The NEET PG 2026 cutoff will be declared by NBEMS after the result is announced. NBEMS stands for National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. The cutoff is the minimum percentile you must secure to be eligible for MD, MS, and PG Diploma admissions. Based on the 2026 exam schedule, NEET PG 2026 is expected in August 2026. The qualifying cutoff will likely be released in September 2026.
NEET PG 2026 has not been officially scheduled yet. All dates, marks, and cutoffs here are based on previous years’ official data and expected trends for 2026 aspirants.
Here is what you need to know about NEET PG 2026 cutoff before you begin preparing:
- The qualifying cutoff for General and EWS candidates is expected at the 50th percentile, as per the standard NBEMS rule.
- OBC-NCL, SC, and ST candidates need the 40th percentile to qualify under the standard rule.
- In 2025, NBEMS reduced the cutoff to 0th percentile for reserved categories. For General, it fell to 7th percentile. This trend has continued for three years.
- In 2025 MCC counselling, the AIQ Round 1 closing rank for MD General Medicine was around 3,500 to 4,500. MD Radiodiagnosis closed at around 3,000 to 4,200.
- About 52,000 PG medical seats are available across India for MD, MS, and Diploma courses. Half go through AIQ (MCC) and half through state quota counselling.
- NEET PG 2026 is expected to follow the 180-question, 720-mark pattern introduced in 2026. Marks corresponding to qualifying percentiles will be out of 720, not 800.
- A score of 450 or above out of 720 should place you in the top 5,000 ranks. That gives you a real chance at government college seats in preferred specialties.
| Direct Link to Previous Year NEET PG Cutoff (2025) |
| NEET PG Official Website – natboard.edu.in |
| MCC Counselling Portal – mcc.nic.in |
Key Summary
- NEET PG 2026 cutoff is not yet released. The exam is expected in August 2026 and the cutoff in September 2026.
- The standard qualifying cutoff is 50th percentile for General/EWS and 40th percentile for OBC/SC/ST. NBEMS has reduced these sharply in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to fill vacant PG seats.
- MD General Medicine, MD Radiodiagnosis, and MD Dermatology each closed within ranks 2,000 to 5,000 in 2025 AIQ counselling.
- From 2026, NEET PG moved to 180 questions and 720 marks. This pattern is expected to continue in 2026, changing the marks baseline for each percentile.
- MCC conducts counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats; state authorities manage the remaining 50% through state quota rounds.
What is NEET PG Cutoff 2026?
The NEET PG cutoff is the minimum qualifying percentile NBEMS sets after declaring the result. You must score at or above this percentile to be eligible for MD, MS, and PG Diploma seat counselling. NBEMS decides the cutoff based on total seats available and the number of candidates who appeared.
The cutoff is not the same as the rank you need to get a seat at a specific college. Think of the qualifying cutoff as the entry gate to counselling. Once you clear it, your actual rank determines which college and specialty you get.
Previous Year Official NEET PG Cutoff
The table below shows the official qualifying cutoff declared by NBEMS across the last five years. The marks shown are out of 800 for 2021 to 2025. From 2026, the exam moved to 720 marks, so 2026 cutoff marks will be out of 720.
| Year | General / EWS Percentile | General / EWS Marks | OBC / SC / ST Percentile | OBC / SC / ST Marks | Gen-PwBD Percentile | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50th (revised to 7th)* | 275 (initial) | 40th (revised to 0th)* | 245 (initial) | 45th (revised to 5th)* | 800 |
| 2024 | 50th (revised to 5th)* | ~290 (initial) | 40th (revised to 5th)* | ~258 (initial) | 45th (revised to 5th)* | 800 |
| 2023 | 50th | 291 | 40th | 257 | 45th | 800 |
| 2022 | 50th | 275 | 40th | 245 | 45th | 800 |
| 2021 | 50th | 302 | 40th | 265 | 45th | 800 |
*NBEMS and the Ministry of Health revised these cutoffs downward during counselling rounds to fill vacant PG seats.
