The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) is a gateway for thousands of MBBS graduates in India aiming for admission into MD/MS/PG Diploma courses across the country. With NEET PG 2025 on the horizon, aspirants are eagerly waiting for key updates, especially the result date and the qualifying marks. In this blog, we will break down the expected timeline, passing criteria, and what aspirants can expect after the results are announced. We’ll also touch upon an important alternative for those who may not secure a seat in India—MBBS abroad.
? Expected NEET PG 2025 Result Date
While the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has not officially announced the result date yet, based on past trends, the NEET PG 2025 results are likely to be released in the last week of March or the first week of April 2025.
Here's a brief look at previous result timelines:
NEET PG 2024: Exam on March 7, Result on March 31
NEET PG 2023: Exam on March 5, Result on March 14
NEET PG 2022: Exam on May 21, Result on June 1
Given the usual turnaround time of 2–3 weeks post-exam, aspirants should keep a close eye on the official NBEMS website for updates. The results will be declared online in the form of a PDF, listing the roll number, marks scored, and the qualifying status of each candidate.
✅ NEET PG 2025 Passing Marks (Cut-off Criteria)
To qualify in NEET PG, candidates must secure the minimum percentile score as prescribed by the National Board of Examinations and approved by the Medical Council of India.
The expected minimum qualifying percentiles are:
General Category: 50th percentile
SC/ST/OBC: 40th percentile
PWD (General): 45th percentile
However, the actual cut-off marks in terms of raw score (out of 800) vary each year depending on the difficulty of the exam and overall candidate performance.
Here’s a look at recent NEET PG cut-off scores:
Year | Category | Qualifying Percentile | Cut-off Score (out of 800) |
2024 | General | 50th | 291 |
2023 | General | 50th | 291 |
2022 | General | 50th | 275 |
For NEET PG 2025, expect the cut-off marks to fall somewhere between 275 and 310 for general category students, depending on the difficulty level of the paper.
? Factors That Affect NEET PG Cut-Off Marks
Several factors influence the final cut-off marks each year:
Number of candidates appearing for the exam
Level of difficulty of the question paper
Availability of PG seats across India
Overall performance of candidates
Reservation policies and category-wise seat distribution
In some years, especially if seat vacancies remain after counselling rounds, the Ministry of Health may approve a lowering of the qualifying percentile, sometimes by as much as 10-20 percentile points.
? What Happens After NEET PG Results Are Announced?
Once the NEET PG 2025 result is declared, the following steps unfold:
Scorecard Release: Candidates can download their individual scorecards from the NBE website.
Counselling Registration: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will open registration for AIQ (All India Quota) counselling.
State Counselling: Simultaneously, respective state medical authorities will conduct counselling for state quota seats.
Seat Allotment: Based on rank, category, preferences, and availability, candidates are allotted seats in MD/MS/PG Diploma courses.
Admission & Reporting: Candidates must report to allotted colleges with documents and fees to confirm admission.
? What If You Don’t Qualify or Get a Desired PG Seat?
Not qualifying NEET PG or securing a low rank can be disappointing, especially after months or even years of preparation. But it’s not the end of the road. One viable and increasingly popular option is to pursue a medical post-graduate degree abroad.
? MBBS Abroad: An Alternative Route
While NEET PG is the standard route for postgraduate medical education in India, the competition is intense. There are limited seats for thousands of aspirants, and many students are forced to either drop a year or settle for non-clinical branches. In such situations, studying MBBS abroad or pursuing a PG medical degree abroad can be a smart alternative.
Benefits of MBBS/PG Abroad:
No or low entrance exams (depending on the country)
World-class medical infrastructure and exposure
Affordable tuition fees in many countries (e.g., Russia, Georgia, Philippines, Kazakhstan)
Globally recognized degrees (WHO, ECFMG, USMLE, PLAB friendly)
Pathways to practice in the USA, UK, Canada, and more
Several universities abroad now offer postgraduate medical programs that are globally accredited and may not require an entrance test as rigorous as NEET PG.
If you're an MBBS graduate looking to specialize but finding it tough through NEET PG, exploring PG medicine options abroad could be your next best step.
? Conclusion
NEET PG 2025 is a crucial milestone for every MBBS graduate in India, and staying informed about the result date and qualifying marks is essential. While the competition continues to grow, so do the opportunities—both in India and abroad. Whether you succeed in NEET PG or not, your journey doesn’t end. Keep your options open, especially if you’re considering an MBBS or PG medical course abroad.
Remember, medicine is a calling—not just an exam result. Keep pushing forward.