The clarification comes amid the ongoing undergraduate medical counselling process, when candidates and parents are closely monitoring developments related to eligibility, vacant seats, counselling rounds and admission opportunities. The misleading notice reportedly suggested that the qualifying percentile had been reduced to exceptionally low levels, creating confusion among aspirants hoping for additional opportunities to secure medical seats.

In an advisory issued on October 13, 2026, MCC categorically rejected the claim and urged candidates to rely on authentic counselling announcements rather than unverified documents circulated through social media, messaging applications or unofficial websites.

MCC Clarifies That NEET UG 2026 Qualifying Percentile Has Not Been Reduced

The Medical Counselling Committee received information about a purported official notice claiming that the qualifying percentile for NEET UG Counselling 2026 had been lowered. After addressing the matter through an official advisory, MCC confirmed that the document was fraudulent and that no such decision had been taken by the competent authority.

The clarification is particularly important for candidates participating in the current admission cycle. A change in the qualifying percentile can influence candidates' expectations regarding eligibility and their prospects of participating in medical counselling. Consequently, unverified announcements about such changes can create unnecessary confusion and lead students to make inappropriate admission-related decisions.

Candidates must understand that the circulation of a notice on social media does not make its contents official. Any modification to NEET UG qualifying requirements must be supported by an authentic notification issued by the appropriate authority.

What Did the Fake NEET UG 2026 Notice Claim?

The misleading document, dated October 12, 2026, was designed to resemble an official communication from the counselling authorities. It reportedly carried a forged reference number and claimed that the qualifying percentile had been reduced following a decision involving the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission.

The fake notice mentioned the following purported changes:

• General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories: Qualifying percentile reduced to 15 and above.

• Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories: Qualifying percentile reduced to 10 and above.

These claims have been rejected by MCC. The percentile figures mentioned in the fabricated document must not be treated as revised eligibility criteria for NEET UG Counselling 2026.

Candidates should not assume that the qualifying percentile has changed or make admission plans based on the purported reduction. Any genuine revision would need to be formally communicated through an authentic notification by the competent authority.

Why Is the Fake Notice Causing Concern Among NEET Aspirants?

NEET UG is the entrance examination used for admission to undergraduate medical programmes, including MBBS and BDS courses, across participating institutions. Every year, candidates closely follow qualifying requirements because these determine whether they meet the examination's minimum eligibility threshold for further consideration.

During counselling, aspirants also track vacant seats, revised schedules, additional rounds and possible changes to admission procedures. When seats remain available or counselling continues into subsequent rounds, rumours about a reduction in qualifying percentiles can spread rapidly.

Candidates who have not secured a seat may interpret such messages as an indication that additional candidates will become eligible to participate in counselling. Parents may also make decisions based on these claims, particularly when they are anxious about their children's chances of obtaining an MBBS or BDS seat.

However, a qualifying percentile reduction cannot be presumed merely because counselling is continuing or seats remain vacant. Such a change requires an official decision and a formal announcement. Until an authentic notification is issued, candidates must follow the eligibility conditions and instructions officially applicable to their admission process.

The latest clarification makes it clear that the particular notice claiming a reduction in the NEET UG 2026 qualifying percentile is not genuine.

How Can Candidates Verify Authentic NEET UG Counselling Notices?

MCC has advised students to exercise caution and verify counselling-related information through its official website, www.mcc.nic.in. Candidates should avoid relying on forwarded screenshots, copied documents or messages that cannot be independently verified.

The following precautions can help aspirants distinguish genuine announcements from fabricated notices.

1. Check the Official MCC Website

Candidates should visit the official MCC portal directly and review its latest notices, advisories, counselling schedules and admission-related announcements. Important information should be verified on the website rather than accepted solely on the basis of a social media post.

2. Verify the Date and Reference Number

A document may appear convincing because it contains an official-looking heading, reference number, date, logo or signature. These details can also be copied or forged. Candidates should check whether the corresponding announcement is available through the official portal and whether its contents match the published communication.

3. Do Not Believe Every Social Media Forward

Messages shared through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms may contain inaccurate or deliberately misleading information. Even if a message has been circulated widely, it should not be treated as authentic without verification.

Candidates should avoid forwarding unverified claims, particularly those involving changes to qualifying criteria, eligibility, seat allotment or admission deadlines.

