The NEET-PG OBC cut-off for 2026 is 226 out of 720 — the 40th-percentile bar that SC, ST and OBC candidates (including those with a benchmark disability) had to clear when NBEMS declared the result on 24 September 2026. If you belong to the OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes, Non-Creamy Layer) category, that lower qualifying line, combined with a 27% reservation in the 50% All India Quota, can meaningfully widen the MD, MS and DNB colleges you can realistically target. This guide breaks down exactly how the OBC cut-off, rank and reservation work in AIQ and in the states — and how to turn your rank into a real, personalised college list instead of guesswork.
Already have your NEET-PG 2026 rank? The MedAdmit NEET-PG College Predictor turns it into an exact, personalised list of MD/MS/DNB colleges and specialities across MCC All India Quota AND every state authority — each with round-wise closing ranks, annual fees, stipend, bond and an admit-probability score. Enter your rank plus OBC-NCL category and skip the outdated PDFs and rumours.
What is the NEET-PG 2026 OBC cut-off, and what does 226/720 mean?
NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs are set as percentiles, then converted to a mark out of 720. For 2026, OBC-NCL candidates share the reserved-category line with SC and ST at the 40th percentile, which works out to 226/720. General and EWS candidates sit higher at the 50th percentile, and General-PwBD at the 45th percentile. Here is the full 2026 picture as declared by NBEMS.
| Category | Qualifying percentile | NEET-PG 2026 cut-off (/720) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th | 262 |
| General-PwBD | 45th | 244 |
| SC / ST / OBC (including PwBD) | 40th | 226 |
Read the 226/720 figure carefully: it only makes you eligible to register for counselling. It is NOT the score that gets you a specific seat. With roughly 2.66 lakh candidates in the pool, the ranks at which individual branches and colleges actually close are far more competitive than the qualifying bar — and they move every round. Clearing 226 opens the door; your rank decides which rooms you can walk into.
Cleared the OBC cut-off? See what your rank actually gets
Locked226/720 only opens the door. Enter your NEET-PG 2026 rank and OBC-NCL category to see the exact MD/MS/DNB colleges within reach — with round-wise closing ranks and admit probability, no guesswork.
See my OBC college listHow does OBC reservation work in NEET-PG (the 27% All India Quota)?
Medical PG seats fill through two halves. Half of the sanctioned government seats are surrendered to the All India Quota (AIQ), run centrally by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at mcc.nic.in. The other half stays with each state, run by that state's own counselling authority. OBC reservation behaves differently in the two halves, and understanding that difference is the single biggest lever an OBC-NCL candidate has.
- In the All India Quota, OBC-NCL candidates get 27% reservation, alongside 10% EWS, 15% SC and 7.5% ST.
- AIQ reservation uses the Central List of OBCs — your caste must appear on the central list, not just a state list.
- OBC-NCL candidates compete for reserved OBC seats AND remain eligible for open/unreserved seats — effectively two shots at a seat.
- AIQ counselling is multi-round: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 / mop-up and a stray-vacancy round, so reserved seats keep reopening.
- The qualifying cut-off (226/720) is common to SC/ST/OBC; your rank within the OBC pool is what the college list is built on.
Turn 27% reservation into a real shortlist
See your OBC-NCL options across MCC All India Quota AND every state authority in one clean list, each seat tagged with its counselling authority and round-wise closing rank.
Central OBC-NCL list vs your state OBC list: what's the difference?
This trips up thousands of candidates every year. For AIQ seats, MCC recognises only the Central List of OBCs and a valid OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate. For state-quota seats, your home state applies its own OBC/BC list and its own reservation percentages — which can differ from the centre. A caste can be OBC on a state list but absent from the central list, or vice versa. OBC-NCL status itself means your family is outside the 'creamy layer'; the income ceiling for that is currently ₹8 lakh per annum (gross, with the standard exclusions), and your certificate must be recent enough to be valid for counselling. Always confirm the exact wording and dates in the latest bulletin.
| Aspect | All India Quota (50%) | State Quota (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | MCC (mcc.nic.in) | Each state's counselling authority |
| OBC reservation | 27% for OBC-NCL | As per state OBC/BC rules (varies widely) |
| Which OBC list applies | Central List of OBCs | That state's own OBC/BC list |
| Domicile | Open across India | Usually home-state domicile required |
| Rounds | R1, R2, R3/mop-up, stray | Multiple rounds per state |
- Central OBC-NCL certificate in the prescribed format, valid for the relevant period (for AIQ seats).
