New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has declared the NEET PG 2026 results, revealing qualifying cutoffs at their lowest in six years. General and EWS candidates now require 262 marks to qualify, compared with 276 in 2025 and 291 in 2023.
Cutoff Trends Since 2021
General/EWS: 302 (2021) → 262 (2026)
General‑PwBD: 283 (2021) → 244 (2026)
SC/ST/OBC: 265 (2021) → 226 (2026)
The 2024 exam was an exception, with percentile‑based cutoffs only. The return to absolute marks in 2026 reflects NBEMS’s evolving calibration methods.
Why Cutoffs Dropped
Reduced maximum marks: Paper scaled down from 800 to 720.
Higher difficulty: Tougher questions lowered overall scores, pulling down absolute qualifying marks despite unchanged percentile thresholds.
What It Means for Aspirants
More qualifiers: Larger pool eligible for counselling.
Tighter competition: Same number of seats, but more candidates.
Rank matters more: Absolute scores less relevant; percentile rank drives admissions.
Counselling Strategy
Prepare a realistic preference list based on past merit cutoffs.
Include safe, moderate, and ambitious options.
Be ready for faster seat filling and shorter choice‑filling windows.
Category‑Wise Impact
All categories saw proportional reductions, maintaining relative gaps. Reserved category candidates benefit from lower thresholds, but competition within categories remains intense due to fixed seat quotas.
Key Takeaway
Lower cutoffs expand eligibility and reduce the risk of vacant seats, but intensify competition for popular specialities. Aspirants should focus on rank‑based strategy, timely counselling participation, and realistic expectations.