APST candidates with 350 marks in NEET UG 2026 are expected to clear the ST qualifying cutoff and become eligible for Andhra Pradesh NEET UG 2026 State Quota counselling.

Direct Link to AP NEET 2026 Counselling Registration
  • Government MBBS seats are competitive at 350 marks but candidates can get admission in later counselling rounds, private medical colleges and BDS courses.
  • APST candidates compete within the ST reserved category during the State Quota counselling process.
  • Based on the 2024–2025 admission trend, the ST closing marks for government MBBS seats in Andhra Pradesh remained around 450–500+ marks in the initial counselling rounds.
  • A score of 350 marks may have a chance in the Mop Up Round or Stray Vacancy Round for some government MBBS seats depending on seat availability and the final cutoff.

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NEET 2026 350 Marks: AP NEET APST Category Admission Prospects

Key Summary

  • 85 percent of the MBBS and BDS seats are filled through the Andhra Pradesh State Quota for eligible domicile candidates.
  • Around 6% of the Andhra Pradesh State Quota MBBS seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates although the percentage may vary slightly under the applicable reservation policy.
  • NEET UG 2026 is conducted for 720 marks and a score of 350 marks is equal to approximately 48.6%.
  • The minimum qualifying requirement for ST candidates is the 40th percentile and 350 marks is expected to remain above the qualifying cutoff.
  • Andhra Pradesh NEET UG 2026 counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions is conducted by Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS) Vijayawada.

NEET 2026: What 350 Marks Means for APST Students

The original NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3, 2026, but it was cancelled following reported irregularities and the Re-NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on June 21, 2026.

  • The expected ST qualifying cutoff is around 113–147 marks, although the final cutoff will depend on the Re-NEET UG 2026 score distribution.
  • Based on previous admission trends, 350 marks is expected to correspond to an All India Rank (AIR) of around 3.1–4.2 lakh.
  • For APST candidates, the Andhra Pradesh ST category rank is more important than the All India Rank (AIR) during the State Quota counselling process.
  • Only Andhra Pradesh domicile ST candidates are considered for the 85% State Quota seats reserved for the APST category.
Parameter Details
NEET 2026 Total Marks 720
Score at 350 Marks (% of Total) ~48.6%
ST Category Qualifying Percentile 40th Percentile (~113–147 marks)
Qualifying Status for APST Qualified
Expected AIR at 350 Marks

~3.1–4.2 Lakh (based on 2025–26 trends)
NEET 2026: What 350 Marks Means for APST Students

Also Check: 

Ques. Is All India Rank (AIR) or AP ST category rank more important for APST candidates in AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. For APST candidates applying under the 85% Andhra Pradesh State Quota, the AP ST category merit rank is more important than the All India Rank (AIR). Seat allotment is based on the state merit list prepared from qualified ST domicile candidates. While AIR determines your national standing, the state category rank plays the key role in MBBS admission under the AP ST reservation.

Ques. What is the expected All India Rank (AIR) for 350 marks in NEET 2026?

Ans. Based on recent NEET trends, 350 marks in NEET UG 2026 are expected to correspond to an All India Rank (AIR) of around 3.1–4.2 lakh. The actual rank may vary depending on the overall difficulty level of the Re-NEET UG 2026 exam and the performance of all candidates. For Andhra Pradesh domicile ST candidates, this score is sufficient to participate in AP NEET 2026 State Quota counselling after qualifying NEET.

AP NEET 2026 Counselling Overview

Andhra Pradesh NEET UG 2026 State Quota counselling is conducted by Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS), Vijayawada.

  • The 85% State Quota includes MBBS and BDS seats in government, aided, and private medical and dental colleges across Andhra Pradesh.
  • The counselling process is conducted in multiple rounds to fill the available seats.
  • Seats remaining vacant after one round are offered in the subsequent counselling rounds.
  • The closing cutoff generally becomes more accessible in the later counselling rounds as vacant seats are filled.
Counselling Round Seats Covered Expected Timeline
Round 1 Initial seat allocation July–August 2026 (expected)
Round 2 Remaining seats + Round 1 vacancies August–September 2026 (expected)
Mop-up Round Unfilled seats from Round 2 September–October 2026 (expected)
Stray Vacancy Round Final remaining seats October–November 2026 (expected)

All timelines are expected and based on 2024–25 AP NEET counselling schedules. Confirmed dates will be published on the official NTRUHS website: drntr.uhsap.in.

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APST Category Reservation in AP NEET Counselling

Around 6% of the Andhra Pradesh State Quota seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates under the state reservation policy.

