NEET CUTOFF 2025

NEET Cutoff 2025 Category-Wise: General, OBC, SC, and ST

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The NEET Cutoff 2025 is a critical benchmark for aspiring medical students aiming to secure admission to MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses in India. Released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NEET cutoff determines the minimum qualifying marks or percentile required to participate in the counseling process for medical college admissions. This comprehensive guide explores the NEET 2025 cutoff for General, OBC, SC, and ST categories, including expected cutoff ranges, factors influencing the cutoff, previous years’ trends, and tips to secure a seat in top medical colleges.

What is the NEET Cutoff?

The NEET cutoff is the minimum score or percentile a candidate must achieve to qualify for the counselling process. There are two types of NEET cutoffs:

  1. Qualifying Cutoff: The minimum percentile or score required to pass the NEET exam and become eligible for counselling.

  2. Admission Cutoff: The last rank or score at which a candidate secures admission to a specific medical college, varying by college, state, and category.

The NEET 2025 cutoff is determined based on factors like exam difficulty, the number of candidates, seat availability, and candidate performance. The cutoff is released category-wise, reflecting reservation policies for General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD candidates.

NEET Cutoff 2025: Category-Wise Cutoff Marks

The NEET 2025 cutoff was announced by the NTA on June 14, 2025, alongside the NEET UG 2025 results. According to reliable sources, the cutoff has decreased compared to 2024 due to a tougher question paper and a slight drop in candidate attendance (20.8 lakh appeared out of 22.7 lakh registered). Below are the category-wise NEET 2025 cutoff marks and percentiles based on official data and expert analyses:

Category

Qualifying Percentile

Cutoff Marks (2025)

Cutoff Marks (2024)

General (UR)

50th

 686–144 720–162

OBC

40th

 143–113 161–127

SC

40th

 143–113 161–127

ST

40th

 143–113 161–127

General-PwD

45th

 143–127 161–144

OBC-PwD

40th

 126–113 145–127

SC-PwD

40th

 126–113 145–127

ST-PwD

40th

 126–113 141–127

EWS

50th

 686–144 720–162

Key Observations:

  • The General category cutoff has dropped from 720–162 in 2024 to 686–144 in 2025, reflecting a tougher exam and lower top scores (highest score: 686).

  • The OBC, SC, and ST cutoff ranges are identical at 143–113, aligning with the 40th percentile, a significant decrease from 161–127 in 2024.

  • The PwD category cutoffs are slightly lower than their respective main categories, ensuring accessibility for candidates with disabilities.

  • The EWS cutoff mirrors the General category, as both require the 50th percentile.

Source: Official NTA data and expert analyses from Careers360, and Indian Express.

Factors Influencing NEET Cutoff 2025

Several factors contribute to the determination of the NEET 2025 cutoff. Understanding these can help candidates strategize their preparation and expectations:

  1. Exam Difficulty Level:

    • The NEET 2025 exam, conducted on May 4, 2025, was reported to be tougher than previous years, particularly in Physics. This led to lower overall scores and a reduced cutoff.

  2. Number of Candidates:

    • Approximately 20.8 lakh candidates appeared for NEET 2025, a drop of 1.9 lakh compared to 22.7 lakh registered. Lower attendance reduced competition, contributing to a lower cutoff.

  3. Seat Availability:

    • NEET 2025 offers admission to over 1,18,190 MBBS seats, 27,868 BDS seats, and additional seats in AYUSH, B.Sc. Nursing, and veterinary courses. An increase in MBBS seats compared to 2024 has slightly lowered the cutoff.

  4. Candidate Performance:

    • The highest score in NEET 2025 was 686, compared to 720 in previous years. Lower top scores indicate a challenging paper, reducing the cutoff across categories.

  5. Reservation Policies:

    • Reservation policies for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories ensure lower cutoffs for these groups, providing equitable access to medical education.

  6. State-Wise Variations:

    • State quota cutoffs vary based on regional competition and seat availability. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka are expected to have lower cutoffs (around 619 or less), while Delhi and Maharashtra have higher cutoffs.

Previous Years’ NEET Cutoff Trends (2020–2024)

Analyzing past cutoff trends helps predict the NEET 2025 cutoff and understand competition levels. Below is a summary of the qualifying cutoff marks for General, OBC, SC, and ST categories from 2020 to 2024:

Year

General (UR)

OBC

SC

ST
2024 720–162 161–127 161–127 161–127
2023 720–137 136–107 136–107 136–107
2022 715–117 116–93 116–93 116–93
2021 720–138 137–108 137–108 137–108
2020 720–147 146–113 146–113 146–113

Trends and Insights:

  • The General category cutoff has fluctuated between 715–720 (upper limit) and 117–162 (lower limit), influenced by exam difficulty and candidate performance.

  • The OBC, SC, and ST cutoffs are consistently lower, reflecting the 40th percentile requirement compared to the 50th percentile for General.

  • The 2024 cutoff saw a significant increase due to a higher number of top scorers, but 2025 reversed this trend due to a tougher paper and lower attendance.

  • The percentile-based system ensures consistency in qualifying standards, but score ranges vary yearly based on the highest scores achieved.

