NEET cutoff 2026 has been released for candidates who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate examination. The NEET 2026 cutoff determines whether a candidate has qualified for the medical counselling process, but qualifying NEET alone does not guarantee admission to an MBBS college.
The National Testing Agency releases the NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff marks, while admission cutoffs are determined during counselling based on All India Rank, category, quota, college preference, number of seats and counselling round.
For NEET UG 2026, General and EWS candidates require at least 213 marks to meet the qualifying cutoff, while the minimum qualifying mark for OBC, SC and ST candidates is 177. However, the NEET cutoff 2026 for MBBS admission to government medical colleges is considerably higher because admission depends on rank rather than only the qualifying score.
The cutoff changes every year depending on factors such as examination difficulty, number of applicants, seat availability, reservation policies, and counselling preferences. This article covers NEET UG 2026 cutoff, category-wise qualifying marks, MBBS admission cutoff trends, previous year college cutoffs, and factors affecting medical admissions.
NEET cutoff 2026: Latest updates
The NTA NEET UG 2026 cutoff has been released along with the NEET UG result 2026. Candidates who meet the qualifying cutoff become eligible to participate in counselling for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other undergraduate medical programmes.
MCC is conducting counselling for All India Quota seats, AIIMS, JIPMER, central universities, deemed universities and other participating institutions. State counselling authorities separately conduct admissions for eligible state quota seats.
The latest NEET UG 2026 cutoff updates are provided below.
| NEET UG 2026 Update | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting authority | National Testing Agency |
| NEET 2026 result | Released |
| Qualifying cutoff | Released |
| Maximum score | 720 |
| General/EWS qualifying percentile | 50th percentile |
| OBC/SC/ST qualifying percentile | 40th percentile |
| General/EWS qualifying marks | 715–213 |
| OBC/SC/ST qualifying marks | 212–177 |
| AIQ counselling authority | Medical Counselling Committee |
| Official NEET website | neet.nta.nic.in |
| Official counselling website | mcc.nic.in |
Note: Candidates should remember that NEET cutoff marks 2026 for qualification and the cutoff required to actually obtain an MBBS seat are two different figures.
NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff marks
The NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff marks indicate the minimum performance required to qualify for NEET counselling. The qualifying cutoff only determines counselling eligibility. It does not represent the minimum marks required for admission to a government medical college. Candidates can check official examination updates through the NEET UG official website.
The NEET 2026 qualifying marks vs percentile are shown below.
| Category | NEET 2026 cutoff percentile | NEET UG cutoff marks 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 50th percentile | 715–213 |
| EWS | 50th percentile | 715–213 |
| OBC | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| SC | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| ST | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| General/EWS-PwBD | 45th percentile | 212–194 |
| OBC/SC-PwBD | 40th percentile | 193–177 |
| ST-PwBD | 40th percentile | 191–178 |
Note: The NEET UG qualifying marks 2026 should not be interpreted as government medical college admission marks. A General-category candidate scoring 213 has qualified for NEET, but that score is not sufficient for most government MBBS seats.
NEET cutoff 2026 for general category
The NEET cutoff 2026 for General category candidates is the 50th percentile. The corresponding NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff range is 715 to 213. Therefore, 213 is the minimum qualifying score for the General category in NEET UG 2026.
For MBBS admission, however, General-category students usually need a substantially higher score and a competitive All India Rank. Government medical college cutoffs depend on whether the candidate is applying under the 15% All India Quota, state quota, or another institutional quota.
Candidates should therefore analyse their AIR along with their marks instead of using 213 as an MBBS admission cutoff.
NEET cutoff 2026 for OBC category
The NEET cutoff 2026 for OBC category candidates is the 40th percentile. The corresponding NEET 2026 qualifying marks range is 212 to 177.
Candidates scoring 177 marks or above meet the minimum OBC qualifying requirement. The actual NEET cutoff 2026 for MBBS admission can be much higher. OBC candidates should compare their category rank and All India Rank with college-wise closing ranks released during counselling.
NEET cutoff 2026 for SC and ST categories
SC and ST candidates need to meet the 40th percentile requirement to qualify for NEET UG 2026. The qualifying marks range for both categories is 212 to 177. The final admission cutoff varies according to category rank, state or All India quota, college preference and counselling round.
Candidates should not assume that reaching the qualifying score guarantees an MBBS seat. The college-wise cutoff is determined during the seat allotment process.
Note: For All India Quota medical counselling, candidates can check updates through the official Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) website.
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NEET qualifying cutoff vs MBBS admission cutoff: Difference
One of the biggest areas of confusion among students is the difference between the NEET qualifying cutoff and the NEET cutoff 2026 for MBBS admission. Many candidates mistake the NEET qualifying cutoff for the medical college admission cutoff. Both have different purposes in the admission process.
