SC and ST Category NEET Cutoff 2026: Minimum Marks for Government MBBS Across AIQ and State Quotas
·Admission Guardian Editorial Team
Last updated: May 30, 2026
SC and ST Category NEET Cutoff 2026: Minimum Marks for Government MBBS Across AIQ and State Quotas
TL;DR: SC and ST candidates have one of the strongest reservation regimes in Indian medical admissions: 15% AIQ for SC and 7.5% AIQ for ST, plus state-specific reservation percentages that vary widely (MP gives ST 20%, UP gives ST just 2%). For NEET 2026 government MBBS via AIQ, the safe target rank is under 1,35,000 for SC and under 1,60,000 for ST, corresponding to roughly 420+ marks for SC and 406+ for ST in a tough paper, or 550+ and 526+ in an easy paper. Unlike OBC and EWS, SC and ST certificates have no income cap and no annual renewal requirement. The biggest planning lever is State Quota in high-tribal-density states (MP, Maharashtra, West Bengal), where ST closing ranks extend to AIR 3.30L-3.74L, making government MBBS accessible at 285-330 marks. Peripheral AIIMS branches like Madurai and Guwahati close at deeper ST ranks than several state government colleges, which is the structural opportunity most articles miss.
If you are an SC or ST candidate preparing for NEET 2026, you are working with one of the most powerful reservation regimes in Indian medical admissions, but you are also likely to encounter more misinformation than any other category. Most coaching brochures and SEO blogs confuse the NTA's qualifying cutoff (the 40th percentile threshold to participate in counselling) with the admission cutoff (the rank at which the last seat is actually allotted). The gap between them is enormous: in NEET 2025, the SC qualifying cutoff was roughly 113 marks, but the AIQ government MBBS SC closing rank was at marks. To skip the misinformation and see exactly which government medical colleges your projected NEET 2026 score actually unlocks across your SC or ST category and home state, plug your numbers into the to check your admission chances → before MCC counselling opens in August.
This guide is written for NEET UG 2026 SC and ST aspirants and their families verifying certificate eligibility and planning AIQ versus State Quota counselling tracks. It walks through the 15% AIQ reservation split (SC 15% · ST 7.5%), the state-specific reservation percentages that change everything (MP gives ST 20%, UP gives ST 2%), the permanent validity of SC/ST certificates that differs sharply from OBC/EWS rules, the 2024 vs 2025 SC and ST closing rank actuals, college-wise closing ranks at premier government colleges (MAMC · VMMC · KGMU) and peripheral AIIMS (Guwahati · Madurai), state quota analysis across high-reservation and low-reservation states, and three paper-difficulty scenarios for NEET 2026. Every figure has been cross-checked against MCC AIQ allotment archives, state counselling authorities, the latest NTA result data, and the National Medical Commission's 2025-2026 seat register, with context updated for the cancelled 3 May paper and the rescheduled 21 June 2026 Re-NEET.
Key takeaways
SC gets 15% AIQ reservation; ST gets 7.5% AIQ reservation. State quotas vary widely: UP SC 21% · MP ST 20% · Rajasthan ST 12%.
SC and ST certificates have no income cap (unlike OBC-NCL ₹8L/yr or EWS limits) and no annual renewal requirement. The certificate is permanent once issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar or above).
AIQ government MBBS SC closing rank held steady at AIR ~1,37,000-1,39,000 across 2024 and 2025. The corresponding marks moved from 550 (2024) to 420 (2025).
The 2024 vs 2025 marks-volatility lesson is sharper for SC/ST than for General: the same rank tier swung by ~130 marks for SC and ~120 marks for ST across the two cycles.
State Quota in high-tribal-density states (MP · Maharashtra · West Bengal) absorbs ST candidates at AIR 3.30L-3.74L (285-330 marks).
Peripheral AIIMS branches (Madurai · Guwahati) close at deeper ST ranks (AIR 1.6L+) than many state government colleges in chokehold states like Rajasthan.
What "NEET SC and ST Cutoff 2026" actually means
NEET SC and ST cutoff 2026 is the projected closing All India Rank (and corresponding marks) at which the last MBBS seat in the SC or ST category will be allotted in NEET 2026, broken down by counselling quota (15% AIQ vs 85% State Quota) and counselling round. The cutoff is a rank prediction first, with score bands that move materially across paper-difficulty scenarios.
