NEET Cutoff for Karnataka Medical Colleges 2026 — Government, Private & Management Quota
Category-wise NEET cutoff data for MBBS and BDS admission through KEA state quota and management quota in Karnataka. Government colleges, Mangalore colleges, Bangalore colleges — all covered. Updated May 2026. Verify final cutoffs at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after NEET-UG 2026 results.
How NEET Cutoffs Work in Karnataka — Key Distinctions
Karnataka has two parallel MBBS admission systems: (1) KEA state quota — 50–85% of private college seats + all government college seats, allocated by NEET rank through KEA counselling (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in). Cutoffs here are high and competitive. (2) Management quota — 15% of private college seats, filled by college management outside KEA. NMC minimum: 200 marks General. Individual colleges set higher benchmarks. (3) AIQ (All India Quota) — 15% of government college seats go to the national pool via MCC. Karnataka students compete nationally for AIQ — higher cutoffs than state quota.
NMC Minimum Qualifying Marks — NEET 2026
These are the absolute floors set by the National Medical Commission. Scoring at or above these marks makes you NEET qualified — but does not guarantee any college admission through KEA state quota.
| Category | Minimum Percentile | Approx Minimum Marks (out of 720) | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 50th percentile | ~200 marks | MBBS, BDS management quota minimum |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th percentile | ~150 marks | MBBS, BDS management quota minimum |
| General – PH (PWD) | 45th percentile | ~175 marks | PH category seats |
| OBC/SC/ST – PH | 40th percentile | ~150 marks | PH category seats |
These are NMC eligibility minimums — not KEA counselling cutoffs. KEA state quota cutoffs are significantly higher due to competition. Verify exact qualifying marks at nta.ac.in after results.
NEET Cutoff — Karnataka Government Medical Colleges (State Quota, Approx)
Government college seats are the most competitive — lowest fees (₹20K–₹1.5L/year) and highest demand. These are state quota cutoffs for Karnataka domicile candidates through KEA:
| Government College | City | General (approx) | OBC (approx) | SC/ST (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI) | Bangalore | 580+ | 540+ | 490+ |
| Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI) | Mysuru | 560+ | 520+ | 470+ |
| Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) | Hubli | 550+ | 510+ | 460+ |
| Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) | Ballari | 520+ | 480+ | 440+ |
| Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) | Hassan | 520+ | 480+ | 435+ |
| Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) | Shimoga | 510+ | 470+ | 430+ |
| Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) | Raichur | 490+ | 455+ | 420+ |
| Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) | Gadag | 480+ | 445+ | 410+ |
Service Bond — Government Colleges: All government medical college MBBS seats carry a mandatory 1-year rural service bond post-graduation. Penalty for non-completion: ₹15–30 lakhs. Confirm exact terms with KEA before accepting.
NEET Cutoff — Karnataka Private Medical Colleges (KEA State Quota, Approx)
| College | City | General (approx) | OBC (approx) | SC/ST (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (KMC) | Mangalore | 640+ | 600+ | 550+ |
| MS Ramaiah Medical College | Bangalore | 620+ | 580+ | 530+ |
| JSS Medical College | Mysuru | 600+ | 560+ | 510+ |
| Father Muller Medical College | Mangalore | 570+ | 530+ | 480+ |
| Yenepoya Medical College | Mangalore | 560+ | 520+ | 470+ |
| K.S. Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA) | Mangalore | 555+ | 515+ | 465+ |
| A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences (AJIMS) | Mangalore | 540+ | 500+ | 460+ |
| KIMS Bangalore | Bangalore | 540+ | 500+ | 455+ |
| St John's Medical College | Bangalore | 535+ | 495+ | 450+ |
| Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences | Bangalore | 525+ | 490+ | 445+ |
| KLE Academy JNMC | Belagavi | 530+ | 490+ | 450+ |
| JJM Medical College | Davangere | 510+ | 475+ | 435+ |
Management Quota — Practical NEET Benchmarks by College
