NEET Cutoff 2026: Category-Wise Marks & Expected College Cutoffs

The NEET Cutoff 2026 is one of the most important figures for students who appeared in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) and are now looking for MBBS and BDS admission. The cutoff helps candidates understand whether they have qualified for counselling and, more importantly, how competitive their score or rank is for a particular medical college.

For NEET UG 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the result on July 16, 2026. Nearly 20 lakh candidates appeared for the examination, while around 11.21 lakh candidates qualified for admission to undergraduate medical, dental, AYUSH and allied programmes.

However, candidates should understand one important distinction: NEET qualifying cutoff and NEET college admission cutoff are not the same thing. The qualifying cutoff only determines eligibility. The actual college cutoff depends on factors such as All India Rank, category, quota, number of seats, college preference, domicile rules and counselling rounds.

For 2026, the official qualifying cutoff is considerably different from what many pre-result predictions suggested. The UR/EWS qualifying range is 213–715 marks at the 50th percentile, while OBC, SC and ST candidates have a qualifying range of 177–212 marks at the 40th percentile.

NEET Cutoff 2026: Quick Overview

Here are the key points candidates should know:

Particular	NEET UG 2026 Details
Exam	NEET UG 2026
Maximum Marks	720
Result Date	July 16, 2026
Candidates Appeared	Nearly 20 lakh
Candidates Qualified	11.21 lakh
General/EWS Qualifying Percentile	50th
OBC/SC/ST Qualifying Percentile	40th
General/EWS Cutoff Marks	213–715
OBC/SC/ST Cutoff Marks	177–212
Counselling Authority for AIQ MBBS/BDS	MCC
State Quota Counselling	Respective State Authorities

NTA conducted NEET UG 2026 as the common entrance examination for undergraduate medical education, while counselling and seat allocation are handled by the relevant counselling authorities.

What Is NEET Cutoff 2026?

The term NEET cutoff 2026 can refer to two different things.

The first is the qualifying cutoff, which is released by NTA. It represents the minimum percentile and corresponding marks required to qualify for the next admission process.

The second is the admission cutoff, which represents the last rank or score at which a candidate actually gets a seat in a particular medical college during counselling.

For example, a candidate scoring above the qualifying cutoff may become eligible for counselling but may still not secure an MBBS seat in a government medical college. Highly competitive colleges require significantly higher ranks.

Therefore, simply asking “What is the NEET cutoff 2026?” is not enough. Students should instead ask:

“What NEET rank or score is required for the college and category I want?”

This distinction is particularly important for candidates targeting AIIMS, JIPMER, MAMC, VMMC, BHU, KGMU and other highly preferred government medical colleges.

NEET 2026 Category-Wise Qualifying Cutoff

The official NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff is given below.

Category	Qualifying Percentile	NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks
UR / General	50th Percentile	213–715
General-EWS	50th Percentile	213–715
OBC	40th Percentile	177–212
SC	40th Percentile	177–212
ST	40th Percentile	177–212
UR/EWS-PwBD	45th Percentile	194–212
OBC-PwBD	40th Percentile	177–193
SC-PwBD	40th Percentile	177–193
ST-PwBD	40th Percentile	178–191

The 2026 cutoff marks are based on the official result data reported after the NEET UG 2026 examination.

What Does the 50th Percentile Mean?

For General and EWS candidates, NEET requires performance at or above the 50th percentile.

For OBC, SC and ST candidates, the qualifying requirement is the 40th percentile.

A percentile should not be confused with percentage marks. A percentile indicates a candidate's position relative to other candidates rather than simply the percentage of questions answered correctly.

Is NEET Qualifying Cutoff Enough for Government MBBS Admission?

No.

This is one of the most important points for NEET aspirants.

A candidate who scores 220 marks in NEET 2026 may technically qualify under the applicable category, but that does not mean the candidate will receive an MBBS seat in a government medical college.

Government MBBS admission is highly competitive. The actual admission cutoff can be hundreds of marks higher than the qualifying cutoff.

For example, Round 1 MCC counselling data for 2026 shows that highly preferred government colleges closed at extremely high All India Ranks. AIIMS New Delhi closed around Rank 51 for General candidates in one Round 1 dataset, while MAMC and VMMC were also within the top few hundred ranks.

This demonstrates the huge difference between “qualifying NEET” and “getting a preferred medical college.”

NEET 2026 Expected Score Range for Government MBBS Colleges

There is no single score that guarantees a government MBBS seat because admission depends on category, state, quota and counselling.

