NEET PG 2026 Branch-Wise Cutoff: MD/MS Closing Ranks for All Specialities
DeekshaUpdated on 20 Oct 2026, 08:12 PM IST
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NEET PG 2026 branch-wise cutoff for MD and MS seats will only be known once MCC and the state authorities publish their round-wise seat allotment results. Counselling for this cycle has not started yet, so no 2026 closing ranks exist at the time of writing. The most reliable guide right now is the 2025 All India Quota (AIQ) closing rank data, which shows which speciality closed at which rank last year.
This guide covers the NEET PG branch-wise cutoff trend for Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology, General Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics and other specialities, explains how closing ranks differ from the qualifying cutoff, and shows how to use last year's data to plan your NEET PG 2026 counselling choices.
NEET PG 2026 Cutoff Basics: Where Things Stand
Table
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 exam date | August 30, 2026 |
| Result declared | September 24, 2026 |
| Qualifying cutoff (General/EWS) | 50th percentile, 262 out of 720 |
| Qualifying cutoff (General PwBD) | 45th percentile, 244 out of 720 |
| Qualifying cutoff (SC/ST/OBC) | 40th percentile, 226 out of 720 |
| Total PG seats in NMC matrix (as on September 29, 2026) | 63,177 (MD 39,608, MS 18,490, DM 2,549, M.Ch 2,162, PG Diploma 368) |
| MCC counselling schedule | Awaited at the time of writing |
| 2026 branch-wise closing ranks | Not available until Round 1 results are published |
2 columns · 9 rows
Qualifying Cutoff vs Branch-Wise Closing Rank
These two numbers are often confused. The qualifying cutoff (262 for General/EWS in 2026) only decides whether you are eligible to take part in NEET PG counselling. It says nothing about which seat you can get.
The branch-wise closing rank is the All India Rank of the last candidate who got a particular seat in a particular round. This is the number that actually decides whether you can get MD General Medicine, MS Orthopaedics or MD Radiodiagnosis, and at which college.
NEET PG Branch-Wise Closing Rank 2025: All India Quota (General)
The table below shows the highest General category AIQ closing rank for the most sought-after MD/MS branches in the 2025 cycle. Two readings are given because published trackers differ on which round they report: Round 3 closing ranks and the last-round ranks after the stray vacancy round, when seats loosen up considerably.
Table
| Branch | Approx. closing rank by Round 3 (2025) | Approx. closing rank in last round (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| MD Radiodiagnosis | 6,263 | 6,656 |
| MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy | 7,844 | 15,146 |
| MD General Medicine | 9,511 | 17,190 |
| MD Paediatrics | 11,883 | Not separately listed here |
| MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 14,217 | Not separately listed here |
| MS Orthopaedics | Not separately listed here | 23,502 |
3 columns · 7 rows
Treat these as indicative figures rather than exact cutoffs. Different data trackers compile closing ranks differently, so a number can vary depending on whether it counts the last seat at any college or a typical seat at top colleges.
How Closing Ranks Changed from 2024 to 2025
Table
| Branch (General, AIQ) | 2024 closing rank | 2025 closing rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD General Medicine | 9,911 | 17,190 | Loosened by 7,279 ranks |
| MD Radiodiagnosis | 5,807 | 6,656 | Loosened by 849 ranks |
4 columns · 3 rows
The jump in General Medicine shows why last year's cutoff should never be copied blindly. More seats, a larger candidate pool and changing branch preferences can move a closing rank by thousands of ranks from one cycle to the next.
Quota-Wise Closing Rank Trends: AIQ vs Deemed vs State
Table
| Branch (2025) | AIQ (General) | Deemed (paid seats) |
|---|---|---|
| MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy | 15,146 | 1,39,348 |
| MD General Medicine | 17,190 | 1,22,195 |
| MS Orthopaedics | 23,502 | 1,59,455 |
3 columns · 4 rows
Deemed university paid seats close at ranks that are many times higher than AIQ government seats because of the much higher fee. Across AIQ, clinical MD/MS branches closed between roughly AIR 6,656 and AIR 59,977, while pre-clinical, para-clinical and non-clinical branches went as far as AIR 1,87,915 for MD Anatomy.
State Quota Example: Karnataka Government Colleges (2025)
Table
| Branch | Highest closing rank in Karnataka government colleges (2025) |
|---|---|
| Radiodiagnosis | 3,611 |
| General Medicine | 4,058 |
| Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy | 4,608 |
| Paediatrics | 10,865 |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 12,635 |
| Respiratory Medicine (TB and Chest) | 12,935 |
2 columns · 7 rows
State quota merit lists are separate from the All India list, so a state's closing rank cannot be compared directly with an AIQ rank. Always read state counselling cutoffs on their own.
College-Level Example: KGMU Lucknow (2025, General AIQ)
Table
| Branch | Closing rank (General, AIQ, final round) |
|---|---|
| MD Radiodiagnosis | 410 |
| MD General Medicine | 1,015 |
| MS General Surgery | 3,544 |
| MS Orthopaedics | 6,537 |
2 columns · 5 rows
The same branch can close at very different ranks across colleges. A top-tier government college can close General Medicine near AIR 1,000, while a less sought-after college offers the same branch several thousand ranks later.