For example, a General-category student needs 213 marks to qualify for NEET UG 2026, but a candidate seeking AIIMS New Delhi needs an All India Rank near the very top of the merit list. Therefore, students searching “what will be the cutoff of NEET 2026?” should first identify whether they mean the qualifying cutoff or a college admission cutoff.
The qualifying cutoff is released by NTA and determines whether a candidate has cleared NEET UG. The admission cutoff is decided during counselling and represents the last rank or score at which a seat is allotted in a particular college.
NEET 2026 cutoff for top government medical colleges
The NEET cutoff 2026 for MBBS government colleges depends on rank, category, quota, college preference, and counselling round. MCC Round 1 data shows that the overall closing rank for General category MBBS seats in the reported counselling data extended to AIR 22,342. OBC closed at 23,075, EWS at 27,179, SC at 1,04,921, and ST at 1,32,111 in the reported Round 1 data.
Government medical colleges generally receive high demand because of lower fees, clinical exposure, and established teaching hospitals. As a result, the admission cutoff is significantly higher than the minimum NEET qualifying cutoff. The following Round 1 General-category closing ranks indicate how competitive some of India’s leading medical colleges are.
| Medical colleges | Opening rank | Closing rank |
|---|---|---|
| MMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi | 56 | 124 |
| Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi | 60 | 129 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 12 | 300 |
| Madras Medical College, Chennai | 325 | 672 |
| Government Medical College, Chandigarh | 139 | 704 |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | 251 | 830 |
| IMS BHU, Varanasi | 203 | 1,043 |
| King George’s Medical University, Lucknow | 308 | 1,349 |
| IPGMER, Kolkata | 1,012 | 3,368 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU | 1,261 | 4,310 |
NEET 2026 cutoff for AIIMS colleges
AIIMS institutes remain among the most preferred medical colleges in India. Admission to AIIMS MBBS programmes is conducted through NEET UG counselling, and candidates need a highly competitive All India Rank.
The cutoff becomes less competitive as the closing rank increases, but admission to AIIMS remains highly competitive across campuses. Candidates should check category-specific closing ranks because General, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST cutoffs are different.
The NEET 2026 Round 1 General category closing ranks for selected AIIMS institutes are given below.
| AIIMS institutes | NEET 2026 General closing rank |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 51 |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | 343 |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | 537 |
| AIIMS Bhopal | 567 |
| AIIMS Bhubaneswar | 664 |
| AIIMS Nagpur | 792 |
| AIIMS Raipur | 1,008 |
| AIIMS Mangalagiri | 1,314 |
| AIIMS Patna | 1,593 |
| AIIMS Bathinda | 1,630 |
| AIIMS Bibinagar | 1,705 |
| AIIMS Rajkot | 2,039 |
NEET 2026 score required for admission to AIIMS Delhi
AIIMS institutes remain among the most preferred medical colleges in India. Admission to AIIMS MBBS programmes is conducted through NEET UG counselling, and candidates need a highly competitive All India Rank.
The cutoff becomes less competitive as the closing rank increases, but admission to AIIMS remains highly competitive across campuses. Candidates should check category-specific closing ranks because General, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST cutoffs are different.
The NEET 2026 Round 1 General category closing ranks for selected AIIMS institutes are given below.
| Category | AIIMS Delhi Round 1 closing rank |
|---|---|
| General | 51 |
| OBC | 192 |
| EWS | 292 |
| SC | 793 |
| ST | 987 |
NEET 2026 marks vs rank
NEET marks vs rank helps candidates understand the approximate All India Rank associated with a particular score. The relation between marks and rank changes every year depending on exam difficulty, number of candidates and overall candidate performance.
The following NEET 2026 marks vs rank data can help candidates understand their admission position.
| NEET 2026 marks | Approximate AIR |
|---|---|
| 715 | AIR 1–2 |
| 700 | Around 19 |
| 681 | Around 253 |
| 660 | Around 883 |
| 640 | Around 2,235 |
| 620–622 | Around 4,700 |
| 600 | Around 10,469 |
| 575 | Around 20,000 |
| 560 | Around 29,500 |
| 535 | Around 50,000 |
| 500 | Around 90,000 |
| 483 | Around 1,14,000 |
| 474 | Around 1,27,000 |
| 469 | Around 1,34,000 |
| 460 | Around 1,50,000 |
| 450–451 | Around 1,65,000 |
| 400 | Around 2,70,000 |
| 350–355 | Around 4,00,000 |
| 300 | Around 6,00,000 |
What is a safe score in NEET 2026?
