NEET qualifying marks

Any medical aspirant whose goal is to be a doctor must first qualify for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). To be eligible for MBBS, BDS or other similar courses, you must find out the NEET qualifying marks and the entire selection process for NEET. Let’s get a detailed idea about what NEET qualifying marks mean and the minimum number of marks students need to score, mainly for government colleges.

What Are NEET Qualifying Marks?

A candidate is eligible for the NEET counselling process if they score above the set NEET qualifying marks. For every category — General, OBC, SC, ST and PwD — these marks differ.

The NTA publishes the NEET qualifying marks along with the announcement of the result. Keep in mind that passing NEET does not assure admission; it simply means that the student is eligible to take part in counselling.

NEET Total Marks and Pass Mark

The total marks in the NEET exam is 720. There are 45 questions on Physics, 45 on Chemistry and 90 on Biology (from both Botany and Zoology). Every question is of 4 marks and you lose 1 mark for each incorrect response.

For example, during the past few years:

• In General Category: 138/720
• OBC/SC/ST: 108/720

The result depends on how hard the exam is and how well the students perform, as these can change from year to year.

Minimum Marks to Qualify NEET for Government College

One of the most common questions students ask is — “What are the minimum marks to qualify NEET for  government colleges?”

Passing the qualifying marks allows you to be part of the merit list, but admission to a government medical college requires a much higher score. Scoring 610 or higher on the General category is usually secure for admission into top government colleges. The cutoff for reserved categories is often a little lower.

Here’s a general estimate:

Remember, these are not the NEET qualifying marks, but the marks required to secure a seat in government colleges.

NEET Passing Marks for General and Other Categories

The NEET passing marks for General category candidates are typically around the 50th percentile. For reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC, it is around the 40th percentile.

Here’s a look at previous trends:

How Are NEET Qualifying Marks Calculated?

The NEET qualifying marks are calculated using a percentile system. The percentile score represents the performance of a candidate among all the other candidates.

Here is the formula:

Percentile = [Number of people who scored lower than you / Total number of candidates] × 100

If you score above 8 lakh of the 10 lakh students, your percentile would be:

((8,00,000 / 10,00,000) × 100 = 80

In order to qualify, General category students should get in the top 50% and students from reserved categories should achieve in the top 60%.

How Many Students Qualify NEET Every Year?

The number of qualifiers for NEET is increasing year by year. Only those who qualify for NEET can participate in the NEET counselling process.

During the recent NEET exams:

• In 2023, approximately 11.5 lakh students qualified.
• In 2022, around 9.9 lakh students qualified.
• In 2021, 8.7 lakh students successfully qualified.

These numbers prove that competition is becoming stronger. Only qualifying in NEET securing NEET qualifying marks is not enough; you should aim for a good rank when applying for admission.

What Happens After You Qualify for NEET?

If you pass NEET, you are allowed to participate in the NEET UG counselling process organized by:

1. MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) for 15% All India Quota
2. Admissions to 85% of the state quota seats are done by State Counselling Authorities.

Make sure to register when the NEET UG counselling registration period opens to participate in the process.

Always Check the last Dates to register for NEET UG counselling.

If you miss these important dates, you could still lose your seat, even though you did well in the exam.

Is It Sufficient to just qualify for the NEET Exam?

In short: The answer is no.

• Aim for (630+ marks) if your goal is to study at government colleges.
• Look out for any updates related to NEET counselling dates.
• In case you don't get the minimum NEET qualifying marks, you can explore other options like BDS, BAMS, BHMS or private medical colleges.

Tips to Achieve NEET Qualifying Marks

These tips will help you prepare for NEET and achieve the NEET qualifying marks needed to pass and succeed in the examination.

1. Go through The Syllabus: Read the NCERT books for Physics, Chemistry and Biology since they are very helpful.
2. Mock Tests: Go through the previous years’ question papers to identify the exam patterns.
3. Time Management: Use your time efficiently during the test.
4. Strong base: Work hard on understanding the concepts from class 11 and 12.
5. Stay Updated: Visit the NTA website often to find updates on the NEET UG exam and the NEET UG counselling registration last date.
    

Conclusion

It is important for medical aspirants to know the NEET qualifying marks, along with minimum marks to qualify NEET for government colleges, the cutoffs for each category and the required pass marks. It’s important to note that passing NEET is only the first stage in the process. Just getting the NEET qualifying marks is usually not enough to secure admission to a government medical college.

Be prepared, aim for a top rank and know the latest NEET counselling date details so you can get the best outcome from your NEET result.

FAQs on NEET Qualifying Marks

1. What are the NEET qualifying marks for General category?

The NEET qualifying marks for General category are typically around the 50th percentile, which translates to approximately 138 out of 720, depending on the year.

2. How many students qualify NEET every year?

Every year, around 9 to 11 lakh students qualify NEET. However, only a portion of them get admission into medical colleges due to limited seats.

3. What are the minimum marks to qualify NEET for government college?

To get into a government medical college, a General category student generally needs 600+ marks. This is much higher than just the NEET qualifying marks.

Also read:

How to Crack NEET in First Attempt with PrepMed

PrepMed Doctor Hunt Scholarship test

PrepMed NEET 2025 Results