NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff Revised: Check New Qualifying Percentiles Before Round 3

The National Dental Commission (NDC) has reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET-MDS 2026 by 10 percentile points across all categories. The decision has lowered the minimum qualifying percentile for General/UR-EWS, SC/ST/OBC and UR-PwD candidates for the 2026-27 academic session. The revised qualifying percentile is now 40th percentile for General/UR-EWS, 30th percentile for SC/ST/OBC candidates including PwD candidates in these categories, and 35th percentile for UR-PwD candidates. The NDC has directed NBEMS to issue revised NEET-MDS results based on these lower eligibility thresholds.  The development is also expected to affect MCC NEET MDS 2026 Round 3 counselling. MCC has stated that Round 3 registration will begin after the revised results are received from NBEMS. 

NEET MDS 2026 Revised Qualifying Percentile

The NDC's September 29, 2026 letter specifies the following revised qualifying percentiles:

The qualifying percentile has therefore been reduced by 10 percentile points for each category. The decision was communicated to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The NDC has asked NBEMS to bring out revised results according to the new qualifying percentiles and has asked MCC to take appropriate action on a priority basis. 

What Is the Revised NEET MDS 2026 Cutoff?

The revised qualifying cutoff is:

• General/UR-EWS: 40th percentile
• SC/ST/OBC: 30th percentile
• UR-PwD: 35th percentile

These are qualifying percentiles, not college-specific admission cutoffs. Candidates should therefore not interpret the revised qualifying threshold as the score or rank required to secure a particular MDS branch or college.

What About the Revised NEET MDS Cutoff Marks?

The official NDC notice does not provide revised raw-score marks. It specifies the revised qualifying percentiles only.  Therefore, candidates should wait for the revised NBEMS NEET-MDS 2026 result to determine their updated qualifying status and score information. Any specific raw-score figures circulating online should be treated cautiously unless they are confirmed through the revised NBEMS result or an official notification.

NEET MDS 2026 Revised Result

NBEMS has been asked to publish revised NEET-MDS results after the qualifying percentile was reduced. The NDC letter specifically requests that revised results be issued according to the new eligibility thresholds. Candidates who previously fell below the original qualifying percentile should check their status again once NBEMS publishes the revised result. Candidates who had already qualified should also continue to follow MCC's counselling updates because the revised eligibility threshold may expand the pool of candidates eligible for subsequent counselling activity.

What Happens to NEET MDS 2026 Round 3 Counselling?

The qualifying-percentile reduction directly affects the timing of MCC's Round 3 counselling. MCC's current MDS Counselling 2026 page states that Round 3 registration will start after the revised results are received from NBEMS, because eligibility has been reduced by 10 percentile points in each category. This means candidates should not rely on the earlier Round 3 dates published in the September 30 schedule. MCC has separately indicated that Round 3 registration will begin after the revised results are received. 

Is the NEET MDS Revised Cutoff the College Closing Cutoff?

No.

The revised NEET-MDS qualifying percentile determines whether a candidate meets the basic eligibility requirement for counselling. It does not represent the closing rank or score for an MDS college or speciality. A candidate who becomes eligible after the percentile reduction still has to participate in the applicable counselling process and compete for available seats according to the counselling rules. College- and branch-specific closing ranks can vary according to factors such as category, institute, speciality, seat type and the counselling round.

What Should NEET MDS Candidates Do Now?

Candidates should:

1. Check the revised qualifying percentile applicable to their category.
2. Wait for NBEMS to publish the revised NEET-MDS result.
3. Check their updated qualifying status after the revised result is released.
4. Monitor the official MCC MDS counselling page for the revised Round 3 schedule.
5. Keep their counselling documents and login credentials ready.
6. Do not rely on the older Round 3 calendar until MCC publishes the updated schedule.
7. Distinguish between the qualifying cutoff and individual college/branch closing cutoffs.

NEET MDS 2026 Official Updates

Candidates should monitor the official MCC MDS Counselling 2026 page for counselling notices and Round 3 registration updates. MCC currently states that Round 3 registration will begin after it receives the revised results from NBEMS. The NDC letter reducing the qualifying percentile is also available through MCC's official News & Events section.