The NEET UG 2026 pass percentage is expected to be between 55% and 57%, based on trends from 2021 to 2024.
NTA will release the NEET UG 2026 result on or around July 1, 2026 at the official portal neet.nta.nic.in. Around 24–25 lakh students are expected to appear for the exam in 2026. Of these, approximately 13.5–14.5 lakh students are expected to qualify. The pass percentage is calculated as the number of students who meet the qualifying cutoff divided by the total number of students who appear.
- NEET UG 2026 result is expected on July 1, 2026.
- Expected total students appearing: 24–25 lakh.
- Expected qualifiers: 13.5–14.5 lakh.
- Expected pass percentage: 55–57%.
- General/EWS cutoff (expected): 162–167 marks out of 720.
- The qualifying percentile for General/EWS is the 50th percentile.
| Direct Link to NEET UG 2026 Result (Available on July 1, 2026) | neet.nta.nic.in |
NEET UG 2026 Overall Pass Percentage (Expected)
The NEET UG 2026 pass percentage is expected to fall between 55% and 57%, based on four consecutive years of consistent data. NTA has not yet released the official 2026 results. The figures below are based on 2024 trends and projected registration numbers.
| Parameter | Expected Figure (2026) |
|---|---|
| Students Registered | ~25–26 lakh (expected) |
| Students Appeared | ~24–25 lakh (expected) |
| Students Qualified | ~13.5–14.5 lakh (expected) |
| Overall Pass Percentage | ~55–57% (expected) |
| General/EWS Cutoff Marks | 162–167 out of 720 (expected) |
NEET UG 2026 Category-Wise Qualifying Cutoff Marks (Expected)
NTA sets qualifying cutoffs based on percentile thresholds, not fixed marks. The table below shows the expected cutoff marks for each category in 2026, based on previous-year trends.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Cutoff Marks (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th percentile | 162–167 marks |
| OBC | 40th percentile | 128–132 marks |
| SC | 40th percentile | 128–132 marks |
| ST | 40th percentile | 128–132 marks |
| General – PwBD | 45th percentile | 145–150 marks |
| OBC / SC / ST – PwBD | 40th percentile | 128–132 marks |
All cutoff figures above are expected estimates based on 2024 trends. NTA will publish the official cutoff alongside the NEET UG 2026 result at neet.nta.nic.in.
NEET UG Pass Percentage: Year-Wise Trend (2021–2024)
The NEET UG pass percentage has remained remarkably stable, staying near 56% every year from 2021 to 2024. This consistency reflects how the percentile-based cutoff system works — a fixed share of students qualifies each year regardless of paper difficulty.
| Year | Students Appeared | Students Qualified | Pass Percentage | General Cutoff (Marks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,33,297 | 13,16,268 | ~56.4% | 164 |
| 2023 | 20,38,596 | 11,45,976 | ~56.2% | 137 |
| 2022 | 17,64,571 | 9,93,069 | ~56.3% | 117 |
| 2021 | 15,44,275 | 8,70,075 | ~56.3% | 138 |
The variation in General cutoff marks across years reflects changes in paper difficulty. However, the qualifying percentile threshold stays fixed, keeping the overall pass rate stable near 56%.
NEET UG 2026 Category-Wise Pass Percentage Analysis
General and EWS students face a higher marks threshold because they must reach the 50th percentile. Reserved category students qualify at the 40th percentile, which results in a lower marks cutoff but the same relative standing within their group.
| Category | Expected Share of Total Qualifiers (2026) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | ~45–48% (expected) |
| OBC | ~28–32% (expected) |
| SC | ~13–15% (expected) |
| ST | ~5–7% (expected) |
| PwBD (all categories) | ~1–2% (expected) |
General and EWS students make up the largest share of qualifiers. OBC students form the second-largest group. These proportions are based on historical data and are expected to remain similar in 2026.
NEET UG 2026 State-Wise Pass Percentage Analysis
States with a strong coaching culture and high student registration consistently produce the most NEET UG qualifiers. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have historically ranked among the top states by qualifier count.
| State | Key Reason for High Qualifier Count |
|---|---|
| Rajasthan | Kota coaching hub; large dropper student base |
| Maharashtra | High registration volume; urban coaching centres |
| Karnataka | Strong science education infrastructure |
| Tamil Nadu | High student participation; state-level coaching |
| Uttar Pradesh | Largest state by population; high registrations |
| Telangana | Hyderabad coaching institutes; repeat students |
| Kerala | High per-capita pass percentage historically |
| Andhra Pradesh | Strong regional coaching network |
State-wise pass percentage data for 2026 will be available only after NTA releases the official result. The table above reflects historical trends and expected patterns for 2026.
Factors That Affect NEET UG 2026 Pass Percentage
Several variables influence how many students qualify each year. Understanding these helps students set realistic target scores.
- Cohort size: A larger appearing pool means more qualifiers in absolute numbers, even if the pass rate stays near 56%.
- Paper difficulty: A tougher paper lowers the marks cutoff but keeps the percentile threshold fixed. The pass rate stays stable.
- Syllabus changes: Any reduction or addition in the NEET UG syllabus affects how well students prepare across topics.
- Dropper proportion: States like Rajasthan have a high share of repeat students. These students typically score higher, raising competition.
- Marking scheme: NEET UG follows +4 for correct and -1 for wrong answers. Students who attempt fewer questions strategically can still qualify.
NEET UG 2026 Pass Percentage FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEET UG 2026 pass percentage?
Ans. The NEET UG 2026 pass percentage is expected to be between 55% and 57%, based on trends from 2021 to 2024. The official figure will be available after NTA releases the result on July 1, 2026.
Ques. How many marks does a General category student need to qualify NEET UG 2026?
Ans. A General or EWS category student must reach the 50th percentile. Based on 2024 trends, this is expected to be around 162–167 marks out of 720 in 2026.
Ques. What is the NEET UG qualifying cutoff for OBC students in 2026?
Ans. OBC students must reach the 40th percentile. The expected qualifying cutoff for OBC in NEET UG 2026 is approximately 128–132 marks, based on 2024 trends.
Ques. Which state has the highest NEET UG pass percentage?
Ans. Rajasthan consistently produces the highest number of NEET UG qualifiers, driven by the Kota coaching ecosystem and a large dropper student base. Kerala historically has a high per-capita pass percentage.
Ques. Does paper difficulty change the NEET UG pass percentage?
Ans. No. NEET UG uses a percentile-based cutoff. When the paper is harder, the marks cutoff drops, but the qualifying percentile threshold stays fixed. The overall pass percentage remains near 56% regardless of paper difficulty.
Ques. When will NTA release the official NEET UG 2026 pass percentage data?
Ans. NTA will publish the official result, including category-wise qualifying cutoffs and total qualifier counts, on or around July 1, 2026 at neet.nta.nic.in.
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