NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a national-level medical entrance exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses. Lakhs of students take the NEET exam every year, but seats are limited, making competition quite tough.
Cut-off refers to the minimum marks you need to qualify for or get admission into a particular college. This cut-off depends on multiple factors such as exam difficulty level, number of candidates, and available seats. Therefore, it is very important for students to understand cut-off as it helps them in making their preparation strategy and target score clear.
Nowadays, the competition for NEET is increasing every year. Due to more aspirants, better preparation resources, and high scoring trends, cut-offs are also gradually rising. Because of this, simply passing is no longer enough getting a good rank becomes crucial.
NEET 2026 is expected to be more competitive than ever. Understanding the expected cut-off can help you plan your strategy smartly.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the expected cut-off for NEET 2026, previous year trends, and safe score ranges for different categories. We’ll also tell you how to optimize your preparation so you can secure a good medical college.
NEET Previous Year Cut Off Trends (2023–2025)
YearGeneral (UR/EWS)OBCSCST2025686 – 144143 – 113143 – 113143 – 1132024720 – 162161 – 127161 – 127161 – 1272023720 – 137136 – 107136 – 107136 – 107
Trend Analysis
If we look at the trend from 2023–2025, we can see fluctuation in the overall cut-off. From 2023 to 2024, the cut-off clearly increased, especially in the General category (137 → 162), which shows high competition and better performance.
But in 2025 there was a slight decrease (162 → 144 for General), which indicates that the paper was comparatively tough or the scoring pattern changed.
The reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST) followed the same pattern, first an increase, then a slight drop. The overall trend suggests that competition is increasing in the long term, but yearly variation depends on exam difficulty.
NEET 2026 Expected Cut Off
Based on early trends from the May 2026 exam, the NEET 2026 qualifying cut-off is expected to be higher due to increased competition, with the General/EWS category likely to score in the 50th percentile and the OBC/SC/ST category likely to score in the 40th percentile. For government seats, the safest score is likely to be 610–620+.
The following are estimated qualifying marks needed just to be eligible for the counselling process, as or reported based on early 2026 analysis:
General/EWS(50th Percentile)686 – 144 marksOBC/SC/ST(40th Percentile)143 – 113 marksGeneral-PwD(45th Percentile)143 – 127 marks SC/ST/OBC-PwD(40th Percentile)126 – 113 marks
NEET 2026 Admission Chances Based on Marks
Based on early 2026 trends, NEET cutoff kaafi high jaane ki expected hai due to tough competition aur moderate paper level. General Category ke liye Government MBBS seat secure karne ke liye safe score 615–630+ (AIQ) ya 590–610+ (State Quota) maana ja raha hai. 600+ score usually government medical colleges ke liye strong chance deta hai, jabki 650+ top institutions secure karne mein help karta hai.
Based on early 2026 trends, NEET cutoff is expected to be high due to tough competition and moderate paper level. For General Category securing government MBBS seats, the safe score is considered 615–630+ (AIQ) or 590–610+ (State Quota).
NEET 2026 Expected Admission Chances by Score (General Category)
- 670–720 (Platinum Zone): Top AIIMS (jaise Delhi, JIPMER)
- 620–670 (Gold Zone): Top State Government Medical Colleges (GMCs)
- 590–620 (Safe/Borderline Zone): Achhe Government Medical Colleges (AIQ)
- 550–589 (Moderate): State Quota Government Medical Colleges
- Below 500: Private Medical Colleges, BDS, or AYUSH courses
Key Factors Affecting 2026 Admissions
- High Competition: With over 22.79 lakh students, a 600 mark could result in an approximate rank of 14,000–18,000, making it quite competitive for general seats.
- State-Level Variations: In high-cutoff states like Delhi, the expected cutoff could be 650+, while in states like Gujarat, it could be between 500–535.
- Paper Difficulty: The 2026 paper is expected to be of a moderate level, which could lead to higher scores overall.
Conclusion
NEET 2026 is expected to be highly competitive, with cut-offs likely remaining on the higher side due to increasing applicants and moderate paper difficulty. While expected cut-offs give a rough idea, students should always aim for a safe score well above them to secure a government medical seat. Understanding trends, analyzing your preparation level, and targeting 600+ marks can significantly improve your admission chances. Remember, cut-offs vary every year, so consistency and smart strategy matter more than predictions. Stay focused on NCERT, practice regularly, and keep your goal clear because the right preparation today will decide your medical college tomorrow.
FAQs
01What is a safe score for NEET 2026?
Answer: A score of 600+ is generally considered safe for government MBBS colleges, though it may vary by category and state.
02Will the NEET 2026 cut-off increase?
Answer: It is expected to remain high or slightly increase due to rising competition and number of candidates.
03Can I get an MBBS with 550 marks in NEET 2026?
Answer: You may get chances in some government colleges (state quota) or private colleges, depending on your category and state.
04What is the difference between qualifying and admission cut-off?
Answer: Qualifying cut-off is the minimum score to pass NEET, while admission cut-off is the score required to get a college seat.
05Does state quota have a lower cut-off than AIQ?
Answer: Yes, in many states, the 85% state quota often has slightly lower cut-offs compared to 15% All India Quota.
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