NEET has two different "cut-offs" and confusing them is the most common mistake. The qualifying cut-off is a percentile — 50th for General, 40th for SC/ST/OBC, 45th for General-PwD — and in recent years has translated to roughly 160–165 marks for General. The admission cut-off is the score at which a given college actually closes, and for government MBBS that is usually 600+. Qualifying does not get you a seat; it makes you eligible to compete for one.
The two cut-offs #
| Qualifying cut-off | Admission cut-off | |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | NTA, as a percentile | The counselling process, by demand |
| What it means | You are eligible for medical admission | This college closed at this score |
| General category | 50th percentile (~160–165 marks) | Varies by college; 600+ for most govt MBBS |
| Published | With the result | After each counselling round |
Roughly 12–13 lakh candidates qualify each year for about 1.1 lakh MBBS seats. That gap is the entire story.
Qualifying percentiles #
| Category | Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th |
| General-PwD | 45th |
| SC/ST/OBC-PwD | 40th |
Recent General-category qualifying scores have sat in the 160s, having been considerably higher in one unusual year and lower in others — it tracks paper difficulty and candidate numbers, not a fixed standard.
Indicative admission cut-offs #
| Seat type | Typical score band |
|---|---|
| AIIMS Delhi | ~700+ |
| Top government medical colleges | 670–700 |
| State government MBBS (General, home state) | 600–660 |
| State government MBBS (reserved categories) | Substantially lower |
| Private MBBS | 450–600 |
| AYUSH (BAMS/BHMS) | 350–500 |
| Deemed universities | Wide range, fee-dependent |
- State quota is 85% of seats. Your home-state cut-off usually matters far more than the All India Quota number that gets quoted in the news.
- Category cut-offs differ by hundreds of marks. Always look up the band for your category and your state, not the headline figure.
- Cut-offs loosen across counselling rounds as candidates withdraw. A score that misses in round 1 can clear in a mop-up round.
- A qualifying score with no realistic admission score is the most common disappointment in NEET. Plan for it: AYUSH, BDS, nursing and a considered dropper year are all legitimate paths.
NEET cutoff — frequently asked questions
What is the NEET qualifying cutoff?
What is the difference between qualifying and admission cutoff in NEET?
How many marks are needed for government MBBS?
Does the NEET cutoff change every year?
Is qualifying NEET enough to get an MBBS seat?
Verified fees, centres and reviews.
Disclaimer: Cut-off figures are indicative, compiled from publicly reported counselling data, and are not official. Verify with MCC and your state counselling authority.
