NEET 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff is expected to be around 107–120 marks, at the 40th percentile, based on trends from NEET 2020 to 2025.
NTA is expected to release the NEET 2026 result on July 17, 2026, along with the official category-wise qualifying cutoff. SC students need to cross only the 40th percentile threshold — significantly lower than the 50th percentile required for General category students. Clearing this threshold makes you eligible for All India Quota and state quota counselling.
- SC qualifying percentile for NEET 2026: 40th percentile (consistent across all recent years)
- Expected SC qualifying marks: 107–120 out of 720 (based on 2020–2025 data)
- In NEET 2024, the SC qualifying cutoff was confirmed at 107 marks
- AIQ SC closing ranks at government colleges expected between 500 and 1,50,000 depending on college
- Official cutoff will be announced with the NEET 2026 result at neet.nta.nic.in
| Direct Link to NEET 2026 Result and SC Cutoff (Expected July 17, 2026) |
NEET 2026 SC Qualifying Cutoff (Expected)
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score to appear in the All India Merit List. For SC students, NEET sets this threshold at the 40th percentile. Based on data from NEET 2020 to 2025, this has translated to marks between 93 and 120 — with most years settling near 107. For NEET 2026, the expected SC qualifying marks are 107–120 out of 720.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Qualifying Marks (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile | 150–165 |
| SC / ST / OBC-NCL | 40th Percentile | 107–120 |
| General – PwD | 45th Percentile | 130–145 |
| SC / ST / OBC – PwD | 40th Percentile | 107–120 |
These are expected ranges based on 2024 and 2025 data. Paper difficulty and total appearing students are the two biggest variables that can shift the qualifying marks. The official qualifying cutoff will be published when NTA releases the NEET 2026 result.
NEET SC Cutoff Trends: 2020–2025
The SC qualifying cutoff has been anchored at the 40th percentile for every NEET cycle. The corresponding marks dropped in 2022 due to a harder paper and rebounded the following year. This trend is the strongest basis for predicting where the NEET 2026 SC cutoff will land.
| Year | SC / OBC / ST Qualifying Marks | Qualifying Percentile | General Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~107–113 | 40th | ~162–167 |
| 2024 | 107 | 40th | 164 |
| 2023 | 107 | 40th | 137 |
| 2022 | 93 | 40th | 117 |
| 2021 | 108 | 40th | 138 |
| 2020 | 107 | 40th | 147 |
If NEET 2026 paper difficulty remains moderate — similar to 2023 and 2024 — the SC qualifying cutoff is expected to settle near 107–115 marks. A significantly harder paper could bring it closer to the 2022 figure of 93.
NEET 2026 SC Cutoff for Government Medical Colleges (AIQ)
Clearing the qualifying cutoff is only the entry ticket. The actual admission cutoff — the closing rank at which SC seats fill up — is far more competitive and varies by college. For the All India Quota, 15% of government MBBS seats are routed through MCC counselling. SC students compete within their reserved AIQ seats in that pool. The table below shows expected closing ranks based on 2024–2025 counselling data.
| College | Course | Expected SC AIQ Closing Rank (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | MBBS | 500–1,000 |
| AIIMS Jodhpur / Bhopal / Rishikesh | MBBS | 4,000–12,000 |
| Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi | MBBS | 8,000–20,000 |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi | MBBS | 10,000–25,000 |
| BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad | MBBS | 25,000–55,000 |
| Other State Government Colleges (AIQ) | MBBS | 50,000–1,50,000 |
These closing ranks are expected based on 2025 counselling trends. Actual AIQ SC closing ranks will be confirmed after each MCC counselling round. Students who do not secure a seat through AIQ can participate in state quota counselling, where closing ranks for SC students are generally more relaxed.
Factors Affecting NEET 2026 SC Cutoff
Several variables can push the NEET 2026 SC cutoff higher or lower compared to previous years:
- Paper difficulty: A harder paper lowers the overall score distribution and reduces the qualifying marks threshold (as seen in 2022 when it dropped to 93).
- Total students appearing: A larger appearing pool increases competition and can push AIQ closing ranks upward even at the same qualifying score.
- New medical colleges: Colleges newly approved by the National Medical Commission expand total MBBS seat count, which can relax AIQ closing ranks for SC students.
- Grace marks or normalization: Any NTA directive on grace marks can shift percentile benchmarks, as happened in NEET 2024.
- State quota allocation changes: Shifts in how states distribute SC seats between AIQ and state counselling affect the effective closing rank.
How to Check NEET 2026 SC Cutoff
Once the NEET 2026 result is out, follow these steps to check the official SC category qualifying cutoff:
- Visit the official NTA NEET portal at neet.nta.nic.in.
- Click the NEET 2026 Result or Qualifying Criteria link on the homepage.
- The cutoff page will display category-wise qualifying marks and percentile thresholds.
- Download the cutoff PDF and note the SC category marks alongside your own score.
- For AIQ SC closing ranks, check the MCC counselling portal after each seat allotment round is completed.
NEET 2026 SC Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEET 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff?
Ans. The NEET 2026 SC qualifying cutoff is expected to be around 107–120 marks, at the 40th percentile. The exact figure will be confirmed when NTA releases the official result on July 17, 2026.
Ques. What percentile do SC students need to qualify NEET 2026?
Ans. SC students need to score at or above the 40th percentile to qualify and be included in the All India Merit List. This threshold has been set at 40th percentile for SC, ST, and OBC-NCL students in every recent NEET cycle.
Ques. What was the NEET 2024 SC category qualifying cutoff?
Ans. In NEET 2024, the qualifying cutoff for SC, ST, and OBC-NCL students was 107 marks, corresponding to the 40th percentile. This was the same qualifying score as in NEET 2023.
Ques. Is the NEET qualifying cutoff the same as the admission cutoff for SC students?
Ans. No. The qualifying cutoff (expected 107–120 marks for SC) is the minimum score to be included in the merit list. The admission cutoff is the closing rank at which SC seats in a specific college fill during counselling — this varies by college and is far more competitive than the qualifying threshold.
Ques. What is the expected AIQ SC closing rank for top government medical colleges in NEET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 counselling trends, the expected AIQ SC closing rank is 500–1,000 for AIIMS New Delhi, 4,000–12,000 for other AIIMS campuses, and up to 1,50,000 for other government colleges. These are expected figures and will be confirmed after MCC counselling rounds.
Ques. When will the official NEET 2026 SC cutoff be released?
Ans. The official NEET 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff is expected to be released with the NEET 2026 result on July 17, 2026, on the official NTA portal at neet.nta.nic.in.
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