Management quota has no KEA counselling — colleges set their own minimum above the NMC floor of 200 marks (General):
| College | City | Practical Mgmt Quota Minimum (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMC Mangalore | Mangalore | 640+ | Most competitive in Karnataka |
| MS Ramaiah | Bangalore | 550+ | Deemed university |
| JSS Medical College | Mysuru | 500+ | Deemed university |
| Father Muller | Mangalore | 480+ | RGUHS affiliated, lower for Christian minority |
| Yenepoya | Mangalore | 480+ | Deemed, lower for Muslim minority |
| KSHEMA | Mangalore | 470+ | Deemed (NITTE) |
| KIMS Bangalore | Bangalore | 470+ | RGUHS affiliated |
| Vydehi / St John's | Bangalore | 450-460+ | RGUHS affiliated |
| AJIMS Mangalore | Mangalore | 450+ | RGUHS affiliated — most accessible in Mangalore |
| Sapthagiri / RajaRajeswari | Bangalore | 440+ | RGUHS affiliated — most accessible in Bangalore |
NEET Cutoff for BDS Dental Colleges in Karnataka (Approx)
BDS NEET cutoffs are typically 100–150 marks lower than MBBS for the same seat category:
| College | City | KEA State Quota General (approx) | Mgmt Quota Minimum (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Dental College Bangalore | Bangalore | 450+ | Govt quota only |
| Yenepoya Dental College | Mangalore | 420+ | 380+ |
| AB Shetty Memorial Dental College (NITTE) | Mangalore | 400+ | 370+ |
| SDM College of Dental Sciences | Dharwad | 400+ | 360+ |
| Dayananda Sagar Dental College | Bangalore | 380+ | 340+ |
| JSS Dental College Mysuru | Mysuru | 390+ | 350+ |
Special Categories That Affect Karnataka NEET Cutoffs
- Hyderabad-Karnataka (HK) reservation: Students from Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Ballari and Koppal districts get additional reserved seats under Article 371(J). HK category cutoffs are typically 30–50 marks lower than Open category for the same college. Apply with a valid HK domicile certificate before KEA registration.
- Kannada-medium reservation: 5% additional reservation for students who studied in Kannada-medium schools. Effective cutoffs are lower for this sub-category. Requires a school certificate confirming Kannada-medium instruction.
- Christian minority quota: Father Muller Medical College and St John's Medical College have Christian minority reserved seats. NEET requirements are lower for minority applicants at these specific colleges.
- Muslim minority quota: Yenepoya Medical College reserves seats for Muslim minority candidates. Similar lower NEET requirement for minority applicants.
What to Do Based on Your NEET Score — Honest Assessment
| NEET Score | Realistic Options | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| 600+ | Government MBBS through KEA, top private RGUHS colleges | KEA option-filling strategy, choice of government college |
| 500–599 | Private RGUHS colleges (state quota), some management quota | KEA + management quota parallel tracking |
| 400–499 | Management quota private colleges, BDS state quota | Management quota timing, COMED-K, BDS as alternative |
| 300–399 | Some management quota (if 200+), BDS, consider alternatives | BDS at accessible colleges, BSc Nursing, BPT |
| 200–299 | Very limited management quota only, primarily alternatives | BSc Nursing (KCET), BPT, B.Pharma, GNM |
Data Accuracy Warning: All cutoffs on this page are approximate estimates based on historical KEA allotment data. Actual 2026 cutoffs will depend on NEET-UG 2026 score distribution, seat availability and KEA counselling round patterns. Always verify final cutoffs at the official KEA portal: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. Our counsellors track actual cutoffs in real time during KEA counselling season — contact us after NEET-UG 2026 results for current data.
NEET Cutoff Karnataka — Common Questions
Approximate General category state quota cutoffs: BMCRI Bangalore 580+, Mysore Medical College 560+, KIMS Hubli 550+, VIMS Ballary 520+, HIMS Hassan 520+, SIMS Shimoga 510+, RIMS Raichur 490+. These are estimates based on recent KEA data. Actual 2026 cutoffs depend on score distribution — verify at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after NEET-UG 2026 results. Note: government seats carry a mandatory 1-year rural service bond (₹15–30L penalty for non-completion).
