health

NEET-UG 2026: Qualifying Cutoff at Record 213, Number Clearing Exam Drops by 1.15 Lakh

Published on: 18 Jul 2026, 12:50 AM

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the results for NEET-UG 2026, with the qualifying cutoff for unreserved (UR) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates rising to a record 213 marks, up from 144 in 2025. This 69-mark increase has led to a decline in the total number of candidates qualifying for medical admissions, which fell from 12.37 lakh last year to 11.21 lakh—a drop of 1.15 lakh.

According to NTA data, registrations for the exam remained nearly unchanged at 22.8 lakh, compared to 22.76 lakh in 2025. However, the number of candidates who actually appeared fell sharply to 19.99 lakh from 22.09 lakh, a decline of 2.1 lakh. Attendance dropped from 97.1% to 87.7%, indicating that a significant portion of registered candidates skipped the test. Despite this, the success rate among those who appeared remained stable at around 56.1%, suggesting that the fall in qualifiers is largely due to the reduced number of test-takers rather than a drop in performance.

Under the category-wise qualifying criteria, UR and EWS candidates must score at least the 50th percentile, while OBC, SC, and ST candidates require the 40th percentile. For candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD), the thresholds are 45th percentile for UR/EWS and 40th percentile for OBC/SC/ST. This year, the qualifying marks ranges were: 715-213 for UR/EWS, 212-177 for OBC/SC/ST, 212-194 for UR/EWS-PwBD, and 193-177 for reserved-category PwBD candidates. The ST-PwBD range was 191-177.

Category-wise results show that 61.8% of EWS candidates who appeared qualified—the highest success rate—followed by 60.7% for OBC candidates. The qualification rates were 52.4% for SC, 51.2% for General, and 49% for ST candidates. For the first time, the number of qualified candidates from EWS and OBC categories exceeded 60% of their respective 'appeared' cohorts, while the percentage of unreserved qualifiers dipped below 50%.

The NTA's score-band data indicates that 9.97 lakh candidates cleared the UR/EWS threshold, while 81,111 OBC, 29,947 SC, and 12,452 ST candidates qualified within the lower score band. These figures represent candidates within specific score ranges, not the total number qualifying from each category.

Source: Times of India

Latest in Health 10

health

Supreme Court Takes Action After Delay in Life-Saving Drug Case, Patient Dies

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of delays in cases involving access to life-saving drugs after a Kerala High Court matter on breast cancer drug Ribociclib was listed 57 times without conclusion. The original petitioner died during the proceedings. The court directed the High Court to expedite the case and will issue a notice to examine broader issues.

Indian Express 17 Jul 2026, 11:38 PM

health

Gauhati High Court: Groping Breasts Not Part of Gynaecological Exam, Upheld Doctor's Conviction

The Gauhati High Court upheld the conviction of a doctor for groping a minor patient's breasts, ruling it was not a routine gynaecological examination. The court reduced his sentence to a ₹5,000 fine due to his age and the incident occurring before 2013 legal amendments.

The Hindu 17 Jul 2026, 10:11 PM

health

Medical College Fee Regulation Gap: Non-Profit Colleges Charge Highest Fees

Non-profit medical colleges in India charge among the highest fees due to a regulatory gap that exempts them from state fee controls. The National Medical Commission's recent amendment allowing all companies to establish medical colleges may increase supply but does not address fee regulation, leaving students vulnerable to high costs.

Times of India 17 Jul 2026, 08:56 PM

health

Supreme Court Takes Up Plight of Patients Unable To Afford Life-Saving Drugs

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the plight of patients unable to afford life-saving drugs, following the death of a cancer patient awaiting a High Court order. The court will also examine judicial delays in such cases.

Times of India 17 Jul 2026, 09:08 PM

health

NEET-UG retest: All India Rank 2 holder shares his strategy after exam cancellation shock

Panshul Bansal, who secured AIR 2 in the NEET-UG re-examination, recounts how he coped with the sudden cancellation of the original exam and shares his disciplined preparation strategy, including mastering NCERT textbooks and balancing extracurricular activities.

The Hindu 17 Jul 2026, 08:17 PM

health

Kerala's War on Drugs: Operation Toofan Nets Over 7,600 Peddlers

Kerala's Operation Toofan, launched in June, has arrested over 7,600 drug peddlers in a month. The multi-agency drive focuses on integrated enforcement, public engagement, and rehabilitation, but challenges remain in cyber forensics and dismantling intricate cartel networks.

The Hindu 17 Jul 2026, 06:40 PM

health

Resonance Students Secure Top Ranks in NEET UG 2026 Results

Resonance Junior Colleges, Hyderabad, announced strong NEET UG 2026 results, with students achieving top ranks nationally and locally. Over 250 students are expected to secure medical seats.

The Hindu 17 Jul 2026, 06:04 PM

health

J&K NEET Topper Hadiya Nisar Credits Parents, Avoids Social Media and Negativity

Hadiya Nisar from Anantnag, J&K, secured All India Rank 99 in NEET UG 2024 retest, topping the state. She credits her parents and avoiding social media for her success, achieved despite the pressure of a re-examination after a paper leak.

Indian Express 17 Jul 2026, 04:25 PM

health

India approves Wegovy as first GLP-1 drug for fatty liver disease MASH

India's drug regulator CDSCO has approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide) for MASH, a severe fatty liver disease. The decision, based on the ESSENCE trial, makes it the first GLP-1 therapy for this condition in India, offering a new option for patients with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis.

Indian Express 17 Jul 2026, 02:15 PM

health

Chennai Hospital Introduces Laser Angioplasty for Complex Heart Blockages

Prashanth Hospitals in Chennai has launched excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA), a laser angioplasty technology for complex coronary artery disease. The minimally invasive procedure uses ultraviolet laser to vaporise plaque and clots, offering an alternative for patients with challenging blockages.

The Hindu 17 Jul 2026, 01:24 PM

→ View All Health News