NEET PG Branch-Wise Cut Off: Choosing a postgraduate medical speciality is as much about strategy as it is about passion — and nothing shapes that strategy more than knowing where the cut-off for each branch is likely to land. The NEET PG branch-wise cut-off tells you the minimum score a candidate needs to be in contention for a seat in a given speciality, across MD, MS, and Diploma programmes, in both government and private colleges.
This guide walks through why these numbers matter, what to expect in 2026, how the last three years have trended, and the questions aspirants ask most often.
Why the Branch-Wise Cut-Off Deserves Your Attention
Your NEET PG score only becomes meaningful once it’s measured against a benchmark — and that benchmark is the cut-off. It’s the first filter applied during counselling and seat allotment, so understanding it early lets you:
- Gauge realistically which specialities are within reach at your expected score
- Set a target score that’s ambitious but grounded in actual trends
- Shape your study plan around the level of competition in your preferred branch
- Walk into counselling with a shortlist instead of a guessing game
In short, the cut-off isn’t just a number to check after the results — it’s a planning tool you should be using well before exam day.
What Drives the Cut-Off for Each Speciality?
Cut-offs aren’t arbitrary. A handful of factors push them up or down each year:
- Seat availability — fewer seats in a speciality tend to push its cut-off higher
- Popularity of the branch — specialities offering better work-life balance or earning potential typically see fiercer competition
- Overall exam difficulty — a tougher paper usually means a lower raw-score cut-off across the board
- Number of candidates appearing — more test-takers generally raises the bar
- Reservation category — General, OBC, SC, and ST candidates each have separate qualifying thresholds
- Policy changes — vacant seats or regulatory revisions can shift percentile requirements from one year to the next
- NEET PG Branch-Wise Cut Off 2026: Expected Scores, Rank Trends & Branch Analysis
NEET PG Branch-Wise Cut Off 2026: Expected Scores, Rank Trends & Branch Analysis
NEET PG Branch-Wise Cut-Off 2026: Detailed Overview
Based on how these factors have played out historically, here’s a projected range of cut-off marks (out of 720) for major specialities in 2026. Treat these as planning estimates, not official figures — the confirmed cut-off is released by NBEMS only after the exam.
| Branch | GEN |
|---|---|
| Dermatology | 505–515 |
| Radio-Diagnosis | 525–535 |
| General Medicine | 495–505 |
| Paediatrics | 485–495 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 480–490 |
| Respiratory Medicine | 480–490 |
| General Surgery | 465–475 |
| Orthopaedics | 460–470 |
| Emergency Medicine | 455–465 |
| Psychiatry | 465–475 |
| Ophthalmology | 445–455 |
| Radiotherapy | 455–465 |
| ENT | 445–455 |
| Anaesthesiology | 430–440 |
| Pathology | 360–370 |
| PSM | 335–345 |
| Microbiology | 305–315 |
| Pharmacology | 295–305 |
| Forensic Medicine | 275–285 |
| Biochemistry | 245–255 |
| Physiology | 245–255 |
| Anatomy | 245–255 |
Dermatology, Radiology, and General Medicine consistently sit at the top of this table — a pattern that’s held for several admission cycles, largely driven by lifestyle and income considerations.
NEET PG 2026: Exam Snapshot
Alongside the cut-off, it helps to have the core exam facts in one place:
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Mode | Online (computer-based) |
| Total questions | 180 |
| Total marks | 720 |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Marking scheme | +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong answer, 0 for unattempted |
| Application mode | Online, via the official NBEMS portal |
NEET PG Previous Years’ Branch-Wise Cut-Off Marks
Every year, the NEET PG cut-off trends tend to fluctuate. The most highly sought-after branches, such as Radiology, Dermatology, & General Medicine, always remain at the top with the highest cut-offs. On the contrary, Anaesthesiology & Psychiatry have varied ranks. Looking at the branch-wise cut-offs of 2023, 2024, & 2025 will serve as a guide for aspirants in planning their choices for study and college more efficiently.
The NEET PG cut-off marks vary every year owing to several factors. The cut-off scores below from previous years can help you understand the estimated marks required for admission through NEET PG:
What is the NEET PG 2025 Branch-Wise Cut-Off?
| COURSE | GEN | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaesthesiology | 483 | 450 | 459 | 413 | 320 |
| Dermatology | 567 | 547 | 543 | 516 | 454 |
| Emergency Medicine | 512 | 463 | 508 | 441 | 340 |
| ENT | 497 | 460 | 467 | 415 | 325 |
| General Medicine | 558 | 542 | 555 | 492 | 438 |
| General Surgery | 521 | 497 | 513 | 431 | 351 |
| OBG | 537 | 519 | 521 | 453 | 384 |
| Ophthalmology | 498 | 446 | 466 | 416 | 326 |
| Orthopaedics | 513 | 499 | 510 | 434 | 352 |
| Paediatrics | 542 | 527 | 532 | 465 | 376 |
| Pathology | 406 | 318 | 371 | 340 | 241 |
| Psychiatry | 508 | 447 | 477 | 435 | 331 |
| Radiology | 585 | 560 | 565 | 527 | 509 |
| Radiotherapy | 508 | 485 | 484 | 442 | 318 |
| TBRD | 539 | 512 | 526 | 450 | 377 |
Check NBE Diploma Branch Wise & Category Wise Cutoff
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the branch-wise cut-off?
It’s the minimum score (or rank) a candidate needs to be considered for admission to a specific speciality — and it changes every year based on difficulty level and candidate performance.
Why isn’t there just one overall cut-off for NEET PG?
Because seat numbers, demand, and competition differ wildly by speciality. Separate cut-offs keep the process merit-based and fair across branches.
Is the cut-off the same at every college?
No. It varies by institution based on whether it’s government or private, its reputation, and how many seats it offers — top-ranked colleges will always demand higher scores than others.
Could the 2026 cut-off differ significantly from previous years?
It’s possible. Cut-offs respond to that year’s exam difficulty, candidate turnout, and any policy revisions — including the recent trend of lowered qualifying percentiles when many seats go unfilled.
Which specialities usually have the toughest cut-offs?
Dermatology, Radiology, General Medicine, and Paediatrics have consistently topped the list, largely due to better lifestyle prospects and earning potential.
How are category-wise qualifying marks decided?
Authorities set a qualifying percentile for each category (historically 50th for General, 40th for OBC/SC/ST) and convert it into raw marks based on how the whole cohort performed. These percentiles can be revised if seats remain vacant.
What happens if two candidates score the same marks?
NBEMS applies tie-breaking rules — usually comparing performance in specific sections, then the number of correct answers, then fewer incorrect answers, and finally age — with the final order reflected in the merit list.
What factors most influence the cut-off overall?
Exam difficulty, total applicants, seat availability across government and private colleges, reservation policy, prior years’ trends, and how many candidates chase high-demand specialities.
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