What Is the Expected Cutoff Score for NEET PG 2026?

The NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff is one of the biggest concerns for medical aspirants after the examination. Candidates want to know whether their score will be enough to qualify for counselling and, more importantly, whether they can get their preferred MD/MS branch and college. NEET PG 2026 was conducted on August 30, 2026, and the exam pattern has changed compared with previous years, with the paper carrying 720 marks instead of 800. Based on currently available post-exam analyses, the expected qualifying score is around 220 marks for General/EWS, while it may be around 190–200 marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. These are estimates, not the official cutoff. After the NEET PG examination, candidates eagerly wait for the NEET PG Result to understand their marks and rank. The expected cutoff helps aspirants determine whether their score may be sufficient to qualify for counselling and explore MD/MS admission opportunities. It is also important to understand that the qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff are different. Qualifying the exam only makes a candidate eligible for counselling; getting an MD/MS seat depends on rank, category, college, speciality, counselling round, seat availability and choice filling. NEET PG 2026 Cutoff — Category-wise Qualifying Percentile The NEET PG cutoff 2026 category wise is expected to vary according to the candidate's category and qualifying percentile. Based on current post-exam estimates, the expected qualifying score may be around 220 marks for General/EWS and approximately 190–200 marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. These figures are estimates and should not be treated as the official cutoff.

These figures should be treated only as an expected range, because the official cutoff can differ after the result is declared. Current post-exam estimates place the General/EWS cutoff around 220 and the SC/ST/OBC/PwD range around 190–200. General/EWS, OBC, SC/ST Cutoff Marks For General and EWS candidates, the qualifying percentile is expected to be 50th percentile, while OBC, SC and ST candidates are expected to have a 40th percentile qualifying requirement. General-PwD candidates generally have a 45th percentile requirement. However, aspirants should not confuse these qualifying marks with the marks required for a particular MD/MS seat. For example, scoring around the qualifying cutoff may allow you to participate in counselling, but it does not mean that you will automatically receive a government medical college or a highly competitive branch. In 2025, the original qualifying cutoff was 276/800 for General/EWS and 235/800 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD, while General-PwD had a 255/800 cutoff. NBEMS subsequently revised the qualifying cutoffs during the 2025 counselling process. Therefore, the NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff should be used as a qualifying benchmark rather than a guaranteed admission score. NEET PG 2026 Expected Cutoff Trends (Based on Previous Years) Looking at previous years is useful for understanding how much the qualifying cutoff can fluctuate. One important point is that the total marks changed in 2026. NEET PG was previously conducted for 800 marks, whereas the 2026 examination has a 720-mark format. Therefore, directly comparing raw marks from 2023–2025 with 2026 marks can be misleading. NEET PG 2025 vs 2024 vs 2023 Cutoff Comparison The NEET PG qualifying percentile only determines whether a candidate is eligible to participate in counselling. It should not be confused with the admission cutoff for a particular MD/MS seat. Actual admission depends on factors such as NEET PG rank, category, preferred speciality, college, quota, seat availability and counselling round.

~200–210/720 In 2023, the official qualifying scores were 291 for General/EWS, 257 for SC/ST/OBC and 274 for General-PwD, all out of 800. The 2024 qualifying percentile was initially 50th for General/EWS, 40th for SC/ST/OBC and 45th for General-PwD, but the cutoff was subsequently reduced during counselling. Similarly, the 2025 cutoff was later revised downward by NBEMS. This shows why candidates should not assume that the initial qualifying cutoff will necessarily remain unchanged throughout the counselling process. For 2026, the estimated score range should therefore be considered provisional until the official result and cutoff information is released. Branch-wise Expected Cutoff for Top Specialities The NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff becomes much more complicated when we talk about specific branches. There is no single cutoff score for MD/MS admission. Instead, every speciality and college can have a different closing rank. A highly competitive branch such as Radiodiagnosis can close much earlier than less competitive options. Your admission chances depend on factors such as:

• NEET PG All India Rank
• Category and reservation
• State quota or All India Quota
• Government, private or deemed university
• Preferred speciality
• College preference
• Counselling round
• Seat availability

