Every year, lakhs of MBBS graduates sit for NEET PG with one number in mind – the cut off. It decides who moves ahead into a postgraduate medical seat and who doesn’t. If you’re preparing for NEET PG 2026, understanding the cut off system isn’t optional homework; it’s the difference between a focused study plan and a guessing game.
This guide breaks down the NEET PG cut off 2026 category wise, the qualifying percentile system, expected NEET PG total marks, branch wise cutoff trends, and how this year’s numbers compare with previous years. Everything here is based on the pattern the National Board of Examinations (NBE) has followed historically, so you get realistic expectations rather than vague estimates.
What Is NEET PG Cut Off and Why Does It Matter?
The NEET PG cut off is the minimum percentile a candidate must score to be declared qualified for counselling. Unlike many exams that use a fixed marks-based cutoff, NEET PG relies on a percentile system. Understanding the NEET PG marks distribution also helps candidates estimate their expected score, as the cut off score (out of 800 marks under the revised pattern) changes every year based on the overall performance of the candidate pool.
In simple terms – scoring well isn’t just about beating a fixed number. It’s about scoring better than a certain percentage of everyone else who took the exam. That’s why two candidates from different years with the same raw score can have completely different results.
Expected NEET PG Total Marks and Cut Off of 2026
With the exam pattern revised to a total of 800 marks, here are the expected NEET PG total marks required to clear the cut off this year.
Keep in mind that these are projected figures based on historical trends and the change in the total marks structure. The final cut off depends on the overall performance of candidates and their NEET PG marks, and the official cut off is released only after NBE evaluates the actual exam performance data.
Previous Year NEET PG Cut Off 2025 Comparison
Looking at past years helps put the current numbers in context. Here’s how the NEET PG cut off has moved over the last three cycles.
| Year | Category | Qualifying Percentile | Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | General | 50th percentile | 276 |
| 2025 | SC, ST and OBC | 40th percentile | 235 |
| 2025 | PwD (UR) | 45th percentile | 255 |
| 2024 | General and EWS | 50th percentile | 291 |
| 2024 | General-PwBD | 45th percentile | 274 |
| 2024 | SC, ST and OBC (Incl. PwBD) | 40th percentile | 257 |
| 2023 | General and EWS | 50th percentile | 291 |
| 2023 | General-PwBD | 45th percentile | 274 |
| 2023 | SC, ST and OBC | 40th percentile | 257 |
| 2023 | SC, ST and OBC – PwBD | 40th percentile | 257 |
A quick observation: the 2025 cut off dropped compared to 2023 and 2024, which usually happens when the paper is tougher or fewer candidates clear the higher score brackets. This trend is also important for candidates applying through Rajasthan NEET PG, as a revised cut off NEET PG announcement is common practice. NBE has adjusted percentile-based marks in past cycles when the initial cut off left too few candidates qualified for the available seats.
Expected NEET PG 2025 Cut-Offs (Category-Wise)
For candidates comparing multiple projection sets, here’s another category-wise expected range that aligns closely with the 800-mark pattern.
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Out of 800) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 285–295 |
| OBC | 250–260 |
| SC | 250–260 |
| ST | 245–255 |
| UR-PwBD | 260–270 |
| OBC/SC/ST – PwBD | 245–255 |
NEET PG branch wise cutoff (Expected) for 2026
One of the most searched questions among aspirants is the NEET PG branch wise cutoff, as qualifying the exam is only the first step toward admission. The required score varies for each specialty, with branches like Radiology and Dermatology usually demanding higher ranks. Understanding the cutoff also helps candidates make informed choices during the MDS counselling process and postgraduate admission planning.
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Out of 800) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 285–295 |
| OBC | 250–260 |
| SC | 250–260 |
| ST | 245–255 |
| UR-PwBD | 260–270 |
| OBC/SC/ST – PwBD | 245–255 |
These numbers make one thing clear-clinical branches like Dermatology and Radiology are consistently the toughest to crack. The NEET PG cut off for Surgery also remains highly competitive, while branches like ENT and Ophthalmology, though still competitive, generally have comparatively more accessible cutoffs.
Specialty-Wise Expected NEET PG Cut-Off (Govt Colleges)
Government medical colleges tend to have tighter competition, and the cutoff varies noticeably across categories for each specialty.
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Out of 800) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 285–295 |
| OBC | 250–260 |
| SC | 250–260 |
| ST | 245–255 |
| UR-PwBD | 260–270 |
| OBC/SC/ST – PwBD | 245–255 |
If you’re targeting a government seat in a specific branch, use this table alongside your category to set a realistic score target rather than aiming for a generic “overall cut off” number.
How Is NEET PG Cut Off Decided?
The NEET PG cut off isn’t picked arbitrarily. NBE determines it based on a few key factors:
- Percentile method: Category-wise percentile requirements (50th for General, 40th for reserved categories, 45th for PwD) are applied to the total pool of candidates who appeared for the exam.
- Difficulty level of the paper: A tougher paper generally pushes the cut off marks down, since fewer candidates score high.
- Total number of candidates: A larger applicant pool changes the score distribution and can shift the percentile-based cutoff score.
- Seat availability: If very few candidates clear the initial cut off relative to available MD/MS/Diploma seats, NBE has, in past years, issued a revised cut off NEET PG to allow more candidates into the counselling pool.
NEET PG Total Marks: Result & Scorecard
Once NBE declares the NEET PG result, candidates can download their scorecard from the official NBE website using their roll number and date of birth. The scorecard includes your raw score, percentile, category-wise qualifying status, and All India Rank (AIR). For candidates applying to Maharashtra NEET PG, this scorecard is essential for counselling registration and helps estimate admission chances based on rank and marks.
NEET PG Admit Card
The NEET PG admit card is released a few weeks before the examination on the official NBE portal and is available only to candidates who meet the NEET PG eligibility criteria. It contains important details such as the exam centre, reporting time, roll number, and exam-day instructions. Before the exam, candidates should carefully verify all information on the admit card and carry a printed copy along with a valid photo ID, as entry to the examination hall is not allowed without these documents.
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Conclusion
NEET PG cut off isn’t a single fixed number – it’s a percentile-driven benchmark that shifts every year based on paper difficulty, candidate performance, and category-wise reservation norms. For NEET PG 2026, General category candidates should aim to comfortably cross the 50th percentile mark, while SC, ST, and OBC candidates need to meet the 40th percentile threshold. If your goal is a specific specialty like Radiology, Dermatology, or General Medicine, aim well above the basic qualifying cutoff, since branch-wise competition is considerably higher than the overall qualifying mark. Keep tracking official NBE announcements for the final and any revised cut off updates closer to the result date.
FAQs About NEET PG Cut Off
Based on historical trends, General category candidates are expected to need around the 50th percentile, translating to roughly 295–310 marks out of 800 in the revised marking pattern.
SC, ST, and OBC candidates need to clear the 40th percentile, while PwD candidates under the General category need the 45th percentile.
NEET PG has moved to a total of 800 marks under the revised exam pattern, compared to the earlier 720-mark format.
Not every year, but NBE has revised the cut off in select years when the initial qualifying percentile left an insufficient number of candidates for available seats.
Branch-wise cutoff varies significantly by specialty. For instance, Dermatology and Radiology typically have the highest cutoff marks, while ENT and Ophthalmology have comparatively lower thresholds.
The cut off is the minimum qualifying threshold to be declared “qualified.” However, marks required for a specific seat or specialty during counselling are usually much higher, especially for competitive branches and top colleges.
The NEET PG result and scorecard are released on the official NBE website, where candidates can check their percentile, score, and qualifying status using their roll number and date of birth.