There is no single safe score in NEET 2026 because admission depends on the candidate’s category, state, quota, and target college. A score that may provide admission opportunities in one state or category may not be sufficient for another.
The following NEET 2026 marks vs rank pattern provides a more useful way to understand score competitiveness. Candidates should not treat these ranges as guaranteed admission cutoffs. Actual admission depends on counselling closing ranks.
| Score range | General admission position |
|---|---|
| 680+ | Competitive for several top medical colleges |
| 650–679 | Strong position for many government colleges |
| 600–649 | Competitive government MBBS range depending on college and category |
| 550–599 | Government and private opportunities depend strongly on category and quota |
| 500–549 | State, category, and private medical options become more important |
| 450–499 | Limited General category government MBBS options; private options become more relevant |
| 400–449 | Admission depends strongly on category, state, and private college availability |
| Below 400 | BDS, AYUSH, private colleges, and other medical course options may need to be considered |
NEET 2026 qualifying marks vs percentile
The NEET 2026 cutoff percentile and qualifying marks are related but are not the same. Percentile represents the relative performance of a candidate compared with other candidates appearing for the examination. Marks represent the actual score secured in the examination.
| Category | Required percentile | Qualifying marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th percentile | 715–213 |
| OBC | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| SC | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| ST | 40th percentile | 212–177 |
| General/EWS PwD | 45th percentile | 212–194 |
Note: The qualifying percentile can remain similar from year to year, while the marks corresponding to that percentile can change because of changes in candidate performance and examination difficulty.
MBBS 2026 admission for government medical colleges
The NEET MBBS admission cutoff for government colleges cannot be represented by one score. It varies considerably between colleges, states, categories, and counselling quotas.
MCC Round 1 data shows that the overall General-category MBBS closing rank across participating AIQ institutions extended to around AIR 22,342, although the most sought-after colleges closed much earlier. Candidates targeting government MBBS seats should analyse their expected NEET rank instead of depending only on marks.
Government medical colleges have some of the highest NEET cutoffs because they offer affordable fees, established hospitals, and strong clinical exposure. The competition remains high due to limited MBBS seats compared with the number of applicants.
| Admission target | Expected NEET score range |
|---|---|
| Top government medical colleges | 650+ marks range is generally competitive |
| Established government colleges | Around 600–650 marks range |
| State quota government seats | Depends on state competition |
| Reserved category seats | Varies according to category rank |
Note: The required score depends on whether the candidate applies through the All India Quota (AIQ) or state quota. Category, domicile benefits, counselling round, and college preference also influence the final cutoff.
MBBS admission 2026 for AIIMS, JIPMER and top medical colleges
AIIMS institutes, JIPMER, and other centrally preferred medical colleges usually have highly competitive closing ranks. Since admission is conducted through NEET UG counselling, candidates compete based on their All India Rank.
The required score varies every year because the cutoff depends on:
- Number of seats available
- Candidate preferences
- Category-wise reservation
- Difficulty level of the NEET exam
- Counselling round
Candidates targeting top medical colleges should focus on achieving a strong All India Rank rather than only clearing the qualifying cutoff.
| Institute | Course | Admission route |
|---|---|---|
|
AIIMS New Delhi |
MBBS |
NEET UG + MCC counselling |
|
JIPMER Puducherry |
MBBS |
NEET UG + MCC counselling |
|
Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi |
MBBS |
NEET UG counselling |
|
VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi |
MBBS |
NEET UG counselling |
|
Grant Medical College, Mumbai |
MBBS |
NEET UG counselling |
NEET 2026 expected marks for government MBBS admission
No fixed NEET score guarantees government MBBS admission. The required marks change every year based on competition, state quota, category, and college preference.
Previous admission trends indicate that candidates usually require a significantly higher score than the qualifying cutoff to secure a government MBBS seat.
| Target | Approximate competitive score range |
|---|---|
|
Top government medical colleges |
650+ |
|
Popular government colleges |
620–650 |
|
Other government MBBS seats |
Depends on state and category |
|
Private medical colleges |
Depends on fees and counselling |
Note: Candidates should compare their expected rank with previous year closing ranks for a more accurate estimate.
Previous year NEET cutoff: opening and closing rank for top medical colleges
NEET UG opening and closing ranks help candidates understand the rank range within which students secured admission to medical colleges during the counselling process. The opening rank represents the highest-ranked candidate who secured a seat, while the closing rank represents the last rank allotted for that college and course in a particular counselling round.
The NEET admission cutoff rank changes every year depending on factors such as the number of applicants, difficulty level of the exam, seat availability, category, counselling round, and college preference.
The following table provides previous years’ opening and closing rank trends for some of the top medical colleges in India.