Nevertheless, candidates can use the following broad score bands as a planning guide:

NEET Score	General Admission Outlook
700+	Extremely competitive; top AIIMS and premier colleges possible depending on rank
680–699	Excellent; strong chances at several premier government colleges
650–679	Very strong; many government MBBS options
620–649	Competitive for several government colleges, depending on category/state
580–619	Possible government MBBS opportunities, particularly with favourable category/state factors
520–579	Government MBBS chances become highly dependent on category, domicile and counselling
450–519	Reserved-category and state-specific opportunities may exist
Below 450	Government MBBS options become limited; consider BDS, AYUSH, private or other alternatives

These are indicative planning ranges, not guaranteed admission cutoffs. A student's actual NEET rank should always be considered alongside the score.

NEET 2026 Top Government Medical College Cutoffs

The first round of MCC counselling provides a much clearer picture of actual admission competition.

The following are some important Round 1 General-category closing ranks reported for NEET UG 2026:

Medical College	Round 1 Closing Rank
AIIMS New Delhi	51
VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi	124
Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi	129
JIPMER Puducherry	300
AIIMS Jodhpur	343
AIIMS Rishikesh	537
AIIMS Bhubaneswar	664
Government Medical College, Chandigarh	704
IMS-BHU, Varanasi	1,043
KGMU Lucknow	1,349
AIIMS Patna	1,593
AIIMS Raipur	1,008

MCC Round 1 data shows that the most competitive institutions require exceptionally high All India Ranks. For example, AIIMS Delhi, VMMC and MAMC were all within the first few hundred ranks for General-category seats.

AIIMS NEET Cutoff 2026

AIIMS colleges remain among the most sought-after medical institutions in India.

In Round 1 of NEET UG 2026 counselling, the General-category closing ranks reported for selected AIIMS institutes included:

AIIMS	General Closing Rank
AIIMS New Delhi	51
AIIMS Jodhpur	343
AIIMS Bhubaneswar	664
AIIMS Rishikesh	537
AIIMS Bhopal	567
AIIMS Nagpur	792
AIIMS Raipur	1,008
AIIMS Patna	1,593
AIIMS Mangalagiri	1,314
AIIMS Gorakhpur	2,114
AIIMS Kalyani	2,188
AIIMS Guwahati	2,997
AIIMS Madurai	3,421
AIIMS Rewari	3,810

These are Round 1 closing ranks and should not be interpreted as permanent final cutoffs for the entire counselling process. Later rounds can change the closing rank because of upgrades, withdrawals and changes in candidate preferences.

NEET 2026 Cutoff for MAMC, VMMC and JIPMER

Some government medical colleges have especially intense competition.

According to the Round 1 counselling data:

• VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital: General closing rank around 124

• Maulana Azad Medical College: General closing rank around 129

• JIPMER Puducherry: General closing rank around 300

• Government Medical College Chandigarh: General closing rank around 704

• IMS-BHU: General closing rank around 1,043

• KGMU Lucknow: General closing rank around 1,349

These figures show why candidates targeting elite government colleges should focus more on rank than just marks.

NEET Cutoff 2026 for OBC, SC and ST Candidates

 

Reservation categories can significantly change the rank required for a medical seat.

For NEET UG 2026, OBC, SC and ST candidates have a qualifying percentile of 40th, compared with the 50th percentile applicable to General and EWS candidates.

However, qualifying percentile and admission reservation are separate concepts.

A candidate belonging to a reserved category should not assume that the qualifying cutoff itself represents the government college admission cutoff. The actual seat allocation depends on:

• Category

• All India Rank

• Category rank

• State domicile

• AIQ or State Quota

• College

• Course

• Number of available seats

• Counselling round

• Candidate choices

For this reason, a lower score may still provide an opportunity in a particular state or category, while the same score may not be sufficient in another state.

NEET 2026 AIQ vs State Quota Cutoff

NEET counselling is broadly divided into All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota counselling.

MCC conducts counselling for 15% All India Quota MBBS/BDS seats, along with certain central and specified institutions. State counselling authorities handle their respective state-level seats.

All India Quota

AIQ is highly competitive because candidates from different parts of India compete for the available seats.

For popular government colleges, AIQ closing ranks can be extremely low.

State Quota

State counselling can offer additional opportunities because eligibility and competition are influenced by domicile requirements and state-specific reservation policies.

Therefore, a candidate should never evaluate admission chances using only AIQ cutoffs.

What Factors Affect NEET 2026 College Cutoff?

Several factors determine the final cutoff for an MBBS college.

1. NEET Rank

Rank is one of the strongest indicators of admission chances. Two candidates with similar marks may have different admission opportunities depending on their exact rank and category.

2. Difficulty of the Examination

A difficult paper generally reduces the marks obtained by candidates, while an easier paper can increase scores.

NEET 2026 had a very large number of candidates scoring at high levels. NTA reported 138 candidates scoring above 690 marks and 10,160 candidates scoring 600 or more.

3. Number of Candidates

Higher participation means more competition for limited seats.

NTA reported nearly 20 lakh candidates appearing for NEET UG 2026.

