NEET UG 2026 Paper Review
According to Team Get My University, NEET UG 2026 has been concluded. The overall paper was found to be moderate to tough. Physics subject has the highest level of difficulty. Whereas, chemistry was moderate and Biology was bit lengthy yet time consuming.
However, it is expected that students may get better ranks at relatively lower scores compared to previous years. Additionally, as compared to previous year participation, this year number of candidates appeared were less that could positively impact on NEET UG Cutoff 2026 trend.
NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Marks Category-Wise
The expected NEET UG 2026 qualifying marks are based on the exam's overall difficulty level and the number of candidates appearing. As the paper was of moderate difficulty, the qualifying cutoff is expected to remain around 140–150 marks for the General/EWS category and 115–120 marks for reserved categories, though the final cutoff will be announced by NTA along with the NEET UG 2026 results.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Marks |
| General (UR) | 140-150 |
| EWS | 140-150 |
| OBC | 115-120 |
| SC | 115-120 |
| ST | 115-120 |
| UR/EWS PwD | 125-130 |
| OBC/SC/ST PwD | 115-120 |
MBBS Seat Trend
The number of MBBS seats in India has been increasing steadily every year, with a 10% overall growth from 2024 to 2025. For NEET UG 2026, an additional 13,000–16,000 seats are expected, with the highest increase likely in private medical colleges, followed by government and deemed universities. This expansion will provide more admission opportunities for NEET aspirants and improve their chances of securing an MBBS seat.
| Type of Seat | 2024 | 2025 | Total Increment | % Change | 2026? |
| Government | 60485 | 63683 | 3198 | 5% | 4000-5000 |
| Private | 46715 | 53744 | 7029 | 15% | 8000-10000 |
| Deemed | 10550 | 11599 | 1049 | 10% | 1100-1500 |
| Total | 117750 | 129026 | 11726 | 10% | 13000-16000 |
Expected AIQ Cutoff in 2026
Based on previous years' trends, the NEET UG 2026 AIQ cutoff is expected to increase slightly due to a higher number of candidates and increased competition. General and OBC category candidates may require around 540–550 marks to secure a seat through the 15% All India Quota, while the required scores for reserved categories are expected to be comparatively lower. These are projected figures and may vary once the official counselling process begins.
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Score in 2026 |
| General | 23,562 | 25,050 | 27,332 | 29500-31000 | 540-550 |
| EWS | 25,005 | 28,836 | 30,862 | 32500-34000 | 535-540 |
| OBC | 23,575 | 25,079 | 27,307 | 29500-31000 | 540-550 |
| SC | 1,28,978 | 1,37,759 | 1,38,863 | 150000-155000 | 450-460 |
| ST | 1,68,853 | 1,68,640 | 1,64,804 | 170000-180000 | 435-445 |
Re-NEET UG 2026 States with Lowest AIQ Cutoff
Based on previous years' counselling trends, states like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are expected to have comparatively lower AIQ closing cutoffs across different categories in NEET UG 2026. Students with lower NEET ranks should consider these states during AIQ counselling to improve their chances of securing an MBBS seat.
| GENERAL | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
| West Bengal (27296) | Maharashtra (30555) | Maharashtra (30555) | Tamil Nadu (138462) | Maharashtra (164043) |
| Odisha | Odisha | Karnataka | Odisha | Telangana |
| Assam | West Bengal | J&K | Andhra Pradesh | Tamil Nadu |
| Manipur | Kerala | Telangana | Kerala | Tripura |
| Nagaland (27332) | Gujarat (30862) | West Bengal (27307) | Telangana (138863) | Puducherry (164804) |
Hidden Best Medical Colleges for 2026-27
While most of the MBBS Aspirants focus on securing MBBS Admission in Government Medical Colleges, several hidden gems often remain unnoticed during AIQ NEET UG Counselling. Hidden Best Medical Colleges for 2026-27 are:-
1. NEIGRIHMS (Meghalaya)
2. Agartala Government Medical College (Tripura)
3. JNIMS, Imphal (Manipur)
All these medical colleges listed above are hidden by many but actually offers excellent academics, strong clinical exposure, good infrastructure and have comparatively lower closing ranks.
MBBS States with Zero Service Bond for NEET UG 2026
There are some states that does not have compulsory service bond such as
• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana
• Bihar
• West Bengal
• Uttarakhand
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Puducherry
• Himachal Pradesh
• Manipur
• Chandigarh
MBBS States with Maximum Service Bond for NEET UG 2026
There are 4 states in India that requires MBBS graduates to serve a longer yet mandatory service bond, namely-
• Haryana
• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Tamil Nadu
Consult Team GMU for MBBS Admission in 2026-27
Many students are unaware of important factors that should be considered before taking MBBS admission, such as the service bond policy in different states, the quality of infrastructure, clinical exposure, academic standards, internship opportunities, and the overall learning environment of a medical college. These are crucial aspects that can significantly impact a student's medical career, yet most aspirants lack the right information at the right time.
That's why we recommend connecting with Team GMU before making your counselling choices. Our experts provide accurate guidance based on your NEET score, budget, and career goals, helping you choose the right medical college. Remember, the right guidance at the right time can help you secure admission to the best medical college before it's too late.
Need personalised guidance?
Get a free consultation — we'll apply this guide specifically to your NEET rank, budget, and target colleges.
