NEET PG 2026 Expected Cutoff — Quick Take
The NEET PG cutoff is percentile-based, not fixed marks. For 2026, based on the 2023–2025 cycles, the qualifying cutoff is expected to fall around 280–320 marks (General/EWS) and 220–260 marks (OBC/SC/ST/PwD) out of 800. Counselling closing ranks depend on speciality, college, and category, and are separate from the qualifying cutoff.
NEET PG Qualifying Percentile (Per NBE Notification)
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th percentile |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 40th percentile |
| SC / ST | 40th percentile |
| PwD (General/EWS) | 45th percentile |
| PwD (OBC/SC/ST) | 40th percentile |
The exact mark equivalent of each percentile is published by NBE alongside the result.
NEET PG Cutoff — Recent Cycles (Marks Out of 800)
| Cycle | General/EWS | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2021 | ~302 | ~252 | ~228 |
| NEET PG 2022 | ~275 | ~235 | ~210 |
| NEET PG 2023 | ~291 | ~247 | ~228 |
| NEET PG 2024 | ~320 | ~270 | ~245 |
| NEET PG 2025 | ~275–295 | ~245–260 | ~220–235 |
| NEET PG 2026 (Expected) | ~280–320 | ~235–270 | ~220–250 |
Mark equivalents are approximate and reflect the percentile at the time of result. Use these as planning ranges, not as guarantees.
Indicative Score vs Rank (NEET PG)
Here is a rough score-to-rank mapping for NEET PG based on recent cycles. Note: rankings shift each year based on the candidate pool.
| Score (Out of 800) | Approx. All-India Rank Range |
|---|---|
| 700+ | Top 100–1,000 |
| 600–700 | ~1,000–5,000 |
| 500–600 | ~5,000–15,000 |
| 400–500 | ~15,000–40,000 |
| 300–400 | ~40,000–80,000 |
| 200–300 | ~80,000–2,00,000 |
Clinical specialities close at very low ranks; non-clinical and para-clinical specialities accept higher ranks.
Cutoff by Speciality (Closing Ranks — Indicative)
For top clinical seats in government colleges, the closing ranks are extremely competitive. Here is a rough idea:
| Speciality | Closing Rank Range (Gen, AIQ Government) |
|---|---|
| MD Radio-Diagnosis | Top 100–500 |
| MD Dermatology | Top 200–1,500 |
| MD General Medicine | Top 500–3,000 |
| MD Paediatrics | Top 1,000–5,000 |
| MS General Surgery | Top 2,000–8,000 |
| MS Orthopaedics | Top 3,000–10,000 |
| MS OB-GYN | Top 3,000–12,000 |
| MD Anaesthesia | Top 8,000–25,000 |
| MD Pathology | Top 15,000–40,000 |
| MD Microbiology | Top 30,000–80,000 |
| MD Anatomy / Physiology / Biochemistry | Top 50,000+ |
Closing ranks vary by college, state, and category. The same speciality may close at AIR 200 in one college and AIR 5,000 in another.
How to Use Cutoff Information
- Realistic self-appraisal: Your score determines your rank band — be honest about which seats you can target.
- Speciality-wise planning: Decide whether to prioritise clinical or non-clinical based on your expected rank.
- College-wise shortlisting: Use the seat matrix from MCC and RajMES to shortlist 8–12 colleges in each round.
- Plan for multiple rounds: Don't quit after Round 1; many seats open up in Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy rounds.
How to Use Cutoff Information Strategically
Knowing the cutoff is only useful if you act on it. Here's how candidates use cutoff data effectively:
- Estimate your rank band early. Once you have your score, use the score-to-rank table to identify your realistic position.
- Shortlist colleges by rank. Filter the MCC and RajMES seat matrices to colleges where last year's closing rank was within 1,000 of your expected rank.
- Decide speciality vs college. If your rank is borderline for clinical at SMS, but comfortably within non-clinical at AIIMS, weigh the trade-off.
- Track movement across rounds. Cutoffs in Round 2 often drop by 500–1,500 ranks as candidates upgrade. Plan choices accordingly.
- Keep a backup list. Always list 12–15 colleges. Many seats open up in Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy.
Cutoff vs Speciality Decision Matrix
| Your Score Band | Realistic Options |
|---|---|
| 600+ | Top 5 colleges, any clinical speciality (MD Medicine, Radio-Diagnosis, Dermatology) |
| 500–600 | Government clinical seats in mid-tier colleges, private clinical seats |
| 400–500 | Para-clinical and some clinical seats, private colleges |
| 300–400 | Non-clinical (Pathology, Microbiology), private colleges |
| 200–300 | Pre-clinical seats, last-tier private/deemed colleges |
Within each band, your strategy is different — top scorers optimise for college and speciality, mid-scorers balance, lower scorers maximise chances by broadening their preference list.
Frequently Asked Questions — Extended
Does NEET PG cutoff change every year?
Yes — the qualifying cutoff shifts based on paper difficulty and the candidate pool. Counselling closing ranks shift based on seat availability and category-wise demand.
Is a lower cutoff easier to clear?
Yes — the qualifying cutoff is a percentile, so a tough paper lowers the mark equivalent. But the percentile of qualifying remains 50th / 40th.
How do reserved categories affect the cutoff?
Reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwD) have lower qualifying percentiles (40th vs 50th for General). This translates to lower mark equivalents.
Where do I find the previous-year closing rank data?
MCC publishes the seat allotment PDF for each round. State counselling portals (e.g., RajMES) publish their own. Combine these for the most accurate shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected qualifying cutoff for NEET PG 2026 General category?
Expected to fall around 280–320 marks out of 800, with the 50th percentile as the qualifying bar. NBE publishes the official cutoff with the result.
What is the cutoff for OBC/SC/ST in NEET PG 2026?
The 40th percentile applies for OBC/SC/ST/PwD, historically translating to roughly 220–260 marks out of 800.
Is NEET PG cutoff rank-based or marks-based?
Qualifying cutoff is percentile-based. All-India Rank is then assigned based on relative position. Counselling closing ranks are separate from the qualifying cutoff.
How accurate are NEET PG cutoff predictions?
Predictions are indicative ranges. Actual marks depend on paper difficulty, the candidate pool, and NBE normalisation. Always wait for the official result notification.
Where can I find the official NEET PG 2026 cutoff?
The official cutoff is on the NBE result page at natboard.edu.in. Category-wise marks and percentiles are part of the result notification.
How is the rank determined in NEET PG?
Rank is based on the raw score (out of 800) with NBE tie-breakers — more correct answers, fewer wrong answers, older age.
