The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences has formally announced the qualifying results for the NEET PG 2026 entrance examination, ending the wait for thousands of medical graduates seeking postgraduate specialty seats. Alongside the declaration of outcomes, the testing body released the comprehensive qualifying cut-off criteria across different reservation categories. Candidates who appeared for the screening can inspect their qualification status by accessing the official portal natboard.edu.in. The nationwide entrance examination serves as the single gateway for admissions into doctor of medicine, master of surgery, and diplomate of national board courses across medical institutions.
Category Qualifying Scores and Percentile Criteria
The evaluation board outlined the qualifying thresholds out of the total score of 720. For unreserved general candidates as well as those belonging to the economically weaker sections, the benchmark has been established at the 50th percentile, requiring an absolute minimum score of 262 marks to qualify. Aspirants falling under the general persons with benchmark disabilities classification require the 45th percentile, translating to a qualifying threshold of 244 marks. Candidates belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes must secure the 40th percentile, which requires at least 226 marks to cross the admission threshold.
Participation Numbers and Question Paper Verification
A total of 2,65,960 medical graduates took part in this competitive postgraduate examination cycle. While the primary examination was held on August 30, an unexpected power failure at a test venue located in Jaipur necessitated a retest on September 5 for the affected candidates. Addressing evaluation transparency, the examining authority confirmed that a comprehensive review conducted by subject specialists found zero erroneous or defective questions across the entire question paper.
Scorecard Availability and Verification Timeline
Aspirants will be permitted to access and download their individual scorecards alongside the official answer key starting October 1, 2026. The examining board noted that personal scorecards will remain hosted on the web portal for a limited duration of exactly six months, making it imperative for students to secure local copies promptly. The official answer key will be published on or after October 1, 2026, enabling examinees to cross-check their submitted responses with the verified answer keys.
Credential Scrutiny During Counseling
During the counseling and formal seat allocation phases, the academic marks submitted for MBBS or FMGE will undergo strict physical verification against the original credentials. If discrepancies or false information emerge during any stage of verification, the board reserves the right to cancel candidate eligibility entirely. For procedural inquiries and technical clarifications, candidates can get in touch through the official helpline at 011-45593000.
Qualifying Percentile Adjustment for NEET SS
In a related policy revision, the board reduced the qualifying percentile for NEET SS 2025 down from the 50th percentile to the 30th percentile. According to a circular released on September 22, the downward adjustment follows directives communicated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alongside the Supreme Court order issued on September 17, 2026.