Two terms worth getting clear before the data tables start:
Qualifying cutoff. The 40th-percentile threshold that allows participation in counselling. For NEET 2025, the SC/ST qualifying cutoff was roughly 113 marks. Clearing this only allows you to register; it does not allot you a seat.
Admission cutoff. The rank at which the last seat is actually allotted in counselling. For NEET 2025 AIQ government MBBS, SC closing was 1,39,123 at ~420 marks and ST closing was 1,64,804 at ~406 marks. The gap between qualifying and admission is roughly 300 marks.
SC and ST reservation: the core rules
A serious SC/ST NEET 2026 aspirant needs the rule set in front of them before the cutoff tables make sense.
15% All India Quota under MCC
Centralised counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee covers 15% of all state government medical college MBBS seats plus 100% of seats at AIIMS, JIPMER, central universities (BHU, AMU), and central institutions (VMMC, LHMC, UCMS). Reservation under AIQ:
Scheduled Caste (SC):15% of AIQ seats.
Scheduled Tribe (ST):7.5% of AIQ seats.
PwBD horizontal:5% across each vertical category.
These percentages are fixed by central government policy and apply uniformly across all AIQ seats nationwide.
85% State Quota under state authorities
Counselling administered by respective state authorities (DGME UP, DMER Maharashtra, RUHS Rajasthan, WBMCC, DME MP, and others). Reservation percentages vary materially by state, reflecting local demographic distribution.
Table 1: State-wise SC and ST reservation percentages (representative states)
State
SC Reservation
ST Reservation
Notes
Uttar Pradesh
21%
2%
Reflects UP's large SC population, very small tribal share
Maharashtra
13%
7%
Plus VJ/NT and SBC sub-categories
Rajasthan
16%
12%
Separate Scheduled Area seats for tribal candidates
West Bengal
22%
6%
Highest SC share among major states
Madhya Pradesh
16%
20%
Highest ST share among major states
The Madhya Pradesh ST 20% reservation explains why MP closing ranks for ST candidates extend to AIR 3.74 lakh and why a 290-320 mark candidate can secure government MBBS via MP State Quota ST. The same candidate would be far below the AIQ ST closing threshold.
Certificate validity: why SC/ST is simpler than OBC and EWS
A meaningful planning advantage that competitor articles rarely emphasise.
No income cap
Unlike OBC-NCL (which requires gross annual parental income under ₹8L/yr with specific exclusions) and EWS (which has its own income test), SC and ST reservation has no income ceiling and no "Creamy Layer" distinction. A candidate from any SC or ST community on the central or state list qualifies for reservation regardless of family income. Children of doctors, government officers, and high-earning private-sector employees within SC/ST communities remain eligible.
No annual renewal
SC and ST caste certificates do not require annual renewal. Once issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar or above) in the Central Government format, the certificate remains valid permanently, provided there are no changes in the central or state SC/ST lists. This is structurally different from OBC-NCL and EWS certificates, which must be re-issued annually (or after 1 April of the relevant year) to reflect current financial standing.
Central vs state format
For 15% AIQ counselling. Caste certificate must be in the Central Government format specified in the MCC Information Bulletin, with the caste listed in the central SC/ST schedule for the candidate's state.
For 85% State Quota counselling. State-specific certificate formats and state domicile criteria apply. Some communities are listed as SC/ST at the state level but not on the central schedule (or vice versa); confirm both lists before counselling registration.
The disciplined approach: obtain the central-format SC/ST certificate well before NEET 2026 counselling, and verify your community on both central and state lists if you plan to compete in both AIQ and State Quota tracks.
Ranks as the absolute currency: 2024 vs 2025 SC/ST volatility
The single most important planning insight for SC/ST aspirants is that ranks remain steady across cycles while marks swing dramatically. The 2024 versus 2025 comparison illustrates this with brutal clarity.
