The NTA (National Testing Agency) conducts the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) every year to qualify students for medical courses in India and abroad.
In 2024, over 2 million students appeared for this exam. In comparison, there were around 1 lakh seats for medical courses last year. Needless to say, NEET is one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country.
Knowing the NEET cut-off for 2025 is one way for the aspirants to set their goals right and strategize their exam preparations. In this article, we’ll provide comprehensive, category-wise cut-off predictions for NEET 2025 and also discuss the factors influencing these predictions.
What is the NEET Cut-off?
NEET cut-off is the minimum percentile or score a candidate should achieve to qualify for the admission process of MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical courses. Due to factors like exam difficulty, total number of candidates, seat availability, etc., this cut-off varies every year.
Moreover, the cut-off also varies between applicant categories, like General/Unreserved (UR), OBC/SC/ST, PwD (General/UR), etc. For instance, in 2024, the NEET cut-off for the General category was 720-164, and for OBC/SC/ST, it was 163-129.
What is the Difference Between the Qualifying Cut-off and the Admission Cut-off?
If you’ve been searching for the cut-off of NEET 2025, you might have come across two different types of cut-offs – qualifying and admission.
Qualifying Cut-off
The qualifying cut-off is released by the NTA and is the minimum qualifying mark required to be eligible for NEET counseling.
Admission Cut-off
The admission cut-off, on the other hand, is the minimum score you need to qualify for specific medical colleges. So, this admission cut-off can vary between medical colleges. The cut-off marks for NEET in government colleges are generally higher compared to private institutions.
Here is a table explaining the difference between the two-
| Details | NEET Qualifying Cut-off 2025 | NEET Admission Cut-off 2025 |
| Released by | NTA (National Testing Agency) | MCC (Medical Counselling Committee), State Authorities |
| Purpose | Determines eligibility for NEET counselling | Determines eligibility for individual medical institutes |
| Institute-Specific | No | Yes |
| Used for Admissions | No | Yes |
| Where to Check? | Official NEET results portal | Official website of state authorities |
Expected NEET Cut-off for 2025: Category-Wise Breakdown
According to the NTA exam calendar, NEET 2025 is scheduled for 4th May. The official NEET qualifying marks for 2025 will only be released after the exam results. However, trends from previous years generally help in estimating the expected cut-offs.
Here are the expected NEET 2025 cut-offs for various categories-
1. General/Unreserved Category (Gen/UR)
The high competition in the General/UR category translates into higher NEET pass marks. For 2024, the qualifying cut-off percentile for this category was 50% or a score of 720-164 out of 720. The trend is expected to remain more or less the same for NEET 2025 with the cut-offs around 720-162.
2. Other Backward Class/Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (OBC/SC/ST)
To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, aspirants from OBC/SC/ST categories have lower NEET qualifying marks. In 2024, the qualifying cut-off percentile for these categories stood at 40%. This corresponds to a score range of 163-129. For 2025, this range might see a marginal lift with the cut-off expected to be around 161-127.
3. Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
Introduced in recent years, the EWS category caters to aspirants from financially weaker backgrounds. The cut-off for the EWS category closely aligns with the General category. So, for 2025, the NEET UG cut-off for 2025 in EWS category is expected to be around 720-162.
4. Person with Disabilities (PwD)
PwD aspirants across all the categories have a reduced cut-off to ensure accessibility. In 2024, the qualifying percentile for the General-PwD category was 45%, translating to a score range of 163-146. For other categories like OBC/SC/ST under PwD, it was 40% with a similar score range for these categories.
In 2025, the NEET cut-off 2025 for MBBS and other medical courses for the General-PwD category is expected to be 161-144. For PwD candidates from other categories, it can be in the range of 142-127.
NEET Cut-off Trends from Previous Years vs. 2025
Here’s a quick overview of NEET cut-offs from previous years and what we can expect in 2025-
| Year | General/UR | OBC/SC/ST | EWS | PwD (Gen/UR) | PwD (OBC/SC/ST) |
| 2022 | 715-117 | 116-93 | 715-116 | 116-105 | 104-93 |
| 2023 | 720-137 | 136-107 | 720-135 | 136-121 | 120-107 |
| 2024 | 720-164 | 163-129 | 720-164 | 163-146 | 163-129 |
| *2025 (Expected) | 720-162 | 161-127 | 720-162 | 161-144 | 142-127 |
What Factors Influence NEET Cut-offs?
There are several factors influencing the NEET cut-offs. Here are some of the most important ones-
- Exam Difficulty Level
A tougher NEET cut-off generally translates to a lower cut-off, while comparatively easier exams result in higher cut-offs as more students score higher.
- Number of Candidates
If the total number of candidates taking the exam increases, so does the competition and the passing marks for NEET.
- Seat Availability
The total number of seats available at medical colleges also impacts the cut-off as more seats means lower qualification criteria. The cut-offs are higher if the seats are fewer.
- Reservation Policies
The government and testing agencies often make changes to the reservation policies to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. Such changes can significantly impact category-specific NEET pass marks for MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses.
- Candidate Performance
The overall performance of candidates in the exam is also a vital determinant of the cut-off scores. The cut-off will automatically be higher if more students score higher marks.
Final Thoughts on NEET Cut-off for 2025
Every year, the NEET cut-off plays a critical role in determining the future course of aspiring medical professionals. With the expected cut-off of NEET 2025 expected to be in line with that of last year, candidates should focus on putting forth their best efforts to achieve success.
Stay motivated, stay focused, and remember that consistent effort is the key to success in the NEET. Good luck!
FAQs on NEET Cut-off 2025
The expected NEET 2025 cut-off for General/UR is 720-162, for OBC/SC/ST is 161-127, for EWS is 720-162, for PwD (Gen/UR) is 161-144, and for PwD (OBC/SC/ST) is 142-127. Note that these are only estimates and the official list will be released by the NTA after the exam.
The cut-off can increase slightly if the NEET 2025 is easier or if more candidates perform well in the exam.
A safe score for NEET 2025 would be over 650 if your goal is to get a seat in one of the top government colleges as the NEET cut-off marks for government medical colleges is generally higher. However, it’ll also depend on your category.
The difficulty of NEET 2025 cannot be predicted. It is expected to be in line with NEET 2024.
NEET 2025 is expected to be moderately difficult, combining straightforward and challenging questions.
The NTA made changes to the NEET syllabus for the year 2024, reducing the chapters from 97 to 79 and removing or modifying several topics. However, no official announcements have been made for NEET 2025.
