Since 2016, NEET has been made compulsory for admission into MBBS courses across India. This ensures a uniform standard of evaluation for all aspirants, whether they are applying to government colleges, private institutions, or deemed universities. A student’s NEET score is the most critical factor in determining their chances of admission.
For government medical colleges, cut-offs for general category students are usually higher, often crossing 600 marks in competitive states, while reserved category students may get seats at comparatively lower scores due to reservation benefits. On the other hand, private colleges and deemed universities may admit students with lower scores, but the tuition fees in such institutions are significantly higher.
NEET scores also play an important role in seat allotment under the all-India quota and state quota counseling systems. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts counseling for AIQ seats, central universities, and deemed universities, while individual states conduct counseling for their own colleges. The allocation is done based on the NEET rank, student preferences, and availability of seats.
In addition to domestic admissions, NEET is also mandatory for students who wish to study MBBS abroad in countries such as Russia, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines. Without a valid NEET score, students cannot pursue MBBS abroad and later practice in India.
Students and parents should understand that the NEET score determines not only eligibility but also the type of college they can realistically target. For instance, a very high score may allow admission in AIIMS or top government colleges, a mid-range score may secure admission in state colleges or certain private institutions, while a lower score still provides opportunities under management quota or abroad.
Therefore, MBBS admission based on NEET score requires students to analyze their performance, compare previous year cut-offs, and participate in counseling with a clear strategy. Making informed choices during counseling is as important as achieving a qualifying score in NEET.
