NEET 2026 OBC cutoff is one of the most important factors for candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses under the OBC category. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NEET 2026 qualifying cutoff along with the result, while admission cutoffs for government colleges will be determined during MCC and state counselling. This article explains the NEET 2026 OBC qualifying marks, expected government college cutoff, safe score, and previous trends.
The NEET 2026 OBC cutoff has been released by NTA, with the 40th percentile corresponding to 177–212 marks for OBC candidates. Qualifying the cutoff makes candidates eligible for counselling, while admission to government medical colleges depends on higher closing cutoffs during MCC and state counselling.
| NEET 2026 OBC Cutoff Highlights | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Category | OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
| Qualifying Percentile | 40th Percentile |
| Official Qualifying Marks | 177–212 |
| Admission Through | MCC AIQ Counselling & State Counselling |
| Courses | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc Nursing and other medical courses |
The official NEET OBC category cutoff for qualifying has increased significantly in 2026 compared to the previous year due to higher competition.
Candidates belonging to the OBC category must secure the 40th percentile to qualify for counselling.
| Category | Percentile | NEET 2026 Qualifying Marks |
| OBC | 40th Percentile | 177–212 |
| OBC-PwBD | 40th Percentile | 193 – 177 |
The NEET 2026 OBC qualifying marks only make candidates eligible for counselling. Admission to a medical college depends on the closing rank and admission cutoff.
Many students confuse qualifying cutoff with admission cutoff.
| Qualifying Cutoff | Admission Cutoff |
| Minimum marks required to qualify NEET | Marks required to secure a medical seat |
| Released by NTA | Released during MCC and State counselling |
| Same across India for a category | Varies by college, state, quota and reservation |
| OBC: 177–212 marks | Usually much higher than qualifying marks |
The final admission cutoff will vary by counselling rounds, state reservation policy, and college demand. Based on previous trends, the expected scores are:
| Type of College | Expected OBC Score |
| Top Government Medical Colleges | 620–670+ |
| Good Government Medical Colleges | 580–620 |
| Average Government Medical Colleges | 540–580 |
| Government Colleges (Some States) | 500–540 |
These are expected admission ranges and may differ depending on state counselling and seat availability.
Candidates often ask about a safe score for admission.
| Score Range | Admission Chances |
| 650+ | Excellent chance in top government colleges |
| 620–649 | Very good chance for government MBBS |
| 580–619 | Good chance in many government colleges |
| 540–579 | Moderate chance depending on state quota |
| 500–539 | Possible in some states and later rounds |
| Below 500 | Government MBBS admission may be difficult |
The NEET OBC safe score depends on your domicile state, reservation policy, and counselling round.
The OBC cutoff NEET 2026 depends on several factors:
Number of candidates appearing
Overall difficulty level of the exam
Number of qualified candidates
Total MBBS and BDS seats available
Reservation policy
Previous year counselling trends
Candidate preferences during counselling
The qualifying cutoff has risen sharply in 2026 because of the increased competition and higher score distribution.
| Year | Qualifying Marks |
| 2026 | 177–212 |
| 2025 | 113–143 |
| 2024 | 127–163 |
| 2023 | 107–136 |
Candidates who secure the NEET 2026 OBC qualifying marks should:
Download the NEET scorecard.
Register for MCC AIQ counselling.
Apply for respective state counselling.
Complete document verification.
Fill and lock college choices.
Participate in seat allotment rounds.