BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024: Category-wise Cut off for OBC, SC, ST, and General
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) remains one of the most sought-after professional courses in India after MBBS. As thousands of seats available across government and private dental colleges, admission to BDS is strictly based on NEET UG scores. The results were declared on June 14, 2025 marking the beginning of the admission process for various medical and dental programs across India.
This year, the qualifying cut-off for the General category was set between 686 and 144, while for reserved categories like OBC, SC, and ST, it ranged from 143 to 113. The past trends indicate that students scoring between 550 and 570 stand a good chance of securing a BDS seat under the general category. For OBC candidates, the expected range is 520–540, and for SC/ST, it falls between 350 and 420. As counselling begins, candidates can use these benchmarks to assess their admission prospects more clearly.
NEET 2025 BDS Cut Off
How Many Marks are Required in NEET for BDS?
To get a BDS seat through NEET UG 2025, students need a decent score, but it depends on their category and the type of college. General category students usually need more than 550 marks for government colleges. OBC students may get a seat with marks above 520, while SC and ST students often have chances with scores around 350 to 400. The exact marks needed can change every year, but a higher score always improves the chances of getting admission to a good dental college.
Also Read: NEET UG Counselling 2024: Registration, Schedule, Fees, and Required Documents
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NEET 2025 BDS Cutoff for Government Colleges
The NEET BDS cutoff for government colleges in 2025 was competitive due to high demand and limited seats. These cutoffs vary each year based on factors like seat availability, difficulty level of the exam, and number of applicants. This year, out of over 22 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam, around 12.36 lakh have qualified, making the competition tougher and cutoffs more selective for dental seats in government institutions.
The table below highlights the BDS government college NEET cut off rank for 2024.
Also Read: BDS Course Fees: Top Colleges, Admissions, Eligibility & Career
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NEET 2025 BDS Cutoff for Private Colleges
Did you know that there are over 329 dental colleges in India, of which more than 100 are private institutions? The BDS cutoff for NEET 2024 in private colleges generally differs from that of government institutions due to the availability of more seats and variations in the fee structure.
The table below highlights the BDS cutoff rank for some of the top private colleges in 2024.
Alongside government institutions, it's important to understand the NEET 2024 BDS cutoff for private colleges, as many students opt for these due to limited government seats.
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NEET BDS 2025 Expected Cutoff for Top Colleges
The NEET BDS 2025 expected cutoff for top dental colleges is likely to be high because of strong competition and many students qualifying. Top government dental colleges usually need higher NEET scores and better ranks for admission. The All India Quota allows students to apply for seats in government medical and dental colleges across different states, not just their own. These seats are filled through national-level counselling based on NEET rank, giving students a chance to study outside their home state.
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), Delhi – BDS Course
Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai – BDS Course
Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai – BDS Course
Government Dental College, Bangalore – BDS Course
Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College, Kolkata – BDS Course
What is the Use of BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024?
The BDS cutoff for NEET 2025 helps decide if a student is eligible for admission to BDS courses in government and private colleges.
Here are the primary uses of the BDS cutoff.
Eligibility Check: Shows the minimum marks needed to qualify for BDS.
Category Wise Cutoff: Different cutoffs for General, OBC, SC, and ST
College Options: Helps students know which colleges they can get into.
Seat Allotment: Used to assign seats under national and state quotas.
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Factors Affecting BDS Cutoff for NEET 2025
Several factors influence the cut-off scores for BDS programs in NEET 2025. Understanding these factors is essential for students aiming to secure a place in a dental college, as it can help them strategise their preparation and application process.
Number of Applicants
The total number of students appearing for NEET can affect the cut-off scores. A higher number of applicants generally leads to increased competition, which can raise the cut-off scores.
Difficulty Level of the Exam
The overall difficulty of the NEET exam influences the cut-off scores. If the exam is more challenging, it might result in lower cut-offs as fewer students achieve high marks.
Seat Availability
The number of BDS seats available in dental colleges affects the cut-offs. Fewer seats generally lead to higher cut-off scores due to increased competition.
Reservation Policies
Reservation policies for different categories (General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS) affect the cut-off scores for various categories.
Previous Year Trends:
Previous year trends give an idea of how high the cutoff might be. They also help students know what score they may need to get admission.
NEET BDS 2025: Opening and Closing Ranks
The opening ranks for BDS seats under the All India Quota(AIQ) usually fall within the top few thousand, meaning only high scorers get the first few seats. Closing ranks go much higher, depending on how many seats are available and the category of the student.
For OBC, SC, and ST categories, the closing ranks are higher than the general category. OBC students may get seats with ranks up to 8,000, while SC and ST candidates can get admission with ranks between 25,000 and 70,000. However, the competition is tough for everyone.
NEET BDS 2025 Expected Opening & Closing Ranks (AIQ – 15%)
NEET 2025 Marks vs Ranks
Here’s a clear summary of the NEET 2025 marks vs rank data, helping you understand where your score might place you in the All India ranking:
NEET 2025 Expected Marks vs Rank
Understanding the relationship between marks and rank in NEET 2025 is crucial for predicting college admission chances. Here's an expected breakdown of marks vs rank to help students plan their options effectively.
