NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 Expected Cutoff for OBC, SC and ST Categories

NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 expected cutoff for OBC category is likely to fall between 115 and 135 marks, while SC and ST students can expect closing marks in the range of 95–115 and 85–105 marks respectively, based on 2024 and 2025 AIQ counselling trends.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is expected to release the NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result around July 20, 2026. The closing marks recorded at the end of Round 1 serve as the effective category-wise cutoff, determining which students secure a seat in the first round of AIQ counselling. Knowing the expected range in advance helps you shortlist colleges and specializations and plan your Round 2 strategy if needed.

• NEET MDS 2026 is conducted for MDS admissions across India with a total of 240 marks (240 MCQs, 1 mark each, –0.25 negative marking).
• The qualifying threshold is fixed at the 50th percentile for General and the 40th percentile for OBC, SC, and ST categories.
• General category Round 1 closing marks are expected around 145–165 marks based on previous year trends.
• OBC students are likely to need approximately 115–135 marks to secure a seat in Round 1.
• SC and ST students can expect Round 1 closing marks of approximately 95–115 and 85–105 marks respectively.
• Official Round 1 allotment results will be published at natboard.edu.in.

NEET MDS 2026 Qualifying Cutoff Marks by Category

NBEMS announces a minimum qualifying percentile for each category after every exam. Students must meet or exceed this threshold to become eligible for NEET MDS 2026 AIQ counselling. The table below shows the expected qualifying marks based on the prescribed percentile and previous year score distributions.

Meeting the qualifying cutoff only makes you eligible for counselling — it does not guarantee a seat. The actual seat allotment in Round 1 depends on your rank, your specialization choices, and the number of available seats in your category. All figures above are expected and based on 2023–2025 trends.

Expected Round 1 Closing Marks for OBC, SC and ST

The Round 1 closing marks represent the score of the last student allotted a seat when Round 1 ends. These marks are significantly higher than the qualifying cutoff because only the top-ranked eligible students receive allotments first. The table below is based on 2024 and 2025 counselling data and represents expected figures, not confirmed cutoffs.

Students scoring at or above the expected closing marks for their category have a high probability of receiving a Round 1 allotment. Those scoring slightly below should still participate in counselling and fill all available specialization choices, as seats from upgrades and withdrawals feed into Round 2 and the stray vacancy round.

Previous Year NEET MDS Cutoff Trends

Tracking the qualifying marks published by NBEMS over the past three years is the most reliable way to project 2026 cutoffs. The table below shows approximate qualifying marks for each category from 2023 to 2025. These are derived from officially published NEET MDS result notices.

The data shows a consistent rise of 4–5 marks per year across all categories. With the number of MDS aspirants growing year on year, this upward trend is expected to continue in NEET MDS 2026, which is why 2026 projected qualifying marks are set marginally higher than 2025 actuals.

Expected Cutoff by Specialization

The competition level in NEET MDS 2026 counselling varies sharply by MDS specialization. Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery attract the highest scores, while Public Health Dentistry and Oral Medicine close at considerably lower ranks. The closing rank ranges below are expected and based on 2024–2025 AIQ counselling data for the General category.

OBC, SC, and ST students can typically access higher-demand specializations at ranks that are 1.5 to 2 times the General category closing rank, depending on the number of reserved seats available in each specialization.

Factors Affecting NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff

Several variables can push or pull the Round 1 closing marks each year. Understanding them helps you form a realistic picture of your chances.

• Total number of applicants: More students appearing for NEET MDS increases competition at every percentile level, pushing closing marks upward.
• Exam difficulty level: A harder paper leads to lower raw scores across the board and may moderate the closing marks slightly compared to an easier year.
• Total MDS seats available: Any increase in approved MDS seats at government or central institutions reduces competition and lowers closing marks.
• Category-wise reservation: OBC (27%), SC (15%), and ST (7.5%) reservations apply to AIQ seats. A smaller pool of reserved seats in high-demand specializations means tighter category-level competition and higher closing marks within those groups.
• Round 1 upgrades and withdrawals: Students who upgrade their seat preference or withdraw in Round 1 release seats into Round 2, which can slightly shift Round 1 final closing marks.
• Upward historical trend: Cutoffs have risen steadily across all categories since 2022. Barring a significant change in exam difficulty or seat intake, 2026 closing marks are expected to be marginally higher than 2025.