- State OBC/BC certificate in your state's format (for state-quota seats).
- NEET-PG 2026 scorecard / rank letter from NBEMS.
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and pass certificates.
- MBBS degree or provisional certificate plus internship-completion certificate.
- Permanent or provisional medical registration (NMC / State Medical Council).
- Photo identity proof (Aadhaar / PAN / passport).
Different lists in different states? Let the predictor sort it
Your options shift between AIQ (central OBC-NCL) and your home-state OBC quota. Get one personalised college list that covers both, so you never miss a seat you were eligible for.
How does OBC-NCL status widen your MD/MS/DNB college options?
Because OBC-NCL candidates are ranked in the OBC pool while still being eligible for open seats, the same NEET-PG score can unlock a wider set of branches and colleges than it would in the general category. In practice, that means a clinical branch or a stronger government college that would be out of reach on the open list can become a genuine target on the OBC list. The bands below are indicative only — they show the shape of what tends to open up, not a promise. Real closing ranks move every round and differ by branch, college and quota, so treat this as a map, not a guarantee.
| NEET-PG 2026 all-India rank (indicative) | What tends to open up for OBC-NCL | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ~10,000 | Sought-after clinical MD/MS branches | Top government colleges (AIQ + home state) |
| ~10,000 – 30,000 | Wide MD/MS choice; premium clinical branches tighten | Government colleges across states |
| ~30,000 – 60,000 | Several MD/MS branches; many DNB broad-specialty seats | State & AIQ government + DNB hospitals |
| ~60,000 – 1,00,000 | Pre/para-clinical MD, DNB, PG diploma | State-quota home advantage matters most |
| Above ~1,00,000 (still above cut-off) | DNB/DrNB, PG diploma, mop-up / stray openings | AIQ + state later rounds |
Skip the guesswork bands — get your exact list
Indicative ranges are only a starting point. Enter your rank for the precise OBC-NCL colleges, branches and admit probability calculated for your number, not an average.
Which colleges can OBC-NCL NEET-PG candidates target?
OBC-NCL candidates can compete for MD/MS seats at government medical colleges through both the All India Quota and their state quota, for DNB and DrNB (including direct 6-year) seats at government, PSU and private hospitals, and for MD/MS at private and deemed universities. The illustrative names below all participate in NEET-PG counselling via MCC AIQ plus their state authority — which colleges you can actually reach depends on your rank, branch preference and state. Your full, filtered list lives in the predictor.
- Maulana Azad Medical College and Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi
- Grant Government Medical College and Seth GS Medical College (KEM), Mumbai
- B. J. Government Medical College, Pune
- Madras Medical College and Stanley Medical College, Chennai
- Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI)
- Osmania Medical College and Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad
- King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi
- Hundreds of DNB / DrNB hospitals and institutions nationwide (broad-specialty, diploma and direct 6-year DrNB)
Scope check: AIIMS (all campuses), PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry and NIMHANS Bengaluru do NOT admit through NEET-PG — their MD/MS seats fill via INI-CET, a separate exam. NEET-PG covers MD, MS, DNB, DrNB (direct 6-year) and PG diploma at all other colleges. Superspecialty DM/MCh seats are a different exam again (NEET-SS) and are not part of NEET-PG counselling.
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Want a specific branch? Match it to your OBC rank
Radiology, Dermatology, General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics or a DNB seat — see which branches your OBC-NCL rank can realistically win, college by college.
Match branches to my rankOBC-NCL PG fees, stipend and bond: what should you expect?