Source: National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences – natboard.edu.in
The qualifying marks have shifted over the years. In 2021, the General category cutoff was 302 out of 800. By 2022, it dropped to 275 — a fall of 27 marks. In 2023, it rose back to 291. For 2026, the initial cutoff is expected to stay at the standard 50th percentile. The marks equivalent will be out of 720 due to the new exam pattern.
Ques. Will NBEMS reduce the NEET PG 2026 cutoff percentile to fill vacant seats, like in 2023, 2024, and 2025?
Ans. There is a strong chance the cutoff may be revised downward during later counselling rounds if seats remain vacant. This has happened in each of the last three years. The initial cutoff will still be set at the standard 50th percentile for General/EWS. Any revision depends on how many seats go unfilled after Round 1 and Round 2 of MCC counselling.
NEET PG Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
The table below lists the expected key dates for the NEET PG 2026 cycle. NBEMS has not released the official 2026 calendar yet. These dates follow the 2026 pattern. The 2026 exam was on August 30 and the result was expected by September 30.
| Event | Expected Date (2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Official Notification | May 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Application Form Release | June 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Last Date to Apply | July 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card Release | August 2026 | To Be Announced |
| NEET PG 2026 Exam | August 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Answer Key Release | August – September 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Result and Qualifying Cutoff | September 2026 | To Be Announced |
| MCC Counselling Round 1 | October 2026 | To Be Announced |
| MCC Counselling Round 2 | November 2026 | To Be Announced |
| State Quota Counselling | October – December 2026 | To Be Announced |
| Stray Vacancy / Mop-Up Round | December 2026 | To Be Announced |
Keep checking natboard.edu.in for official date announcements.
Factors Affecting NEET PG Cutoff
The NEET PG qualifying cutoff changes every year. Several factors influence where NBEMS sets the cutoff percentile. You should track these factors while predicting what the 2026 cutoff will look like.
- Total candidates appearing: More candidates means the 50th percentile mark represents a larger absolute number. The pool has grown steadily over the years.
- Exam difficulty level: A tougher paper pulls down the marks at the 50th percentile, even if the percentile threshold stays the same.
- Exam pattern changes: From 2026, NEET PG moved to 180 questions and 720 marks. This directly affects the qualifying marks for 2026. Earlier cutoffs in marks were out of 800.
- Total PG seats available: India has around 52,000 MD, MS, and Diploma seats. When many seats go vacant, NBEMS reduces the cutoff to fill them. This happened in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Government policy decisions: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare can direct NBEMS to lower the cutoff. This happens when too many seats remain empty after early rounds.
- Category-wise seat distribution: OBC, SC, and ST reserved seats are more likely to stay vacant. That is why reserved category cutoffs are reduced first and often more sharply.
- New medical colleges and seats added: New government medical colleges have increased the total seat count in recent years. More seats generally means closing ranks for each specialty can open up slightly.
NEET PG Category-Wise Cutoff 2026 (Expected)
NEET PG 2026 qualifying cutoff has not been declared yet. Based on the standard NBEMS rule, the expected cutoff percentile by category is listed below. These are the initial cutoff levels. NBEMS may reduce them during counselling rounds if seats remain vacant, as seen in recent years.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Percentile | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 50th percentile | Standard NBEMS rule; may be revised downward if seats go vacant |
| EWS | 50th percentile | Treated at par with General for qualifying percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 40th percentile | Reserved category standard |
| SC | 40th percentile | Reserved category standard |
| ST | 40th percentile | Reserved category standard |
| General – PwBD | 45th percentile | Persons with Benchmark Disability under General |
| SC / ST / OBC – PwBD | 40th percentile | Persons with Benchmark Disability under reserved categories |
The qualifying percentile for 2026 is expected to start at 50th for General. In 2025, NBEMS reduced it to 7th percentile for General. For OBC, SC, and ST, it dropped to 0th percentile to fill vacant seats. If a similar situation arises in 2026, the cutoff could be revised after the initial announcement.
NEET PG Qualifying Cutoff vs Admission Cutoff
Many candidates confuse the qualifying cutoff with the admission cutoff. They are two different things. You need to clear both to get a PG medical seat.