Radiodiagnosis, General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Dermatology Radiodiagnosis: Radiodiagnosis is generally among the highly sought-after PG specialities. Candidates targeting reputed government institutions usually need a strong rank. The exact marks corresponding to the closing rank can change considerably each year. General Medicine: MD General Medicine remains one of the most preferred clinical specialities. Government colleges and reputed institutions may have highly competitive closing ranks, while private and deemed universities can provide additional options depending on the candidate's budget and counselling category. Orthopaedics: MS Orthopaedics is another popular surgical speciality. The cutoff can vary significantly between government, private and deemed colleges. Candidates should focus on rank-wise closing trends rather than relying only on a fixed marks prediction. Dermatology: Dermatology is also highly competitive because of its popularity and limited number of seats. Candidates generally need a strong rank for government and top private institutions. Therefore, there is no fixed NEET PG 2026 score that guarantees a particular branch. Admission cutoffs are ultimately determined through counselling and seat allotment. Factors That Affect the NEET PG Cutoff Every Year Several factors can influence the NEET PG cutoff from one year to another.

Difficulty Level of the Examination

If the paper is relatively difficult, the marks corresponding to a particular percentile or rank can change. An easier paper can have the opposite effect.

Number of Candidates

The number of candidates appearing for NEET PG affects competition. A larger candidate pool can influence rank distribution and admission competition.

Exam Pattern and Total Marks

The 2026 examination has a 720-mark format compared with the 800-mark format used in previous years. This makes direct raw-score comparisons less meaningful.

Number of PG Seats

Changes in MD/MS/DNB seat availability can influence counselling competition. New seats, increased intake and changes in permissions can affect closing ranks.

Category and Reservation

The qualifying percentile and available seats differ across categories. Candidates must therefore check the cutoff applicable to their category.

Counselling Round

The cutoff can change significantly between Round 1, subsequent rounds and stray vacancy rounds. Seats that remain vacant can lead to changes in the effective admission cutoff.

College and Speciality Preference

A candidate's chances for MD General Medicine at a reputed government college will be very different from the chances for a less competitive speciality or a private institution. What to Do If You Score Below the Expected Cutoff If your NEET PG 2026 score is below the currently estimated cutoff, don't immediately assume that your admission journey is over. First, wait for the official qualifying cutoff. Expected cutoffs are based on analysis and can differ from the final figures. The history of NEET PG also shows that qualifying cutoffs can be revised during counselling.

After the NEET PG Result, qualified candidates need to prepare for NEET PG Counselling. During counselling, candidates can register, fill their choices and participate in seat allotment according to their rank, category, quota and available seats. If you qualify after the official cutoff, participate in counselling and keep your choices broad. Consider:

• Government colleges where your rank permits
• Private medical colleges
• Deemed universities
• DNB options
• Different clinical and non-clinical branches
• State counselling opportunities
• Later counselling rounds

Candidates should also carefully prepare their choice-filling strategy. A lower score does not necessarily mean there are no options; the available options depend on rank, category, state, budget, speciality preference and vacant seats. Conclusion The current NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff is approximately 220 marks for General/EWS, 190–200 marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwD, and 200–210 marks for General-PwD, based on current post-exam estimates. But remember: qualifying NEET PG and securing an MD/MS seat are two different things. The qualifying cutoff determines eligibility for counselling, while the actual admission cutoff depends on your rank, category, speciality, college, quota and counselling round. For aspirants planning their admission strategy, it is better to evaluate marks + expected rank + preferred branch + college options together rather than relying on the cutoff score alone. Official updates should be checked through NBEMS and MCC as the 2026 counselling process progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

01What is the expected cutoff score for NEET PG 2026?

The NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff depends on exam difficulty, candidate performance, and competition. The qualifying cutoff is different from the score needed for admission.

02What is the qualifying percentile for General/EWS category in NEET PG 2026?

The General/EWS qualifying percentile is typically 50th percentile, subject to the official NEET PG 2026 notification and any later revision.

03What is the NEET PG cutoff for OBC/SC/ST candidates?

For OBC, SC, and ST candidates, the qualifying percentile is generally 40th percentile, subject to the official cutoff announcement.

04Can the NEET PG cutoff be revised during counselling rounds?

Yes. The qualifying percentile may be revised by the competent authority. However, admission cutoffs for specific colleges and branches can also change across counselling rounds based on seat availability and candidate choices.

05What is the safe score for a government medical college in NEET PG 2026?

There is no single safe score. The required score varies by specialty, category, state quota, college, and counselling round. A higher score generally provides access to more options.