NEET UG 2026: Expected Cut-Off and Category-Wise Breakdown for MBBS

The wait is finally over for all NEET UG 2026 aspirants. The examination is over, and the question on everybody’s mind is the same: what is the cutoff?

Let's break it down in simple words.

NEET UG 2026 Exam: Quick Overview

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET UG 2026 exam nationwide on Sunday. There was heavy participation, as 96.92 percent of candidates appeared for the exam.

Of the 22.80 lakh candidates enrolled for the test, approximately 22,05,035 participated. The exam was conducted in 37 states and Union Territories.

Majority of students found the question paper easier than last year's. The biology portion was found easier by many. Physics and chemistry portions were considered moderate, but numerical questions in physics were a little difficult for some students.

Due to the moderate level of difficulty of the paper and participation, the cut-off for NEET UG 2026 is expected to increase slightly from 2025.

Why the Cut-Off Matters

Before jumping into the statistics, there is one thing that every student must know first of all.

NEET cut off has two components:

• Qualifying cut-off: The cut-off mark required for clearing NEET exam so as to get the eligibility for counselling.
• Admission cut-off: The cut-off mark needed for securing an admission in the medical institute of your choice.

Cleared qualifying NEET cut-off opens the gateway to get admission whereas crossing the gate is dependent upon other factors too.

NEET UG 2026: Expected Cut-Off (Category-Wise)

Top coaching institutes like Aakash, Physics Wallah (PW), and Motion Education have shared their predictions. Here's what they expect.

What This Means for General Students

According to Aakash and PW, the cut-off score for the General and EWS categories is estimated to be between 135 and 138 marks. In contrast, Motion Education has set their bar slightly higher, at 144 marks.

Therefore, if you belong to the General and EWS categories, ensure that your score exceeds 144 marks.

What This Means for Reserved Categories

For OBC, SC, and ST students, Aakash & PW have projected a mark range of 107-137, while Motion Education believes that their mark range would be 113-143.

Their reasoning behind this projection is simple. The reserved category candidates may have to score an additional 5 to 10 marks this year compared to last year to be in the race.

What This Means for PwD Students

While for the candidates belonging to PwDs category, both Aakash and PW think that the cutoff will range from 120-137 marks, Motion Education thinks that it will range from 127-143 marks.

These numbers are a bit higher than 2025.

NEET UG Cut-Off: Previous Years (2019 to 2025)

Looking at past trends helps you predict where this year's cut-off might land.

What the Trend Shows

The cut-off point has remained almost constant throughout the years. 2024's sharp increase is quite exceptional. This occurred due to grace marks and a court order during that year. Therefore, it cannot be used as an indicator.

General category cut-offs have ranged from 117 to 147 marks for most years. Reserved categories, on the other hand, were often between 93 and 137 marks.

What Happens After the Result?

Once your result is out, here's what to do next.

The NEET cut-off isn't fixed. It moves based on a few things.

The total number of students who appeared. The difficulty of the paper. The total seats available. The performance of top scorers.

Percentile scores are relative. They're decided by the highest marks in the all-India merit list. So even if you score the same marks as last year, your percentile can change.

This is why the actual cut-off marks for the same percentile look different every year.

A Quick Word for NEET 2026 Students

In case you are eagerly waiting for your score, take a deep breath because the above mentioned numbers are all mere projections. The actual cut-off will be announced by NTA along with your score.

Utilize this opportunity to gather documents that you would require during counseling process such as admit card, Class 10 & Class 12 marks sheets, ID Proof, etc.

There is no need to worry if you find your score disappointing. Several students have made their way into good colleges through state quota. Do not get carried away by a high score either as it does not ensure admission in your dream college.

Final Thoughts

The cutoff marks in NEET UG 2026 are likely to see an increase because the paper has been relatively easy compared to previous years. However, it would be achievable for most candidates.

However, what you should consider is the admission cutoff marks. They depend on factors like your ranks, category, and state.

Do not make any big moves until the official release of information.

👉 NEET Study Materials