- Qualifying cutoff (NBEMS): This is the minimum percentile NBEMS sets to declare you eligible. If you are in the 50th percentile or above as a General candidate, you qualify. You can then register for MCC or state counselling.
- Admission cutoff (MCC / State): This is the rank at which a specific college and specialty fills during counselling. For MD Radiodiagnosis at a top government college, the AIQ closing rank may be around 2,000 to 3,000. If your rank is 30,000, you will not get Radiodiagnosis even if you clear the qualifying cutoff.
The admission cutoff is far more competitive than the qualifying cutoff. Your rank within the merit list is what drives your actual seat options.
NEET PG Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Looking at the cutoff trend over five years gives you a clear picture of where things are headed for 2026. The data below covers both the initial qualifying cutoff and any revisions made during counselling.
| Year | General / EWS Initial Percentile | General / EWS Revised Percentile | OBC / SC / ST Initial Percentile | OBC / SC / ST Revised Percentile | Reason for Revision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50th | 7th | 40th | 0th | Vacant PG seats after multiple counselling rounds |
| 2024 | 50th | 5th | 40th | 5th | Vacant PG seats after counselling rounds |
| 2023 | 50th | Reduced* | 40th | Reduced* | Seat vacancy in state and central quota |
| 2022 | 50th | No revision | 40th | No revision | Seats filled within standard counselling |
| 2021 | 50th | No revision | 40th | No revision | Standard counselling without seat vacancy issue |
*Exact 2023 revised percentile figures are subject to the official NBEMS notification for that year.
Source: National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences – natboard.edu.in
The trend is clear. In 2021 and 2022, the cutoff stayed at the standard 50th and 40th percentile throughout the counselling cycle. From 2023, this changed. NBEMS started reducing the cutoff in later rounds. By 2025, the reduction was dramatic. The General cutoff fell by 43 percentile points. The OBC/SC/ST cutoff dropped all the way to 0th percentile.
For 2026, you should expect the initial cutoff to be set at the standard 50th and 40th percentile. Whether it gets revised later depends on how many seats remain vacant after the first two rounds of MCC counselling.
Ques. Why does NBEMS keep reducing the NEET PG cutoff every year?
Ans. PG medical seats were going vacant across government and private colleges after standard counselling rounds. Many MBBS graduates either skip NEET PG or choose not to join certain specialties or locations. To make sure no seat goes unfilled, NBEMS lowers the qualifying bar so more candidates can participate in later rounds. This is a policy decision backed by the Ministry of Health.
NEET PG Cutoff for Top Specialties
The qualifying cutoff gets you into counselling. Your rank then determines your specialty options. The table below shows approximate AIQ Round 1 closing ranks for key specialties. Data covers 2024 and 2025 MCC counselling for the General category. These figures are based on previous counselling trends and are not official MCC numbers.
| Specialty | 2024 AIQ Closing Rank (Approx.) | 2025 AIQ Closing Rank (Approx.) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD General Medicine | 4,000 – 5,000 | 3,500 – 4,500 | Getting more competitive |
| MD Radiodiagnosis | 2,800 – 3,800 | 3,000 – 4,200 | Slightly loosening from peak |
| MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy | 3,200 – 4,200 | 3,500 – 4,800 | Consistently high demand |
| MS General Surgery | 5,500 – 7,000 | 6,000 – 7,800 | Stable, slight loosening |
| MD Paediatrics | 7,000 – 9,500 | 7,500 – 10,000 | Stable demand |
| MD Ophthalmology | 9,000 – 12,000 | 10,000 – 13,500 | Slight loosening |
| MS Orthopaedics | 6,000 – 8,500 | 7,000 – 9,500 | Stable |
| MD Anaesthesiology | 15,000 – 20,000 | 17,000 – 23,000 | Demand growing, more seats available |
| MD Pathology | 30,000 – 45,000 | 32,000 – 48,000 | Lower demand, easier to secure |
| MD Microbiology | 50,000 – 70,000 | 55,000 – 75,000 | Among the least competitive specialties |
The figures above are approximate and based on previous counselling patterns. Official closing ranks for each round are published at mcc.nic.in after each allotment.
