NEET PG 2026 cutoffs drop sharply: General category at 262 marks

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the qualifying cutoff scores for NEET PG 2026, and they show a significant drop across all candidate categories compared to the previous year. The general and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories now require 262 marks out of 720 to qualify for counselling — a decrease of 14 marks from 2025. This change reflects both the reduced total marks of the 2026 exam (720 instead of 800) and the overall performance of this year's test-takers. For MBBS graduates preparing to enter postgraduate medical training through MD/MS/DNB programmes, understanding these cutoff thresholds is essential for assessing your counselling eligibility and planning your admission strategy.

What are the 2026 NEET PG qualifying cutoff scores?

NBEMS has announced the minimum qualifying cutoff percentiles and corresponding marks required to enter the NEET PG 2026 counselling process. These are the baseline thresholds — every candidate must cross them to be eligible for seat allocation, regardless of which college or speciality they wish to pursue.

The qualifying cutoffs are: General and EWS candidates need 262 marks (50th percentile), General PwBD (Persons with Disability) candidates need 244 marks (45th percentile), and SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates from reserved categories need 226 marks (40th percentile). All scores are calculated out of a total of 720 marks for the 2026 examination.

Why did cutoffs drop for most categories?

The most obvious reason for the lower absolute marks is the change in exam format. NEET PG 2025 was conducted for a maximum of 800 marks, whereas NEET PG 2026 was held for 720 marks. This 80-mark reduction in total marks naturally compresses the score range and affects how cutoffs are set.

However, the percentage-based percentile system remains consistent: the 50th percentile for general/EWS, 45th for general PwBD, and 40th for SC/ST/OBC categories are maintained. This means the relative difficulty threshold for each group has not fundamentally changed — only the raw marks needed to reach that percentile have shifted due to the different exam structure and candidate performance distribution.

How does qualifying cutoff differ from admission cutoff?

It is critical for NEET PG aspirants to understand the distinction between these two terms, as they serve different purposes in the admission process. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score and percentile you must achieve to be declared eligible for counselling. If you fall below this threshold, you cannot participate in seat allocation at all, regardless of your preferences or merit.

The admission cutoff, by contrast, is the actual rank or score at which you secure a specific seat in a particular college, speciality, and quota during counselling rounds. Admission cutoffs vary widely based on the medical college, the branch (MD/MS speciality), your category, the seat quota (general, reserved, management, etc.), the number of available seats, the preferences submitted by all candidates, and the counselling round (first, second, stray, etc.). A candidate who qualifies may still not secure their preferred branch or college if the admission cutoff for that combination is higher than their rank or score.

What does the 14-mark drop for general/EWS candidates mean?

For general and EWS category candidates, the qualifying cutoff has fallen from 276 marks in 2025 to 262 marks in 2026 — a reduction of 14 marks. While this appears to make qualification easier in absolute terms, it is important to contextualize this within the exam structure change. Since the total marks decreased from 800 to 720, the percentage-based threshold (50th percentile) remains the same; the lower raw score reflects the proportionally smaller exam.

From a practical standpoint, this means that if you are a general or EWS candidate and you score 262 or above out of 720, you will qualify for counselling. This is a straightforward eligibility criterion. However, qualifying does not guarantee a seat in your preferred speciality or college — that depends on your rank relative to other candidates and the admission cutoffs for each combination during counselling.

Why did SC/ST/OBC cutoff drop by 29 marks?

The SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates from reserved categories saw their qualifying cutoff fall from 255 marks in 2025 to 226 marks in 2026 — a drop of 29 marks. This is a more substantial decrease than the general category, but again, it reflects the change in total exam marks (800 to 720) and the 40th percentile threshold that applies to this group.

The larger absolute drop for reserved categories is partly due to the proportional scaling of the lower percentile threshold across the reduced mark range. Candidates in this category who score 226 or above out of 720 will qualify for counselling. This lower qualifying threshold is intentional policy, designed to ensure broader representation of historically underrepresented groups in postgraduate medical training.

What about PwBD candidates in the general category?

General PwBD candidates present an interesting case: their qualifying cutoff actually increased from 235 marks in 2025 to 244 marks in 2026 — a rise of 9 marks. This is the only category to see an upward movement in the cutoff score. The reason is that while the total exam marks decreased, the 45th percentile threshold for this group may have been reached at a higher absolute score due to the distribution of performance among PwBD candidates in 2026.

General PwBD candidates should note that they need to score 244 marks out of 720 to qualify for counselling. This is still lower than the general/EWS cutoff of 262, reflecting the policy of providing reasonable access to postgraduate seats for candidates with disabilities while maintaining academic standards.

How do these cutoffs affect your counselling eligibility?

If you have taken NEET PG 2026, the first step is to check whether your score meets or exceeds the qualifying cutoff for your category. This is a binary gate: you either qualify or you do not. There is no partial qualification or borderline consideration. Once you confirm eligibility, you can proceed to register for counselling on the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) portal or your state counselling authority's website.

Your actual rank and score will then determine which colleges and specialities you can secure during counselling rounds. Candidates with higher ranks (lower rank numbers) will have more choices and can secure seats in more competitive branches and colleges. Those with lower ranks may find that their preferred combinations have already been filled by higher-ranked candidates. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for making informed choices during counselling.

Will cutoffs change before counselling begins?

NBEMS has published these cutoffs based on the performance of all candidates in NEET PG 2026 and the difficulty level of the examination. However, cutoffs can be subject to change in rare circumstances — for example, if there are significant discrepancies in the answer key, if a large number of candidates file successful challenges, or if there are other procedural issues that affect the final score distribution.

Candidates should monitor the official NBEMS website (natboard.edu.in) and the MCC portal for any updates or clarifications. The final answer key is expected to be released on or after October 1, 2026. Once the final answer key is published and any score corrections are made, the cutoffs are typically considered final for counselling purposes. It is advisable to assume these published cutoffs are stable and plan your counselling strategy accordingly.

What should you do if you are near the cutoff?

If your score is close to the qualifying cutoff for your category, it is essential to verify your marks carefully once the final answer key is released. Some candidates have reported discrepancies between their calculated scores and the official scorecard. If you believe there is an error, you should file a challenge or request a recount through the official process before counselling begins.

Additionally, keep all your documents — admit card, scorecard, identity proof, educational certificates, and category certificates (if applicable) — ready for counselling registration. Ensure that your category is correctly recorded in your application. Any mismatch between your claimed category and your official documents can lead to rejection during counselling, even if you have qualified. If you are a PwBD candidate, ensure that your disability certificate is valid and recognized by the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission).

Frequently asked questions

If you have taken NEET PG 2026, check your score against the qualifying cutoff for your category on the NBEMS website. Qualifying is your first gate to counselling; your rank will then determine which colleges and specialities you can secure. Monitor for the final answer key release and any score corrections before counselling registration begins.