650–700 marks → Expected Rank: Top 500
600–649 marks → Expected Rank: 500 to 1,000
550–599 marks → Expected Rank: 1,000 to 5,000
500–549 marks → Expected Rank: 5,000 to 10,000
450–499 marks → Expected Rank: 10,000 to 40,000
400–449 marks → Expected Rank: 40,000 to 90,000
350–399 marks → Expected Rank: Above 90,000
NEET BDS 2025 Good Score
A good NEET BDS 2025 score generally starts from around 550 marks and above, especially for government dental colleges. Here's a breakdown by category:
General Category: A score of 550–600+ is considered strong for securing a BDS seat.
OBC: Scores between 540–565 are usually competitive.
SC/ST: A range of 470–510 marks can offer good chances at reputed dental colleges.
Unsure which BDS college you might get? Use the NEET College Predictor 2025 to explore more options.
Colleges Accepting NEET BDS Score
Several top government and private dental colleges in India accept NEET BDS scores for admission into Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programs.
Here’s a list of some well-known colleges that consider NEET BDS scores:
Top Government Dental Colleges:
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (Delhi)
Government Dental College & Hospital (Mumbai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad)
Nair Hospital Dental College (Mumbai)
Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College (Kolkata)
Government Dental College, Bangalore
Top Private Dental Colleges:
Manipal College of Dental Sciences (Manipal, Mangalore)
SRM Dental College (Chennai)
Saveetha Dental College (Chennai)
DY Patil Dental College (Pune, Navi Mumbai)
Bapuji Dental College (Davangere)
Understanding the cutoff trends is just the first step, check out our guide on the Top BDS Colleges in India to make an informed decision for your dental career.
Minimal Documentation. Higher Chances of Approval. Easy Online Processes. Check Your Eligibility.
What is the minimum number for BDS in NEET?
Securing admission to a BDS course depends largely on your NEET score and category. Here's a quick overview of the expected minimum marks required for government dental colleges.
NEET Cutoff for the Past 5 Years
Each year, the NEET cutoff fluctuates based on several factors. Reviewing the past NEET cutoffs, you can identify the minimum scores required for different categories (General, OBC, SC, ST) and get insights into how to aim for higher ranks.
Below is a breakdown of the NEET cutoff trends from 2019 to 2023, with category-wise details
BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024
BDS Cut off for NEET 2023
The table below highlights the NEET score for BDS government colleges for the NEET 2023 exam.
BDS Cut off for NEET 2022
Here’s a table highlighting the NEET score for BDS government colleges for the NEET 2022 exam.
BDS Cut off for NEET 2021
Here’s a table highlighting the NEET score for BDS government colleges for the NEET 2021 exam.
BDS Cut off for NEET 2020
The table below highlights the BDS government college NEET cut off for the NEET 2020 exam.
BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024: Top AIQ Colleges
The All India Quota (AIQ) refers to a set percentage of seats reserved for students from across India, excluding those from the state where the college is located. Understanding these cut-offs is essential for students aiming to secure admission to prestigious dental institutions under AIQ seats.
Here’s a closer look at the cut-off scores for BDS programs in top AIQ dental colleges.
Also Read: Latest update on NEET Counseling Seat Allotment Result 2024
Analysis of NEET BDS Cut Off Data (2024–2020) for Top Government Colleges
Over the years, NEET BDS cutoffs for top government colleges have steadily increased due to rising competition and limited seats. In 2020, general category students could get top colleges with around 500–510 marks, but by 2024, the required score rose to 560+.
OBC cutoffs followed a similar trend, ranging between 540–555, while SC/ST students needed around 470–500 marks by 2024. The overall rise in applicants has also pushed closing ranks lower, with top colleges now closing under 7,000 rank for general candidates.
NEET BDS Qualifying Cut Off Trends: Marks (2024–2020)
The NEET BDS cutoff trends from 2020 to 2024 highlight shifting patterns in competition and student performance. A closer look reveals how factors like exam difficulty and preparation levels have impacted qualifying marks across categories.
Lowest Cutoff Recorded in 2022:Cutoff scores were at their lowest, possibly due to tougher paper difficulty or lower average performance.
Upward Trend in 2023 and 2024:Increased scores suggest stiffer competition and improved student preparation in recent years.
General Category Remains Most Competitive: Always records the highest cutoff, reflecting strong demand and limited seats.
Consistent Pattern in PwD Categories:PwD candidates’ cutoff trends closely align with their parent categories, showing consistency and fairness.
Reserved Categories: Cutoffs :for SC, ST, and OBC groups have also increased gradually, indicating better performance.
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BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024: Tie-Breaking Criteria
Tie-breaking criteria are rules applied to decide the rank of candidates who obtained the same NEET exam score. These criteria ensure that admissions are conducted fairly and transparently, giving each candidate a chance based on additional parameters.
For the BDS Cutoff for NEET 2024 admissions, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied.

Higher Marks in Biology
Candidates with higher marks in the Biology section of the NEET exam are given preference.
Higher Marks in Chemistry
If the tie persists, the next criterion is the marks obtained in Chemistry.
Higher Marks in Physics
If candidates still have the same score, the marks in Physics are considered.
Fewer Incorrect Responses
If ties persist even after considering the above criteria, candidates with fewer incorrect responses will be prioritised.
Understanding the BDS cutoff for NEET 2024 is crucial for aspiring dental students aiming to secure a seat in India’s competitive dental colleges. By analysing past trends and current cutoffs, you can better aim for the scores needed for admission. Knowing these cutoffs and the tie-breaking criteria will help you strategise effectively whether you're eyeing a government or private dental college.
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