Big Changes in NEET MDS 2025: What the Lower Cutoff Means for Aspirants
If you're chasing an MDS seat this year, here's the news that's shaking things up. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) just slashed the qualifying percentile for the NEET MDS 2025 exam. We're talking about a cut of 19.863 percentile points across the board. This isn't just a minor tweak—it's a move that gives thousands of dental graduates a fresh shot at snagging a seat.
So, why did this happen now? The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, along with the Dental Council of India, stepped in after seeing rows of vacant MDS seats despite the main counselling getting underway. Authorities feared that sticking to the original cutoff would leave many of these seats empty, so they lowered the bar to ensure as many spots get filled as possible for the 2025-26 academic session.
Let me break down the new numbers, because they matter. Those in the General category (Unreserved and EWS) now need to score just the NEET MDS 2025 percentile of 30.137 to qualify—that’s a huge dip from the earlier 50 percentile. In actual numbers, this comes out to 197 marks out of 960. If you're a General-PwBD candidate, the cutoff moves from 45 percentile to just 25.137 percentile, meaning you need 182 marks. For SC, ST, OBC candidates (including PwBD in these groups), the bar is even lower: a 20.137 percentile, compared to the earlier 40. This works out to only 168 marks needed.
What Remains the Same and What’s Next?
Now, if you were worried about your rank getting shuffled because of this cutoff change—relax. NBEMS confirmed that the ranks published back in May stay exactly as they are. The only thing changing is that more candidates are moving from "not qualified" to "qualified," giving lots of folks a real chance to participate in the rest of the counselling rounds.
Your seat isn't confirmed just by making the new cutoff, though. You still need to tick off everything in the eligibility checklist—like the NEET MDS 2025 Information Bulletin requirements, and biometric or Face ID verification if asked. So don't get complacent about any part of the process.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is still running the show for MDS seat allotment. Details of exactly how these new cutoffs will play out in the ongoing counselling aren't out yet, but it’s clear more people are in the mix now. If you’re in the running, keep an eye on the MCC website for updates. A single notification can change your counselling schedule or seat options overnight.
All of this follows the framework set in the 2017 MDS Regulations (and its 2018 update). The NEET MDS 2025 test itself happened on April 19, and anyone hoping to join must have completed their internship by June 30—so make sure you've got your paperwork sorted.
If you're stuck or unsure where you stand, NBEMS has a helpline: just call 011-45593000 or use their Communication Web Portal online. With less than a month left in counselling, now is the time to double-check exam paperwork, stay glued to the official portals, and be ready to act fast once seat allotment notices drop. The lowered cutoff means fresh hope for many who thought they'd missed their shot, and it could turn the remaining seat vacuum into a packed classroom this year.
