The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) serves as the gateway for students aspiring to pursue MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses in India. With over 20 lakh applicants annually, the competition for limited seats in government and private colleges remains fierce. A critical factor in this race is the NEET cutoff—the minimum score required for qualification and admission. This article delves into the decade-long trends of NEET cutoffs, analyzes key changes, and projects expectations for 2024.

NEET Qualifying Cutoffs (2015–2023): A Retrospective Look

The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile a candidate must secure to be eligible for counseling. While the percentile remains fixed, the corresponding marks fluctuate yearly based on factors like exam difficulty and applicant numbers.

Category-wise Percentile Criteria

1. General/UR: 50th percentile
2. OBC/SC/ST: 40th percentile
3. UR-PwD: 45th percentile

Year-wise Cutoff Scores (Marks Range out of 720)

Key Observations:

1. Cutoffs dipped in 2018 and 2022 due to tougher papers and higher competition.
2. Post-2020, scores surged as students adapted to the revised NCERT-focused syllabus.
3. PwD category cutoffs align closely with OBC/SC/ST ranges.

NEET 2024 Cutoff Projections: What to Expect

The NEET 2024 exam, conducted on May 5, 2024, saw a record 22+ lakh applicants, up from 20.8 lakh in 2023. Based on trends and expert analysis, here are the anticipated cutoffs:

Expected Qualifying Cutoffs (2024)

1. General/UR: 130–136 marks
2. OBC: 107–113 marks
3. SC/ST: 107–113 marks
4. UR-PwD: 120–126 marks

Factors Influencing 2024 Cutoffs:

1. Increased Competition: A 5% rise in applicants raises the score threshold.
2. Moderate Difficulty: The paper was neither too easy nor excessively hard, balancing score inflation.
3. Seat Expansion: Over 1.1 lakh MBBS seats (government + private) are available, including new AIIMS branches and private colleges.
4. Reservation Policies:
5. EWS (10%) and OBC (27%) quotas in AIQ may slightly lower cutoffs for reserved categories.
6. PwD (5% horizontal reservation) ensures seats across categories.

Admission Cutoffs for Government MBBS Colleges (2024)

Qualifying cutoffs only ensure eligibility, but securing a seat in top government colleges demands significantly higher scores.

Projected Admission Cutoffs (Marks Range)

1. General/UR: 650–720
2. OBC: 640–680
3. SC/ST: 580–630
4. EWS: 630–670

State vs. AIQ Variations:

1. AIQ Seats (15%): Highly competitive; cutoffs for Delhi AIIMS or Maulana Azad Medical College often exceed 700.
2. State Quota (85%): Cutoffs vary widely. For example, Tamil Nadu or Karnataka may require 600+ for General, while northeastern states may admit at lower scores.

Seat Allocation and Reservation Breakdown (2024)

1. Total MBBS Seats: ~1,10,000+
2. All India Quota (15%): ~16,500 seats reserved for pan-India candidates.
3. Category-wise Reservation in AIQ:
4. OBC: 27%
5. SC: 15%
6. ST: 7.5%
7. EWS: 10%
8. PwD: 5% (horizontal across categories)

Over the past decade, NEET cutoffs have risen steadily, reflecting heightened competition and improved student preparedness. For 2024, while qualifying cutoffs are projected at 135+ for General and 110+ for reserved categories, securing a government MBBS seat demands scores upwards of 650/720.

Recommendations for Aspirants:

1. Aim for 75%+ accuracy in NEET to stay competitive.
2. Prioritize state-specific cutoffs if targeting local colleges.
3. Leverage increased seats in private institutions as a backup.

As NEET evolves, understanding cutoff trends and strategic preparation remain pivotal for success. Students must aim beyond mere qualification to secure a seat in India’s coveted medical colleges.

Note: Official NEET 2024 cutoffs will be announced by the NTA alongside results in June 2024.