NEET PG 2026 Cut-Off Hits Lowest in 6 Years, Experts Explain Drop - Video

The NEET PG 2026 results were declared on September 24, with the qualifying cut-off falling to its lowest level since 2021 across categories. For General and EWS candidates, the cut-off is 262 marks at the 50th percentile, while it is 244 marks for General PwBD candidates at the 45th percentile. For SC, ST and OBC candidates, including PwBD candidates from these categories, the cut-off stands at 226 marks at the 40th percentile. The qualifying percentiles, however, remain unchanged from previous years. Dr Rohan Krishnan, chief patron and co-founder of FAIMA Doctors Association, said the lower score should not automatically be interpreted as an easier route to postgraduate medical education. He attributed the changing preparation environment to examination patterns, intense competition and multiple coaching resources.

Dr Dhruv Chauhan, national spokesperson of the IMA Junior Doctors Network, said the cut-off is influenced by examination difficulty, candidate performance, score distribution, the number of candidates and available seats. He cautioned against interpreting the lower qualifying score as evidence of lower competence among doctors. Gaurav Bhagat, founder of Gaurav Bhagat Academy, said the cut-off should also be viewed alongside postgraduate seat availability. He pointed to more than 18,000 PG seats reportedly remaining vacant during the previous counselling cycle and said lower qualifying percentiles can widen the eligible pool and help reduce seat wastage. Experts said the qualifying threshold should therefore be considered alongside examination performance, seat availability and medical education quality, according to India Today.