Understanding NEET's reservation policy is as important as preparing for the exam itself. A student who scores 500 marks might get a government medical college through reservation, while another scoring 550 might miss out due to the category dynamics. The reservation structure in NEET is multi-layered — All India Quota (AIQ), State Quota, Institutional Preferences, and Deemed University seats all follow different rules. ExamHub explains the complete NEET reservation framework for 2026 so you can plan your counselling strategy effectively.
NEET Seat Distribution — The Big Picture
Before understanding reservation, understand how NEET seats are distributed.
| Seat Category | Percentage | Counselling Body | Remarks |
|---|
| All India Quota (AIQ) | 15% of state government seats | MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) | Central counselling |
| State Quota | 85% of state government seats | Respective State Counselling Authorities | State domicile required |
| Deemed Universities | 100% | MCC | Higher fees |
| Central Universities (AMU, BHU, etc.) | 100% | MCC | University-specific rules |
| ESIC/AFMS Colleges | 100% | MCC/DGAFMS | Specific eligibility |
| Private Medical Colleges | 100% (some states have quota) | State/MCC | State-specific policies |
All India Quota (AIQ) Reservation
The AIQ pool consists of 15% of seats from all state government medical colleges, pooled and allotted centrally through MCC counselling.
| Category | Reservation (%) | Approximate Seats (Out of ~14,000 AIQ) |
|---|
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% | ~3,780 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15% | ~2,100 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7.5% | ~1,050 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% | ~1,400 |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) — Horizontal | 5% (within each category) | ~700 |
| General/Unreserved | 40.5% | ~5,670 |
| Total | 100% | ~14,000 |
Important Notes on AIQ Reservation
- EWS quota was introduced in 2019 and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. It applies to General category candidates with family income below Rs 8 lakh per year.
- OBC reservation in AIQ was introduced in 2021 following a Supreme Court ruling. This was a landmark change that significantly increased opportunities for OBC candidates in central counselling.
- PwD reservation is horizontal — meaning PwD seats are carved out within each vertical category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS). A PwD-OBC candidate fills the PwD seat within the OBC quota.
State Quota Reservation
85% of government medical college seats are reserved for state quota, and reservation varies significantly by state.
Major States — Reservation Breakdown
| State | OBC (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) | EWS (%) | General (%) | Special Categories |
|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 50% (MBC + BC) | 18% | 1% | 10% | 21% | — |
| Maharashtra | 32% (OBC + SBC) | 13% | 7% | 10% | 38% | SEBC |
| Uttar Pradesh | 27% | 21% | 2% | 10% | 40% | — |
| Karnataka | 32% (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B) | 15% | 3% | 10% | 40% | — |
| Rajasthan | 21% | 16% | 12% | 10% | 41% | — |
| Madhya Pradesh | 27% (OBC) | 16% | 20% | 10% | 27% | — |
| Bihar | 18% (BC + EBC) | 16% | 1% | 10% | 55% | — |
| Gujarat | 27% | 7% | 15% | 10% | 41% | — |
| Kerala | 40% (SEBC) | 8% | 2% | 10% | 40% | — |
| West Bengal | 17% (OBC) | 22% | 6% | 10% | 45% | — |
| Andhra Pradesh | 29% (BC) | 15% | 6% | 10% | 40% | — |
| Telangana | 29% (BC) | 15% | 6% | 10% | 40% | — |
States with Special Reservation
| State | Special Provision | Details |
|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 69% total reservation | Upheld by Supreme Court under 9th Schedule |
| Maharashtra | Maratha reservation (additional) | Subject to ongoing legal proceedings |
| Chhattisgarh | Higher ST reservation (32%) | Significant tribal population |
| Jharkhand | Higher ST reservation (26%) | Significant tribal population |
| Northeast States | Higher ST reservation (varies) | Dominant tribal populations |
Category-Wise NEET Cutoff (AIQ) — Last 3 Years
| Year | General | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | EWS | General-PwD |
|---|
| 2025 | 720-137 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 |
| 2024 | 720-137 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 |
| 2023 | 720-137 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 | 136-107 |
Note: NEET qualifying cutoffs are the same for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories. The real difference appears during counselling cutoffs, where reserved category candidates get seats at lower ranks.