Cost and stipend swing enormously by seat type, and OBC-NCL candidates who reach government seats via reservation often land the lowest-fee, stipend-paying options. Private and deemed seats sit at the other end. The bands below are indicative only, to set expectations — the exact annual fee, monthly stipend and any service bond attached to a specific seat, quota and category is exactly what the predictor pulls up for each college.
| Seat type | Annual fee (indicative) | Stipend (indicative) | Service bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government MD/MS (AIQ + state) | Low | Paid monthly; varies by state | Common in many states |
| Government / PSU-hospital DNB | Low to moderate | Paid; varies | Varies |
| Private / corporate-hospital DNB | Moderate | Paid; varies by hospital | Usually none |
| Private / deemed college MD/MS | High | Often lower or none | Varies |
Compare fees, stipend and bond before you lock a choice
See annual fees, monthly stipend and service bond for every OBC-NCL seat — government, DNB and private — side by side, so no cost or bond surprises you after allotment.
Compare fees & stipend nowNEET-PG 2026 OBC-NCL: frequently asked questions
What is the NEET-PG 2026 OBC cut-off?
The NEET-PG 2026 OBC cut-off is 226 out of 720, set at the 40th percentile for SC, ST and OBC candidates (including PwBD). General and EWS is 262 (50th percentile) and General-PwBD is 244 (45th percentile). This is only the qualifying line to enter counselling, not a seat guarantee.
Is the OBC cut-off the same as the closing rank for a college?
No. The 226/720 cut-off only makes you eligible to register for counselling. The rank at which a specific branch or college actually closes is much more competitive and changes every round. Check the round-wise closing ranks for your rank in the NEET-PG College Predictor.
How much reservation do OBC candidates get in NEET-PG?
In the 50% All India Quota, OBC-NCL candidates get 27% reservation, alongside 10% EWS, 15% SC and 7.5% ST. In the 50% state quota, OBC reservation follows each state's own OBC/BC rules, which vary by state.
What is OBC-NCL and who qualifies?
OBC-NCL means Other Backward Classes, Non-Creamy Layer. To qualify for AIQ benefit your caste must be on the Central List of OBCs and your family must be outside the creamy layer — the income ceiling is currently ₹8 lakh per annum gross (with standard exclusions). You need a valid, recent OBC-NCL certificate.
Do I need a central-list OBC caste for All India Quota?
Yes. AIQ (MCC) recognises only the Central List of OBCs. State-quota seats use your state's own OBC/BC list. A caste may appear on a state list but not the central list, or the reverse, so check both before you fill choices.
Can OBC-NCL candidates also get open/unreserved seats?
Yes. OBC-NCL candidates are considered for reserved OBC seats and also remain eligible for open/unreserved seats. That effectively gives you two chances at a seat, which is a big part of why OBC-NCL status widens your options.
Which colleges can OBC-NCL NEET-PG candidates get?
Government MD/MS colleges through AIQ and state quota, DNB and DrNB seats at government, PSU and private hospitals, and MD/MS at private and deemed universities. The exact colleges depend on your rank, branch and state — the predictor builds your personalised list.
Is AIIMS or PGIMER covered under NEET-PG OBC quota?
No. AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and NIMHANS admit through INI-CET, a separate exam, not NEET-PG. Superspecialty DM/MCh seats fill through NEET-SS, also separate. NEET-PG covers MD, MS, DNB, DrNB (direct 6-year) and PG diploma at other colleges.
What OBC-NCL certificate does MCC require for counselling?
A central OBC-NCL certificate in the prescribed format, issued recently enough to be valid for the counselling cycle. The exact format and cut-off date are specified in the MCC information bulletin, so always verify against the latest official bulletin before registering.
Does OBC reservation apply to DNB seats?
It depends on the counselling authority and the seat. Government and PSU-hospital DNB seats generally carry reservation, while private DNB hospital seats can differ. The predictor and the relevant authority's rules tell you exactly how reservation applies to each DNB seat.
How many counselling rounds are there and can OBC candidates upgrade?
Both AIQ and state counselling run multiple rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 / mop-up and a stray-vacancy round). Upgrade and free-exit rules differ by round and authority, so understand them before locking a choice, because a reserved seat can reopen later.
How do I find the exact OBC closing ranks and colleges for my rank?
Use the MedAdmit NEET-PG College Predictor: enter your rank and OBC-NCL category and get an exact list of MD/MS/DNB colleges and specialities across MCC AIQ and every state, each with round-wise closing ranks, fees, stipend, bond and an admit-probability score.
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