NEET 2026 Cutoff for SC Category: Expected Marks, Govt. College Cutoffs & Previous Years' Trends

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will announce the official NEET 2026 SC category cutoff after the examination results are published. It is expected that the qualifying marks for SC candidates will fall in the range of 118 marks to 149 marks with the qualifying SC cutoff percentile at the 40th percentile. This article will provide expected cutoff marks for government medical colleges, parameters that will affect the cutoff marks and previous years' trends to help SC category aspirants plan effectively.

All expected cutoff marks indicated for SC category candidates only for reference and will not be held in the context of final official results.

NEET 2026 Cutoff for SC Category Overview

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	NEET UG 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Category	SC (Scheduled Caste)
Qualifying Percentile	40th Percentile
Expected Qualifying Marks (SC)	149 – 118
Expected Qualifying Marks (SC-PwD)	149 – 118
Exam Status	21 June 2026
Provisional Answer Key	June 2026

Expected NEET 2026 Cutoff for SC Category

The NEET 2026 expected cutoff for SC category candidates will fall between 149 and 118 marks. The SC category cutoff is typically lower than the General category due to reservation benefits. Candidates must score 40th percentile or more than it to qualify for counselling.

Category	Qualifying Percentile	Expected Qualifying Marks (NEET 2026)
SC	40th Percentile	149 – 118
SC-PwD	40th Percentile	149 – 118

NEET 2026 Cutoff for SC Category in Government Colleges

SC category candidates who wants government medical colleges must secure competitive scores. Due to limited seats and high demand, cutoffs for government icolleges remain high within the SC category.

Type of Institution	Expected Cutoff Marks (SC Category)
All India Quota (AIQ)	520 – 540+
State Quota	480 – 520+
AIIMS Institutes	650 – 670+

These figures are expected based on past trends. Actual cutoffs will vary based on exam difficulty, number of applicants, and seat availability.

Also Read : How to Score 180 in Chemistry Re-NEET 2026

Factors Affecting NEET 2026 SC Category Cutoff

Several key factors determine how the NEET 2026 cutoff for SC category is set each year:

• Difficulty Level of the Exam — A more challenging paper generally leads to lower cutoff marks, while an easier paper tends to push cutoffs higher.
• Number of Candidates Appearing — A larger candidate pool increases competition and can raise the cutoff threshold.
• Availability of Medical Seats — Fewer MBBS, BDS, and allied health science seats relative to applicants drives cutoffs upward.
• Reservation Policy — The SC reservation policy governs seat distribution across All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quotas, making it a primary factor in the final cutoff calculation.

NEET SC Category Cutoff — Previous Years Trends

Reviewing historical qualifying marks helps candidates benchmark their preparation and anticipate where the 2026 cutoff may land.

Category	Qualifying Percentile	NEET 2025 Marks	NEET 2024 Marks	NEET 2023 Marks
SC	40th Percentile	143 – 113	161 – 127	136 – 107
SC-PH / SC-PwD	40th Percentile	126 – 113	143 – 127	120 – 107

The qualifying marks for SC category have ranged between 107 and 161 over the past three years, reflecting variation in exam difficulty year on year.

Also Read : NEET 2026 Cut Off for Private MBBS Colleges

How to Check NEET 2026 Cutoff (Once Released)

1. Visit the official NTA NEET website at neet.nta.nic.in
2. Click on the "NEET UG 2026 Result / Cutoff" link on the homepage
3. The cutoff PDF will be available for download — look for the SC category row
4. Cross-check your score against the published cutoff for qualifying status
5. Eligible candidates may then register for counselling via MCC or respective State Counselling Authority portals

Important Links

• NEET UG Official Website
• MCC Counselling Portal
• NTA Official Website

Final Thoughts

SC category candidates should use the expected cutoff range of 149–118 marks as a benchmark, but should aim for scores well above these figures to improve their chances of securing a seat in a government medical college. Stay updated via the official NTA website for result and counselling announcements.

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FAQs

Q1. What is the qualifying percentile for SC category NEET 2026?

SC and SC-PwD candidates must secure the 40th percentile to qualify in NEET 2026. 

Q2. When will the official NEET 2026 cutoff for SC category be out?

The official NEET 2026 cutoff will be released by NTA along with the NEET UG 2026 results. Candidates can check the cutoff on the official website at neet.nta.nic.in once announced.

Q3. What score does an SC category candidate need for a government medical college under AIQ?

For government medical colleges under the All India Quota (AIQ), SC category candidates are expected to need approximately 520–540+ marks in NEET 2026. For AIIMS institutes, the expected cutoff is significantly higher at 650–670+.