Parameter
Qualifying Marks (Qualifying Cutoff)
Admission Cutoff (College Cutoff)
Meaning
Minimum score required to qualify NEET UG and become eligible for counselling.
Minimum score or rank required to secure admission to a specific medical or dental college.
Purpose
Determines eligibility for the counselling process.
Determines whether a candidate gets a seat in a particular college/course.
Who Decides It?
National Testing Agency (NTA).
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota (AIQ) and respective State Counselling Authorities for State Quota
Basis
Fixed percentile (50th percentile for General/EWS, 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC, etc.).
Depends on factors such as candidate rank, category, number of seats, counselling round, exam difficulty, and competition.
Announced When?
Along with the NEET UG result.
After each round of counselling.
Changes Every Year?
Yes, because percentile converts to different marks each year.
Yes, and it varies significantly across colleges, courses, categories, and counselling rounds.
Applicable To
All candidates appearing for NEET UG.
Only candidates participating in counselling for seat allotment.
Admission Guaranteed?
No. Qualifying only makes you eligible for counselling.
Yes, if your score/rank meets the closing cutoff for the allotted college and course.