NEET 2025 Cutoff for Government Medical Colleges

Securing a seat in a government medical college is the goal for most NEET aspirants due to lower fees and high-quality education. The NEET 2025 cutoff for MBBS in government colleges varies by category and quota (All India Quota or State Quota). Below are the expected safe scores for admission:

  • General Category: 590–610 marks (All India Quota); 550–580 marks (State Quota in less competitive states). Top colleges like AIIMS Delhi may require 650–680 marks.

  • OBC Category: 550–590 marks (All India Quota); 530–560 marks (State Quota).

  • SC Category: 460–490 marks (All India Quota); 400–450 marks (State Quota).

  • ST Category: 420–460 marks (All India Quota); 350–400 marks (State Quota).

State-Wise Insights:

  • Lowest Cutoff States: Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka are expected to have cutoffs around 619 or less for government colleges.

  • High Cutoff States: Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have higher cutoffs due to intense competition. For example, Tamil Nadu requires 600+ marks for General and 550–590 for OBC in government colleges.

  • AIIMS Cutoff: For AIIMS Delhi, General candidates need 710–700, OBC 650–680, SC 600–630, and ST 580–610. AIIMS Madurai may have a slightly lower cutoff.

Note: Admission cutoffs are released as opening and closing ranks after each counselling round by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota and state authorities for State Quota.

NEET 2025 Counselling and Admission Process

The NEET 2025 counselling process is conducted in two streams:

  1. All India Quota (AIQ): Managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for 15% of government college seats and all seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, and central universities.

  2. State Quota: Managed by respective state counselling authorities for 85% of government college seats and private colleges.

Steps in the Counselling Process:

  1. Check Eligibility: Ensure your NEET score meets the qualifying cutoff for your category.

  2. Register: Sign up on the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) for AIQ or the state counseling portal for State Quota.

  3. Choice Filling: Select preferred colleges and courses.

  4. Seat Allotment: Based on your NEET rank, category, and preferences, seats are allotted.

  5. Document Verification: Submit required documents (NEET scorecard, 12th marksheet, category certificate, etc.).

  6. Admission Confirmation: Pay fees and confirm your seat.

Tips to Meet or Exceed the NEET 2025 Cutoff

To secure a seat in a government medical college, candidates must aim for scores well above the qualifying cutoff. Here are actionable tips to achieve a competitive NEET score:

  1. Understand the Syllabus:

    • Focus on NCERT textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, as NEET questions are heavily based on them.

    • Prioritize high-weightage topics like Human Physiology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry.

  2. Practice Regularly:

    • Solve previous years’ NEET papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

    • Analyze mistakes to identify weak areas and revise accordingly.

  3. Time Management:

    • Allocate time wisely during preparation and the exam. Aim to complete the 180-question paper within 3 hours and 20 minutes.

    • Practice solving questions in under a minute to build efficiency.

  4. Focus on Biology:

    • Biology (90 questions) carries 360 marks, making it the most scoring section. Aim for 80+ correct answers to boost your overall score.

    • Use tie-breaking rules to your advantage by excelling in Biology, as higher marks in this subject are prioritized in case of a tie.

  5. Stay Updated:

    • Monitor the official NTA website (neet.nta.nic.in) for result announcements, cutoff details, and counselling schedules.

    • Join NEET preparation groups on platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram for real-time updates.

  6. Aim High:

    • For General category candidates, target 600+ marks for government colleges and 650+ for top institutes like AIIMS.

    • For OBC, SC, and ST candidates, aim for 550+, 450+, and 400+ respectively to secure a safe score.

What If You Don’t Meet the NEET 2025 Cutoff?

If your score falls below the NEET 2025 cutoff for your category, consider these alternatives:

  1. Private Medical Colleges:

    • Private colleges have lower cutoffs, often ranging from 250–450 marks, depending on the category and state. However, tuition fees are significantly higher.

  2. AYUSH Courses:

    • Courses like BAMS (Ayurveda), BHMS (Homeopathy), and BUMS (Unani) have lower cutoffs, typically 350–500 marks for General and 300–400 for reserved categories.

  3. Allied Health Sciences:

    • Pursue courses like B.Sc. Nursing, BPT (Physiotherapy), or other paramedical programs, which require lower NEET scores.

  4. Reattempt NEET:

    • Prepare for NEET 2026 with a structured study plan. Focus on weak areas and consider enrolling in coaching programs for better guidance.

  5. Study Abroad:

    • Explore MBBS programs in countries like Russia, Ukraine, or the Philippines, which may not require NEET scores or have lower entry barriers.

Conclusion

The NEET Cutoff 2025 is a pivotal factor in determining your eligibility for medical college admissions. With a qualifying cutoff of 686–144 for General, 143–113 for OBC/SC/ST, and slightly lower ranges for PwD categories, candidates must aim for high scores to secure seats in government colleges. The tougher NEET 2025 exam and lower candidate attendance have resulted in a reduced cutoff compared to 2024, offering a slight advantage to aspirants. By understanding category-wise cutoffs, analyzing past trends, and preparing strategically, you can maximize your chances of achieving a competitive score.

For personalized guidance and expert support in navigating the counseling process, trust Career & Courses, your partner in shaping a successful medical career.

Stay informed by regularly checking the official NTA website (neet.nta.nic.in) and MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) for updates on counselling and admission cutoffs. With dedication and the right approach, your dream of becoming a doctor is within reach!

Sources: Official NTA data, Careers360, Indian Express..

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