NEET 2024 was the hyper-inflation year. An unusually easy paper, grace marks for 1,563 candidates, and a Physics answer-key revision compressed the rank list. AIQ government MBBS SC closing rank settled at 1,37,759 at 550 marks. NEET 2025 was the great reset: a tougher paper, no candidate above 700, AIR 1 at 686 for Mahesh Kumar. The same closing-rank tier (AIR ~1,39,000) was achieved at ~420 marks. The marks gap is ~130 for SC. The corresponding figures for ST: 2024 closing at 1,68,640 AIR / 526 marks vs 2025 closing at 1,64,804 / 406 marks. A swing of ~120 marks for similar rank positions.
Table 2: Historical AIQ government MBBS closing for SC and ST (Stray Vacancy Round)
Category
NEET 2024 Closing Rank
NEET 2024 Closing Marks
NEET 2025 Closing Rank
NEET 2025 Closing Marks
Expected NEET 2026 Safe Rank
SC
1,37,759
550
1,39,123
~420
Under 1,35,000
ST
1,68,640
526
1,64,804
~406
Under 1,60,000
For NEET 2026 planning, the working rank targets are under 1.35 lakh for SC and under 1.6 lakh for ST. These are the safety lines for any government MBBS seat via AIQ. The corresponding scores will float with paper difficulty.
NEET 2026 scoring rules and the tie-breaker
Per NTA, NEET UG 2026 is a 180-question compulsory paper (Physics 45 · Chemistry 45 · Biology 90), with +4 for a correct answer, -1 for an incorrect one, 0 for unattempted, and a maximum of 720. The Re-NEET runs 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM with 15 extra minutes.
The NTA has completely retired "candidate age" and "application number" as tie-breakers. Ties now resolve through Biology marks → Chemistry marks → Physics marks → overall accuracy ratio → Biology accuracy → Chemistry accuracy → Physics accuracy, and finally a computerised draw of lots under an independent expert committee. At SC/ST cutoff levels (where thousands of candidates can cluster on identical scores), Biology accuracy is the largest tie-breaker lever; a clean Biology paper at the 420-500 band can be worth several thousand AIR positions inside a cluster.
The Re-NEET 2026 factor
The original NEET UG 2026, held on 3 May 2026, was cancelled by the NTA after a paper-leak controversy. Re-NEET 2026 is scheduled for 21 June 2026, with no re-registration, no extra fee, the same pattern, and the same syllabus. Results are expected in July, with MCC counselling now likely to begin only in August 2026. For SC and ST candidates, the implications are:
Lean toward a tough-paper scenario. A harder Re-NEET deflates scores at the top, which actually improves the relative rank of mid-band candidates. An SC candidate projecting 400-460 benefits from a tough paper because their AIR improves materially.
Use the longer counselling runway. With MCC counselling pushed to August, ensure your SC/ST certificate is in the Central Government format and verify your community on both central and state lists.
Plan AIQ and State Quota in parallel. If your home state has a generous reservation (MP ST 20%, WB SC 22%), the State Quota route is materially more accessible than AIQ.
Top medical colleges: SC and ST closing ranks
Premier government medical colleges close materially tighter than the AIQ stray-vacancy average. Here is the picture across both years.
Table 3: Top medical colleges, SC and ST closing ranks (AIQ Round 1)
Two observations matter. First, the premier Delhi institutions (MAMC, VMMC) close tight even for reserved categories: SC and ST closing ranks sit at AIR ~2,000-8,800. To compete here, you need to be near the top of the SC/ST merit list. Second, the peripheral AIIMS branches (Guwahati, Madurai) close at significantly deeper ST ranks (1.45L-1.63L) than many state colleges in chokehold states like Rajasthan (where SMS Jaipur State Quota ST closed at ~29,245). This anomaly is the structural opportunity many SC/ST aspirants miss: peripheral AIIMS provide premium central-government brand and infrastructure at far more accessible ST ranks than the State Quota in some demanding states.
State Quota analysis: where SC and ST cutoffs drop the most
State Quota is the half of the story that matters most for the borderline SC/ST candidate. Reservation percentages vary by state, and so do the absolute closing ranks.
