NEW DELHI, Jul 16: The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially released the
results of the revised NEET UG 2026 re-examination held on June 21 on Thursday
with an overall pass percentage of 56.05%. The original exam was held on May
3, which was cancelled due to paper leakage.
Candidates can access and download their updated scorecards directly through
the Official NTA NEET Portal
Out of a total of over 20 lakh candidates appeared, 11.21 lakh qualified. 715
out of 720 (No candidate scored a perfect 720) was the highest marks scored.
Aryan Gupta (Punjab) and Panshul Bansal (Haryana) are the All India Rank (AIR)
1 toppers.
Female candidates outperformed male candidates, making up over 58% of the qualified
pool. The female qualification rate was 56.8% compared to 55.1% for males.
Category-Wise Cutoff Marks & Percentiles
Due to the evaluation of the June 21 re-test and revisions made to the final
answer key, qualifying cutoffs have risen notably compared to previous years:-
Category: UR / EWS (General) Qualifying Percentile: 50th Percentile
2026 Cut-off Marks Range (Out of 720): 715 – 213; OBC 40th Percentile
212 – 177; SC 40th Percentile 212 – 177; ST 40th Percentile 212
– 177; UR / EWS-PwBD 45th Percentile 212 – 194; OBC / SC / ST-PwBD
40th Percentile 193 – 177
The score density details released by the NTA reflect high competition levels:
Above 700 marks: 19 candidates; 690 marks and above: 138 candidates; 650 marks
and above: 1,492 candidates; 600 marks and above: 10,160 candidates; 500 marks
and above: 90,780 candidates.
Next steps for candidates: What you should do now
Now that the final all-India rankings and scorecards are live, the data has
been transferred to the respective counselling authorities. Candidates should
monitor the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) website for 15% All India Quota
(AIQ) registration schedules and their respective State medical evaluation portals
for the remaining 85% State quota seats.
Why AIR and pass percetage together? Why should there be a pass mark limit?
The concept of a "pass percentage" in NEET is often confusing because NEET
is a competitive entrance exam, not a school board exam.
Why All India Rank (AIR) and qualifying "pass" marks exist together, and why
a minimum limit is legally required.
1. The "Pass Mark" is Actually a Eligibility Cutoff
You do not "pass" NEET to get a guaranteed seat; you pass to become eligible
to apply.
The Rule: The National Medical Commission (NMC) mandates that a candidate
must score at least in the 50th percentile (for General) to be fit for medical
education.
The Reason: This ensures a basic level of academic competence. It prevents
someone with single-digit or negative marks from buying a private medical seat
simply because they have the money
2. Why Do We Need the All India Rank (AIR)?
Since there are only around 1.1 to 1.2 lakh medical seats in India but over
11 lakh candidates "pass" (qualify) the exam, the pass status is not enough
to allocate seats.T
The Rule: Seats are strictly limited.
The Reason: The AIR acts as a merit-based sorting system. Merit positions
(AIR 1, AIR 2, etc.) dictate exactly who gets the first choice of college during
the counselling process
3. Why Not Remove the Pass Limit Entirely?
If there were no minimum qualifying marks, seat vacancy and commercialization
would become massive issues:
Quality Control: Medical education requires a high threshold of science
comprehension. A flat zero-limit would compromise healthcare training standards.
Fairness in Private Colleges: Without a qualifying floor, private colleges
could legally admit students who scored zero marks over a student who scored
200 marks, purely based on who can pay higher fees. The "pass mark" blocks this
exploitation
In short, the pass percentage filters out those who do not meet the minimum
standard, while the AIR decides who gets the actual seats among those who qualified.
Guidelines for first-timesrs on what next, and counselling :
Your immediate next step is to prepare for the medical counselling process,
as qualifying NEET only makes you eligible to apply for seats
1. Understand the Two Main Counselling Types: Seats are divided into
two main legal pathways, and you can participate in both if you qualify:
All India Quota (AIQ) Counselling (15% seats): Conducted online by the
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). It covers 15% of MBBS/BDS seats in all
state government colleges, plus 100% of seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities,
and Deemed Universities.
State Quota Counselling (85% seats): Conducted individually by each state's
respective medical education authority (e.g., DME, Keam, CET). It covers the
remaining 85% of government seats and 100% of private state college seats for
students holding that state's domicile.
2. Immediate action checklist
Do not wait for the seat allotment dates to start organizing your files and
strategy:
Download All Essential NTA Documents: Secure digital and physical copies
of your NEET 2026 Admit Card, Official Scorecard/Rank Letter, and your confirmation
page.
Compile Legal & Academic Certificates: Keep your 10th and 12th passing
certificates, mark sheets, identity proofs (Aadhaar/Passport), and Domicile
Certificate ready.
Verify Category & Income Documents (If Applicable): Ensure EWS, OBC-NCL,
SC, ST, or PwD certificates are up-to-date, properly formatted according to
central/state guidelines, and issued by authorized officials.
Set Aside Registration Fees: Keep separate funds ready for counselling
registration. While government seat registration is nominal, Deemed University
counselling requires a refundable security deposit of up to ?2,00,000
3. Build Your College Choice List
The choice-filling round is the most critical phase of counselling where a
strategic order determines your seat allocation:
Analyze Past Cut-offs: Look at the round-by-round closing ranks from
last year for your category.