MD General Medicine overtook MD Radiodiagnosis as the most preferred specialty in 2025 counselling. If this trend holds in 2026, expect MD General Medicine closing ranks to tighten further.
NEET PG Tie-Breaking Rules
When two candidates score equal marks in NEET PG, NBEMS uses a tie-breaking rule to assign different ranks. This matters especially if your rank is near the closing rank of a desired specialty.
- Higher marks in clinical subjects: The candidate with more marks in clinical subjects like Medicine, Surgery, and OBG is ranked higher.
- Higher marks in para-clinical subjects: If the tie remains, marks in Pathology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology are compared.
- Higher marks in pre-clinical subjects: If the tie continues, marks in Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry decide the rank.
- Fewer wrong answers: Among candidates with the same total score, the one with fewer incorrect responses is ranked higher.
- Older candidate: If the tie still persists, the older candidate is assigned the better rank.
If you are on the border of a specialty’s closing rank, your subject-wise score breakdown can make a difference in the final rank list.
NEET PG Marks vs Rank
The table below shows the approximate marks-to-rank correlation for NEET PG. These figures are based on 2025 exam data (out of 800 marks). From 2026, the exam is out of 720 marks. The 2026 figures will scale to the new 720-mark pattern.
| Score (out of 800, up to 2025) | Score (out of 720, from 2026) | Approximate Rank | Approximate Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 560 and above | 500 and above | Top 500 | 99.9th and above |
| 500 – 559 | 450 – 499 | 500 – 3,000 | 98th – 99.9th |
| 440 – 499 | 395 – 449 | 3,000 – 7,000 | 95th – 98th |
| 380 – 439 | 342 – 394 | 7,000 – 15,000 | 90th – 95th |
| 330 – 379 | 297 – 341 | 15,000 – 30,000 | 80th – 90th |
| 291 – 329 | 262 – 296 | 30,000 – 55,000 | 63rd – 80th |
| 275 (General qualifying mark, 2023) | ~248 (estimated 2026) | ~60,000 – 75,000 | 50th (qualifying threshold) |
| Below 275 | Below 248 | 75,000 and beyond | Below 50th (not qualified) |
The 2026 marks equivalent for the qualifying threshold will be finalised after the result. The 248-mark estimate above is a rough conversion and not an official NBEMS figure.
NEET PG Cutoff: Counselling Process
Clearing the qualifying cutoff makes you eligible for seat allotment through counselling. There are two parallel counselling systems for NEET PG 2026.
MCC Counselling (AIQ – 50% of seats):
- MCC manages the All India Quota. This covers 50% of seats in government medical colleges. It also covers 100% of seats in central and deemed universities.
- MCC conducts two main rounds followed by a stray vacancy round. Round 1 and Round 2 are the primary rounds where most seats are filled.
- You must register at mcc.nic.in, fill in your college and specialty preferences, and lock your choices before the deadline.
- Seat allotment is based entirely on your NEET PG rank, the preferences you fill, and seat availability within your category.
- After allotment, you must report to the allotted college within the reporting window. Missing the deadline means losing the seat.
State Quota Counselling (50% of seats):
- Each state runs its own counselling for the remaining 50% state quota seats in government and private medical colleges.
- Eligibility for state quota usually requires domicile proof or MBBS from a college in that state. Check each state’s rules.
- State counselling bodies operate separately from MCC. You may participate in both simultaneously if eligible.
How to Check NEET PG Cutoff 2026
Once NBEMS declares the result, the qualifying cutoff is published on the official website. Here is how you check it:
- Go to natboard.edu.in.
- Look for the "NEET PG 2026 Result" or "Cutoff Marks" link on the homepage.
- Click the link. It usually opens a PDF with category-wise qualifying percentile and corresponding marks.
- Note your category’s qualifying percentile and the corresponding marks threshold.
- Compare your score to the qualifying marks. If your score is at or above the cutoff for your category, you qualify.
- For counselling closing ranks, visit mcc.nic.in after each round of MCC counselling is complete.
NEET PG Cutoff 2026: FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEET PG 2026 qualifying cutoff for General category?
