NEET 2025 Qualifying Marks and Key Highlights
The qualifying marks for NEET 2025 are a decisive factor for candidates to pass the exam and proceed with medical education. For general category students, the expected NEET passing marks range from 720 to 162 out of a total of 720 marks. To secure admission to top medical colleges in India, candidates are advised to aim for a score between 625 and 700 marks.
For reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC), the expected qualifying marks fall between 161 and 127. For candidates in the General-PwD category, the expected range is 161 to 144 marks, while PwD candidates from reserved categories are expected to qualify with marks between 143 and 127.
NEET Passing Marks 2025 Highlights
Although the official passing marks for NEET 2025 have not been released, the qualifying percentile has been announced by the NTA. The following table summarizes the expected NEET passing marks for various categories:
| Category | Expected NEET Passing Marks 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 720-162 |
| SC | 161-127 |
| ST | 161-127 |
| OBC | 161-127 |
| General-PwD | 161-144 |
| PwD-SC | 143-127 |
| PwD-ST | 143-127 |
| PwD-OBC | 143-127 |
NEET 2025 Marking Scheme
The NEET 2025 exam follows a multiple-choice question format, with each correct answer earning 4 marks. The exam includes negative marking, with 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer. Unanswered questions do not receive any marks. Below is the official NEET marking scheme as proposed by the NTA: Each correct answer will be worth four marks. One mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks will be deducted for questions that are not answered. Questions with more than one answer marked on the OMR sheet will be considered incorrect and one mark will be deducted.
| Marking Parameters | Marks Granted |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | 4 marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 mark |
| No Answer | No marks |
| Question with Multiple Correct Answers | 4 marks for any correct option |
| Question with All Correct Answers | 4 marks for attempting the question |
| Dropped Question | All examinees receive 4 marks |
NEET Total Marks 2025
The NEET 2025 exam consists of three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The Biology section is further divided into Botany and Zoology. The total marks distribution for each section is as follows: The total marks for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in 2025 is 720. The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions, with each question worth 4 marks.
| NEET UG Exam Sections | Allocated Marks |
|---|---|
| Physics | 180 |
| Chemistry | 180 |
| Biology (Botany and Zoology) | 360 |
| Total NEET Marks 2025 | 720 |
NEET Previous Years Passing Marks
The NEET cutoff varies slightly each year based on factors such as the number of test takers, difficulty level, available seats, reservation policies, and previous cutoffs. The table below provides an overview of previous years’ NEET passing marks:
| Category | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 720-162 | 720-137 | 715-117 | 720-138 | 720-147 |
| SC, ST, OBC | 161-127 | 136-107 | 116-93 | 137-108 | 146-113 |
| General-PwD | 161-144 | 136-121 | 116-105 | 137-122 | 146-129 |
| PwD-SC/ST/OBC | 143-127 | 120-107 | 104-93 | 121-108 | 128-113 |
NEET Cutoff Percentile 2025
The cutoff percentile for NEET 2025, determined by the NTA, indicates the minimum marks required to be eligible for admission to UG medical courses. Below is the NTA NEET cutoff percentile for various categories: he expected cutoff percentile for the NEET 2025 exam is 50th percentile for the General (UR/EWS) category and 40th percentile for OBC, SC, and ST categories.Â
How is the cutoff determined? For example, if the cutoff percentile for the General category is 50th percentile, candidates from that category must score at or above 50% of the total candidates who appear for the exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets the cutoff percentile for the NEET exam each year. To qualify for the exam, candidates must score at or above the NEET cut off.
| Category | NTA NEET Cutoff Percentile 2025 |
|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile |
| SC, ST, OBC, OBC-PH, SC-PH, ST-PH | 40th Percentile |
| General-EWS-PH | 45th Percentile |
Difference Between NEET Cutoff and NEET Passing Marks
The NEET cutoff and NEET passing marks are distinct aspects of the NEET UG exam. The NEET cutoff is the minimum score required for admission to medical programs, whereas the NEET passing marks are the minimum scores required to qualify for the exam. Here are the key differences: The key difference between NEET Cutoff and NEET Passing Marks is that “NEET Cutoff” refers to the minimum score needed to secure admission into a specific medical college, while “NEET Passing Marks” is the minimum score required to simply pass the NEET exam and be eligible for counselling, regardless of the college you choose to apply to; essentially, passing marks are a lower threshold than the cutoff marks for admission to a desired college.Â
| Parameters | NEET Cutoff | NEET Passing Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Admission to medical colleges and universities | Passing the NEET exam with a valid NEET score |
| Deciding Authority | Set by individual colleges and counselling boards | Decided by the NTA |
| Releasing Authority | Colleges and Counselling Boards | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Type | Admission-based | Qualifying cutoff |
| Date of Release | Depends on the colleges and counselling boards | Released annually by the NTA |
Tips for scoring well
- Understand the NEET exam and syllabus
- Create an effective strategy
- Practice regularly and revise
- Solve previous years’ question papers
- Use quality study material
- Focus on solving complex problems
- Manage your health
Eligibility for NEET 2025
To be eligible for NEET 2025, you must:
- Have passed 12th (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects
- Have completed 17 years as on December 31, 2025
NEET Passing Marks 2025 FAQs
- What are the NEET passing marks 2025 for the general category?
The expected passing marks for general category students range from 720 to 162 out of 720 total marks. - What are the NEET passing marks 2025 for the OBC category?
The expected passing marks for OBC students are between 161 and 127 from a total of 720 marks. - What are the NEET passing marks for PwD candidates in NEET UG 2025?
The expected passing marks for General-PwD candidates are between 161 and 144, and for reserved category PwD candidates, the range is between 143 and 127. - What is the total score for the NEET exam?
The NEET exam comprises 720 total marks, with 180 marks allocated each for Physics and Chemistry, and 360 marks for the Biology section (Botany and Zoology combined).