4. Avoid Agents Promising Guaranteed Medical Seats

Students and parents should be particularly cautious of individuals or websites claiming to guarantee MBBS or BDS admission, arrange seats through unofficial channels or provide confidential counselling information in exchange for money.

Admission-related payments and procedures should be completed only through authorised channels and in accordance with the applicable counselling instructions. Candidates should never share sensitive personal or financial information with unverified agents.

5. Report Suspicious Websites and Communications

MCC has advised candidates to report fraudulent websites or agents. The email address specified for reporting such cases in its advisory is adgme@nic.in.

Candidates reporting a suspicious notice should provide relevant details, such as the document received, the website or account through which it was circulated and other available information that may help the authorities examine the matter. Personal information should be shared only when necessary and through appropriate official channels.

Where Should Candidates Check NEET UG Counselling 2026 Updates?

The official MCC website is the primary destination for candidates seeking information about All India Quota undergraduate medical counselling and other counselling processes administered by the committee.

Candidates can visit www.mcc.nic.in to check the latest announcements, registration details, counselling schedules, seat matrices, choice-filling instructions, allotment results and other applicable admission notices.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET UG, also publishes examination-related announcements, results and other official information through neet.nta.nic.in. Students should consult the appropriate authority depending on whether their query concerns the entrance examination or the counselling process.

For state quota MBBS and BDS admissions, candidates should additionally monitor the official website of the relevant state counselling authority. State counselling schedules, eligibility requirements, document verification procedures and seat allotment announcements may differ from the MCC-administered process.

Students should carefully distinguish between an examination-related update, a counselling announcement and a formal revision to eligibility criteria. Information published for one purpose should not automatically be interpreted as a change in another.

NEET UG 2026 Counselling: What Should Candidates Do Now?

With candidates continuing to monitor admission opportunities, the latest advisory highlights the importance of following verified information throughout the counselling process.

Aspirants should take the following steps:

• Continue checking official announcements: Monitor the MCC website for authentic updates about counselling rounds, registration, choice filling, seat allotment and reporting deadlines.

• Do not rely on the claimed percentile reduction: The circulated notice is fake, and the proposed reduction has not been approved through the decision described in that document.

• Follow the applicable eligibility criteria: Candidates should use the officially notified qualifying requirements rather than the figures mentioned in the fabricated notice.

• Complete counselling formalities on time: Eligible candidates should adhere to the published schedule for registration, choice submission, fee payment, document verification and college reporting, wherever applicable.

• Keep admission documents ready: Candidates should organise their NEET UG scorecard, identity documents, educational certificates, category certificates and other documents required under the applicable counselling guidelines.

• Avoid financial risks: Do not pay unofficial agents or websites that promise guaranteed admission, special access to seats or insider information.

• Share only verified updates: Candidates and parents should confirm the authenticity of a notice before circulating it to other aspirants.

These precautions can help students avoid unnecessary anxiety and protect themselves from misinformation during a critical stage of the medical admission process.

Will the Qualifying Percentile Be Reduced for NEET UG 2026?

At present, the claim made in the circulated notice has been explicitly rejected by MCC. The committee's advisory confirms that no decision to reduce the qualifying percentile, as claimed in the fake document, has been taken by the competent authority.

Candidates should therefore not interpret the notice as a relaxation in eligibility requirements. The figures of 15 percentile for General/EWS candidates and 10 percentile for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates mentioned in the document are not valid revised criteria under the claimed announcement.

If a genuine change is announced in the future, candidates should look for a formal notification published by the appropriate authority. Any such development must be assessed on the basis of the actual notification, including its effective date, applicable categories and eligibility conditions.

Until then, aspirants should continue to follow the official instructions governing their respective counselling processes.

Conclusion

The clarification regarding the fake NEET UG 2026 percentile reduction notice serves as an important warning for medical aspirants and their families. The purported announcement claiming that the qualifying percentile had been reduced to 15 for General/EWS candidates and 10 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates is fraudulent and must not be used as the basis for admission decisions.

Candidates should remain alert to misleading information, verify every significant counselling update through the official MCC portal and follow the eligibility conditions and deadlines applicable to their admission process.

As NEET UG Counselling 2026 progresses, relying on authentic notifications is essential for making informed decisions. Students should avoid rumours, refrain from paying unauthorised agents and share counselling information only after confirming its authenticity.

Important advisory for candidates: The qualifying percentile reduction described in the fake notice has not been approved as claimed. For verified counselling information, visit www.mcc.nic.in.