Counselling Cutoff Ranks (AIQ — Government Medical Colleges)
| Category | Approximate Closing Rank (Top Government Colleges) | Approximate Closing Rank (Any Government MBBS) |
|---|
| General | 5,000-15,000 | 80,000-1,00,000 |
| OBC-NCL | 15,000-30,000 | 1,50,000-2,00,000 |
| SC | 30,000-60,000 | 2,50,000-3,50,000 |
| ST | 50,000-1,00,000 | 4,00,000-5,50,000 |
| EWS | 15,000-25,000 | 1,20,000-1,60,000 |
| General-PwD | 60,000-1,20,000 | 4,00,000-6,00,000 |
Domicile Rules and State Quota Eligibility
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| What is domicile? | Permanent residence certificate of a state |
| How is it determined? | Based on where you have studied for a specified period OR where your parents reside |
| State quota eligibility | You can apply for state quota only in your domicile state |
| AIQ eligibility | All candidates regardless of domicile |
| Multiple state domicile? | Not legally possible — one domicile at a time |
Domicile Certificate Requirements (Common)
| State Type | Typical Requirement |
|---|
| Most states | Studied in the state for last 5-7 years |
| Some states | Parents should be permanent residents |
| UT (Delhi, Chandigarh) | 3-5 years of continuous residence |
| Special states (J&K, NE) | State-specific permanent resident certificate |
PwD Reservation — Detailed
| Disability Category | Minimum Disability (%) | Eligible For |
|---|
| Locomotor Disability | 40% or above | MBBS (with some restrictions) |
| Visual Impairment | 40% or above | Limited seats in some states |
| Hearing Impairment | 40% or above | MBBS (varies by state/college) |
| Intellectual Disability | 40% or above | Case-by-case assessment |
| Multiple Disabilities | 40% or above | Depends on specific disabilities |
PwD — Important Changes
The Supreme Court has ruled that PwD candidates must undergo a medical fitness test specific to medical practice. Having a disability certificate alone does not guarantee admission — the candidate must be deemed fit to practice medicine with reasonable accommodations.
Recent Supreme Court Rulings Affecting NEET Reservation
| Year | Ruling | Impact |
|---|
| 2025 | OBC reservation in AIQ reaffirmed | OBC candidates continue to get 27% AIQ reservation |
| 2024 | EWS reservation constitutional | 10% EWS quota upheld across all NEET counselling |
| 2023 | State OBC lists valid for state quota | States can use their own OBC lists for state quota seats |
| 2022 | No reservation in PG super-specialty | 50% AIQ in super-specialty seats have no reservation |
| 2021 | OBC + EWS reservation in AIQ introduced | First time OBC reservation applied to 15% AIQ seats |
Counselling Strategy Based on Reservation
For General Category Candidates
| NEET Score Range | Best Strategy |
|---|
| 680-720 | Apply to top government colleges (AIIMS Delhi, MAMC, etc.) in Round 1 AIQ |
| 600-680 | Apply to top state government colleges + AIQ |
| 500-600 | State quota government colleges + private (management quota) |
| 450-500 | Private colleges through state counselling |
| Below 450 | Deemed universities or consider retake |
For OBC-NCL Candidates
| NEET Score Range | Best Strategy |
|---|
| 600-720 | Apply for top government colleges in AIQ (OBC quota) |
| 500-600 | State quota OBC seats + AIQ OBC seats |
| 400-500 | OBC seats in state government colleges |
| 350-400 | Private colleges + consider retake |
For SC/ST Candidates
| NEET Score Range | Best Strategy |
|---|
| 500-720 | Top government colleges through SC/ST AIQ quota |
| 400-500 | Government colleges through state SC/ST quota |
| 300-400 | State government colleges + AIQ mop-up rounds |
| Below 300 | Government colleges in states with more ST seats (if applicable) |
Common Mistakes in Understanding NEET Reservation
- Confusing qualifying cutoff with admission cutoff — Qualifying NEET means you are eligible to participate in counselling, not that you will get a seat. The actual admission cutoff is much higher.
- Not updating OBC certificate — OBC-NCL certificates must be recently issued (usually within the financial year of counselling). Old certificates may be rejected. Ensure the "non-creamy layer" clause is explicitly mentioned.
- Ignoring state quota opportunities — Many candidates only focus on AIQ and miss out on state quota seats. If your state has good medical colleges, state quota can offer better options at the same NEET score.
- Not understanding horizontal vs vertical reservation — PwD reservation is horizontal (within each category), not additional. A PwD-General candidate competes within the General-PwD sub-category, not in a separate pool.
- Assuming private colleges have the same reservation — Private medical colleges in some states have reservation (50% management quota + 50% government quota), while in other states they are exempt. Check your state's specific policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NEET have reservation for OBC candidates?
Yes. Since 2021, the All India Quota has 27% reservation for OBC-NCL candidates. State quotas also have OBC reservation as per state-specific percentages. This was a Supreme Court-approved change that significantly benefits OBC candidates.
What is the EWS quota in NEET?
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates from the General category with family income below Rs 8 lakh per year get 10% reservation. This applies to both AIQ and state quota counselling. EWS candidates must obtain an EWS certificate from the district authority.
Can I apply for both AIQ and State Quota?
Yes, you can participate in both AIQ counselling (through MCC) and state counselling simultaneously. However, if you accept a seat in AIQ, your state counselling candidacy is typically cancelled, and vice versa. Choose strategically based on your rank and available options.
Is the reservation percentage same in all states?
No. Each state has its own reservation policy based on its population composition. Tamil Nadu has 69% total reservation, while some northern states have lower percentages. The reservation in AIQ is uniform across India (27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS).
Can a General category student with 500 marks get MBBS in a government college?
It depends on the state and year. In some states with a large number of government medical colleges (like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan), a General category student scoring 500 can get a government seat through state quota. In highly competitive states (like Delhi, Maharashtra), 500 may not be sufficient for a government seat. Check state-specific counselling data on ExamHub.