The NEET UG 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff is expected to be around 120–130 marks out of 720, based on the 40th percentile criterion applied by NTA and trends from 2020 to 2024.
NTA announces the NEET UG qualifying cutoff after results are declared each year. For SC, ST and OBC students, the minimum qualifying percentile is fixed at the 40th percentile. The actual marks at the 40th percentile vary each cycle based on exam difficulty and student performance in that category. For 2026, the SC qualifying cutoff is expected to fall in the 120–130 mark range based on the recent pattern.
- NEET UG 2026 SC expected qualifying cutoff: 120–130 marks out of 720
- SC/ST/OBC qualifying percentile fixed by NTA: 40th percentile
- NEET UG 2024 SC/ST/OBC qualifying cutoff: 129 marks
- NEET UG 2023 SC/ST/OBC qualifying cutoff: 107 marks
- To secure a government MBBS seat under the SC quota, students typically need 400 marks or above depending on the state
| Direct Link to NEET UG 2026 Official Portal (Active) |
NEET UG 2026 SC Expected Qualifying Cutoff
NTA determines the NEET UG qualifying cutoff by applying a percentile threshold to all students who appeared in the exam. The cutoff is not a fixed score — it is the score at the stated percentile for each category. For SC, ST and OBC students, the qualifying percentile is the 40th percentile. The General category threshold is the 50th percentile.
Based on the pattern from 2020 to 2024, the SC/ST/OBC qualifying cutoff has ranged from 93 marks to 129 marks. For NEET UG 2026, the expected SC qualifying cutoff is 120–130 marks. These are expected figures based on trends and are not confirmed.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected NEET UG 2026 Cutoff (Marks) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 50th Percentile | 150–165 |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40th Percentile | 120–130 |
| General-PH | 45th Percentile | 135–150 |
| SC-PH / ST-PH / OBC-PH | 40th Percentile | 120–130 |
Previous Year SC Cutoff Trends (2020–2024)
The table below shows the NEET UG qualifying cutoff marks for the SC/ST/OBC category and the General category from 2020 to 2024. The cutoff in marks shifts each year depending on exam difficulty and overall student performance.
| Year | General (UR) Cutoff (Marks) | SC/ST/OBC Cutoff (Marks) | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164 | 129 | 720 |
| 2023 | 137 | 107 | 720 |
| 2022 | 117 | 93 | 720 |
| 2021 | 138 | 108 | 720 |
| 2020 | 147 | 113 | 720 |
The 2022 cutoff dropped sharply to 93 marks for SC/ST/OBC students because of a harder paper that year. From 2023 onward the cutoff recovered, reaching 129 marks in 2024. The expected 2026 range of 120–130 marks reflects the stabilising trend seen over the last two cycles.
Factors Affecting NEET UG 2026 SC Cutoff
The NEET UG SC qualifying cutoff is not set in advance by NTA. Several factors influence where it lands after the exam:
- Paper difficulty: A harder paper lowers the overall score distribution, reducing the marks at the 40th percentile. An easier paper pushes the cutoff higher.
- Number of SC students who appeared: A larger pool of SC students can shift the score distribution and change the marks at the 40th percentile.
- Answer key revisions: If NTA revises the official answer key after the exam or awards grace marks, final scores shift and the cutoff moves accordingly.
- Number of SC reserved seats: The total MBBS and BDS seats reserved for SC students affects competition intensity during counselling but does not change the qualifying cutoff percentile.
- Score normalisation: If the exam is held across multiple shifts, score normalisation can change the marks at the 40th percentile cutoff.
College-Wise Expected SC Cutoff 2026
Qualifying the NEET UG SC cutoff confirms eligibility for counselling. Actual MBBS seat allotment depends on your rank, the number of SC seats at each college, and counselling round outcomes. The table below shows expected SC closing ranks for select government medical colleges in the All India Quota (AIQ) based on 2024 data.
| College | State | Expected SC AIQ Closing Rank 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Maulana Azad Medical College | Delhi | 2,000–4,000 |
| Grant Medical College, Mumbai | Maharashtra | 10,000–18,000 |
| Madras Medical College | Tamil Nadu | 12,000–22,000 |
| Osmania Medical College | Telangana | 15,000–28,000 |
| Government Medical College, Amritsar | Punjab | 20,000–38,000 |
| S.N. Medical College, Agra | Uttar Pradesh | 25,000–48,000 |
All rank ranges above are expected figures based on 2024 AIQ counselling data. The actual 2026 SC closing ranks will be published after NEET UG 2026 results and counselling rounds are completed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
NEET UG 2026 SC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff for SC students?
Ans. The expected NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff for SC students is around 120–130 marks out of 720. This estimate is based on the 40th percentile rule and cutoff trends from 2020 to 2024. The confirmed cutoff will be announced by NTA when results are declared.
Ques. What percentile do SC students need to clear in NEET UG?
Ans. SC, ST and OBC students need to score at or above the 40th percentile to qualify NEET UG. The General category threshold is the 50th percentile.
Ques. What was the NEET UG SC qualifying cutoff in 2024?
Ans. The NEET UG 2024 qualifying cutoff for SC, ST and OBC students was 129 marks out of 720, corresponding to the 40th percentile.
Ques. Does qualifying the NEET UG SC cutoff guarantee a government MBBS seat?
Ans. No. Qualifying the SC cutoff only makes you eligible to participate in counselling. A government MBBS seat under the SC quota depends on your rank, available SC seats at a college, and your choices during counselling rounds.
Ques. How many marks should SC students target to get MBBS admission in a good government college?
Ans. While the qualifying cutoff is around 120–130 marks, students should target 450 marks or above for a reasonable chance at a government MBBS seat under the SC category. Top colleges in major cities typically require 500 marks or more even under reserved quotas.
Ques. When will NTA announce the official NEET UG 2026 SC cutoff?
Ans. NTA will announce the official NEET UG 2026 qualifying cutoff along with the result on the official portal at neet.nta.nic.in.
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