Ans. The expected qualifying cutoff for General and EWS candidates is the 50th percentile. This is the standard rule NBEMS uses every year. However, this may be revised downward if PG seats go vacant after initial rounds. This happened in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Ques. When will NEET PG 2026 cutoff be declared?
Ans. NEET PG 2026 has not been officially scheduled yet. Based on the 2026 calendar, the exam is expected in August 2026. The qualifying cutoff should follow with the result in September 2026. All official announcements will be on natboard.edu.in.
Ques. What is the NEET PG cutoff for OBC, SC, and ST categories?
Ans. The standard qualifying percentile for OBC-NCL, SC, and ST candidates is the 40th percentile. In 2025, NBEMS reduced this to 0th percentile to fill vacant reserved category seats. A similar revision is possible in 2026 if seats remain unfilled after initial counselling rounds.
Ques. What is the difference between qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff in NEET PG?
Ans. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile NBEMS sets for you to be eligible for counselling. Clearing it means you can register for seat allotment. The admission cutoff is the rank at which a specific college and specialty fills during counselling. You need a good rank, not just the qualifying percentile, to get a seat in a preferred specialty.
Ques. What rank do I need to get MD General Medicine at a government college through AIQ?
Ans. In 2025 MCC Round 1, the AIQ closing rank for MD General Medicine was 3,500 to 4,500. This is for the General category at government colleges. This is a rough estimate based on counselling trends. Actual closing ranks vary by specific college and may differ in 2026.
Ques. Has the NEET PG exam pattern changed for 2026?
Ans. From 2026, NEET PG moved to 180 questions and 720 total marks, down from 200 questions and 800 marks. This pattern is expected to continue in 2026. The qualifying cutoff marks for 2026 will be out of 720, not 800. A score of around 248 out of 720 may roughly match the 50th percentile for General. The official equivalent will only be confirmed after the 2026 result.
Ques. What happens if I clear the qualifying cutoff but do not get a seat in MCC Round 1?
Ans. If you do not get a seat in Round 1, check Round 2. Your choices may be upgraded if a better option becomes available. You can also participate in the stray vacancy round. At the same time, you can register for state quota counselling in your home state. You do not need to clear the qualifying cutoff again — it is valid for the entire 2026 counselling cycle.
Ques. What is the NEET PG cutoff for PwBD candidates?
Ans. Persons with Benchmark Disability under the General category need the 45th percentile to qualify. PwBD candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories need the 40th percentile. These are the initial standard cutoffs. NBEMS has reduced PwBD cutoffs to as low as 5th percentile in 2025 during later rounds to fill reserved seats.
Ques. Is there state domicile reservation in NEET PG 2026?
Ans. Yes. The 50% state quota seats in government medical colleges are reserved for candidates with domicile or educational ties to that state. Each state has its own eligibility rules. Completing MBBS from a college in that state usually makes you eligible for its state quota. Check the specific state counselling body’s notification for exact rules.
Ques. Which specialty has the lowest closing rank (most competitive) in NEET PG AIQ counselling?
Ans. MD General Medicine overtook MD Radiodiagnosis as the most preferred specialty in 2025 MCC counselling. MD Radiodiagnosis, MD Dermatology, and MD General Medicine consistently close at the lowest ranks in AIQ. You need the best NEET PG rank to get any of them. For 2025, all three closed within the top 5,000 ranks for top government colleges under the General category.
Ques. Can I apply for both MCC AIQ counselling and state quota counselling at the same time?
Ans. Yes, you can register for both MCC AIQ and your state quota counselling. Do this only if you meet both sets of eligibility criteria. Both processes run at roughly the same time, so track deadlines for both carefully. If you get seats in both AIQ and state quota, choose one. Report to that college within the deadline.
Ques. How many PG medical seats are available in India for NEET PG 2026?
Ans. Around 52,000 MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats are available across India for NEET PG admissions. This includes approximately 29,000 to 30,000 government seats and about 22,000 to 28,000 private and deemed university seats. The total count may increase slightly by 2026 as new medical colleges complete their recognition process.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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