NEET cutoff 2025 for top government medical colleges (MBBS)
NEET cutoff 2025 for top government medical colleges shows the opening and closing rank range at which candidates secured MBBS seats during counselling. The cutoff varies based on college, category, quota, seat availability, and counselling round.
Candidates can use previous year cutoff ranks to estimate admission chances and prepare their college preference list. The table below shows the previous year cutoffs of different institutes.
| Name of Medical College | Course | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi | MBBS | 1 | 47 |
| Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi | MBBS | 53 | 87 |
| Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi | MBBS | 108 | 165 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry | MBBS | 55 | 350 |
| Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | MBBS | 250 | 1,300 |
| Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh | MBBS | 150 | 700 |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | MBBS | 300 | 1,500 |
| King George’s Medical University, Lucknow | MBBS | 250 | 2,000 |
| Madras Medical College, Chennai | MBBS | 350 | 3,000 |
| Grant Medical College, Mumbai | MBBS | 700 | 4,000 |
Note: The opening and closing ranks mentioned above are based on previous counselling trends. Actual cutoff ranks vary every year according to category, quota, counselling round, and seat availability.
Factors affecting NEET cutoff 2026
NEET cutoff changes every year because the admission process depends on several factors related to examination performance, competition, and seat availability. A higher number of candidates scoring well can increase the cutoff, while a difficult question paper may affect the marks required for a similar rank.
The NEET cutoff marks 2026 and college-wise admission cutoff depend on several factors. The major factors affecting NEET UG cutoff include:
- Number of candidates appearing for NEET UG
- Difficulty level of the question paper
- Number of available MBBS and BDS seats
- Candidate score distribution
- Category-wise reservation criteria
- College preference during counselling
- State quota and All India Quota seats
- Number of counselling rounds conducted
Note: Fee waivers and financial assistance are available for eligible students according to government and institute rules.
How many marks are required for government MBBS admission through NEET 2026?
The marks required for government MBBS admission through NEET 2026 depend on the candidate’s rank, category, state quota, and preferred medical college. No fixed score guarantees admission because the cutoff changes every year based on competition and seat availability.
Candidates targeting top government medical colleges generally require a very high NEET score and rank. However, the required marks may vary significantly between states because of differences in the number of applicants and available seats.
| Admission Target | NEET Score Requirement Trend |
|---|---|
|
Top government medical colleges |
Very high score and rank required |
|
Central government medical colleges |
Highly competitive |
|
State government medical colleges |
Depends on state quota and category |
|
Private medical colleges |
Varies according to college and fees |
Note: Students should compare their expected NEET rank with previous year counselling closing ranks for a better admission estimate.
How to check NEET cutoff 2026?
Candidates can check NEET UG cutoff details after the result declaration through the official NTA NEET UG website. The qualifying cutoff is mentioned in the result and scorecard details.
Candidates applying through MCC should check mcc.nic.in for All India counselling information, seat allotment results, and college-wise counselling updates.
For state quota admission, candidates should use the official website of the respective state counselling authority. The steps to check NEET cutoff are as follows:
What happens after qualifying NEET cutoff 2026?
Qualifying NEET UG allows candidates to participate in the counselling process. After qualification, candidates need to register for counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats and respective state authorities for state quota seats.
The counselling process generally includes:
- Registration for counselling
- Choice filling and locking
- Seat allotment
- Document verification
- Reporting to the allotted college
Note: Candidates should prepare their college preference list carefully by considering their NEET rank, category, previous cutoff trends, and course preference.
NEET cutoff 2026: Important points to remember
Before analysing NEET cutoff trends, candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Qualifying NEET does not guarantee an MBBS seat.
- College admission depends on rank, category, and counselling.
- Previous year cutoff ranks are only reference data.
- Government college cutoffs are usually higher due to competition.
- Cutoffs change every year based on exam and admission factors.
- Candidates should check official counselling updates before making final choices.
NEET cutoff 2026: Key takeaways
NEET cutoff 2026 helps candidates understand both examination qualification and medical college admission requirements. Candidates should compare their NEET score, AIR, category, and quota with current college-wise counselling closing ranks before estimating admission chances.
The NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff for General and EWS candidates is 715–213 marks at the 50th percentile. OBC, SC and ST candidates have a qualifying range of 212–177 marks at the 40th percentile. However, NEET 2026 qualifying marks should not be treated as MBBS admission cutoffs. Government medical colleges, AIIMS, JIPMER, and other competitive institutes require considerably stronger All India Ranks.
MCC has already published Round 1 and Round 2 UG counselling results for 2026, so candidates should use current counselling data wherever available instead of depending only on predicted NEET cutoffs.
Planning your MBBS admission after NEET 2026? Understand qualifying cutoffs, category-wise marks, and college admission requirements to make informed decisions
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