Table 4: State Quota closing ranks for SC and ST government MBBS (NEET 2025)
State
SC Closing Rank (AIR)
SC Equiv. Marks (2025)
ST Closing Rank (AIR)
ST Equiv. Marks (2025)
Uttar Pradesh
1,58,450
~415
3,10,200
~330
Maharashtra
1,58,036
~410
3,37,268
~315
Rajasthan
32,890
~520
29,245
~525
West Bengal
1,51,200
~425
3,45,000
~310
Madhya Pradesh
2,02,436
~385
3,74,065
~285
Two patterns are worth pulling out. First, Madhya Pradesh is the friendliest state for ST candidates: the 20% reservation combined with the state's substantial tribal population produces a ST closing rank of 3.74 lakh at ~285 marks. An ST candidate from MP scoring 300-350 in NEET 2026 has a realistic State Quota government MBBS path that simply does not exist in most other states.
Second, Rajasthan is the outlier in the other direction. The state's SC and ST closing ranks are far tighter (AIR 29,000-33,000) than in UP, MP, or West Bengal. This is because Rajasthan has separate Scheduled Area classifications and stricter domicile criteria, and the dense applicant pool keeps cutoffs high. SC and ST candidates from Rajasthan need to plan against both AIQ and the somewhat-tight state quota.
For a 380-420 mark SC candidate, MP and Maharashtra State Quotas are far safer than AIQ. For a 300-350 mark ST candidate, MP State Quota is essentially a Round 1 lock if your domicile and certificates are in order.
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NEET 2025 marks-vs-rank in the SC/ST critical band
The 350-500 marks range is the critical transition zone for SC and ST government MBBS admissions. Here is the rank density across this band based on actual NEET 2025 data.
Table 5: NEET 2025 marks vs AIR (350-500 band, SC/ST implications)
NEET Marks Range
NEET 2025 AIR Range
Admission Implications for SC/ST
480-500
60,000-78,000
SC: highly safe AIQ and all states · ST: extremely safe
450-479
78,000-1,05,000
SC: safe AIQ and most states · ST: safe everywhere
420-449
1,05,000-1,39,000
SC: borderline AIQ, safe State Quota · ST: safe everywhere
400-419
1,39,000-1,75,000
SC: closed AIQ, borderline State Quota · ST: borderline AIQ
380-399
1,75,000-2,19,000
SC: closed AIQ, safe MP/UP State Quota · ST: safe State Quota
350-379
2,19,000-2,63,000
SC: closed mostly · ST: safe MP/Maharashtra State Quota
The honest planning summary: for SC, an AIR under 1.35 lakh is the safety line for any government MBBS seat. For ST, an AIR under 1.6 lakh covers AIQ; under 3.5 lakh covers MP/Maharashtra/WB State Quota.
NEET 2026 SC and ST safe ranks and scores: three-scenario projection
The honest projection paired with rank-first targets.
Table 6: NEET 2026 SC and ST safe ranks and scores by scenario
Target
Category
Safe AIR
Scenario A: Tough Paper (Score)
Scenario B: Moderate Paper (Score)
Scenario C: Easy Paper (Score)
Any govt MBBS via AIQ
SC
<1,35,000
420+
485+
550+
Any govt MBBS via AIQ
ST
<1,60,000
406+
465+
526+
Premier govt colleges (top 10)
SC
<10,000
570+
630+
680+
Premier govt colleges (top 10)
ST
<20,000
540+
605+
660+
AIIMS Delhi (SC/ST)
SC
<650
640+
685+
705+
AIIMS Delhi (SC/ST)
ST
<1,400
615+
665+
695+
State Quota in MP/Maharashtra
ST
<3,75,000
285+
345+
405+
For NEET 2026 planning, lean toward Scenario A given the post-leak environment, with Scenario B as backup. Train against the rank target. The score will follow whatever paper the NTA serves on 21 June.
Essential checklist for SC and ST candidates before NEET 2026 counselling
A practical pre-counselling discipline.
Verify your community on the central SC/ST list. The central schedule is state-specific and lists communities by exact spelling. Minor spelling mismatches between the schedule entry and your caste certificate can cause rejection at MCC verification.
Obtain the SC or ST certificate in the Central Government format specified in the MCC Information Bulletin. The certificate must be issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar or above).
If you plan to compete in State Quota. Verify your community on the state's SC/ST list separately. Some communities are central-only or state-only.
Keep 5-8 certified copies of the certificate. Required for MCC verification, state counselling verification, and college admission.
