What NEET Score Do You Need for Nursing Admission in South India? (2026)
One of the most common questions students ask is: "Is my NEET score enough for nursing?" The answer depends on the state, college, and admission category. Here's a clear breakdown.
NEET 2026 & Nursing Counselling — Current Status (Updated 10 June 2026)
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 re-exam | 21 June 2026, 2:00–5:15 PM (rescheduled after the 3 May exam was cancelled) |
| NEET UG 2026 results | Expected in the weeks after the re-exam — watch neet.nta.nic.in |
| MCC counselling (AIQ — MBBS/BDS/BSc Nursing) | Round 1 tentatively from 21 July 2026; Round 5 is exclusively for BDS / BSc Nursing seats |
| Karnataka (KEA) NEET-based nursing counselling | Follows NEET results — see our KCET/KEA guide for the live schedule |
| Kerala (LBS) BSc Nursing | Application window 17 May – 12 June 2026 — see our Kerala nursing guide |
Timelines are tentative until official notifications — confirm on neet.nta.nic.in and mcc.nic.in. Not sure what your score qualifies you for? Our counsellors check this free, against real cutoff data.
NEET Requirement for BSc Nursing
BSc Nursing requires a valid NEET UG score in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The minimum qualifying score is:
- General category: 107 marks (50th percentile)
- OBC/SC/ST: 97 marks (40th percentile)
This is just the qualifying minimum. For government quota seats, the competition is much higher.
Realistic NEET Cutoffs by State (2025 Reference)
Tamil Nadu — Government Quota (Merit)
- General: 400–500+
- OBC: 280–350
- SC/ST: 180–280
Tamil Nadu — Management Quota
- 107+ (minimum qualifying) often sufficient for private colleges
Kerala — Government Quota
- General: 450–550+
- OBC: 320–400
- SC/ST: 200–320
Kerala — Management Quota
- 119+ (minimum qualifying), most private colleges accept 120–200 for management seats
Karnataka — Government Quota (KEA)
- General: 400–500+
- OBC: 300–380
Karnataka — Management Quota
- 105+ (minimum qualifying)
What if My NEET Score is Below 200?
If your NEET score is below 200, government quota seats are very difficult to secure. However:
- Private management quota seats are still possible in many colleges
- Some private colleges in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka accept NEET qualifying scores (107+) for management quota
- GNM Nursing (3.5-year diploma) may not require NEET in some states
What Should I Do?
1. Know your NEET score and category.
2. Use Campus Search to filter colleges that match your score.
3. Talk to our counsellors — we have updated seat availability data for 200+ colleges.
4. Apply to 3–5 colleges simultaneously to maximise your chances.
Our counselling service is free. We help you find the best college within your score and budget.
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