NEET MDS 2026 OBC Cutoff: 40th Percentile and Expected Qualifying Marks

NEET MDS 2026 OBC category qualifying cutoff is the 40th percentile — students in the OBC category must score at or above this threshold to be eligible for MDS counselling.

NEET MDS 2026 was conducted on June 5, 2026, by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). The exam consists of 240 questions for a total of 960 marks. The percentile-based qualifying system means the actual marks at the 40th percentile threshold vary each year with exam difficulty and student performance. Based on previous year trends, the expected qualifying marks for OBC students in NEET MDS 2026 are in the range of 225–235 out of 960.

• OBC qualifying cutoff: 40th percentile (same as SC, ST, and PwD).
• General category cutoff: 50th percentile — 10 percentile points higher than OBC.
• In NEET MDS 2025, the 40th percentile corresponded to approximately 218–222 marks out of 960.
• Expected NEET MDS 2026 OBC qualifying marks: 225–235 out of 960 (based on 2025 trends).
• Official cutoff will be declared by NBEMS at natboard.edu.in along with the result.

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NEET MDS 2026 OBC Cutoff Overview

NEET MDS uses a percentile-based qualifying system set by NBE. OBC students must secure at least the 40th percentile to be eligible for MDS seat allotment through centralized counselling. The table below summarises the key parameters for the NEET MDS 2026 OBC cutoff:

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Previous Year NEET MDS OBC Cutoff Data

The marks corresponding to the 40th percentile have risen gradually over recent cycles, reflecting the growing pool of dental graduates appearing for NEET MDS. All figures below are approximate and based on available historical data:

The upward trend of approximately 6–8 marks per year reflects increased competition among dental graduates. Official cutoff figures are published by NBEMS on natboard.edu.in at the time of result declaration.

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Expected NEET MDS 2026 OBC Qualifying Marks

Based on the year-on-year trend, the expected OBC qualifying marks for NEET MDS 2026 are 225–235 out of 960. This projection is based on 2025 trends and is not an official figure — NBEMS will publish the confirmed cutoff with the result. Key points to note:

• Students scoring above 240 marks out of 960 are generally in a safe zone for OBC qualifying in most years.
• The 40th percentile means roughly 60% of students scored above this mark — it is a baseline qualifier, not a competitive cutoff for top MDS colleges.
• If NEET MDS 2026 was more difficult than 2025, the marks-equivalent of the 40th percentile may be slightly lower than 225.
• If the paper was easier, the marks threshold may rise above 235.

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NEET MDS 2026 Category-wise Cutoff Comparison

NEET MDS applies a two-tier percentile system: the 50th percentile for General/UR and the 40th percentile for OBC, SC, ST, and PwD. Since all reserved categories share the same percentile threshold, their expected marks range is identical. The General cutoff is higher in absolute marks because it corresponds to a higher point in the score distribution.

All figures above are expected values based on 2025 trends. The confirmed category-wise cutoff will be released by NBEMS with the NEET MDS 2026 result.

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Factors Affecting NEET MDS 2026 OBC Cutoff

The actual marks at the 40th percentile threshold are not fixed — they shift each year based on several variables:

• Exam difficulty: A tougher paper lowers the marks at the 40th percentile; an easier paper raises it.
• Number of aspirants: A larger pool of dental graduates appearing for the exam increases competition and can push the marks threshold upward.
• Marking scheme: NEET MDS applies +4 for correct and –1 for incorrect answers, so the penalty-based system affects the overall score distribution.
• MDS seat availability: Total MDS seats advertised across government and private dental colleges influence the effective demand for qualifying scores.
• Score normalization: If NBEMS conducts the exam across multiple sessions, normalization adjustments can affect the percentile–marks relationship.