  • In the Andhra Pradesh NEET UG merit list, ST candidates are listed under the APST category.
  • The ST reservation may vary between 6% and 7.5% depending on the applicable reservation policy and seat matrix.
  • Andhra Pradesh has approximately 8,000–8,600 State Quota MBBS seats under the Convener/Competent Authority Quota.
  • Based on the available seat matrix, around 480–650 MBBS seats are expected to be available for APST candidates.
  • APST candidates compete only within the ST reserved category for these seats, resulting in lower competition than the Open Category.
Category Reservation %
OC (Open/General)

~50% (after other reservations)
BC (A, B, C, D, E — combined) 29%
SC (Scheduled Caste) 15%
ST / APST (Scheduled Tribe)

6% (approx. 6–7.5%)

Reservation percentages are as per the AP state reservation policy. The confirmed 2026 seat matrix will be released by NTRUHS on drntr.uhsap.in.

Also Check: 

Ques. Do APST candidates compete with General category candidates for MBBS seats in AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. No. APST candidates applying under the ST reservation compete primarily for the seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribe category under the Andhra Pradesh State Quota. Based on the current reservation policy, around 6% (approximately 6–7.5%) of the state quota MBBS seats are reserved for ST candidates. This means APST candidates compete within the reserved category, where the cutoff is generally lower than the Open Category.

Admission Prospects at 350 Marks for APST Students

For APST candidates with 350 marks in NEET UG 2026, the admission chances vary depending on the college, course, and counselling round.

  • The expected admission prospects given below are based on the 2024 and 2025 Andhra Pradesh NEET UG counselling trends.
College Type Course Prospects at 350 Marks (APST)
Government Medical Colleges MBBS

Challenging — ST closing marks typically ~450–500+ in early rounds; possible only in Mop-up/Stray Vacancy rounds for some colleges.
Government Dental Colleges BDS

Likely — BDS ST closing marks are noticeably lower than MBBS.
Private Medical Colleges (Category B) MBBS

Possible — B-category and management quota seats have much lower cut-offs.
Private Dental Colleges BDS

High — Lower competition and higher seat availability.

Tips to maximise admission chances at 350 marks for APST students:

  • Participate in Every Counselling Round: Candidates should register for Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round, as the closing cutoff may become lower in the later rounds.
  • Prepare a Wider Preference List: Candidates should include both government and private colleges along with colleges located in semi-urban and rural areas while filling their choices.
  • Focus on APST Category Rank: APST candidates should track their Andhra Pradesh ST category rank instead of the All India Rank (AIR), as the APST rank is used for allotment under the 85% State Quota.
  • Consider BDS Admission: Candidates should also consider BDS as an admission option, as government and private BDS seats are generally more accessible than MBBS seats at 350 marks.

Admission Prospects at 350 Marks for APST Students

Also Check: 

Ques. Can APST candidates with 350 marks get a BDS seat in Andhra Pradesh through NEET 2026?

Ans. Yes. APST candidates with 350 marks have a good chance of securing admission to BDS courses, especially in government and private dental colleges through Andhra Pradesh NEET UG counselling. Since BDS closing cutoffs are generally lower than MBBS cutoffs, candidates should include BDS colleges in their choice filling to improve their chances of getting a government health science seat.

Ques. Should APST candidates with 350 marks choose only government MBBS colleges during AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. No. Candidates with 350 marks should prepare a broad preference list that includes government MBBS colleges, private Category B MBBS colleges, and government and private BDS colleges. Filling more choices and participating in all counselling rounds, including Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy, improves the likelihood of securing admission based on the final APST category merit list.

Eligibility Criteria for APST Category in AP NEET 2026 Counselling

Candidates must meet all of the following conditions to claim APST category seats in AP NEET 2026 counselling:

  • NEET UG 2026 Qualification: APST candidates must qualify NEET UG 2026 by securing at least the 40th percentile which is the minimum qualifying requirement for the ST category.
  • Andhra Pradesh Domicile: Candidates must fulfil the Andhra Pradesh domicile requirements prescribed for AP NEET UG 2026 counselling. The applicable local area criteria (AU, SVU, or APNL) will also be considered during seat allotment.
  • ST Community Certificate: Candidates must possess a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) Community Certificate issued by the competent authority in Andhra Pradesh. ST certificates issued by other states are not accepted for APST reservation.
  • Age Requirement: Candidates must complete 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit for NEET UG 2026 under the current NTA guidelines.
  • Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English. ST candidates must secure at least 40% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) subjects.

Eligibility Criteria for APST Category in AP NEET 2026 Counselling

Also Check: 

Ques. Is Andhra Pradesh domicile compulsory to claim APST reservation in AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. Yes. Candidates seeking admission under the APST category must satisfy the Andhra Pradesh domicile and local area requirements prescribed for AP NEET 2026 counselling. During seat allotment, the applicable AU, SVU, or APNL local area status is also considered. Candidates who do not fulfil the domicile requirements cannot claim APST reservation benefits under the state quota.

