NEET 2026 Counselling for SC/ST: Reservation & Seat Matrix
It is very important for SC and ST candidates to take full benefit of reservation in NEET 2026 counselling. If you belong to the SC or ST category, you get many advantages in NEET counselling - lower cutoff marks, reserved seats, and lower fees.
In this guide, we will tell you in detail about SC/ST reservation, seat matrix, cutoff marks, documents, and state-wise variations.
SC/ST Reservation in NEET 2026 Counselling
In NEET counselling, different reservation percentages apply for SC and ST candidates:
- **SC (Scheduled Caste):** 15% reservation in AIQ counselling
- **ST (Scheduled Tribe):** 7.5% reservation in AIQ counselling
This reservation applies to both AIQ (All India Quota) and State Quota. However, in some states, the reservation percentage may be different based on the SC/ST population.
AIQ Seat Matrix for SC/ST
Category | Reservation % | Approx Seats (of 15,000 AIQ MBBS seats) |
|---|---|---|
SC | 15% | ~2,250 seats |
ST | 7.5% | ~1,125 seats |
Total Reserved | 22.5% | ~3,375 seats |
Check your chances with your rank on our NEET College Predictor.
SC/ST Cutoff Marks for NEET 2026
Cutoff marks for SC/ST candidates are much lower than the General category. Here are the expected cutoff marks for NEET 2026:
AIQ Cutoff (Expected NEET 2026)
Category | Cutoff Percentile | Approx Marks (Out of 720) | Approx Rank Range |
|---|---|---|---|
SC | 40th percentile | ~120-130 | 9,00,000 - 10,00,000 |
ST | 40th percentile | ~100-110 | 10,00,000 - 11,00,000 |
SC-PwD | 40th percentile | ~100-110 | 11,00,000+ |
ST-PwD | 40th percentile | ~90-100 | 11,50,000+ |
Note: These are only estimated numbers. Actual cutoff marks will depend on the difficulty of NEET 2026 and the number of candidates.
State Wise SC/ST Cutoff Examples (2025 Reference)
State | SC Closing Rank (Govt College) | ST Closing Rank (Govt College) |
|---|---|---|
Uttar Pradesh | ~8,00,000 | ~9,50,000 |
Maharashtra | ~6,50,000 | ~8,00,000 |
Tamil Nadu | ~5,00,000 | ~6,50,000 |
Karnataka | ~7,00,000 | ~8,50,000 |
Rajasthan | ~7,50,000 | ~9,00,000 |
Madhya Pradesh | ~6,00,000 | ~7,50,000 |
Get state-wise detailed cutoff analysis from our Counselling experts.
SC/ST Document Requirements for NEET 2026
These documents are needed at the time of counselling registration:
Mandatory Documents
- **SC/ST Caste Certificate** - Issued by Tehsildar or SDM
- **NEET 2026 Scorecard** - Download from the official website
- **10th Marksheet** - Date of birth proof
- **12th Marksheet** - Academic qualification proof
- **Aadhaar Card** - Identity proof
- **Passport Size Photos** - 6 copies
- **Domicile Certificate** - Needed for state counselling
- **Income Certificate** - For tuition fee concession
SC/ST Certificate Format Requirements
- The certificate is acceptable in **Hindi or English**
- The certificate number must be visible
- The issuing authority's stamp and signature must be present
- The certificate must be issued **after 1 April 2026** (no need for a fresh certificate, it just needs to be valid)
- An old certificate is also valid if it does not have an expiry date
SC/ST Reservation: AIQ vs State Quota
All India Quota (AIQ)
- 15% SC + 7.5% ST reservation
- Seats are allocated at the All India level
- Central universities and some state colleges are included
- Online registration through MCC
State Quota
- SC/ST reservation percentage is different for each state
- **Example:** Tamil Nadu has SC 18%, ST 1% (based on population)
- **Example:** Odisha has SC 16%, ST 22% (higher tribal population)
- The state level counselling authority handles it
Our Counsellors can help you understand both AIQ and state quota options.
SC/ST Tuition Fees in Government Colleges
SC/ST candidates pay very low fees in government colleges:
College Type | General Fees (Annual) | SC/ST Fees (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
Government MBBS | ₹10,000 - ₹50,000 | ₹1,000 - ₹10,000 |
Semi-Government | ₹50,000 - ₹1,00,000 | ₹10,000 - ₹30,000 |
Central University | ₹5,000 - ₹20,000 | Free - ₹5,000 |
Compare fees across colleges on our Pricing page.
Step-by-Step: SC/ST Counselling Process 2026
Step 1: Check Eligibility
First, confirm that you have a valid SC/ST certificate and you have scored the minimum qualifying marks (40th percentile for SC/ST) in NEET 2026.
Step 2: Register for Counselling
- Register on the **MCC website** for AIQ counselling
- Register on the respective state counselling website for state counselling
- Pay the registration fee (lower fee for SC/ST)
Step 3: Document Upload
Scan and upload all your documents. Keep the quality of the SC/ST certificate good.
Step 4: Choice Filling
Make a list of your preferred colleges and courses. Then fill your choices.
Step 5: Seat Allotment
Check the result. If a seat is allotted, do the reporting.
Need help with step-by-step counselling? Book a Live Session with our experts.
SC/ST Scholarship Schemes
After admission in NEET 2026, SC/ST candidates can apply for these scholarships:
- **Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)** - Central Govt scheme
- **National Fellowship for Higher Education (NFHE)** - For SC students
- **National Overseas Scholarship** - For higher studies abroad
- **State-specific Scholarships** - Each state has its own schemes
Common Mistakes SC/ST Candidates Make
❌ Using an old certificate: Only use a certificate that is valid (it must not have an expiry date)
❌ Changing category: Some candidates think they will get a better college in General - but with SC/ST reservation, you may get a better college
❌ Lack of documents: Not keeping all documents ready before the deadline
❌ Wrong choice filling: Not filling choices correctly even with a low rank
Expert Tips for SC/ST Candidates
- **Use reservation fully:** 22.5% seats are reserved for SC/ST. You can get good government colleges.
- **Take advantage of lower cutoff:** You can get a seat with lower marks than General
- **Check previous year trends:** Look at last year's cutoff and make your strategy
- **Focus on state counselling:** Sometimes state counselling gives better options than AIQ
- **Claim fee concession:** SC/ST candidates get fee concession. Take advantage of it.
SC/ST Candidates Success Stories
Every year, thousands of SC/ST candidates get admission to top government colleges through NEET counselling. Because of the reservation system, you can get a good college even with a low rank.
Check our Helpdesk for more guidance or connect with our AIQ Counselling Experts who specialize in SC/ST counselling.
Need Personal Guidance?
If you are confused anywhere in the SC/ST counselling process, our expert counsellors can help you:
- Document verification
- Choice filling strategy
- College selection
- Scholarship guidance
Call our Helpdesk today or Book a Live Counselling Session for one-on-one guidance!
Want to check which colleges you can get with your SC/ST rank? Use our NEET College Predictor now!