The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff is the minimum score a candidate must get to qualify for the exam. It is set by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and varies by category. For General candidates, the expected cutoff is 197 marks, for General-PwBD it is 182, and for SC/ST/OBC candidates it is 168 marks. The cutoff is also shown in percentile, which helps compare scores fairly. Previous years’ cutoffs show trends and help candidates predict qualifying marks. Top dental colleges have different closing ranks, with elite institutes like Maulana Azad Institute and Aligarh Muslim University having very low ranks due to high competition. The cutoff can be influenced by exam difficulty, number of candidates, and available seats. Candidates must meet the cutoff to participate in counselling and secure admission in postgraduate dental courses.
NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff is the minimum score required to qualify for the exam. It varies by category and is released in both percentile and equivalent marks by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). Here are NEET MDS Revised Cutoffs for the year 2025 is
| Category | Revised Cutoff Percentile | Revised Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR/EWS) | 30.137 | 197 |
| General-PwBD | 25.137 | 182 |
| SC, ST, OBC (including PwBD of SC/ST/OBC) | 20.137 | 168 |
NEET MDS Previous Year Cutoff
The NEET MDS previous year cutoff helps candidates understand the qualifying trends over time. This data includes category-wise percentiles and corresponding cutoff marks from 2020 to 2024, offering valuable insight for exam preparation and expectations.
| Category | NEET MDS Cutoff Percentile | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50th Percentile | 263 | 272 | 263 | 259 | 286 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile | 230 | 238 | 227 | 227 | 250 |
| General/EWS – PH | 45th Percentile | 246 | 255 | – | 243 | 268 |
| SC/ST/OBC – PH | 40th Percentile | 230 | 238 | 245 | 227 | 250 |
Factors Affecting NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff percentile is fixed and does not usually change. However, if fewer candidates participate in the counselling, the NBE may lower the percentile with DCI's approval. The actual cutoff marks vary each year based on several factors like:
- cutoff percentile
- Difficulty level of the exam
- Total number of seats
- Number of students who appeared
- Number of students who qualified based on the cutoff percentile
NEET MDS 2024 Round 1 Closing Rank for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (General Category – All India Quota)
The NEET MDS 2024 Round 1 closing ranks for Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics show wide variations across top colleges. Elite institutes like Maulana Azad Institute and Aligarh Muslim University had very low closing ranks, indicating high competition, while other private colleges had higher ranks, giving more candidates a chance for admission.
| College Name | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore | 1760 | 1700 | 2962 |
| KGMU - King George's Medical University, Lucknow | 306 | 317 | 237 |
| KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS), Bhubaneswar | 589 | 1953 | 3504 |
| Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh | 1521 | 300 | 219 |
| Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | 152 | - | 80 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal | 6024 | 7326 | 10809 |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai | 4606 | 2308 | 4828 |
| Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Tumkur | 1560 | 8190 | 6574 |
| Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal | 10022 | 7817 | 5561 |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, MAMC, Delhi | 21 | 28 | - |
| Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | - | 279 | 246 |
| Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, Warangal | 111 | 457 | 158 |
| Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala | 11744 | 5039 | 5256 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune | 3465 | 3589 | 1798 |
| JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore | 2107 | 2864 | 2600 |
| MUHS, Nashik | 225 | 349 | 271 |
| Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry | 3440 | 9563 | 4035 |
| Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Guwahati | 232 | 262 | 148 |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai | 7247 | 7511 | 6311 |
| Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara | 3000 | 5338 | 3072 |
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling
The NEET MDS 2026 counselling helps candidates get admission to postgraduate dental courses. Candidates who did not get a seat in the first round or want to upgrade their seat can participate in the next rounds. There is also a final round called the Stray Vacancy Round, which gives the last opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a seat. It is important for candidates to follow the counselling process carefully and complete all steps within the given timelines to confirm their admission.
NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff FAQs
What is the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for General category candidates?
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for General category candidates is 197 marks, equivalent to the 30.137 percentile.
What is the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for SC/ST/OBC category candidates?
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for SC/ST/OBC candidates is 168 marks, corresponding to the 20.137 percentile.
What is the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for General-PwBD candidates?
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff for General-PwBD candidates is 182 marks, which equals the 25.137 percentile.
Which factors affect the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff marks?
Factors affecting NEET MDS 2026 cutoff include exam difficulty, total seats, number of candidates appearing, and number of qualified candidates.
How can NEET MDS 2026 previous year cutoffs help candidates?
Previous year NEET MDS cutoffs help candidates understand trends, predict qualifying marks, and plan preparation strategies accordingly.
Which college had the lowest closing rank for NEET MDS 2024 Orthodontics (General Category)?
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi, had the lowest closing rank in NEET MDS 2024 for Orthodontics, indicating very high competition.
Can candidates participate in NEET MDS 2026 counselling if they did not get a seat in the first round?
Yes, candidates can join subsequent rounds of NEET MDS 2026 counselling, including the Stray Vacancy Round, to secure or upgrade a seat.
How is the NEET MDS 2026 counselling conducted?
NEET MDS 2026 counselling is conducted online in multiple rounds, allowing candidates to choose colleges and courses based on rank and seat availability.
Does the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff percentile change every year?
The NEET MDS 2026 cutoff percentile is generally fixed, but actual cutoff marks can vary based on factors like candidate participation and seat availability.
How can candidates check the NEET MDS 2026 cutoff and counselling details?
Candidates can check NEET MDS 2026 cutoff and counselling details on the official NBE website at nbe.edu.in.