The NEET 2026 ST Cutoff is expected to be at the 40th percentile, translating to approximately 110- 130 marks out of 720 based on past years’ trends. However, candidate meeting the qualifying marks does not guarantee admission it only means they are eligible to participate in the NEET Counselling 2026.
- NTA will declare the NEET 2026 Qualified Statistics with a complete breakdown of how many students registered, appeared, and qualified in NEET 2026 after the publication of result.
- The NEET ST Cutoff qualifying percentile has been 40 since 2017.
- A ST candidate scoring around 560+ out of 720 will get admission to tier-1 government MBBS colleges such as MAMC, VMMC and JIPMER Puducheery.
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Key Summary
- Candidates can expect their NEET 2026 result to be out by July 20, 2026.
- You can download your NEET 2026 result using your application number and password.
- The NEET Counselling 2026 will commence around August 2026, so visit the official MCC website for timeline.
NEET ST Qualifying Cutoff 2026
The NEET 2026 ST qualifying cutoff determines the minimum score you need to remain eligible for MBBS and BDS admissions. If you score at or above the NEET ST qualifying cutoff, your name appears in the NEET merit list and you can participate in counselling.
The qualifying cutoff and the admission cutoff are two different things.
- NEET Qualifying Cutoff just makes you eligible for counselling.
- NEET Admission cutoff is determined during MCC AIQ counselling and state counselling rounds which shows the NEET cutoff rank required for MBBS admission to various colleges
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Minimum Qualifying Marks (NEET 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 50th Percentile | 162 |
| SC | 40th Percentile | 127 |
| ST | 40th Percentile | 127 |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 127 |
| General-PH | 45th Percentile | 144 |
| SC/ST/OBC-PH | 40th Percentile | 127 |
Source: neet.nta.nic.in
Related Articles:
- NEET Marks vs Rank 2026: Course-wise Qualifying Marks, Safe Score, Rank Predictor and Cut off
- NEET 2026 Qualified Candidates: Total Appeared vs Qualified Statistics
Ques. What is the qualifying percentile for ST category in NEET 2026?
Ans. The qualifying percentile for ST students in NEET is 40th percentile. This threshold has remained unchanged since 2017 and is lower than the 50th percentile applied to General category students. Scoring at or above this percentile makes you eligible for MBBS, BDS, and other UG medical admissions through counselling.
Previous Year NEET ST Cutoff Trends
Looking at the past five years of NEET results, the ST qualifying cutoff marks have ranged between 93 and 127, depending on paper difficulty and overall student performance.
- A tougher paper generally lowers the cutoff marks, while an easier paper raises them.
- The 40th percentile rule stays fixed and only the marks required to hit that percentile change year to year.
| Year | ST Qualifying Percentile | ST Minimum Qualifying Marks | ST Marks Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40th Percentile | 127 | 127-161 |
| 2023 | 40th Percentile | 107 | 107-136 |
| 2022 | 40th Percentile | 93 | 93-116 |
| 2021 | 40th Percentile | 108 | 108-137 |
| 2020 | 40th Percentile | 113 | 113-146 |
Note: The 2022 paper was notably tougher, which brought ST qualifying marks down to 93. The 2024 paper was comparatively easier, pushing the cutoff up to 127.
Source: neet.nta.nic.in
Related Articles: State-Wise NEET 2026 MBBS Cutoff Predictions: UP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu & More
Ques. Is the NEET ST qualifying cutoff different from SC and OBC cutoffs?
Ans. No, SC, ST, and OBC students all share the 40th percentile qualifying threshold. In NEET 2024, all three categories shared a minimum qualifying mark of 129. However, for MBBS admissions, AIQ and state counselling closing ranks differ across categories based on the number of reserved seats and total eligible students in each category.
Expected NEET 2026 ST Cutoff Marks
Based on 2020- 2025 trends, the expected NEET 2026 ST qualifying cutoff is 110- 130 marks out of 720 at the 40th percentile. This is a prediction and will be confirmed only after NTA releases the official NEET 2026 result and merit list on neet.nta.nic.in.
| Scenario | Paper Difficulty | Expected ST Cutoff Marks (out of 720) |
|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (easier paper) | Easy to Moderate | 125- 130 |
| Moderate | Moderate | 115- 124 |
| Conservative (tougher paper) | Difficult | 100- 114 |
Note: If you have scored above 130 marks, you are very likely to clear the ST qualifying cutoff regardless of paper difficulty.
