Quick answer: For government MBBS seats there is no genuinely “low cutoff” state — every state’s general-category seats close above 500 marks. For private MBBS, the lowest-cutoff states in 2026 are Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Karnataka (seats close near 130–200 marks on management/deemed seats), while the cheapest low-cutoff states are Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (₹10–13 lakh a year, closing 140–330 marks, open to any state’s candidates). Which state is “best” depends on whether you are optimising for the lowest score, the lowest fee, or no domicile requirement.
Three questions hiding inside “low NEET cutoff states”
- Which state has the lowest cutoff for government MBBS? — Answer: none that helps a low scorer. See the government table below.
- Which state has the lowest cutoff for private MBBS? — Answer: southern deemed universities and Rajasthan’s private colleges.
- Which state gives a low-score candidate the best deal? — Answer: UP and Bihar, because of fee and open-state rules.
Government MBBS: state-wise general-category closing marks (2025, approx.)
| State | General closing (state quota) | Why it can’t be “low” |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar | ~560 | Few seats, huge candidate pool |
| Uttar Pradesh | ~570 | Largest applicant base in India |
| Jharkhand | ~520 (UR); ST ~300 | Domicile + category only |
| Karnataka | ~540 | High competition, KEA |
| North-East states (e.g. Sikkim, Meghalaya) | ~380–450 for domicile ST | Reserved for state domicile and tribal categories |
| All states — EWS/OBC | ~480–550 | Category relief of 20–60 marks only |
The only “low” government closings are domicile-plus-category seats (ST in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, the North-East). If you are not domiciled there, they do not exist for you. Full explanation.
Private MBBS: state-wise lowest closing marks and fees (2026 expected)
| State | Lowest closing (2026 expected) | Fee range / year | Non-domicile eligible? | Counselling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puducherry | 130–210 (deemed) | ₹19.5–22 L | Yes (MCC) | MCC deemed |
| Tamil Nadu | 130–230 (deemed) | ₹20–25 L | Yes (MCC) | MCC deemed |
| Rajasthan | ~157–300 (private/management) | ₹21–35 L | Yes, private seats | Rajasthan NEET-UG board |
| Karnataka | 160–310 | ₹18–23.5 L | Yes, private/management seats | KEA |
| Haryana | 140–290 | ₹12–18 L | Partly; domicile preference on some seats | DMER Haryana |
| Bihar | 140–330 | ₹10–16.5 L | Yes, 100% private seats | BCECEB |
| Uttar Pradesh | 150–380 | ₹11.8–16.2 L (plus deemed ₹24 L) | Yes, 100% private seats | UP DGME / MCC |
| Maharashtra | 170–340 (deemed) | ₹20.6–26 L | Yes (MCC) | MCC deemed / CET Cell |
| Delhi | 200–330 (HIMSR) | ₹16 L | Yes (MCC) | MCC deemed |
Best state by what you are optimising for
Lowest score accepted: Puducherry and Tamil Nadu deemed universities
Colleges such as SLIMS, AVMC, ACS Chennai and Vinayaka Mission’s Salem have closed at 130–230 marks in recent MCC stray rounds. The price is ₹20–25 lakh a year.
Lowest fee with a low cutoff: Bihar
Madhubani (₹10 L), MGM Kishanganj (₹10.3 L), Narayan Sasaram (₹10.38 L) and Katihar (₹10.5 L) are the cheapest private MBBS seats in India, closing at 140–330 marks, with no domicile requirement. BCECEB guide.
Most seats for outsiders: Uttar Pradesh
UP DGME opens 100% of private seats to any Indian candidate, has 13+ colleges in this directory and closes between 150 and 380 marks depending on the college. UP DGME guide.
Close to Delhi with a moderate fee: Haryana
World College Jhajjar and NC Medical College Panipat at ₹12 L a year; some seats carry domicile preference. Haryana DMER guide.
States we do not recommend chasing for a low cutoff
Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab either reserve most private seats for domicile candidates, publish fees above ₹20 lakh, or both. They can still work for management/NRI seats, but they are rarely the cheapest path.
How to use this in counselling
- Register for MCC deemed (covers Puducherry, TN, Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka deemed and Santosh in UP) — one form, all states.
- Register for one open state in parallel: UP DGME if you can pay ₹12–13 L, Bihar BCECEB if you need ₹10–11 L.
- If your score is under 200, add Rajasthan or Karnataka private counselling for management seats.
- Track every round; most low-score allotments happen in Round 2, mop-up and stray. Round-by-round calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the lowest NEET cutoff for MBBS in 2026?
For private/deemed seats: Puducherry and Tamil Nadu (130–230 marks). For fees under ₹11 lakh: Bihar (140–330 marks).
Which state has the lowest cutoff for government MBBS?
None below ~500 for general category. Only domicile ST/SC seats in states like Jharkhand and the North-East close near 300.
Can a UP or Bihar student get a private seat in another state?
Yes — through MCC deemed universities in any state, and through private/management seats in Rajasthan, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
What is the cheapest state for private MBBS with a low score?
Bihar (₹10–16.5 lakh a year), followed by Uttar Pradesh (₹11.8–16.2 lakh).
Is management quota cutoff lower than state quota?
Yes; management and NRI seats often fill down to the qualifying percentile, but at 1.5–2× the fee. Management quota explained.
Closing marks are expected ranges drawn from 2024–2025 counselling data in this directory; they are not guarantees. Reviewed September 2026.
Sources and how to verify this page
Cutoffs and fees on this page are compiled estimates for the 2026 cycle, not official figures. Every claim about eligibility, counselling process and legality can be checked against the primary sources below, and you should check them before acting.
- National Medical Commission — recognised colleges and seat matrix
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) — deemed and all-India quota
- National Testing Agency — NEET-UG results and percentiles
- UP DGME — Uttar Pradesh private MBBS counselling
- BCECEB — Bihar private MBBS counselling
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