NMC floor: 200 marks General, 150 marks SC/ST/OBC/PWD. Practical requirements by college: KMC Mangalore 640+, MS Ramaiah 550+, JSS Mysuru 500+, Father Muller/Yenepoya 480+, KIMS Bangalore 470+, AJIMS Mangalore 450+, Sapthagiri/RajaRajeswari Bangalore 440+. Contact us with your exact score — we give you a realistic shortlist, not a generic list of 30 colleges.
BDS cutoffs are typically 100–150 marks lower than MBBS. Government BDS (Bangalore Government Dental College): 450+ General. Private colleges state quota: Yenepoya Dental 420+, AB Shetty NITTE Mangalore 400+, SDM Dharwad 400+, Dayananda Sagar Bangalore 380+. Management quota minimum: 200 marks General (same NMC rule). BDS management quota fees: ₹40–80L full course. A strong alternative for NEET scores in the 350–450 range.
AIQ (All India Quota): 15% of government college seats go to the national pool via MCC counselling — Karnataka students compete with all India candidates. AIQ cutoffs are typically 20–40 marks higher than Karnataka state quota for the same college. Karnataka state quota: 85% of government seats — only Karnataka domicile candidates compete, so cutoffs are lower. Private college seats (50% state quota via KEA, 15% management, 15% NRI) operate independently of the AIQ system.
Below 350: MBBS government quota is not realistic. MBBS management quota is possible above 200 marks but fees will be ₹65L+ at lower-ranked colleges. Better options: BDS (requires NEET, cutoffs 100-150 marks lower than MBBS), BSc Nursing (KCET not NEET — strong career, growing demand), BPT Physiotherapy (NEET not required, 4.5 years), B.Pharma (NEET not required), GNM Nursing (diploma, faster entry). We give honest guidance — we tell you when MBBS isn't realistic at your score and budget.
Yes. Students from 6 HK districts (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Ballari, Koppal) get reserved seats under Article 371(J) with effectively 30–50 marks lower cutoffs than Open category for the same college. Apply for HK domicile certificate before KEA registration. This reservation significantly improves college options for eligible candidates — especially for government medical colleges in these districts.
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How to Read NEET Cutoffs — Karnataka 2026
NEET cutoffs for Karnataka are published by KEA at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in after each counselling round. These are the official, legally binding cutoff data — not estimates from coaching centres.
- Round 1 cutoff: Last NEET rank allotted in Round 1. Students below this rank in Round 1 may still get seats in later rounds if better-ranked candidates upgrade or leave.
- Final cutoff: Last rank who actually joined after all rounds. Most accurate competition indicator.
- Category cutoffs: SC, ST, Category 1 (OBC Karnataka), 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B all have separate cutoffs. Reserved category cutoffs fill at higher rank numbers than General Merit.
- HK Quota: Six Hyderabad-Karnataka districts (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari) have special seats under Article 371(J).
Qualifying Score vs Admission Score — Critical Difference
Students often confuse these two:
- NEET qualifying cutoff: Minimum score to be eligible for MBBS/BDS counselling. For General: 50th percentile (approximately 138 marks). Clearing this does NOT guarantee any admission.
- NEET admission cutoff: The actual score/rank at which seats fill in specific colleges. Karnataka government MBBS seats fill at 600-700+ marks for General Merit. Even the least competitive private RGUHS state quota MBBS in Karnataka typically requires 450+ marks for General category.
Government College Cutoff Ranges Karnataka
| College | City | General Closing Rank (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| BMCRI Bangalore | Bangalore | Top 100 state ranks |
| MMCRI Mysuru | Mysuru | Top 200-400 |
| KIMS Hubli | Hubli | Top 300-500 |
| VIMS Ballari | Ballari | Top 400-700 |
| HIMS Hassan | Hassan | Top 600-900 |
| SIMS Shimoga | Shimoga | Top 700-1000 |
How to Use Cutoff Data for Choice Filling
- Download KEA official previous year closing rank data from cetonline.karnataka.gov.in
- Identify your NEET 2026 state rank from NTA results
- Find colleges where your rank is better than previous year closing rank
- Add 500-1000 rank safety margin (cutoffs shift year to year)
- Include both government and private RGUHS colleges in preference list
- Fill preferences in genuine priority order
Related Resources
- MBBS Admission Karnataka 2026
- MBBS Fees Karnataka
- Management Quota Karnataka
- MBBS Colleges Bangalore
- Karnataka Medical Colleges
Updated: May 2026. Sourced from KEA Karnataka (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in). 2026 cutoffs published after NEET UG results. Verify before choice filling.