Branch-Wise Competition Levels for All Specialities
Table
| Competition level | Specialities | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Very high | MD Radiodiagnosis, MD Dermatology, MD General Medicine | Close at the lowest ranks; top colleges fill within the first few thousand ranks |
| High | MD Paediatrics, MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MS Orthopaedics, MS General Surgery, MD Anaesthesiology | Close in the low to mid thousands at good colleges, later at others |
| Moderate | MS Ophthalmology, MS ENT, MD Psychiatry, MD Respiratory Medicine, MD Emergency Medicine | Often remain open into later rounds for mid-range ranks |
| Lower | MD Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine | Frequently available at wide rank ranges, especially in later rounds |
| Widest range | MD Anatomy and similar non-clinical branches | Closed as high as AIR 1,87,915 in AIQ in 2025 |
3 columns · 6 rows
Rank Band Guide: What Your NEET PG 2026 Rank Could Get You
Table
| Expected AIR band (General, AIQ) | Realistic outlook based on 2025 patterns |
|---|---|
| Up to about 1,500 | Strong chance at General Medicine, Radiodiagnosis and other top branches in leading government colleges |
| About 1,500 to 7,000 | Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology and General Medicine remain possible at many AIQ government seats, depending on college and round |
| About 7,000 to 15,000 | Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and later-round Dermatology or General Medicine seats come into range |
| About 15,000 to 25,000 | Late-round General Medicine, Dermatology and Orthopaedics seats, plus most other clinical branches |
| Beyond 25,000 | Other clinical and non-clinical branches, state quota and private or deemed seats become the main options |
2 columns · 6 rows
These bands are a planning aid built from 2025 patterns, not a promise. Category, quota, domicile and the number of seats in your chosen college change the picture for every candidate.
How Closing Ranks Move Across Counselling Rounds
- Round 1 closing ranks are the tightest, because the best-ranked candidates take the most preferred seats first.
- Round 2 and Round 3 closing ranks loosen as candidates upgrade, resign or fail to join, releasing seats further down the merit list.
- The stray vacancy round and mop-up rounds show the loosest closing ranks, sometimes thousands of ranks beyond Round 1.
- Popular branches such as Radiodiagnosis and Dermatology can fill completely in early rounds, while less preferred branches stay open longer.
- Category-wise closing ranks (General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, PwBD) are published separately, so always read the column that matches your category.
How to Use Branch-Wise Cutoff Data for NEET PG 2026 Counselling
- Confirm your NEET PG 2026 All India Rank and category from your scorecard.
- Shortlist three to five branches you would genuinely accept, not just your top choice.
- Check 2025 closing ranks for each branch across rounds, then add a cushion because ranks can shift year to year.
- Separate your AIQ plan from your state quota plan, since the merit lists and seat pools are different.
- Build your choice list from ambitious to safe, placing dream colleges first and guaranteed options last.
- Recheck the live seat matrix before locking choices, since seats are added or removed between rounds.
Factors That Will Shape NEET PG 2026 Closing Ranks
- The final seat matrix, since the NMC matrix of 63,177 seats may be revised as new seats and courses are approved.
- The number of qualified candidates and the score distribution in this year's result.
- Shifts in branch preference, for example growing interest in non-traditional or emerging specialities.
- How many candidates join seats and how many upgrade across rounds.
- Changes in reservation, domicile and quota rules at the state level.
Last year's closing rank is a reference point, not a promise. Use it to build a realistic list with a safe tail, then adjust once the 2026 round results start coming in.
Useful Internal Links: Predictors and College Admission Pages
- NEET PG College Predictor 2026
- NEET Rank Predictor
- Medical College Predictor Hub
- AIIMS New Delhi Admission Details
- JIPMER Puducherry Admission Details
- Maulana Azad Medical College Admission Details
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital Admission Details
- Seth GS Medical College, KEM Hospital Admission Details
- Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute Admission Details
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Admission Details
Official External Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NEET PG 2026 branch-wise cutoff?
NEET PG 2026 branch-wise closing ranks are not available yet, because counselling has not started. They will be published round by round by MCC and state authorities. Until then, 2025 closing ranks are the best reference. The qualifying cutoff for 2026 is 262 for General/EWS, 244 for General PwBD and 226 for SC/ST/OBC.
What was the NEET PG 2025 closing rank for MD Radiodiagnosis?
In the 2025 AIQ General category, MD Radiodiagnosis closed at roughly AIR 6,263 by Round 3 and around AIR 6,656 in the last round, making it the most competitive branch by closing rank.
What rank is needed for MD General Medicine in NEET PG?
In 2025, MD General Medicine closed at roughly AIR 9,511 by Round 3 and AIR 17,190 in the last AIQ round for the General category, but top colleges close far earlier, for example KGMU Lucknow at about AIR 1,015.
What is the difference between NEET PG qualifying cutoff and closing rank?
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile or score needed to be eligible for counselling. The closing rank is the rank of the last candidate who got a specific seat in a specific round, and it decides which branch and college you can actually get.
Which are the most competitive NEET PG branches?
MD Radiodiagnosis, MD Dermatology, MD General Medicine, MD Paediatrics and MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology were the most competitive branches by closing rank in the 2025 cycle, followed by Orthopaedics and General Surgery.
Do closing ranks change between counselling rounds?
Yes. Closing ranks are tightest in Round 1 and loosen in Round 2, Round 3 and the stray vacancy round as candidates upgrade or resign, so the same seat can close thousands of ranks later in a final round.
Are state quota closing ranks the same as AIQ closing ranks?
No. State quota merit lists are separate from the All India list, so ranks are not directly comparable. For example, Karnataka government colleges closed Radiodiagnosis at about 3,611 in 2025, a state-specific figure.
Which NEET PG branches have the highest closing ranks?
Pre-clinical, para-clinical and non-clinical branches close at the highest ranks. In the 2025 AIQ General category, MD Anatomy closed as high as AIR 1,87,915, while clinical MD/MS branches closed between about 6,656 and 59,977.
Can I rely on last year's closing rank for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
Use it as a reference, not a guarantee. The 2025 closing rank for General Medicine loosened by 7,279 ranks over 2024, showing how much cutoffs can move. Always add a safety margin and check the live seat matrix and 2026 round results.