NEET PG 2026 Results Out: Cutoffs, Percentiles & What You Need to Know

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the NEET PG 2026 results, marking a critical milestone for over 2.65 lakh doctors seeking admission to MD, MS, DNB, and postgraduate diploma programmes across India. Your scorecard—containing your All India Rank (AIR) and percentile—is now live on the official portal and will determine your eligibility for counselling and your position in the merit list. Understanding the qualifying cutoffs for your category is essential before the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) announces the counselling schedule. This article breaks down what the results mean, how to access your scorecard, and what comes next in your PG admission journey.

NEET PG 2026 Results Released: Key Dates and Exam Details

NBEMS declared the NEET PG 2026 results on September 24, 2026, making scorecards available for download at natboard.edu.in and nbe.edu.in. The examination was held on August 30, 2026, in a single shift, with a retest conducted on September 5 for candidates who faced technical issues at Jaipur exam centres. Over 2.65 lakh candidates appeared for the test, making it one of the largest postgraduate medical entrance exams in India.

Your scorecard contains your raw score, All India Rank (AIR), and percentile—all three metrics are critical for understanding your position in the merit list and your eligibility for counselling. The percentile is particularly important because NBEMS uses it to set qualifying thresholds, not the raw score alone.

Category-Wise Qualifying Percentiles for NEET PG 2026 Counselling

NBEMS has set different qualifying percentiles for different categories to ensure fair representation and compliance with reservation norms. These percentiles are the minimum threshold you must achieve to be deemed eligible for counselling; falling below them disqualifies you from the entire admission process, regardless of your raw score or rank.

The qualifying percentiles are as follows: General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates must secure at least the 50th percentile; Unreserved Persons with Benchmark Disability (UR PwBD) must achieve the 45th percentile; and Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates must reach the 40th percentile. These thresholds reflect the National Medical Commission's (NMC) policy to balance merit with equity in postgraduate medical education.

• General/EWS: 50th percentile (minimum qualifying score: 262 out of 800)
• UR PwBD: 45th percentile
• SC/ST/OBC: 40th percentile

What the 262 Cutoff Score Means for General Category Aspirants

The qualifying score of 262 out of 800 for General and EWS candidates corresponds to the 50th percentile—meaning that if you scored 262 or above, you are in the top 50% of all candidates who appeared for NEET PG 2026. This is the bare minimum to enter counselling; it does not guarantee a seat, as your final allocation depends on your rank, your choices, and seat availability during counselling rounds.

It is important to note that this cutoff applies only to eligibility for counselling. The actual cutoff scores for specific MD/MS branches and colleges will be announced by the MCC during counselling and will vary significantly based on demand, number of seats, and the merit list. For example, a competitive branch like General Medicine or Radiology will have much higher closing ranks than less competitive branches.

How to Download Your NEET PG 2026 Scorecard

Accessing your scorecard is straightforward and requires your login credentials. Follow these steps to download your result PDF immediately after checking your score online.

Visit natboard.edu.in on your browser. On the homepage, locate and click the NEET PG link. A new window will open prompting you to enter your application ID and password—these are the same credentials you used to register for the exam. After entering your details, click the submit button. Your scorecard will appear on the screen, displaying your score, percentile, and All India Rank. Review the details carefully for any discrepancies, then download and save the PDF for future reference during counselling registration.

• Go to natboard.edu.in
• Click on the NEET PG link on the homepage
• Enter your application ID and password
• Click submit
• Download the scorecard PDF and save it securely

Understanding Your All India Rank (AIR) and Merit Position

Your All India Rank (AIR) is your position in the overall merit list of all candidates who appeared for NEET PG 2026. If your AIR is 5,000, for example, it means 4,999 candidates scored higher than you. This rank is crucial because it determines your priority during seat allocation in counselling—a lower rank gives you a better chance of securing your preferred college and branch.

NBEMS also publishes the overall merit position of each candidate on the scorecard, which reflects your standing among all test-takers. This is different from category-specific ranks (General rank, OBC rank, SC rank, etc.), which will be used during counselling for seat allocation under respective reservation categories. Always check both your overall rank and your category rank to understand your true position in the merit list.

What Happens Next: MCC Counselling Schedule and Seat Allocation

With results now declared, the next major step is the announcement of the MCC counselling schedule. The Medical Counselling Committee will release the dates for registration, choice filling, and seat allocation rounds for admission to MD, MS, DNB, and PG diploma programmes at government and private medical colleges across India. This schedule typically follows within 1–2 weeks of result declaration, so stay alert to official announcements.

During counselling, you will register using your scorecard, fill in your preferred colleges and branches in order of choice, and participate in multiple rounds of seat allocation. Your final seat will depend on your rank, your choices, the number of available seats, and the cutoff scores set by each college for each branch. Seats are allocated in order of merit within each category, so a higher rank significantly improves your chances of securing a competitive branch or a college of your choice.

Important Reminders: Verify Your Scorecard and Plan Your Counselling Strategy

Before proceeding to counselling, carefully review your scorecard for any errors in your name, registration number, score, or percentile. If you spot a discrepancy, contact NBEMS immediately through the official website or helpline to request a correction. Errors at this stage can delay your counselling registration or lead to complications during seat allocation.

Begin planning your counselling strategy now. Research the colleges and branches you are interested in, check previous years' cutoff trends, and use college predictor tools to estimate your chances based on your rank. Prepare a prioritized list of choices to fill during counselling—this list should balance your aspirations with realistic expectations based on your rank and category. Remember, your choice order matters: if you rank higher for a less competitive branch at a good college, you may secure that seat even if you do not make the cutoff for a more competitive branch at the same college.

Category-Specific Considerations for Reserved Candidates

If you belong to SC, ST, OBC, or EWS categories, your qualifying percentile is lower than the General category, which is an advantage during the eligibility stage. However, during seat allocation, you will compete only within your category's merit list, not against General candidates. This means your category rank (not your overall rank) will determine your position for reserved seats.

Candidates with benchmark disabilities (UR PwBD) have a separate qualifying percentile and will be considered for both unreserved seats and disability-reserved seats, depending on their rank and the availability of seats. If you fall into this category, ensure you have uploaded valid disability documentation during registration, as this is mandatory for claiming disability-based benefits during counselling.

Frequently asked questions

Your NEET PG 2026 scorecard is now live—download it immediately and verify all details for accuracy. Begin researching colleges, branches, and cutoff trends now, and prepare a prioritized choice list to maximize your chances during counselling. Watch for the MCC counselling schedule announcement in the coming days, and register promptly when it opens.