Introduction
Are you preparing for NEET PG 2025 or curious about how the cut-offs have shifted over the last five years? Understanding cut-off trends can help candidates target the right preparation strategy and manage expectations for securing seats in postgraduate medical courses.
This blog will walk you through NEET PG cut-off trends from 2021 to 2025, explain the percentile and score patterns, and provide a detailed look at branch-wise cut-offs for this year. By the end, you’ll have actionable insights to fine-tune your approach for NEET PG counselling and admissions.
Did you know? Over 2.4 lakh candidates appeared for NEET PG 2025, setting a competitive stage for admissions. How have policies and exam difficulty influenced cut-offs over time? Let’s dive in.
Understanding NEET PG Cut-off: What Does It Mean?
Before analyzing trends, let’s clarify what the NEET PG cut-off represents. It is the minimum qualifying mark or percentile that candidates must achieve to be eligible for counselling and seat allotment in MD, MS, DNB, and PG Diploma courses across India.
The cut-off is influenced by:
- Number of applicants
- Exam difficulty level
- Seat availability in various branches
- Policy changes by authorities
NEET PG Cut-off Trends: 2021 to 2025
How Have Cut-offs Evolved Over 5 Years?
| Year | General/EWS Percentile | General/EWS Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 (Initial) | 50th | 302 | Normal cut-off, later revised downwards |
| 2021 (Revised) | 35th | 247 | Health ministry lowered cut-off |
| 2022 | 50th | 275 | Stable year |
| 2023 (Initial) | 50th | 291 | Cut-off dropped dramatically after revision to zero percentile briefly |
| 2023 (Revised) | 0 | 0 | One-time zero cut-off, caused controversy |
| 2024 | 50th | – | Percentile only, scores not declared |
| 2025 | 50th | 276 | Back to traditional cut-offs |
The data shows fluctuations mainly because of policy interventions rather than consistent performance or exam difficulty alone. For example, the drastic drop to zero cut-off in 2023 sparked debates on fairness and transparency. The system returned to a more stable framework in 2024 and 2025, aligning with historical norms.
What Are the 2025 Cut-off Details?
For NEET PG 2025:
| Category | Percentile Cut-off | Minimum Marks (out of 800) |
|---|---|---|
| General/EWS | 50th | 276 |
| General PwBD | 45th | 255 |
| SC/ST/OBC (incl. PwBD) | 40th | 235 |
This cut-off enables candidates to be eligible for counselling and seat allotment by Medical Counselling Committee and state authorities.
How Do Branch-wise Cut-offs Look in 2025?
Cut-offs vary significantly by medical specialty based on popularity, seat availability, and competition. Below are expected cut-offs for some top branches:
| Branch | Expected Cut-off Score (UR Category) |
|---|---|
| Dermatology | ~545 |
| Radiodiagnosis | ~545 |
| General Medicine | ~540 |
| Paediatrics | ~517 |
| Psychiatry | ~460 |
| Anaesthesiology | ~424 |
| Pathology | ~376 |
Branches like Dermatology and Radiodiagnosis command higher marks due to greater competition, whereas less competitive fields have lower cut-offs.
Why Do Cut-offs Fluctuate?
Are you wondering why some years see steep changes? Consider these factors:
- Policy Decisions: Government interventions can lower or raise qualifying percentiles to balance seat allotment fairness.
- Exam Difficulty: Tougher exams generally lower cut-offs, and easier papers push them up.
- Seat Matrix: Changes in the number of seats available each year in various specialties affect cut-offs.
- Candidate Performance: Average performance impacts percentile distribution and scores needed to qualify.
How To Use This Trend Analysis for Your Preparation?
- Set Realistic Targets: Aim to exceed the highest recent cut-offs for your chosen specialty. For example, if Dermatology cut-off hovered around 545, target a solid 550+.
- Understand Your Category Cut-off: Different categories have distinct cut-offs; plan prep accordingly.
- Keep Updated on Policy Changes: Monitoring official notifications from NBEMS and the Medical Counselling Committee helps anticipate changes.
- Branch-wise Strategy: Research branch popularity and previous years’ cut-offs to prioritize your efforts.
How Career Plan B Supports Every Step
- Personalized Counseling: In-depth one-on-one counseling to align specialization, college choices, and career goals.
- Timeline & Reminder Service: Never miss a deadline—receive timely reminders and updates about institute-wise counseling calendars.
- Document Checklist & Verification: Guidance to prepare all required documentation, reducing stress on D-day.
- Preference Analysis: Analysis of seat trends, cut-offs, and college quality to build a winning choice list.
- Mock Counseling & Strategy: Practice sessions to simulate real counseling—boosting your confidence, reducing errors.
- Support for Appeals/Technical Issues: Help in resolving portal issues, appeals, or queries with admission authorities.
With over 15 years of trusted experience, Career Plan B is your not-for-profit partner—focused only on your best possible outcome, not commissions or preferences.
FAQ Section
Q1: What is the NEET PG 2025 cut-off for the general category?
A: It is 276 marks, equivalent to the 50th percentile, to qualify for counselling.
Q2: Why did NEET PG cut-offs drop to zero in 2023?
A: Policy revisions led to a temporary suspension of percentile cut-offs, causing controversy and subsequent restoration of cut-offs.
Q3: Can the cut-off change after results are announced?
A: Qualifying cut-offs are fixed, but admission cut-offs may vary based on counselling rounds and seat availability.
Q4: How does the category impact cut-off marks?
A: Reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC have lower percentile thresholds (40th percentile) and corresponding marks compared to the general category.
Q5: Are branch-wise cut-offs officially announced?
A: Yes, branch-wise cut-offs are declared post-exam based on competition and seat matrix.
Conclusion
NEET PG cut-offs from 2021 to 2025 offer valuable lessons on how policy, exam difficulty, and seat availability impact qualifying scores. For aspirants of NEET PG 2025 and beyond, understanding these trends helps in setting achievable goals and crafting a targeted preparation strategy.
Career Plan B encourages candidates to stay updated on official notifications, focus on consistent preparation, and aim higher than minimum cut-offs to secure desired seats.
Are you ready to strategize your NEET PG 2025 journey with these insights? Start planning today to turn your medical dreams into reality!