Each year, NEET (UG) serves as the entry point for thousands of students throughout India to pursue careers in medicine. Regarded as one of the most challenging entrance exams, it is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programmes. The results of the May 4, 2025, NEET exam are expected to be released on June 14, 2025.
Now that the exam is over, students are anxiously looking forward to the NEET 2025 cut-off marks—a critical benchmark that determines eligibility for counselling and eventually admission to government medical colleges.
NEET 2025 Overview
What Influences the NEET Cut-Off Marks?
The NEET cut-off is not fixed—it fluctuates every year due to several influencing factors. Authorities consider the following before finalising the minimum qualifying marks:
- Total number of candidates who appeared
- Difficulty level of the examination
- The number of available seats for MBBS and BDS in India
- Reservation policies for different categories
- Overall performance of test-takers
These factors are analysed carefully to determine the cut-off percentile and corresponding score range for each category.
Tie-Breaking Rules for NEET 2025
When more than one candidate receives the same score, their rank is determined by a tie-breaking procedure. Here’s how it works:
- Applicants who score higher in biology (both botany and zoology) will be given preference.
- If Biology scores are tied, Physics scores will be considered.
- If both Biology and Physics scores are equal, Chemistry marks will be checked.
- If the tie persists, the candidate with fewer incorrect answers across all subjects will get a better rank.
NEET 2025 Cut-Off Marks: Category-Wise Table
| Category |
Qualifying Percentile |
Cut-Off Marks Range |
| General |
50th Percentile |
720 – 164 |
| General-PH |
45th Percentile |
163 – 146 |
| SC/ST/OBC |
40th Percentile |
163 – 129 |
| SC/OBC-PH |
40th Percentile |
145 – 129 |
| ST-PH |
40th Percentile |
141 – 129 |
Minimum Passing Marks by Category – NEET 2025
Candidates must secure the minimum required marks for their respective categories to proceed to the counselling phase:
- General: 164 marks
- OBC: 129 marks
- SC: 129 marks
- ST: 129 marks
- General-PH: 145 marks
- SC/ST/OBC-PH: 135 marks
These scores are applicable for both the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and state-level counselling rounds.
After Qualifying: What Comes Next?
Once a candidate secures the qualifying score, the next step is counselling. The process is coordinated by
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for AIQ and central universities
- State Medical Authorities for state quota seats
Candidates must follow the updates released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), and relevant State Directorates. Key steps include document verification, choice filling, seat allotment, and final admission.
Final Thoughts
With more than 22 lakh candidates competing for a limited number of MBBS and BDS seats, the race is undeniably tough. Knowing the category-wise cut-off helps candidates realistically assess their chances and prepare accordingly for the next steps.
Qualifying NEET is a big milestone, but it’s only the beginning. Stay vigilant for counselling updates, ensure all documents are ready, and plan wisely for college preferences. Your desired medical job is very much within your grasp if you put in the necessary effort and move quickly.
