NEET UG 2026 Cut-Off Expectations: Category-Wise Trends, Counselling Impact, and Top Medical Colleges

The NEET UG 2026 was conducted on May 3, 2026, with participation expected to exceed 22 lakh candidates across India. As aspirants now await the results, attention has shifted to the expected cut-off scores, which will determine eligibility for medical admissions under both All India and state quotas.

While the official cut-off will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) along with the results, early estimates based on previous trends indicate a competitive range across categories.

Expected Category-Wise Cut-Off for NEET UG 2026

For candidates in the General and EWS categories, the qualifying percentile is expected to remain at the 50th percentile. This typically translates to an approximate score range between 686 and 144, depending on overall exam difficulty and performance levels.

Candidates belonging to OBC, SC, and ST categories are likely to qualify at the 40th percentile, with expected score ranges falling between 143 and 113. These projections are indicative and may vary slightly once official data is released.

Admission Process and Counselling Impact

NEET UG scores are used for admission to undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH programmes, and veterinary sciences across India. The counselling process under the All India Quota (AIQ) is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), while state authorities handle their respective counselling rounds.

The results will directly impact admissions across government and private medical colleges nationwide, including institutions affiliated with central universities, deemed universities, and state-run colleges.

Areas and Institutions Affected

The examination outcome will influence admissions across all states and union territories, including major education hubs such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Additionally, institutions under the Armed Forces Medical Services and nursing programmes like MNS also consider NEET UG scores for selection.

To ensure smooth exam conduct, authorities had implemented administrative measures across centres nationwide, including coordination with medical institutions and regulatory bodies such as the National Medical Commission.

Top Medical Colleges in India (As per Recent NIRF Trends)

Based on recent rankings, the following institutions remain among the top choices for NEET-qualified candidates:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi
• Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh
• Christian Medical College Vellore
• Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
• Banaras Hindu University

These institutions continue to attract top rankers due to their academic excellence, infrastructure, and clinical exposure.

Previous Year Trends

In 2025, approximately 22.09 lakh candidates appeared for NEET UG, out of which around 12.36 lakh qualified. This marked a slight dip compared to 2024, indicating fluctuating competition levels. Such trends are crucial in estimating the expected cut-off range for 2026.

What Candidates Should Expect Next

The NTA is expected to release NEET UG 2026 results soon, followed by detailed scorecards and merit lists. Candidates should regularly check official updates and prepare documents required for counselling, including scorecards, category certificates, and identity proofs.