The NEET 2026 expected cutoff for admission to the government medical colleges is likely to lie between 600 and 680+ for the general category. For the OBC candidates, it will be between 580 and 650, and for the SC & ST candidates, the cutoff will be between 450 and 560. However, the qualifying marks to take part in the counselling are different from the cutoff marks for each category.
Read the full blog to understand the details of the cutoff marks to get a seat in the government medical college for the MBBS program.
What are NEET cutoff marks?
The NEET cut-off is the mark or percentile required to be eligible for counselling and admission to medical courses (MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH).
There are two types of cutoffs.
Qualifying Cutoff (Exam Eligibility): Released alongside NEET results. To participate in counselling, you must score at or above this level.
College Admission Cutoffs: The exact marks or rank required to be accepted into a given college.
NEET normalises based on percentiles rather than fixed marks. The cutoff is based on candidates’ overall performance during a given year. Whereas the qualifying percentile criteria are the following:
General/EWS: 50th percentile.
OBC, SC/ST: 40th percentile
General PwD: 45th percentile
NEET UG Expected Cutoff and Qualifying Marks Category-wise
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Marks to be scored |
| General | 50th Percentile | 720-135 |
| General- PwD | 45th Percentile | 133 – 120 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 134 – 107 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 134 – 107 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 134 – 107 |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwD | 40th Percentile | 119 – 107 |
NEET 2026 Expected Cutoff for Government Medical Colleges
All India Quota Cutoff Marks 2026
To secure a seat in the government medical college under the All India Quota (AIQ), the candidate must score high. The score can also go beyond 700 for some of the top government colleges in India. The category-wise score required for admission is as follows:
| Category | Cutoff Marks (Expected) |
| General | 620 – 680+ |
| General-PwD | 620 – 680+ |
| OBC | 590 – 610+ |
| SC | 520 – 550+ |
| ST | 520 – 550+ |
| OBC/SC/ST PwD | 500-520+ |
State Cutoff Marks 2026
The state cutoff marks vary for each state. It is also below the All India Quota cutoff. The category-wise marks details are as follows:
| Category | Cutoff Marks (Expected) |
| General | 570 – 620+ |
| OBC | 550 – 590+ |
| SC | 420 – 490+ |
| ST | 420 – 490+ |
What is the safe score for NEET 2026?
The safe score for the NEET 2026 exam will be as follows:
- General: 630–650+
- OBC: 600+
- SC/ST: 500–550+
The safe score helps you to get a seat in your desired course and college. Therefore, it is recommended to aim for at least 20 to 30 marks more than the safe score.
What Factors Affect the NEET Cutoff Score?
Some of the factors that contribute to the NEET cutoff score are:
- Number of students appearing
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Total MBBS seats available
- Reservation policies
- Overall performance of candidates
The cutoff score for the NEET exam is rising every year due to the rise in applications every year. This year, as per the data, around 26 lakhs applications have been received by NTA for the NEET 2026 exam.
Top Government Colleges and Expected Cutoff Marks for NEET 2026
| College Name | Expected marks in NEET 2026 | Previous Year Trend |
| AIIMS, New Delhi | 710-700+ | 705–715 |
| Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Delhi | >690+ | 680–695 |
| Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), Delhi | >685+ | 670–690 |
| Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai | 670-680+ | 660–680 |
| Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal | 620-650+ | 600-640 |
| Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore | >660+ | 640-670 |
| Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai | >650+ | 640–670 |
| King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow | >660+ | 650–670 |
| BJ Medical College, Pune | >680+ | 650–670 |
How to Improve Your NEET Preparation to Score More
Strengthen Your Basics
80 to 85% of the NEET exam paper is based on NCERT concepts. Read these books several times to remember all the keywords, especially in biology. Focus on concept clarity, not just memorisation.
Follow the 3-Step Study Rule
For every chapter in each subject, follow these rules while studying:
Understand concepts
Practice MCQs
Analyze mistakes
Make a Realistic Study Plan
Consistency is the key to success in the NEET exam. Make a realistic timetable that includes 6-8 hours of focused study. Divide time equally between all subjects, like biology: 40%, chemistry: 30%, and physics: 30%.
Practice Mock Tests Regularly
Solve mock tests under an exam-simulated environment to develop time management and boost confidence. This method also helps to reduce stress and exam anxiety. Analysis of these tests is also important to understand and identify weak topics, track silly mistakes, and revise incorrect questions.
Know more about NEET 2026 Syllabus and Important Topics
Identify and Focus on Important Chapters
Physics:
Mechanics
Current Electricity
Modern Physics
Chemistry:
Organic Chemistry (reaction mechanisms)
Physical Chemistry (numericals)
NCERT Inorganic
Biology:
Human Physiology
Genetics
Ecology
Improve Speed and Accuracy
Solve multiple-choice questions regularly. Attempt at least 100–150 questions daily. Use shortcuts and tricks wherever possible. Avoid guesswork; instead, use the elimination method when confused between the options.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Do not make mistakes such as skipping revision, ignoring weak subjects (especially physics), studying without testing and comparing yourself with others. Make a proper revision plan, focus on the weak topics, and take tests frequently.
Conclusion
Pursuing a medical course such as MBBS from the government medical colleges can refine your career. A score of more than 700 is required to secure your spot in these colleges. It seems challenging, but it can be achieved with the right guidance and preparation strategy. At IIB Career Institute, our team of experienced faculty can pave your path to NEET success. We offer NEET classes for 11th, 12th, and repeaters at our centres in Akola, Nanded, Latur, Kolhapur, Pune (PCMC & FC Road), and Chattrapati Shambhaji Nagar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the cut-off marks for NEET 2026 for MBBS?
Answer: Based on trends, the expected NEET 2026 MBBS cutoff for the general category is roughly 720–140+ marks (qualifying percentile), with a safe score for government seats expected to be 615–650+. Reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST) are expected to have a qualifying range of 137–108+ marks.
Will NEET 2026 be tough for MBBS?
Answer: Yes, NEET 2026 is expected to be challenging due to high competition, with over 26 lakh applicants competing for limited MBBS seats. Proper preparation and strategy are essential to succeed.
How to score 700+ in the NEET exam?
Answer: To score above 700, focus on strong conceptual clarity, regular revision, and solving previous year question papers. Consistency, mock tests, and proper time management play a key role in achieving high scores.
