NEET Cutoff: What You Need to Know About Scores, Trends, and Admission Chances

When you take NEET, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical admissions in India. Also known as NEET-UG, it's the only gateway to MBBS and BDS seats across the country. But passing the exam isn’t enough. Your NEET cutoff, the minimum score required to qualify for counseling and seat allocation decides whether you get a seat—or not. Every year, lakhs of students score above 500, but only a fraction make it into government colleges. Why? Because cutoffs aren’t fixed. They shift based on exam difficulty, number of applicants, and available seats.

The cutoff isn’t just a number—it’s a moving target shaped by your category, state, and college type. For example, a general category student needs a much higher percentile than OBC, SC, or ST candidates. And even within the same category, cutoffs vary wildly: a top AIIMS might demand 700+, while a state medical college in a less competitive region might accept 450. Your percentile matters more than your raw score. A 99th percentile in a tough year could be 680, but in an easy year, it might be 710. That’s why looking at last year’s cutoff alone is risky. You need to understand trends, not just numbers.

What really affects your chances? The number of applicants, how many seats were added that year, and whether the exam was harder than usual. In 2023, when the paper was tough, the cutoff for general category dropped by nearly 20 marks compared to 2022. But in 2021, when the paper was easier, the cutoff jumped. Top scorers often come from states with strong coaching culture, but that doesn’t mean students from rural areas can’t crack it—many do, with smart prep and focus on NCERT. The key is knowing where you stand relative to the cutoff, not just your own score.

You’ll find posts here that dig into what actually gets you admitted—not just what the official cutoff says. Some explain how to interpret percentile ranks, others break down state-wise differences, and a few show how students with mid-range scores still landed seats by choosing the right colleges. There’s also content on how NEET cutoffs compare to other exams like JEE, and how coaching or self-study impacts your final standing. This isn’t about guessing numbers. It’s about understanding the system so you can plan your next move—whether you’re aiming for a top institute or just trying to secure any medical seat.