The NEET cut-off is one of the most important indicators for medical aspirants because it determines qualification eligibility and also influences medical college admission chances. Understanding previous cut-off trends and expected cut-off predictions for NEET 2026 helps students set realistic target scores and preparation strategies.
In this detailed guide, you will learn:
Previous year NEET cut-off trends
Expected NEET 2026 cut-off analysis
Factors affecting cut-off every year
Safe score targets for different categories
Expert preparation insights
FAQ section for common doubts
What is NEET Cut-Off? (Basic Understanding)
NEET cut-off is the minimum score required for:
Qualifying Cut-Off → Minimum marks to pass NEET and become eligible for counselling
Admission Cut-Off → Marks required to secure a medical seat (varies by college, state, and category)
The qualifying cut-off is released by NTA, while admission cut-offs are decided during counselling by central and state authorities.
NEET Previous Year Cut-Off Trends (Last 5 Years)
General Category (Qualifying Cut-Off Range)
| Year | Cut-Off Marks |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 720 – 137 |
| 2022 | 715 – 117 |
| 2021 | 720 – 138 |
| 2020 | 720 – 147 |
| 2019 | 701 – 134 |
Reserved Category (OBC / SC / ST)
| Year | Cut-Off Marks |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 136 – 107 |
| 2022 | 116 – 93 |
| 2021 | 137 – 108 |
| 2020 | 146 – 113 |
| 2019 | 133 – 107 |
These trends show that NEET cut-offs fluctuate every year based on competition and paper difficulty.
NEET 2024 – 2025 Recent Cut-Off Snapshot
NEET 2024 (Revised Cut-Off)
General: 720 – 162
OBC / SC / ST: 161 – 127
Expected NEET 2025 Cut-Off (Estimated)
General: 720 – 162
Reserved Categories: 161 – 127
These recent ranges indicate rising competition and stable percentile-based cut-off systems.
Expected NEET 2026 Cut-Off (Predicted Analysis)
⚠️ Important: Exact cut-off cannot be predicted but trend analysis gives safe estimates.
Likely NEET 2026 Qualifying Cut-Off Prediction
| Category | Expected Cut-Off Range |
|---|---|
| General | 720 – 155 to 165 |
| OBC / SC / ST | 160 – 125 approx |
| PwD | Slightly lower than category cut-off |
👉 If competition increases → Cut-off may rise
👉 If paper is tough → Cut-off may drop slightly
Safe Score Target for NEET 2026 (For Medical Seat)
| Goal | Safe Score |
|---|---|
| Government MBBS (Top College) | 650+ |
| Government MBBS (Average College) | 600+ |
| Semi-Government | 550+ |
| Private MBBS | 450–550 |
(May vary by state & category)
Factors Affecting NEET Cut-Off Every Year
NEET cut-off is influenced by multiple factors:
1️⃣ Number of Candidates Appearing
More candidates → Higher competition → Higher cut-off
2️⃣ Difficulty Level of Paper
Tough paper → Lower cut-off
Easy paper → Higher cut-off
3️⃣ Number of Medical Seats
More seats → Slightly lower cut-off possibility
4️⃣ Student Performance Level
Better overall performance → Higher cut-off
5️⃣ Previous Year Trends
Past data influences future prediction models.
Real Competition Trend (Community Observation Insight)
From student discussions and analysis:
Cut-off prediction data can be unreliable early because many students don’t share scores publicly.
High scorers often dominate early data samples.
Some community estimates suggest safe qualifying-level expectations often hover around 480–520+ depending on year, but actual results depend on real exam performance.
Important Insight: Why Cut-Off Is Increasing
Common reasons observed in recent years:
Reduced syllabus in some years
Easier Biology and Chemistry papers
Increase in repeaters (droppers)
Coaching institutes adapting to paper patterns
NEET 2026 Strategy Based on Cut-Off Trends
If You Are Targeting MBBS
Aim → 600+ minimum
If You Want Safe Selection
Aim → 650+
If You Want Top Medical Colleges
Aim → 680+
Expert Tips to Beat Cut-Off Pressure
✔ Focus on NCERT mastery
✔ Solve Previous Year Questions daily
✔ Attempt full syllabus mock tests
✔ Analyze mistakes weekly
✔ Focus Biology scoring first
✔ Improve Physics numericals slowly
SEO Keywords (Used Naturally)
NEET 2026 cut off, expected NEET cut off 2026, NEET previous year cut off trends, NEET qualifying marks, NEET safe score target, NEET cut off prediction India, NEET admission cut off analysis
FAQs – NEET 2026 Cut-Off
Q1. Will NEET 2026 cut-off increase?
Most likely slightly increase if competition rises, but depends on paper difficulty.
Q2. What is the minimum NEET score to qualify?
Depends on percentile system but usually:
General → Around 150–170 range
Reserved → Around 120–140 range (varies yearly)
Q3. Does qualifying cut-off guarantee MBBS seat?
No. It only makes you eligible for counselling.
Q4. Which cut-off is more important – Qualifying or Admission?
Admission cut-off is more important for seat allotment.
Q5. What is a safe NEET score for government MBBS?
Usually 600+ for most states.
Q6. Does cut-off change every year?
Yes. It depends on candidates, difficulty level, seats, and performance trends.
