- NEET UG 2026 cutoffs show significant increase for some categories.
- Qualification rate dipped by 1.15 lakh candidates this year.
- Students from UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh call CBSE counselors for doubts.
NEET UG Cutoff 2026: The sharp jump in the NEET UG cutoff this year has left many students wondering about their chances of getting seats in the Government Medical Colleges under UG courses. Qualified candidates who have scored between 500 and 600 are now contemplating whether their marks are enough for GMC seats. Despite qualifications, the rise in NEET cutoff marks has raised many questions about their preparation. As per the NEET UG result data, 19 students have scored more than 700, while 1,492 candidates scored 650 and above.
NEET UG Cutoff Is High Across Categories
Compared to previous years, this year, despite re-examination, the NEET UG cutoffs have risen to another level across categories. The raised cutoff has added pressure on students regarding GMC admissions. The General category qualification has also dipped by approximately 3% compared to last year.
Category | Current Cutoff Marks | Previous Year Cutoffs |
General/EWS | 213 | 144 |
OBC/SC/ST | 113 | 177 |
Qualification Rate Dips
Total enrollment for NEET UG 2026 was 22.8 lakh, compared to 22.76 lakh in 2025. Despite almost the same registration, the number of candidates clearing the test fell by 1.15 lakh. This divergence is driven by a smaller-appearing pool and a sharp upward shift in the score distribution. This year, only 19.99 lakh candidates appeared, down from 22.09 lakh.
However, for the EWS and OBC categories, the total qualification rate reached 60% of the total appeared candidates.
NEET UG Score Distributions And Marks Range
19 candidates scored above 700 out of 720.
1,492 candidates scored 650 and above.
10,160 candidates scored 600 and above.
90,780 candidates scored 500 and above.
CBSE Counselling Receives Stress Calls From Students
The unexpected rise in the NEET UG cutoff marks has made students anxious about their further counseling process. Qualified candidates mainly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh are calling CBSE counsellors to clarify their doubts. Over 100 distress calls are being received by the CBSE counseling cell.