4. Number of MBBS Seats

The availability of seats can influence college-wise closing ranks. More seats can sometimes expand admission opportunities, although the effect varies by institution and category.

5. Category

General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST and PwD candidates may have different eligibility and seat-allocation rules.

6. College Preference

Popular institutions receive more high-ranking candidates in their choice lists, resulting in lower closing ranks.

7. Counselling Round

The cutoff can move between Round 1, Round 2, subsequent rounds and the stray vacancy stage.

How to Check Your NEET 2026 Admission Chances

Candidates should follow a practical approach instead of relying on a single cutoff number.

Step 1: Check your NEET 2026 score.

Step 2: Check your All India Rank.

Step 3: Confirm your category and category rank.

Step 4: Decide whether you are applying through AIQ or State Quota.

Step 5: Review previous and current counselling closing ranks.

Step 6: Prepare a list of colleges in three groups: ambitious, realistic and safe.

Step 7: Fill choices strategically during counselling.

The MCC has already published NEET UG 2026 counselling information and Round 1 allotment updates, making current counselling data more useful than pre-result prediction tables.

NEET 2026 Cutoff: Safe Score vs Qualifying Score

One of the most common mistakes students make is confusing a qualifying score with a safe score.

A qualifying score simply means you have crossed the minimum eligibility threshold.

A safe score is an unofficial target that gives you a stronger probability of getting a desirable seat.

For example, scoring 220 marks may be enough to qualify, but it should not be considered a safe score for government MBBS admission.

Candidates targeting government MBBS should therefore set their target substantially above the minimum cutoff.

For highly competitive colleges, the objective should be to achieve an excellent All India Rank, rather than merely crossing the qualifying marks.

NEET Cutoff 2026: What Should Students Do After Results?

Once the NEET result is available, students should not panic if their score is below their preferred college's expected range.

Instead, prepare a comprehensive counselling strategy.

Make a list containing:

1. Top-choice government colleges

2. Other government medical colleges

3. State-quota opportunities

4. Private medical colleges

5. BDS colleges

6. AYUSH options, if relevant

7. Backup courses

Candidates should also regularly check official NTA, MCC and state counselling websites. NTA specifically advises candidates to rely on official websites and warns against fraudulent calls, messages and websites claiming to provide admission or seat blocking.

Final Takeaway

The NEET Cutoff 2026 should be understood at two levels: the qualifying cutoff and the actual college admission cutoff.

For 2026, the official qualifying cutoff is 213–715 marks for UR/EWS at the 50th percentile and 177–212 marks for OBC, SC and ST at the 40th percentile.

But these marks should not be interpreted as the marks required for an MBBS seat.

For top government colleges, the competition is much tougher. Current Round 1 MCC data shows closing ranks of around 51 for AIIMS New Delhi, 124 for VMMC, 129 for MAMC and 300 for JIPMER Puducherry in the General category.

Therefore, students should use their NEET score + All India Rank + category + domicile + counselling quota together when estimating admission chances.

The most important lesson is simple: qualifying NEET is only the first step; securing the right medical college depends on your rank and counselling strategy.

FAQs on NEET Cutoff 2026

What is the NEET cutoff 2026 for General category?

The official NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff for General/UR candidates is the 50th percentile, corresponding to a marks range of approximately 213 to 715.

What is the NEET 2026 cutoff for OBC, SC and ST?

The qualifying cutoff for OBC, SC and ST candidates is the 40th percentile, with the 2026 qualifying marks range reported as 177–212.

Can I get MBBS with 300 marks in NEET 2026?

A score of 300 can qualify a candidate depending on category, but it generally should not be considered a safe score for a government MBBS seat. Admission depends on rank, category, domicile, quota, college and counselling.

What is a good score for government MBBS in NEET 2026?

There is no universal safe score. Generally, a higher score substantially improves options, while candidates targeting highly competitive government colleges should aim for an exceptionally high rank.

What was the NEET 2026 cutoff for AIIMS Delhi?

In MCC Round 1 counselling, AIIMS New Delhi had a General-category closing rank around 51 in the reported AIQ data. Reserved-category closing ranks were different.

Is NEET qualifying cutoff the same as college cutoff?

No. The qualifying cutoff determines eligibility for the admission process, whereas the college cutoff is determined by the actual rank at which a seat is allotted during counselling.

Who conducts NEET UG 2026 counselling?

MCC conducts counselling for the applicable All India Quota MBBS/BDS seats and specified institutions, while respective state authorities conduct state-level counselling.

Can the NEET college cutoff change in later rounds?

Yes. Closing ranks can change from one counselling round to another because of seat upgrades, withdrawals, candidate preferences and vacant seats.

Where can I check official NEET 2026 updates?

Candidates should use the official NTA NEET website for examination and result information and the MCC website for applicable All India counselling updates. NTA has specifically advised candidates to rely on official websites for counselling and admission information.