NEET PG 2026 Cutoff Released: Category-Wise Qualifying Percentiles Explained

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced the qualifying cutoff for NEET PG 2026, marking a critical milestone for doctors seeking postgraduate admission in India. The cutoff, released on 24 September 2026 at natboard.edu.in, determines which candidates are eligible to participate in counselling for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB seats across government and private medical colleges. Unlike raw marks, the cutoff is expressed as a percentile—a score that varies each year based on exam difficulty and candidate performance. For an MBBS graduate, clearing this threshold is the first gate to entering postgraduate medical education and beginning specialisation.

What Are the Category-Wise Qualifying Percentiles for NEET PG 2026?

NBEMS has set different qualifying percentiles based on candidate category to ensure fair representation across reserved and unreserved groups. The unreserved (UR) and economically weaker section (EWS) candidates must achieve a 50th percentile score, meaning they must perform better than half of all test-takers. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates, including OBC-NCL (non-creamy layer), have a lower threshold of 40th percentile.

For candidates with disabilities, the cutoff is slightly relaxed. Unreserved candidates with disability (PwD) need to clear 45th percentile, while SC/ST/OBC candidates with disability also need 40th percentile. This structure recognises both the need for diversity in postgraduate medicine and the additional challenges faced by differently abled doctors. The percentile-based system ensures that the cutoff adjusts automatically to exam difficulty—a harder exam will have a lower raw mark corresponding to the same percentile, and vice versa.

• UR/EWS: 50th percentile
• SC/ST/OBC (including OBC-NCL): 40th percentile
• UR-PwD: 45th percentile
• SC/ST/OBC-PwD: 40th percentile

How Does Percentile Differ From Raw Marks in NEET PG?

A common source of confusion for NEET PG aspirants is the difference between percentile and raw marks. The cutoff is always announced in percentile, not the actual number of marks scored. A 50th percentile means a candidate has scored better than 50% of all test-takers in that exam session. The exact raw mark that corresponds to this percentile changes every year depending on how difficult the exam was and how well candidates performed overall.

NBEMS calculates percentiles after the entire exam is complete and all scores are analysed. The lowest raw mark that falls at or above the cutoff percentile becomes the qualifying score for that category. This system protects candidates from year-to-year variations in exam difficulty. For example, if an exam is harder, fewer candidates will score high marks, so the raw mark needed to reach 50th percentile will be lower. Conversely, an easier exam will require a higher raw mark to reach the same percentile. This ensures fairness and consistency across different exam years.

What Happens After Clearing the NEET PG 2026 Cutoff?

Once you confirm that your score meets or exceeds the category cutoff, you become eligible for the MCC All India Quota (AIQ) counselling process. The AIQ pool comprises 50% of all postgraduate medical seats available across India in government colleges, and a portion of private college seats. Qualifying candidates will be invited to register on the official MCC portal when the AIQ counselling round begins. Registration involves filling personal details, uploading required documents, and paying the counselling fee online.

After registration closes, the choice-filling window opens. During this phase, you rank the colleges and specialities (MD, MS, or DNB courses) in order of your preference. The MCC then runs an automated seat allotment algorithm based on your rank, your choices, and seat availability. Once allotted a seat, you must report to the assigned college within the specified reporting window with original documents. Failure to report can result in forfeiture of the seat. It is important to note that AIQ counselling is separate from state quota counselling—50% of seats are reserved for state-level candidates and managed by individual state authorities.

• Register on MCC portal when AIQ counselling begins
• Fill choices in order of preference during choice-filling window
• Receive seat allotment based on rank and availability
• Report to allotted college within the given deadline
• Separately register on state portal for state quota seats (if eligible)

Which Postgraduate Courses Are Covered Under NEET PG 2026?

NEET PG 2026 qualifiers can compete for seats in four main categories of postgraduate medical education: MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), PG Diploma, and DNB (Diplomate of National Board). MD and MS are typically two-year courses offered by universities and government medical colleges, leading to a degree in a broad speciality such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Anaesthesia, and many others. PG Diploma is a shorter, often one-year course in select specialities, while DNB is a three-year postgraduate qualification awarded by the National Board of Examinations and recognised across India.

Both government and private medical colleges participate in the counselling process. Government colleges fill seats through the AIQ round (50% of seats) and state quota rounds (50% of seats). Private colleges typically fill seats through AIQ counselling or their own merit-based processes. The total number of postgraduate seats available varies by state and college, and the exact seat matrix is released by MCC before counselling begins. Candidates should note that super-speciality courses (DM, M.Ch, DrNB) are NOT part of NEET PG—those require a separate entrance exam called NEET-SS, which is taken after completing a broad-speciality postgraduate degree.

• MD (Doctor of Medicine) — 2-year broad-speciality degree
• MS (Master of Surgery) — 2-year broad-speciality degree
• PG Diploma — shorter postgraduate qualification in select fields
• DNB (Diplomate of National Board) — 3-year postgraduate qualification
• Available in government and private medical colleges across India

What Documents Must You Carry to MCC Counselling?

