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Each year, thousands of MBBS students wait to discover the NEET PG cutoff scores. However, many candidates do not realise that the qualifying score is not the same as the NEET PG admission score.
Candidates should always consult the official NEET PG 2026 qualifying score, category-wise score, counselling rules and seat availability. Below are the expected scores, however, these are not official and should therefore be used as a guide. We recommend continuing to refer to the MBBS Advisor for your PG admissions strategy.
What is the NEET PG 2026 Cutoff?
This is the minimum score a candidate must achieve in order to be eligible to take part in the postgraduate admission process. It is assessed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). The counselling is organised by the appropriate authority depending on your seat. The cutoff is generally given in a percentile format. For example, if the cutoff is 50%, then this means the candidate has achieved a score that is equal to or higher than the percentile given.
There are two important scores to know:
Qualifying Score – This is the minimum score a candidate must achieve to qualify for the exam. This is given as a percentile and the score required.
Admission Score – This is the score/rank a candidate must achieve in order to be allocated a specific seat (MD/MS/DNB).
Honestly, this can be just as important. You may qualify for the NEET PG 2026 but may struggle to gain a seat in your desired college for competitive specialities such as Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology and General Medicine.
NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Score – Category Wise
We have now received official confirmation of the NEET PG 2026 qualifying score. Candidates should ensure they use the scores provided in the latest announcements rather than old predictions from coaching sites. According to the NBEMS result details, the qualifying score for each category are:
PTIFeed+1
General/EWS – 262 (50th Percentile)
General PwBD – 244 (45th Percentile)
SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD) – 226 (40th Percentile)
These scores are the qualifying scores. You should always ensure you utilise the official NBEMS NEET PG Portal to determine what notice applies to you and what your exam details are.
What Does This Mean for Candidates?
If you are a General category candidate and achieve a score of 270, you will have achieved above the qualifying score, however, this does not guarantee you will gain a seat at a government medical college. This will depend on your rank, category, speciality choice, seat availability and counselling round.
This will also be the case for reserved category candidates. If you achieve the qualifying score for SC, ST or OBC you will be eligible to take part according to the rules, however, you will need to gain a place on the appropriate merit list. Something to note is that the qualifying score can vary from year to year and the qualifying percentiles can be changed during counselling if it is decided to do so.
Previous Years’ Cutoff
As you can see from the previous results, you should not solely rely on the cutoff from one year. There can be significant changes to the qualifying score and the cutoff can be amended.
The original qualifying scores for NEET PG 2025 were:
General/EWS – 276
General PwBD – 255
SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD) – 235
This was calculated out of a total of 800.
National Board of Examinations
However, in January 2026, this was lowered for the 2025-26 counselling process. The new qualifying scores were:
General/EWS – 103
General PwBD – 90
SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD) – -40
This was an exception for the third round of counselling.
National Board of Examinations
The maximum score for the 2026 exam was different compared to the 2025 exam.
Original Cutoff – NEET PG 2025:
General/EWS – 276
General PwBD – 255
SC/ST/OBC – 235 (out of 800)
Cutoff – NEET PG 2026:
General/EWS – 262
General PwBD – 244
SC/ST/OBC – 226
Amended Cutoff – 2025:
A special exception was made for the third round of counselling.
Overall, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easier to gain a seat. Competitive specialities can still be highly contested. Even though more candidates will be eligible to take part in counselling.
Qualifying Score vs Admission Score
Many candidates get confused with the scores. Simply achieving the qualifying score will not guarantee you a place. The qualifying score shows whether you have achieved the minimum score to be eligible to take part. The admission score shows the rank/score you achieved to be allocated a specific seat. You may achieve the qualifying score for NEET PG 2026 but fail to gain a seat in your desired government college for General Medicine. Someone with a different rank, reserved category and speciality may have more options. Make sure you refer to the official Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) website for notices showing what seats are available for All India Quota counselling. Each state will publish their own counselling schedule and rules for state quota.
What will Influence the NEET PG 2026 Admission Score?
There are a few factors that will influence your final closing rank for MD/MS/DNB:
Number of Candidates – More candidates could mean increased competition for limited seats.
Difficulty – The exam difficulty and overall performance of candidates can influence scores.
Seat Availability – The amount of postgraduate seats available can impact your chance of gaining a seat.
Speciality Choice – Popular specialities will often have higher closing ranks.
Reserved Categories – The reserved categories and eligibility will impact what seats you are eligible for.
Counselling Rounds – If seats are still available, the eligibility may change for later rounds.
Honestly, many candidates make mistakes here. They see they have gained the qualifying score and assume they can gain a seat at government. However, you should check what the previous closing ranks were for your category, course and college.
How to Find the Official NEET PG 2026 Cutoff
Always refer to official notices:
Visit the official NBEMS website.
Click the NEET PG Exam tab.
Search for the 2026 result notice and cutoff.
Check your category qualifying percentile and score.
Review your scorecard and rank.
Visit the MCC or appropriate state counselling site for admission updates.
Ensure you save a copy of your scorecard and notices. If there have been any changes to the qualifying criteria, make sure you carefully read through the updated notice. This could be for a specific counselling round.
What Should Candidates Do Once They Have Qualified?
Once you have gained the qualifying score, you should create a realistic counselling strategy. Decide what specialities and colleges you would like to apply for. Compare the previous closing ranks for your speciality, category and college against your rank. Don’t just apply for a college because it has a good reputation. Consider the tuition fees, stipend, work load, clinical exposure, location and bond terms.
Ensure your MBBS qualification, completion of internship and registration meets the eligibility requirements. Refer to the National Medical Commission for regulation information. For general medical education information, refer to the WHO. You can also search for medical schools using the World Directory of Medical Schools. However, these cannot be used as a replacement for the official NEET PG cutoff notice or Indian postgraduate counselling rules. If you require any help understanding the admissions process, refer to MBBS Advisor. However, always confirm the current eligibility and counselling requirements from the responsible authorities.
FAQ
1. What is the NEET PG 2026 cutoff for General?
The reported qualifying score for General/EWS candidates is 262 (50th Percentile). Ensure you check the official NBEMS notice for your category.
2. What is the NEET PG 2026 cutoff for SC, ST and OBC?
The reported qualifying score for SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD) candidates is 226 (40th Percentile). This does not guarantee you a place on a specific course/college.
3. Will I gain an MD/MS seat if I qualify?
No. You will be eligible to take part in the admissions process. However, your seat will depend on your rank, category, speciality choice, seat availability and counselling rules.
4. Can the NEET PG cutoff be lowered?
Yes. In previous admission cycles the qualifying percentiles have been lowered. For example, in 2025-26 this happened in January 2026. Any changes in the future must be confirmed via an official notice.
5. Where can I find the official NEET PG cutoff?
Visit the NBEMS website and click on the NEET PG tab. To find out about seat allocations and counselling, visit the MCC website or your appropriate state counselling authority.
Conclusion
The NEET PG 2026 cutoff will give you a head start in creating your postgraduate medical admissions strategy. However, your rank, category, speciality choice and seat availability will all have an impact. Always refer to the official notices, compare previous admission cutoffs and carefully create your counselling choices. For further medical education advice and admissions updates, visit the MBBS Advisor. Always confirm important decisions from official sources.
