NEET MDS 2026 qualifying cutoff reduced by 20.576 percentile

As per the official communication, the Ministry has decided to lower the qualifying cutoff by 20.576 percentile points across all categories, including General, SC/ST/OBC and Unreserved Persons with Disabilities (UR-PwD), for the academic session 2026-27.

Following this decision, the qualifying percentile for General category candidates has been reduced from 50 to 29.424, while the cutoff for SC/ST/OBC candidates has been lowered from 40 to 19.424. For UR-PwD candidates, the qualifying percentile has been revised from 45 to 24.424.

The decision is expected to expand the pool of candidates eligible to participate in NEET MDS 2026 counselling.

NEET MDS 2026 REVISED QUALIFYING CUTOFF PERCENTILES

According to the Ministry's notification, the revised qualifying percentiles are as follows-

The reduction of 20.576 percentile points applies uniformly to all three category groups mentioned in the notification.

Following the reduction in the qualifying cutoff, the Ministry has directed the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to issue revised NEET MDS 2026 results in accordance with the newly prescribed qualifying percentiles.

The official communication states:

“The NBE is, therefore, directed to bring out revised results in accordance with the above lowered qualifying percentiles, and the MCC is requested to take appropriate action on a priority basis.”

The communication is addressed to the Executive Director, National Board of Examinations, and the Deputy Director General (Medical Education), Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services.

With the revised results, candidates previously below the qualifying percentile may now meet the reduced threshold and become eligible for the admission process, subject to the applicable counselling and admission requirements.

To view the communication, click the link below