The minimum qualifying percentile for admission to AIIMS MBBS (now conducted through NEET-UG) is determined based on category and is subject to changes each year depending on the overall performance of candidates. Below is a detailed explanation of the qualifying percentile and its implications:
- General Qualifying Percentile
Candidates in the General (Unreserved) category must secure at least the 50th percentile in the NEET-UG exam to be eligible for AIIMS MBBS admission.
Percentile represents the relative performance of a candidate compared to others and is different from percentage marks.
- Category-Wise Minimum Percentile
For candidates belonging to the OBC/SC/ST/EWS categories, the minimum required percentile is 40th percentile.
For PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates, the required percentile is typically 45th percentile for General-PwD and 40th percentile for reserved-PwD categories.
- Tie-Breaking Criteria
In cases where two or more candidates secure the same percentile, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied in NEET-UG, which indirectly affects AIIMS admissions:
Higher marks in Biology.
Higher marks in Chemistry.
Fewer incorrect answers in all subjects.
Age (candidate with higher age is given preference).
- AIIMS College-Specific Cutoff Percentiles
AIIMS Delhi, being the most sought-after institute, typically has much higher admission cutoff marks than the minimum qualifying percentile.
AIIMS campuses in other cities like Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar, and Rishikesh may have lower cutoffs but still require competitive scores, as admission is based on an All India Rank (AIR) list prepared after NEET results.
- Factors Influencing the Cutoff
Total number of candidates appearing for NEET.
Difficulty level of the exam.
Number of available seats in AIIMS and other medical colleges.
Category-wise reservation policies.
- Significance of the Percentile
The minimum qualifying percentile ensures that candidates meet a basic level of competency.
Simply meeting the qualifying percentile does not guarantee admission, as AIIMS MBBS seats are allocated based on ranks and merit.
- Expected Percentile Trends
Recent NEET data suggests that the cutoff percentile roughly translates to the following scores (approximate):
General: 700-720 marks for top AIIMS campuses.
OBC/SC/ST: 650+ marks for competitive admissions.
This may vary depending on the year’s exam pattern and candidate performance.
- Reservation and Seat Allocation
AIIMS adheres to strict reservation policies:
15% seats for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 27% for OBC-NCL.
10% seats for EWS (Economically Weaker Section).
Horizontal reservation for PwD candidates is also applicable.
For the latest updates and details on admission criteria and percentiles, candidates should refer to:
The official NEET-UG website (https://neet.nta.nic.in).
AIIMS admissions notifications through its official website (https://aiimsexams.ac.in).
Pro-Tip:
To aim for admission to AIIMS, strive for a percentile much higher than the minimum. For AIIMS Delhi, candidates typically need to be among the top 0.1% scorers nationwide.