NEET 2026 — Karnataka-Specific Preparation Strategy
Karnataka produces consistently high NEET scorers from both CBSE and Karnataka state board students. Key preparation points for Karnataka students specifically targeting state quota seats:
- Karnataka state board vs CBSE: NEET is based on NCERT syllabus. Karnataka Pre-University Board (PUB) syllabus has some differences from NCERT. Karnataka state board students must specifically cover NCERT Biology topics not in PUB syllabus — particularly certain chapters in Class 12 Biology (Biotechnology, Ecology sections have detailed NCERT content beyond PUB).
- KEA NEET state rank vs All India rank: Karnataka issues a separate state merit rank for Karnataka domicile students for state quota allocation. Your All India NEET rank is used for AIQ seats. Your state rank determines state quota allotment in KEA counselling. Both ranks are issued after NEET results — they are different numbers.
- When to register for KEA: Immediately after NEET results. KEA NEET counselling registration opens within 1-2 weeks of results. Late registration means missing Round 1 — a significant disadvantage in competitive seats.
NEET Cutoff Trends — Karnataka 2020 to 2024
General trend observed in Karnataka NEET counselling over recent cycles:
- BMCRI Bangalore General Merit cutoff has consistently been within the top 100-150 Karnataka state ranks — the most competitive MBBS seat in Karnataka state quota
- Government college cutoffs have been rising approximately 1-3% annually in terms of NEET marks required — reflecting increased competition
- Private RGUHS state quota cutoffs for mid-tier colleges have been more stable — fluctuating within a 10-15% rank range year to year
- Management quota seats have remained accessible at NEET qualifying scores (138 marks General) throughout, reflecting their commercial nature
These are observed trends, not official data. For official year-wise cutoff data, access KEA previous year allotment records at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
NEET Preparation Resources — Official
- NCERT textbooks: Class 11 and 12 Biology, Physics and Chemistry — the primary and most reliable preparation resource
- NTA official mock tests: Available at nta.ac.in — free, authentic exam format practice
- NTA NEET syllabus: Published annually at nta.ac.in — verify current year syllabus before exam
- Previous year NEET question papers: Available on NTA website
Special Categories — Karnataka NEET Counselling
Karnataka NEET counselling has multiple special categories beyond the standard GM, SC, ST, OBC:
- NRI quota: 15% of private medical college seats for NRI/OCI/PIO candidates. Higher fees, no NEET cutoff requirement beyond qualifying marks.
- Kannada medium students: Some states have Kannada medium reservation — verify with KEA whether such provisions exist in current year notification.
- Differently abled (PWD): 5% horizontal reservation across all categories. NEET qualifying cutoff is 45th percentile for PWD General, 40th percentile for PWD SC/ST/OBC.
- Children of Karnataka government employees: Some notifications include institutional preferences — verify in KEA notification.
KEA NEET Counselling — How Closing Ranks Are Published
KEA publishes closing ranks after each counselling round at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. The allotment data shows: college name, programme, category, and the last rank allotted in that round. Access the previous year's allotment data from the KEA portal — it is publicly available and is the most reliable source for cutoff trend analysis. Coaching institute cutoff compilations are secondary sources that may have errors — always cross-reference with official KEA allotment data.
Updated: May 2026. Source: KEA Karnataka (cetonline.karnataka.gov.in).
Official NEET cutoff data published by KEA after each counselling round at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. NEET qualifying percentile for each category published annually at National Medical Commission (nmc.org.in).