MCC counselling requires a comprehensive set of original documents to verify your eligibility and academic credentials. You must bring your NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard (or rank letter) as proof of exam qualification. Your MBBS degree certificate or provisional passing certificate is essential; if you have not yet received your final degree, a provisional certificate from your medical college confirming you have completed all requirements is acceptable. You will also need mark sheets from all professional years of your MBBS course and an internship completion certificate.

Additional documents include your permanent or provisional NMC (National Medical Commission) registration certificate, which confirms you are a registered medical practitioner. Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates are required for identity verification. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS), bring your category certificate issued by the competent authority. If you have a disability, bring your PwD certificate. Finally, carry a government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence) and recent passport-size photographs. Keeping all documents in a folder and verifying them before counselling day prevents delays and complications.

• NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard/rank letter
• MBBS degree certificate or provisional passing certificate
• MBBS mark sheets (all professional years)
• Internship completion certificate
• Permanent or provisional NMC registration certificate
• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
• Category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Recent passport-size photographs

How to Check Your NEET PG 2026 Cutoff Status?

Checking whether you have cleared the cutoff is straightforward. Visit the official NBEMS website at natboard.edu.in and locate the NEET PG 2026 cutoff notice link, typically found in the 'Notices' or 'Latest Updates' section. Click on the link to open the PDF document containing the official cutoff announcement. The document will list the category-wise qualifying percentiles. Cross-reference your category with the percentile listed and compare it with your NEET PG score percentile (which is shown on your scorecard).

If your percentile is equal to or higher than the cutoff for your category, you have qualified. For example, if you are an UR candidate and your percentile is 52, you have cleared the 50th percentile cutoff. If you are an SC candidate with a 42nd percentile, you have also qualified (since the SC cutoff is 40th percentile). Download and save the official cutoff notice PDF for your records—you will need to reference it during counselling registration and may be asked to produce it as proof. If you are unsure about your percentile or category classification, contact NBEMS or your medical college for clarification before counselling begins.

• Visit natboard.edu.in
• Find and click the NEET PG 2026 cutoff notice link
• Open the PDF and locate your category
• Compare your percentile with the cutoff percentile
• Download and save the notice for future reference

What Is the Timeline for MCC Counselling After Cutoff Release?

The release of the cutoff is the first step in a multi-phase counselling process. After the cutoff is announced, NBEMS and MCC will release the official counselling schedule, which typically includes dates for registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting. The exact timeline is announced separately on the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and should be monitored closely. Candidates are advised to check both the NBEMS and MCC websites regularly for updates, as counselling dates can sometimes be adjusted due to administrative or legal reasons.

State counselling rounds follow the AIQ round. Each state medical authority will release its own counselling schedule on its respective portal. Candidates who have qualified for NEET PG must register separately on their state portal to participate in state quota counselling. Missing registration deadlines or reporting windows can result in loss of seats, so it is critical to mark all important dates on your calendar and set reminders. Many candidates participate in both AIQ and state counselling to maximise their chances of securing a seat in their preferred college or speciality.

• MCC AIQ counselling schedule released on mcc.nic.in
• Registration window opens for qualified candidates
• Choice-filling period follows registration
• Seat allotment results announced
• Reporting window with deadline for joining
• State counselling rounds follow AIQ round on state portals

Why Does NEET PG Use Percentile Instead of Raw Marks for Cutoff?

The percentile-based cutoff system is designed to maintain consistency and fairness across different exam years. NEET PG is conducted once annually, and the difficulty level of the exam can vary from year to year. If NBEMS used a fixed raw mark cutoff (e.g., 'you must score 400 marks to qualify'), candidates in a harder exam year would be disadvantaged compared to those in an easier year. By using percentile, the system automatically adjusts to exam difficulty. A candidate's percentile reflects their performance relative to all other candidates in that specific exam, making it a fairer comparison metric.

This approach also ensures that the proportion of candidates qualifying each year remains relatively stable, allowing for better planning of counselling rounds and seat allocation. It prevents scenarios where too many or too few candidates qualify in a given year due to exam difficulty alone. Additionally, the percentile system is transparent and easy to verify—your scorecard clearly states your percentile, and you can directly compare it with the published cutoff percentile for your category. This transparency reduces disputes and ensures that the admission process is merit-based and equitable across all candidates, regardless of when they took the exam.

• Adjusts automatically for exam difficulty variations year to year
• Ensures fair comparison of candidate performance across years
• Maintains stable proportion of qualifying candidates annually
• Allows better planning of counselling and seat allocation
• Transparent and easy to verify on scorecard

Frequently asked questions

The release of the NEET PG 2026 cutoff marks the beginning of your journey toward postgraduate medical specialisation. Verify your eligibility immediately by comparing your percentile with the category cutoff, gather all required documents, and monitor the MCC and state portals closely for counselling schedules. Your next critical action is to register on time and strategically plan your college and speciality choices during the choice-filling window.