
Understanding expected cutoffs and category-wise trends is essential for planning your counselling strategy effectively. So be aware of these cutoffs as they are based on factors like exam difficulty level, number of candidates who have appeared for the exam, and available seats for admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the previous year’s trends, the NEET cut-off marks for 2026 will be
General/ EWS- 700-135,
OBC/ SC/ ST – 150-120,
UR/EWD-PwD – 150-110,
OBC/ SC/ ST-PwD – 120-110.
The cutoff is the minimum qualifying marks, enabling you to participate in the further counselling process. Knowing the cutoff in advance gives you a fair idea of targeting your score and estimating your chances for admission into top medical colleges.
To get admission to an MBBS course in India, you must score at least 600+. However, private colleges may have lower cutoffs.
The validity of the NEET score is only 1 year. You can use the score to get admission only in that year.
No, the qualifying marks for NEET 2026 remain the same for all states. However, the admission cutoff varies from state to state.
This year, in 2026, the NEET examination paper was found to be of a moderate level; therefore, the NEET UG 2026 cutoff is likely to be higher.
Yes, the rapid increase in MBBS seats has created more chances, but it has not made admission easy due to the rising number of participants. However, students who previously missed out on the seat by a small margin have a better chance this year.