Categorize Colleges: Group your options into "Dream" colleges (slightly
above your rank), "Realistic" colleges (matching past trends for your rank),
and "Safe" colleges (well within your rank boundaries).
Research Hidden Factors: Factor in college tuition fees, compulsory
rural service bonds, stipend amounts, and geographical comfort before finalizing
your preferences.
Where should one apply for counselling?
Where you apply depends entirely on whether you want to target the 15% All
India Quota or your 85% State Quota/Private seats.
Here is exactly where you need to apply based on your targeting strategy:
1. Centralized All India Portals (For Any Qualified Student)
If you want to apply for central universities, national institutes, or colleges
outside your home state, use these central links:
MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc. Nursing: Register on the official Medical
Counselling Committee (MCC) Portal. This covers all AIIMS, JIPMER, Armed
Forces Medical College (AFMC), Central Universities (like BHU and AMU), 15%
seats in state government colleges, and 100% of Deemed Private Universities.
AYUSH Courses (BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS): Register on the Ayush
Admissions Central Counseling Committee (AACCC) Portal.. This covers central
quotas for Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, and Siddha seats
2. State Quota Portals (For Home State & State Private Seats)
To claim the 85% government seats reserved for residents or to apply to local
state private colleges, you must apply directly on your state's designated web
portal.
Crucial Warning For First-Timers
Beware of Fake Sites: Only use links ending in .gov.in, .nic.in, or the verified
university domains listed above. Fraudulent domains mimicking official sites
often appear during peak counselling weeks.
Open vs. Closed States: If you are looking at private medical seats
outside your home state, you can only apply to "Open States" (like Karnataka,
Kerala, or UP). "Closed States" (like Maharashtra) do not allow out-of-state
students to apply for their private college seats.
1st rank gets 1st call?
Yes, AIR 1 gets absolute first priority in the system, but the process does
not happen via a phone call or an individual interview.
Instead, the selection works through an automated online seat allotment system.
Here is exactly how it functions:
1. The Computer Processes Ranks in Order (1, 2, 3...)
The software starts at AIR 1.
It looks at the choice preference list that AIR 1 submitted online.
It assigns them their number one choice (usually AIIMS New Delhi or MAMC).
2. The Chain Continues Upwards
Once AIR 1 gets their seat, the computer moves to AIR 2.
It looks at AIR 2's list and grants their highest available choice.
The system repeats this rank-by-rank, moving down to AIR 3, AIR 4, and so on.
3. What Happens When Top Colleges Fill Up?
By the time the computer reaches AIR 50 or AIR 100, the 50 open-category seats
at AIIMS New Delhi usually fill up completely.
When the computer moves to the next rank (e.g., AIR 51), it sees that their
top choice is full. It then instantly checks their second choice on the list,
allocating that instead.
The Golden Rule of Counselling
Because the system is automated, the computer cannot read your mind. It will
only look at the choice sheet you save and lock online. If you have a top rank
but forget to fill out your online preference list, the computer will skip you
entirely and give the seat to the next rank.
How many total choice entries you are allowed to fill, or how the subsequent
counselling rounds (Round 2 and 3) work?
1. Total Choice Entries: Is There a Limit?
No, there is no upper limit to the number of choices you can enter.
The Rule: You can fill in as many college and course combinations as
you are eligible for. If there are 400 medical colleges listed, you can legally
fill in all 400.
The Strategy: First-timers should always fill a generous number of choices.
If you only list 2 or 3 elite colleges and your rank falls short by even one
position, the computer skips you, leaving you with zero allotment for that round.
The Process: You must physically "Lock" your choices before the deadline.
If you forget, the system will automatically lock whatever choices you saved
at the exact second the window closes
2. How Subsequent Counselling Rounds Work
Counselling does not end in one go. It happens in sequential stages (usually
4 rounds) to ensure every single seat is filled as students accept, reject,
or upgrade their choices.
Round 1: The Initial Allocation
Everyone registers, submits their list, and gets a seat based on merit.
The Exit Rule: Round 1 offers a "Free Exit." If you get allocated a
college you do not like, you can simply ignore it. You will not lose your registration
security deposit, and you can still participate in Round 2
Round 2: The Seat Upgrade Round
Seats open up here because some students from Round 1 chose to "upgrade" to
a better college, while others opted out entirely.
The Seat Upgrade Rule: If you joined your Round 1 college but want a
better one, you log in during Round 2 and submit a new list. If the computer
finds a better option from your new list, your Round 1 seat is automatically
canceled and given to someone else, and you receive the new seat
Round 3 (Mop-Up Round): The Strict Round
This round fills the remaining vacant seats left after Round 2.
The Penalty Rule: Rules become very strict here. If you are allocated a seat
in Round 3, you must accept it. If you exit or reject the seat, your hefty security
deposit is forfeited, and you are barred from participating in any further counselling
rounds
Stray Vacancy Round: The Final Countdown
This is the final round conducted online to clear out the last single-digit
vacancies across institutes.
No new choice filling is allowed in this round; the software uses the preference
list you locked during Round 3 to automatically clear the seats
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