NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff Reduced by 20.576 Percentile Points; Check Revised Category-Wise Criteria

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reduced the NEET MDS 2026 qualifying cutoff by 20.576 percentile points for every category. The revised qualifying percentiles are 29.424 for General/UR-EWS candidates, 24.424 for UR-PwD candidates, and 19.424 for SC, ST, and OBC candidates, including PwD candidates in these categories.

The ministry issued the revised direction on October 12, 2026. It has asked the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to publish revised results based on the lowered eligibility criteria and requested the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) to take further action on priority.

This notification replaces the earlier 10-percentile-point reduction announced for the same admission session.

NEET MDS 2026 Revised Qualifying Percentiles

These are qualifying percentiles. They determine basic eligibility for MDS admission counselling and should not be confused with college- or speciality-specific closing ranks.

What Changed From the Earlier Cutoff Revision?

An earlier National Dental Commission communication had reduced the qualifying percentile by 10 points in each category. The new Health Ministry direction dated October 12 lowers the prescribed qualifying cutoff by 20.576 percentile points in every category.

The current qualifying percentiles are therefore 29.424, 24.424 and 19.424. The earlier 40th, 35th and 30th percentile thresholds should no longer be treated as current.

Has NBEMS Released the Revised Result?

The ministry has directed NBEMS to issue revised results according to the new qualifying criteria. At the time of verification, MCC stated that the revised results or notification from NDC and NBEMS were awaited.

Candidates should not rely on estimated raw-score cutoffs. The ministry’s letter specifies revised percentiles but does not provide new category-wise cutoff marks.

Candidates must check their updated qualifying status only after NBEMS publishes the revised result or official notice.

What This Means for Candidates

Candidates who did not qualify under the earlier thresholds may become eligible after NBEMS applies the revised percentiles. However, a lower qualifying percentile does not guarantee an MDS seat.

Admission will still depend on the candidate’s merit position, category, counselling eligibility, submitted choices, available seats and the rules of the applicable All India or state counselling authority.

Candidates who had already qualified should continue monitoring counselling portals because the revised eligible-candidate pool may affect subsequent rounds and seat competition.

Effect on MCC NEET MDS Round 3 Counselling

MCC has indicated that it is waiting for the revised result or notification from NBEMS and NDC.

Candidates should use the latest schedule published on the official MCC MDS counselling page instead of relying on an older Round 3 calendar. No revised Round 3 dates should be assumed until MCC publishes them officially.

What Candidates Should Do Now

1. Check the revised qualifying percentile applicable to your category.
2. Monitor the official NBEMS notice board for the revised NEET MDS 2026 result.
3. Download the revised result or scorecard when NBEMS activates it.
4. Check the official MCC MDS counselling page for a revised Round 3 schedule.
5. Keep registration documents, category certificates, and counselling credentials ready.
6. Follow the relevant state counselling authority separately when applying for state-quota or private-college seats.
7. Do not treat the qualifying percentile as a college closing cutoff or admission guarantee.

Direct Official Links

• MCC MDS Counselling 2026 portal
• Official Health Ministry cutoff-reduction letter
• NBEMS official notice board
• NBEMS NEET MDS examination page