NEET Qualifying Marks 2025: What’s Your Ticket to Med School?

So, are you ready to make your stethoscope dreams come true? NEET is your ultimate final boss to battle! If you are in India, NEET is one of the barriers you cannot skip to become a doctor.

In this blog, let us look into the NEET qualifying marks in 2025 and how to ace the examination and acquire your golden ticket to med school.

What Are NEET Qualifying Marks?

Neet qualifying marks are your VIP pass for the MBBS seats. Imagine paying big bucks for your private MBBS seats! 

Once you qualify your NEET examination with higher score and match the cut off for the Government seats, your tuition fee doesn’t skyrocket and you get into the venue. 

Here’s the lowdown on the percentile party:

• General Category – 50th percentile (half of everyone should be behind you!)
• SC/ST/OBC – 40th percentile (the relaxed entry lane)
• General-PwD – 45th percentile (somewhere in between)

Now, these percentiles aren’t fixed numbers. They dance around every year based on how well (or how miserably) everyone else performs. If NEET is savage that year, the bar lowers. If it’s a cupcake, the bar rises. Fun, right?

Expected NEET 2025 Qualifying Marks (Based on NEET’s Mood Swings)

Let’s do some nerdy calculations and decide the qualifying marks for the years. 

NEET Cutoff vs Qualifying Marks – Why One Gets You Eligible and the Other Gets You a Seat

Do you think scoring high in NEET exam will help you fetch that dream medical seat and wear the white coat? Well, there is a final boss to battle, ie, NEET cut off. 

Let us find out whether you are eligible or if you are ready for the seat. 

• Qualifying Marks = The minimum marks required to be considered for admission. Think of it as clearing airport security—you can now board a plane, but which seat you get depends on your ticket.
• Cutoff Marks = The real deal. This is the score you need to actually secure a seat in a medical college. Higher ranking colleges? Sky-high cutoffs.

Let’s put it this way:

• Do you qualify for NEET? Congrats, you get a chance to apply.
• Did you meet the cutoff? Even better, you’re in the game for a seat.

How to Decide Your NEET 2025 Target Score Based on Your Dream College

Now that you know the cut-off game in the NEET, it is time to fix your target score based on your dream college. The cutoffs vary wildly based on the college you choose. 

1. Check Previous Years’ Cutoffs – Look at the past 3–5 years' cutoff trends for your dream college.
2. Factor in Competition – More NEET aspirants each year means higher cutoffs.
3. Aim Higher Than the Cutoff – If your target college had a cutoff of 650 last year, aim for 680+ to be safe.
4. Government vs Private Colleges – Government medical colleges have tougher cutoffs than private ones.
5. All-India vs State Quota – State quotas often have lower cutoffs than all-India seats, so check where you fit in best.

What Happens After You Qualify NEET – The Real Battle Begins

Did you crack the NEET? Wow, you are way ahead of the crowd and out of the competition. But, what happens after that? Do you think you will get your medical seat as soon as possible? This is the tricky part!

A common misconception is that just crossing the qualifying mark (say, 135 for the General category) guarantees you an MBBS seat. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. With lakhs of aspirants, you need a much higher score to secure admission, especially in government colleges.

Qualified but No MBBS? Here’s What to Do

• Consider private medical colleges (higher fees, but an option)
• Look at foreign MBBS options (countries like the U.S. offer strong pathways)
• Explore related healthcare fields (BDS, BAMS, Nursing, etc.)

How to Set Your NEET Target Score Based on Your Category and State

Unfortunately, not every state has the similar cut off bench mark. If you are targeting a medical college in your state, research the cut off trends in the college and set your goal.

Your Category Matters 

If you belong to the General category, you need to aim higher. SC/ST/OBC categories have a slightly lower cutoff, but the competition remains fierce.

State Quotas Make a Big Difference 

Each state has its own quota system, and government medical colleges often prioritize in-state students. For example, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have different admission trends compared to states like Rajasthan or Delhi.

Private vs Government College Cutoffs 

If your dream is AIIMS, Delhi, you better be scoring 700+. If you’re okay with a private medical college, your target could be lower, but fees will be higher.

Trend Analysis 

Check past years' state-wise cutoffs. If your state's cutoff trend has been rising, adjust your target accordingly.

Planning to Study MBBS Abroad? Here’s the NEET Score You Actually Need

Let’s be honest; getting into an Indian government medical college is tougher than explaining why you spent five hours watching cat videos instead of studying. NEET is competitive, and almost 24 lakh students fight for 1.15 lakh MBBS seats. 

Having a plan B helps you to make your white coat dream come true. Are you thinking of doing your medicine in China, Russia, Georgia, etc? Well, these popular places might entice you, but the language barrier in the clinical rotations and residency  

Enter the Miles U.S. Pathway for Doctors—a direct route to earning your MBBS-equivalent MD in the U.S. (without the MCAT stress!). This pathway starts with pre-med studies in the Caribbean, followed by clinical rotations in the U.S., and finally, U.S. residency training. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

• No NEET/MCAT required – Skip the extra entrance exams and dive straight into med school.
• U.S. Residency Match – Train in top-tier hospitals and earn a $60K+ salary during residency.
• Globally Recognized Degree – Become a licensed doctor in the U.S. with massive earning potential.
• Cost-Effective & Loan Options – Study with financing options and repay once you start earning.

So, if NEET isn’t playing nice, why not take your doctor dreams international? The U.S. needs more doctors, and this could be your golden ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get MBBS with 150 marks in NEET? 

Short answer: Nope. Long answer: Unless you have a secret VIP pass to an unknown medical college, 150 isn’t getting you into an MBBS program in India. However, private colleges might accept you (but with a hefty price tag), and studying abroad could be an option.

How much should I score to get into AIIMS?

 Imagine scoring so high that your relatives start using your marks as their phone password. That’s the AIIMS-level requirement—think 680+ for General Category and slightly lower for reserved categories. Basically, top 1% or bust.

Is the 50th percentile enough for admission? 

It’s enough to get your foot in the door, but it won’t get you a prime seat. You’ll need a much higher score to secure an MBBS seat in a good college.

Is NEET qualifying the same for BDS, BAMS, and MBBS? 

Yes, the qualifying marks are the same, but the cutoffs for these courses differ. MBBS has the highest cutoffs, while BDS and BAMS can be slightly more forgiving.

Do private colleges accept students with low NEET scores? 

Yes, but be ready to pay a "donation-sized" fee! Some private colleges admit students with lower scores, but the tuition can be sky-high.