Related Articles:
- NEET 2026 Safe Score for Top Government Medical Colleges: Category-Wise Marks Needed
- NEET 2026: Is 550 Marks Enough for Government MBBS Admission?
According to a Reddit post, a user wanted to know the career options for 480 to 500 marks in NEET. As per the discussion, many suggested joining a private college for MBBS, or getting MBBS college through Maharashtra state quota counselling, and another user said he/she will pursue Veterinary.
Source: Reddit
Ques. What is the AIQ ST reservation percentage in NEET?
Ans. ST students have 7.5% reservation in All India Quota (AIQ) seats. These seats are distributed across government medical and dental colleges across India and are filled through MCC AIQ counselling rounds. Additionally, most states have separate ST reservations in their state quota seats.
NEET 2026 AIQ Cutoff for ST Category
The All India Quota (AIQ) reserves 15% of government medical college seats for nationwide competition. Within AIQ, 7.5% of seats are reserved for ST students. MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) conducts AIQ counselling and declares opening and closing ranks for each college after NEET results are published.
Expected AIQ ST closing ranks for government medical colleges in 2026 (based on NEET 2024 trends):
| College Category | Expected AIQ ST Closing Rank (2026) | Approximate Marks Range |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 500- 1,500 | 640- 710+ |
| Top Government Medical Colleges (Tier 1) | 1,500- 20,000 | 560- 639 |
| Mid-Tier Government Medical Colleges | 20,000- 80,000 | 450- 559 |
| Other Government Medical Colleges | 80,000- 2,50,000+ | 200- 449 |
State quota cutoffs for ST are determined separately by each state counselling authority and tend to be lower than AIQ cutoffs for the same college. These figures are expected estimates based on NEET 2024 trends and will vary in 2026 based on total seats, competition, and MCC counselling participation.
- NEET UG 2026 Safe Score for Top Government Medical Colleges
- ReNEET 2026 Expected Marks vs Rank for 480 Marks ST Category
- Top MBBS Colleges for AIQ Rank 20000 to 50000 in NEET 2026
Ques. Can I get AIIMS Delhi with 600 marks for ST Category?
Ans. No, with 600 marks in ST Category, you will not be able to secure admission to AIIMS Delhi. It is the top medical college and the NEET 2026 minimum rank for AIIMS ST Category for AIIMS Delhi is around 1400+ and an NEET score of around 680 to 690+.
Factors Affecting NEET 2026 ST Cutoff
Several variables influence where the final NEET 2026 ST cutoff lands:
- Paper difficulty: A harder paper pushes qualifying marks lower; an easier paper raises them. This is the single biggest driver of year-to-year variation in ST cutoff marks.
- Total ST students appearing: A larger pool shifts the percentile curve and alters the marks required to reach the 40th percentile threshold.
- Minimum qualified student rule: NTA ensures a minimum number of students qualify from each category. If too few ST students clear the standard threshold, the cutoff can be revised downward.
- Marking scheme and grace marks: NEET uses +4/–1 marking. Any bonus or grace marks awarded by NTA (as in 2024) can shift scores upward and affect the final cutoff marks.
- Total MBBS/BDS seats available: An increase in medical seats across the country raises the effective competition level as more ranks become eligible for counselling.
Related Article: NEET Counselling 2026: Check Dates, Eligibility, Fees & Documents Required
NEET 2026 ST Cutoff FAQs
Ques. How many marks out of 720 does an ST student need to qualify NEET 2026?
Ans. Based on 2020–2025 trends, ST students are expected to need between 110 and 130 marks out of 720 to clear the NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff. The exact marks depend on paper difficulty and overall student performance, and will be confirmed only after NTA releases the official NEET 2026 result.
Ques. What score do ST students need for MBBS admission in government colleges via AIQ?
Ans. For top institutions like AIIMS New Delhi, ST students typically need 640+ marks. For mid-tier government colleges, scores in the 450–559 range may be sufficient for AIQ ST seats. These are expected figures based on NEET 2024 trends and will vary in 2026 based on actual competition and paper difficulty.
Ques. When will the official NEET 2026 ST cutoff be announced?
Ans. NTA releases the official NEET qualifying cutoff alongside the NEET result on neet.nta.nic.in. The cutoff is published as a score range and percentile in the official merit list notification. Check the official NTA website for the latest updates on the NEET 2026 result date and cutoff release.
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