Answer (1)
Swati 25th Jun, 2025

Dear Aspirant
If you have scored 261 marks in NEET and you are hoping to join the Military Nursing Service MNS it is important to understand the admission process and the role NEET plays in selecting candidates for this programme The Military Nursing Service is highly competitive and is conducted by the Indian Army for candidates who wish to pursue a career in nursing within the armed forces

The MNS programme has certain eligibility criteria which include academic qualifications a specific medical and physical fitness requirement and performance in the entrance examination The NEET examination is used as the qualifying examination for the MNS intake You must first qualify NEET with a valid score and then apply for the MNS programme conducted by the Army A merit list is prepared based on NEET scores followed by further rounds such as the Test of General Intelligence and General English PAT Psychological Assessment Test interview and medical examination

Although the NEET cutoff for MNS is not announced officially every year it is generally observed that candidates who secure higher marks in NEET have a better chance of making it to the merit list In recent years candidates with NEET scores significantly higher than 261 have been preferred due to the limited number of seats available and the high number of applicants The intake for MNS is very low compared to regular medical or nursing programmes making it highly competitive for candidates

With a score of 261 in NEET it is challenging to secure admission for MNS The candidates selected often have scores closer to or higher than the average NEET cutoff for nursing or medical courses which is generally in the range of 300 or above depending on the category and state You can still apply and participate in the process to gain experience and understand the selection rounds but you must be prepared for strong competition and consider alternatives in nursing or paramedical courses as well

If joining the armed forces as a nurse is your goal you can work on strengthening your academic record gaining clinical experience and trying for next year with a higher NEET score Additionally you can explore nursing programmes in other institutions that accept lower NEET scores and consider applying for staff nurse roles in state hospitals or private institutions These can also build a strong foundation for your nursing career and help you move closer to your dream of serving in the military in the future
With a NEET score of 261 it is challenging to secure admission to the Military Nursing Service due to its highly competitive nature and low intake Candidates with higher NEET scores generally have an advantage in making it to the merit list You can still apply for the process and gain valuable experience from the rounds conducted by the Army If MNS is your goal consider reappearing for NEET to achieve a higher score or exploring other nursing opportunities that can build your experience and make you a strong candidate in the future

You can also check NEET UG Rank Predictor and NEET UG Counselling Services for further information



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