NEET 2026 Expected Cut-off Category-wise
Article updated on Apr 21, 2026. The latest projections show OBC candidates may get better opportunities than General candidates with the same NEET score because of lower category cutoffs and different qualifying percentiles.
NEET 2026 Expected Cut-off Category-wise: Key numbers
Here are the expected qualifying percentiles and mark ranges by category based on current projections.
| Category | Expected Percentile | Expected Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 50th | 715 - 120 |
| OBC | 40th | 120 - 100 |
| SC | 40th | 119 - 105 |
| ST | 40th | 104 - 90 |
These are projections and not official NTA figures. The qualifying percentile for UR is expected at 50th , while OBC/SC/ST are projected at 40th .
NEET 2026 Expected Cut-off Category-wise: Marks vs Rank
Use these marks-to-rank ranges to estimate where your score might place you in All India Rank (AIR).
| Marks Range | Expected AIR Range |
|---|---|
| 680 - 720 | 1 - 500 |
| 650 - 679 | 500 - 5,000 |
| 620 - 649 | 5,000 - 15,000 |
| 600 - 619 | 15,000 - 23,000 |
| 580 - 599 | 23,000 - 28,000 |
| 550 - 579 | 28,000 - 40,000 |
| 520 - 549 | 40,000 - 55,000 |
| 500 - 519 | 55,000 - 75,000 |
| Below 300 | 300,000+ |
Candidates scoring 680+ are expected to fall within 500 to 1,500 rank territory in some projections. Scores below 520 generally map to ranks beyond 40,000 .
NEET Cutoff 2026 for AIQ and AIIMS
AIQ (All India Quota) government college closing AIRs are expected around 27,000–28,000 for both General and OBC categories, which corresponds to roughly 530–545 marks .
AIIMS closing ranks differ widely by campus. For example, AIIMS Delhi closing AIR is projected at 47 (General) and 186 (OBC), showing the rank gap due to reservation categories.
| Institution | General Closing AIR | OBC Closing AIR |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS Delhi | 47 | 186 |
What this means for you
If you score 600+ , you stand a reasonable chance at a government MBBS seat depending on state quota and category. Scoring 580+ may still get a government seat in several states and categories, but state counselling and seat distribution will matter.
These projections do not replace official NTA cutoffs or state counselling results. They are estimates based on recent trends and available data.
FAQs
What NEET 2026 score is needed for a government MBBS seat?
600+ marks can secure a government MBBS seat in many states; 580+ may also be sufficient depending on your state quota and category.
Can I get AIIMS with 600 marks in NEET 2026?
600 marks typically map to ranks in the 15,000–23,000 range, making AIIMS unlikely; you will still have options in good government colleges.
Which score range maps to AIR 27,000–28,000 (AIQ closing)?
Marks around 530–545 are expected to correspond to AIR 27,000–28,000 under AIQ.
What rank can I expect with 600 marks?
Expected AIR for 600–619 is 15,000–23,000 .
Can I get a government college with 550 marks?
Yes, but typically in lower-ranked government colleges; expected AIR for 550–579 is 28,000–40,000 .
Why might OBC candidates get better opportunities than General at same score?
Different qualifying percentiles and reserved-seat dynamics can let OBC candidates secure seats at higher AIRs than General candidates with the same marks.
Are these official cutoffs?
No. These are projections. Refer to official NTA and counselling authorities for final cutoffs and seat allotments.