Ques. Is there an upper age limit for APST candidates applying for AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. No. As per the current NEET UG 2026 eligibility guidelines, there is no upper age limit for APST candidates. However, candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026, and should also fulfil the required educational qualification and ST category eligibility conditions to participate in Andhra Pradesh NEET counselling.

Documents Required for APST Category in AP NEET 2026 Counselling

APST candidates must prepare the following documents for registration, certificate verification, and seat allotment in AP NEET 2026 counselling:

Document Purpose

NEET 2026 Scorecard / Rank Card

 Proof of marks and qualifying status
NEET 2026 Admit Card Identity verification

Class 10 Certificate / SSC Marksheet

 Date of birth proof

Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate

 Academic eligibility verification

ST Caste Certificate (issued by competent authority in Andhra Pradesh)

 APST category eligibility
AP Domicile/Residence Certificate

State quota + local area eligibility
Aadhaar Card

Identity proof (mandatory in most cases)

Passport-size Photographs

As specified by NTRUHS (usually 4–6 recent photos)
PwD Certificate (if applicable)

For benchmark disability reservation

Income Certificate (if applicable)

For EWS / other income-based benefits

Local Candidate Certificate (AU/SVU/APNL)

For intra-state seat allocation

Also Check: 

Ques. Is the Local Candidate Certificate (AU/SVU/APNL) required for AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. Yes. The Local Candidate Certificate (AU, SVU, or APNL) is an important document for candidates claiming Andhra Pradesh State Quota seats. It helps the counselling authority determine the candidate's local area status for intra-state seat allocation. Candidates should ensure that the certificate is valid and available during document verification, wherever applicable.

AP NEET Counselling APST Category: Reddit Discussion

  • The discussion focused on the safe NEET score required for admission to a government MBBS college, with candidates seeking estimates for both the All India Quota and state quota based on expected counselling trends.
  • Another user predicted that the General category AIQ cutoff could be around 550 marks, while estimating a state quota cutoff of nearly 505 marks in their state. The user also expected the overall cutoff to increase by around 20–25 marks compared to the previous year.
AP NEET Counselling APST Category Reddit Discussion
Source: Reddit

AP NEET Counselling APST Category 2026 FAQs

Ques. Can APST students with 350 marks in NEET 2026 get MBBS admission in Andhra Pradesh?

Ans. Securing government MBBS seats for APST students at 350 marks is challenging, as ST closing marks for AP government colleges were approximately 450–500+ based on 2024–25 trends. However, Mop-up and Stray Vacancy rounds, private MBBS (Category B / Management quota) seats, and government/private BDS seats are realistic options at this score.

Ques. What is the total marks in NEET 2026 and does 350 marks qualify APST students for AP counselling?

Ans. NEET 2026 total marks are 720. The ST category qualifying percentile is the 40th percentile (roughly 113–147 marks). With 350 marks, APST students are well above the qualifying threshold and fully eligible to register for AP NEET 2026 state quota counselling.

Ques. Who conducts AP NEET 2026 counselling and where can students register?

Ans. AP NEET 2026 state counselling is conducted by Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences (NTRUHS), Vijayawada. Registration, seat matrix, choice filling, and allotment results are published on the official portal: drntr.uhsap.in.

Ques. How many MBBS seats are reserved for APST students in AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. Under AP state reservation policy, approximately 6% (sometimes cited as 6–7.5%) of state quota MBBS seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (APST) students. Based on approximately 8,000–8,600 total state quota MBBS seats, this translates to roughly 480–650 APST category seats. The confirmed 2026 seat matrix will be published by NTRUHS.

Ques. Why should APST students with 350 marks participate in all counselling rounds?

Ans. APST students scoring 350 marks benefit most from the Mop-up and Stray Vacancy rounds. Reserved ST seats that go unfilled in Round 1 and Round 2 are carried forward to later rounds where closing marks are typically lower, significantly improving admission chances.

Ques. Is an Andhra Pradesh-issued ST caste certificate mandatory for APST category seats in AP NEET 2026?

Ans. Yes. To claim APST category reservation, students must hold a valid Scheduled Tribe caste certificate issued by a competent authority of the Andhra Pradesh government. Certificates issued by other states are not accepted for AP state quota APST seats.

Ques. What academic qualification is required for APST students to apply for AP NEET 2026 counselling?

Ans. APST students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as compulsory subjects, securing at least 40% aggregate in PCB (for ST category). They must also have qualified NEET 2026 with at least the 40th percentile.