Confirm domicile certificate validity for State Quota counselling in your home state.
For Scheduled Area candidates in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Northeast. Verify whether you qualify for additional sub-quotas (Scheduled Area or sub-tribal classifications) before counselling.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the minimum NEET 2026 score for a government MBBS seat for SC candidates?
For a General-AIQ government MBBS seat under SC reservation, target AIR under 1.35 lakh. In a tough paper (Scenario A), this corresponds to 420+ marks. In a moderate paper, 485+. In an easy paper, 550+. Train against the rank target, not the score.
Q: Is the SC/ST certificate valid permanently for NEET counselling?
Yes, with one caveat. SC and ST certificates do not require annual renewal based on financial year (unlike OBC-NCL and EWS certificates). However, the certificate must be in the Central Government format for AIQ counselling, and your specific community must be on the central SC/ST schedule for your state. Verify both before counselling.
Q: Can ST candidates from Rajasthan get government MBBS at lower ranks via State Quota?
Conditionally. Rajasthan State Quota ST closing rank was AIR ~29,245 in 2025, which is much tighter than MP (3.74L), Maharashtra (3.37L), or West Bengal (3.45L). Rajasthan ST candidates with NEET ranks under 30,000 are safe; below that, AIQ becomes the better track. ST candidates from MP, Maharashtra, or WB get the structurally easier State Quota path.
Q: Which AIIMS branches are easiest to get into for ST candidates?
Peripheral AIIMS branches (AIIMS Madurai · AIIMS Guwahati · AIIMS Bilaspur · AIIMS Bibinagar) close at deeper ST ranks (AIR 1.45L-1.65L) than premier branches (AIIMS New Delhi ST closing ~1,400). An ST candidate at AIR 1.5 lakh-1.6 lakh should anchor their AIQ list on these peripheral AIIMS rather than chasing the central institutions.
Q: Will the 21 June Re-NEET 2026 change SC/ST cutoffs?
The pattern, syllabus, and seat pool are unchanged. Difficulty risk leans high after the leak, which means a tougher Re-NEET is likely. For SC and ST candidates, a tougher paper improves the relative rank of mid-band scorers. The rank targets in Table 6 stay broadly stable; the score targets adjust closer to the 2025 benchmarks (SC 420+, ST 406+ for AIQ government MBBS).
The bottom line
SC and ST candidates in NEET 2026 are working with the most powerful reservation regime in Indian medical admissions and the simplest certificate rules. The candidates who land government MBBS seats will be the ones who verified their community on both central and state SC/ST lists, obtained the certificate in the Central Government format from a competent authority, planned AIQ and State Quota counselling in parallel, and targeted the safe rank (<1.35 lakh SC, <1.6 lakh ST) rather than fixating on a marks number that the paper will redraw on 21 June.
Map your projected NEET 2026 score and category to a personalised, scenario-aware college list using the NEET 2026 College Predictor →. Then use the NEET 2026 cut-off target tool to work backward from a specific dream college and your real category and domicile situation. The Re-NEET window from now to August is enough to convert an SC or ST projection into a confirmed government MBBS seat at MAMC, VMMC, KGMU, a peripheral AIIMS, or a strong state government college, but only with a rank-first plan and clean certificate documentation that holds up at MCC verification.
Official references: Medical Counselling Committee All India Quota allotment archives, Rounds 1, 2, 3, Stray and Special Stray Vacancy (mcc.nic.in) · National Testing Agency 2024 and 2025 result gazettes (neet.nta.nic.in) · state counselling authorities (DGME Uttar Pradesh, DMER Maharashtra, RUHS Rajasthan, WBMCC West Bengal, DME Madhya Pradesh) · National Medical Commission seat approvals for the 2025-2026 cycle (nmc.org.in) · Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment central SC list notifications · Ministry of Tribal Affairs central ST list notifications. Closing ranks reflect the most recent available counselling-round data; reserved-category ranks at the Stray and Special Stray Vacancy rounds are reported here as the realistic outer edge. Projections for 2026 are modelled estimates and will move with the actual 21 June Re-NEET paper, cohort behaviour, and round-wise allotment. State reservation percentages are subject to state policy revisions; verify with the relevant state authority before counselling.
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