NEET UG 2025: Every year, lakhs of NEET UG aspirants compete for MBBS seats in government medical colleges across India. However, cutoff scores vary widely from state to state. States like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh see intense competition, while some northeastern states and Union Territories offer government MBBS seats at much lower NEET UG cutoffs, especially for students with domicile status.
In this article, we analyse states which have the Lowest NEET UG Cutoffs for Government MBBS Seats and which states give students the best chance of securing a government MBBS seat with a lower NEET score.
Understanding NEET State Quota Counselling
Under NEET UG counselling, 85% of MBBS seats in government medical colleges are reserved under the state quota, while 15% are filled through All India Quota (AIQ) managed by MCC.
| NEET UG Counselling Guide 2025 | |
|---|---|
| State-wise MBBS/BDS Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| MCC NEET UG Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
| AACCC AYUSH NEET Counselling Guide eBook 2025 | 📥 Download |
Each state conducts its counselling process through its respective state authority. The cutoff marks vary due to:
- Number of applicants from the state
- Number of government MBBS seats available
- Reservation policies
- State-wise demand for medical education
States with the Lowest NEET UG Cutoffs for Government MBBS (2024 Trends)
Based on the previous year (2024) NEET UG Round 1 data, the following states had lower cutoff marks for MBBS government seats under the state quota (General category):
Join NEET News 2025 | States/UTs | Closing NEET Rank (GEN) | Approx. Marks (2024) | Seats Available |
| Nagaland | ~6,20,000 | ~405 | <10 (via quota) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | ~5,90,000 | ~415 | ~50 |
| Mizoram | ~5,10,000 | ~440 | ~100 |
| Sikkim | ~4,80,000 | ~455 | Limited seats |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | ~4,60,000 | ~460 | 100+ |
| Meghalaya | ~4,30,000 | ~470 | ~100 |
| Tripura | ~2,80,000 | ~520 | 125+ |
| Manipur | ~2,30,000 | ~535 | ~150 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | ~1,85,000 | ~550 | 900+ |
| Assam | ~1,50,000 | ~565 | 1100+ |
Note: These cutoffs are for the General (Unreserved) category under the State Quota Round 1 (2024). Actual marks may vary yearly based on difficulty level, competition, and seat matrix.
Why Do These States Have Lower Cutoffs?
1. Lower Number of Applicants
States like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland have fewer NEET aspirants, which results in lower intra-state competition.
2. Reservation Benefits
Many NE states have ST reservation dominance. Even General category students benefit from lower merit thresholds due to sparse candidate pools.
3. New or Limited Colleges
Some states have only one or two government medical colleges, and some (like Nagaland) don’t have any but still have quota seats in central institutions.
4. Remote Location Factor
Students from other states often avoid these due to distance or language/cultural barriers, reducing competition for locals.
Examples of Government Medical Colleges with Lower Cutoffs
| College Name | State | NEET 2024 Cutoff (Gen) | Approx. Marks |
| Zoram Medical College, Mizoram | Mizoram | ~5,00,000 | ~440 |
| NEIGRIHMS, Shillong | Meghalaya (NE state) | ~4,20,000 | ~475 |
| RIMS Imphal | Manipur | ~2,30,000 | ~535 |
| JNIMS Imphal | Manipur | ~2,10,000 | ~540 |
| Tripura Medical College | Tripura | ~2,75,000 | ~520 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) | A&N Islands | ~4,60,000 | ~460 |
What This Means for NEET Aspirants
If you’re from these states, especially with a valid domicile certificate, you can secure a government MBBS seat with:
- Scores as low as 400–500, unlike 600+ in major states
- State reservation policies are working in your favour
- Higher chance of MBBS admission without AIQ-level ranks
However, students from other states usually cannot apply under these state quotas unless eligible through central pool seats (e.g., North East quota, Central Govt Nomination, etc.).
Comparison to High-Cutoff States
| High-Cutoff States | State Rank Needed (Gen) | NEET 2024 Marks |
| Delhi | Top 200 | 690+ |
| Maharashtra | Top 8,000 | 640+ |
| Uttar Pradesh | Top 15,000 | 620+ |
| Rajasthan | Top 6,000 | 645+ |
| Tamil Nadu | Top 9,000 | 630+ |
In these states, even category candidates often need 580+ for a government MBBS seat.
Domicile Matters
Most low-cutoff states require:
- Permanent state residence
- Domicile certificate
- Sometimes, schooling criteria (e.g., 10th & 12th from the same state)
Without a valid domicile, you cannot participate in that state’s 85% quota, even if you scored well.
Tips for Students Seeking MBBS Seats with Lower Cutoffs
- Check Domicile Eligibility: If you belong to a low-cutoff state, ensure your documents are ready in advance.
- Explore Central Pool/All India Quota: For students from other states, keep an eye on central institutions like NEIGRIHMS, AIIMS NE branches, etc.
- Use Multiple Counselling Rounds: Even in low-cutoff states, some vacancies reopen in mop-up rounds, so stay alert.
- Monitor MCC and State Portals: Real-time updates matter; some colleges reduce cutoffs in final rounds.
If you’re from a northeastern state or union territory, your NEET UG 2025 journey may benefit from significantly lower competition and cutoffs, especially for government MBBS seats. These regions offer a golden opportunity for dedicated aspirants who meet domicile norms but may not score in the top 1% nationally.
