Understanding the NEET cutoff is crucial for those aiming to pursue a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). The cutoff determines eligibility for admission into various dental colleges across the country. This article delves into the specifics of the BDS cutoff for NEET 2024, providing insights into expected scores, category-wise breakdowns, and factors influencing these thresholds.
What is the NEET BDS Cutoff?
The NEET BDS cutoff is the minimum score that candidates must achieve to qualify for admission into BDS programs. This cutoff varies annually based on several factors, including the number of applicants, exam difficulty, and available seats. The cutoff is categorized based on reservation policies, with different thresholds set for General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories.
Expected NEET 2024 BDS Cutoff Scores
While the official NEET 2024 results are yet to be released, we can anticipate the cutoff scores by analysing previous years’ trends. Here’s an overview of the expected qualifying marks for NEET 2024:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Expected Qualifying Marks |
| General (UR) | 50th Percentile | 720 – 137 |
| SC/ST/OBC | 40th Percentile | 136 – 107 |
| General – PwD | 45th Percentile | 136 – 121 |
| SC/ST/OBC – PwD | 40th Percentile | 120 – 107 |
These expected scores are based on historical data and may vary with the official release.
Factors Influencing the NEET BDS Cutoff
Several elements play a role in determining the NEET BDS cutoff each year:
- Number of Applicants: An increase in the number of candidates can raise the competition, potentially leading to higher cutoff scores.
- Exam Difficulty: A more challenging exam may result in lower average scores, which could decrease the cutoff.
- Seat Availability: The total number of BDS seats available influences the cutoff. More seats can lead to a lower cutoff and vice versa.
- Reservation Policies: Government-mandated reservations for various categories affect the distribution of seats and, consequently, the cutoff scores for each category.
Previous Years’ NEET BDS Cutoff Trends
Analysing past cutoff trends provides valuable insights into what candidates can expect. Here’s a summary of the NEET BDS cutoff for the years 2020 to 2023:
| Year | General (UR) Marks | SC/ST/OBC Marks | General – PwD Marks | SC/ST/OBC – PwD Marks |
| 2023 | 720-137 | 136-107 | 136-121 | 120-107 |
| 2022 | 715-117 | 116-93 | 116-105 | 104-93 |
| 2021 | 720-138 | 137-108 | 137-122 | 121-108 |
| 2020 | 720-147 | 146-113 | 146-129 | 128-113 |
These trends indicate fluctuations in cutoff scores, influenced by the factors mentioned earlier.
NEET 2024 BDS Cutoff for Government Colleges
Securing admission into government dental colleges is highly competitive due to their affordability and quality of education. The expected cutoff ranks for top government dental colleges under the All-India Quota (AIQ) in NEET 2024 are as follows:
| College Name | Expected Opening Rank | Expected Closing Rank | Expected NEET Score Range |
| Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi | 3,900 | 8,500 | 630–640 |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Jaipur | 15,500 | 16,500 | 610–615 |
| UP King George’s University of Dental Science, Lucknow | 9,500 | 22,200 | 605–610 |
| SCB Dental College and Hospital, Cuttack | 5,500 | 10,600 | 600–605 |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur | 20,000 | 21,000 | 595–600 |
| Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai | 13,200 | 27,300 | 590–595 |
| Government Dental College, Trivandrum | 10,000 | 21,000 | 600–610 |
| Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai | 11,800 | 27,800 | 585–595 |
| Himachal Pradesh Government Dental College, Shimla | 7,800 | 22,300 | 600–605 |
| ESIC Dental College, Gulbarga | 23,500 | 28,700 | 580–590 |
These ranks and scores are projections based on previous years’ data and may vary with the official 2024 results.
NEET 2024 BDS Cutoff for Private Colleges
Private dental colleges often have different cutoff trends compared to government institutions. Generally, the cutoff scores for private colleges are lower, but they vary based on the college’s reputation and location. Here’s an expected overview:
| Category | Expected NEET Score Range |
| General (UR) | 450–500 |
| OBC | 400–450 |
| SC/ST | 350–400 |
It’s important to note that some private colleges may have higher cutoffs due to demand and prestige.
State-wise NEET 2024 BDS Cutoff
Each state in India conducts its counselling for the 85% state quota seats, leading to variations in cutoff scores across states. Factors such as the number of dental colleges, seat availability, and the applicant pool influence these cutoffs. Candidates are advised to refer to their respective state’s counselling authority for precise information.
Steps to Check NEET 2024 BDS Cutoff
Once the NEET 2024 results are announced, candidates can follow these steps to check the official BDS cutoff:
- Visit the Official NEET Website: Navigate to the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) official NEET portal.
- Find the Cutoff Link: Look for the link titled ‘NEET
- Select the Relevant Category and College Type: Since cutoffs vary based on categories (General, SC, ST, OBC, PwD) and college types (Government, Private, Deemed Universities), ensure you select the appropriate filters.
- Download the Cutoff PDF: NTA usually releases a PDF containing cutoff marks, ranks, and other relevant details. Download and review this document.
- Refer to State Counselling Websites: If you are applying under the 85% state quota, check the respective state counselling authority’s website for official cutoff details.
- Compare with Previous Year Trends: If you are on the borderline of the expected cutoff, comparing with past trends can help you gauge your chances of admission.
NEET 2024 BDS Admission Process
Once candidates meet the cutoff, the admission process follows these key steps:
- Counselling Registration
- Candidates must register for the NEET counselling process, which is conducted separately for the All-India Quota (AIQ) and state quota.
- The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages AIQ counselling, while state authorities handle their respective state quota admissions.
- Choice Filling and Locking
- Candidates need to select their preferred dental colleges based on their rank and cutoff scores.
- Once the options are locked, they cannot be modified.
- Seat Allotment
- Seats are allotted based on NEET rank, category, and availability.
- The allotment results are published online, and candidates must confirm their acceptance.
- Document Verification
- After seat allotment, candidates must verify their documents at designated centres. Required documents include:
- NEET 2024 Scorecard
- Admit Card
- Class 10th & 12th Mark Sheets
- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, etc.)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Reporting to College
- Finally, candidates must report to their allotted dental college within the stipulated deadline to complete the admission process.
Conclusion
The BDS cutoff for NEET 2024 will play a crucial role in determining admissions to dental colleges across India. By understanding the expected cutoff trends, factors affecting them, and the admission process, candidates can make informed decisions. Keeping track of official notifications from NTA and state authorities is essential to avoid missing out on any updates.