NEET 2026 SC cutoff is expected at the 40th percentile, with qualifying marks likely in the range of 107 to 140 out of 720, based on official trends from 2021 to 2025.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets a minimum qualifying percentile for each category in NEET UG. For Scheduled Caste (SC) students, the qualifying threshold is fixed at the 40th percentile every year. Crossing this cutoff makes you eligible for All India Quota (AIQ) and state counselling, but admission to a government MBBS seat requires a considerably higher score. This article covers the expected NEET 2026 SC qualifying marks, previous year cutoff trends, and the rank range needed for government college admission.
- NEET 2026 SC qualifying percentile: 40th percentile (unchanged since 2017)
- Expected qualifying marks for SC in 2026: 107 to 140 out of 720 (based on 2024-25 difficulty trends)
- NEET 2025 SC qualifying marks: 107-136 (based on previous year official data)
- For a government MBBS seat via AIQ, SC students typically need an overall rank of under 50,000
- Official NEET 2026 SC cutoff will be published on neet.nta.nic.in after results are declared
NEET 2026 SC Qualifying Cutoff (Expected)
The qualifying cutoff for NEET SC students has remained at the 40th percentile every year since 2017. Based on five years of official data, the expected SC qualifying marks range for NEET 2026 is 107 to 140 out of 720. This range may shift slightly depending on overall exam difficulty and the total number of students who appear.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Expected Marks Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 40th percentile | 107-140 |
| SC-PwD | 40th percentile | 107-140 |
| ST | 40th percentile | 107-137 |
| OBC | 40th percentile | 107-137 |
| General-PwD | 45th percentile | 121-137 |
| General / UR | 50th percentile | 138-720 |
These are expected figures based on 2024-25 trends. Official NEET 2026 cutoff marks will be released by NTA alongside the result on neet.nta.nic.in.
Previous Year NEET SC Cutoff Trends
NEET SC qualifying cutoff marks have shown minimal variation over recent years. The table below lists official SC cutoff data from 2021 to 2025:
| Year | SC Qualifying Percentile | SC Qualifying Marks Lower Bound | SC Qualifying Marks Upper Bound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40th | 107 | 136 |
| 2024 | 40th | 107 | 136 |
| 2023 | 40th | 107 | 136 |
| 2022 | 40th | 107 | 136 |
| 2021 | 40th | 107 | 136 |
The lower bound (107 marks) reflects tougher exam years while the upper bound (136 marks) reflects years with an easier paper. NEET 2026 SC qualifying marks are expected in the 107-140 band, with the final figure confirmed at result time.
NEET SC Percentile and Marks
The NEET qualifying cutoff is a percentile, not a fixed mark. The actual score at the 40th percentile changes every year based on how all students perform. The table below shows how percentile maps to approximate marks for SC students based on recent trends:
| Percentile (SC) | Approximate Marks (out of 720) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 40th (qualifying threshold) | 107-140 | Eligible for MBBS and BDS counselling |
| 50th | 141-180 | Safe qualifying buffer |
| 70th | 200-270 | Competitive for state government colleges |
| 90th | 400-500 | Strong contender for top government colleges |
| 99th and above | 580+ | AIIMS and premier institution territory |
Qualifying at the 40th percentile secures a NEET rank but does not guarantee a seat. To compete for a government MBBS seat under the SC quota, you need a substantially higher score.
NEET SC Rank Threshold for Government Colleges
The rank threshold for SC students in government medical colleges varies by state and institution type. Based on 2024 counselling data, the table below shows approximate overall ranks at which SC seats filled across different college tiers:
| College Tier | Approx. SC Overall Rank (based on 2024 trends) | Approx. Marks Needed |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS Delhi (SC quota) | Under 500 | 600+ |
| Top Central and Deemed Universities (SC) | 500-5,000 | 500-600 |
| Top State Government Medical Colleges (SC) | 5,000-50,000 | 300-500 |
| Other State Government Colleges (SC) | 50,000-2,00,000 | 150-300 |
| Qualifying only (seat unlikely) | 2,00,000 and above | 107-150 |
These are expected figures based on 2024 counselling trends. NEET 2026 SC closing ranks will depend on the total seat count, state-level counselling rules, and the number of qualified SC students.
Factors Affecting NEET 2026 SC Cutoff
Several variables determine where the NEET SC qualifying marks land each year:
- Exam difficulty: A tougher paper pushes the qualifying mark lower; an easier paper raises it.
- Total SC test-takers: A higher number of students attempting the exam increases competition at the qualifying line.
- Marking scheme: Each correct answer carries +4 marks and each wrong answer carries -1 mark out of a total of 720 marks.
- Number of MBBS and BDS seats: An increase in government SC quota seats can ease the effective rank threshold for seat admission.
- Tiebreaker policy: NTA resolves ties using the student’s age and then marks in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in sequence.
NEET 2026 SC Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff for SC?
Ans. The NEET 2026 SC qualifying cutoff is expected at the 40th percentile, corresponding to marks in the range of 107 to 140 out of 720, based on trends from 2021 to 2025.
Ques. Has the NEET qualifying percentile for SC changed recently?
Ans. No. NTA has kept the NEET qualifying percentile for SC, ST, and OBC at the 40th percentile since 2017. The actual marks at that percentile shift slightly each year based on overall exam difficulty and student performance.
Ques. How many marks does an SC student need to get a government MBBS seat?
Ans. Qualifying alone is not enough. Based on 2024 trends, SC students typically need 300-500 marks for top state government colleges and 500 or more for premier central institutions like AIIMS Delhi.
Ques. What was the official NEET SC cutoff in 2024?
Ans. In NEET 2024, the SC qualifying cutoff was at the 40th percentile, with marks ranging from 107 (lower bound) to 136 (upper bound) out of 720.
Ques. Does clearing the NEET SC qualifying cutoff guarantee an MBBS seat?
Ans. No. Clearing the 40th percentile only makes you eligible to participate in counselling. Actual seat allotment depends on your rank, choice of college, the number of available SC seats, and state counselling merit lists.
Ques. Where can I check the official NEET 2026 SC cutoff after the result?
Ans. The official NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff for SC and all categories will be published by NTA on neet.nta.nic.in along with the result scorecard.
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