NICL AO Cut Off 2026 will be announced after the exam results. The National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) has scheduled the Phase I examination for 17 November 2026 and the Phase II examination for 22 December 2026. Candidates can check the NICL AO previous year cut off for 2025, 2024 and 2016 to understand the qualifying marks for different categories and posts. The previous-year data covers overall NICL AO prelims cut-offs, sectional qualifying marks, Mains cut-offs and descriptive test requirements. Generalist and Specialist candidates should compare the marks applicable to their own category and post while setting their preparation targets.
Key Takeaways on NICL AO Cut Off 2026
- The NICL AO cut off for the 2026 recruitment cycle will be released after the respective examination and result process.
- NICL AO previous year cut off provided in this blog in detail.
- In prelims, both the sectional and overall cutoffs are applicable.
- The 2025 Generalist Prelims cut-off was 70.75 for UR, 70.50 for OBC, 69.50 for EWS, 64.75 for SC and 58.25 for ST.
- The 2024 Generalist Prelims cut-off was 79.50 for UR, OBC and EWS, 74.50 for SC and 66.75 for ST.
- The 2024 Generalist Mains cut-off was 141 marks for UR and OBC, 138 for EWS, 128.25 for SC and 116.25 for ST, out of 250.
- NICL releases cut-offs separately for different posts, categories and examination stages, with sectional requirements wherever applicable.
- The NICL AO expected 2026 cut-off is only an estimate. Candidates should use previous-year marks as reference points rather than guaranteed qualifying scores.
- The final selection process gives 80% weightage to the objective Mains examination and 20% to the interview under the current recruitment rules.
NICL AO Cut Off 2026
The official NICL AO cut off 2026 is not available as of 15 October 2026. Candidates will be able to check the qualifying marks after NICL completes the relevant examination and result process.
In prelims, both the sectional and overall cutoffs are applicable. The NICL AO cut off marks indicate the minimum scores required to qualify for the next stage, subject to the applicable recruitment rules. NICL publishes the relevant cut-offs by examination stage and, where applicable, by category, post and section.
The NICL AO recruitment process includes the following stages:
- Phase I (Prelims): Candidates must meet the applicable overall and sectional qualifying requirements to proceed to Phase II.
- Phase II (Mains): The objective examination determines eligibility for interview shortlisting, subject to the prescribed qualifying requirements. Candidates must also qualify in the descriptive test.
- The descriptive test is qualifying in nature, and the marks scored in the Descriptive test will not be counted towards shortlisting for interview or final selection.
- Interview: Candidates shortlisted after Mains proceed to the interview according to the recruitment rules.
- Final selection: The objective Mains examination and interview carry an 80:20 weightage ratio, respectively. Prelims marks and qualifying descriptive test marks are not included in the final merit calculation under the current recruitment rules.
Candidates should check the NICL AO recruitment section of the official NICL website for the 2026 cut-off notice and scorecard once they are released.
Factors Affecting NICL AO Cut Off 2026
The NICL AO cut off depends on several examination and recruitment factors. The previous-year figures help explain historical variations, but they cannot determine the exact qualifying marks for 2026.
- Number of vacancies: The number of posts and their distribution across categories can influence the number of candidates shortlisted.
- Number of candidates appearing: The number of candidates competing for the available posts affects the level of competition.
- Difficulty level: The difficulty of the examination can influence the marks candidates obtain in different sections.
- Category and post: Generalist and Specialist cut-offs can differ because the qualifying requirements and recruitment vacancies vary by post and category.
- Candidate performance: The overall marks and sectional performance of candidates influence the qualifying thresholds for the relevant recruitment cycle.
How to Check NICL AO Cut Off 2026
Candidates can check the NICL AO cut off on the official NICL website after the relevant notice becomes available.
- Visit the official NICL website. Open the website and go to the recruitment section.
- Find the NICL AO recruitment notice. Select the notification for the 2026 recruitment cycle.
- Open the cut-off notice or scorecard. Choose the document for Phase I or Phase II, depending on your examination stage.
- Check your category and post. Locate the relevant Generalist or Specialist post and the category applicable to your candidature.
- Review the marks. Check the overall cut-off and the sectional requirements wherever they are provided.
- Save the notice. Download the document for future reference and compare your marks with the published cut-offs.
As of 15 October 2026, the official NICL AO cut off 2026 has not been released. Candidates should check the recruitment section after the relevant examination and result process.
NICL AO Expected Cut Off 2026
The expected NICL AO cut off 2026 is an estimate based on previous-year trends, not an official announcement. Candidates can use the following indicative targets for the Generalist posts while preparing for the examination.
| Examination Stage | Indicative Expected Score for UR Candidates | Maximum Marks |
| Prelims | 70-80 marks | 100 |
| Mains objective examination | 140-145 or more marks | 250 |
These figures are unofficial preparation benchmarks. They should not be treated as confirmed NICL AO cut offs or as a guarantee of selection.
The difference between the NICL AO 2025 and 2024 Generalist Prelims cut-offs also shows why candidates should not rely on a single year’s marks. The UR cut-off was 70.75 in 2025, compared with 79.50 in 2024.
The actual NICL AO 2026 cut-off will depend on the results of the relevant examination, the applicable category and post, and the recruitment requirements. Candidates should aim to score comfortably above previous qualifying marks while meeting the sectional requirements.
NICL AO Previous Year Cut Off
The NICL AO previous year cut off helps candidates understand how qualifying marks have changed across recruitment cycles. The latest completed-cycle Prelims figures presented below are from 2025 and 2024, while the 2016 data provides an older historical reference.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025
NICL released the NICL AO 2025 Phase I cut-off marks by post and category, along with the sectional qualifying marks. The overall Prelims cut-off was calculated out of 100 marks. Based on the difficulty level of the exam, the NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025 has been released and can be checked from the section below.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025: Category-Wise and Post-Wise
The following table presents the overall NICL AO cut off marks for the Generalist and Specialist posts covered in the 2025 recruitment cycle. Here you can check the NICL AO prelims cut off 2025 for all the posts.
| NICL AO Prelims Cut-Off Marks (Category-wise) | |||||||||
| Posts | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | PwBD (A) | PwBD (B) | PwBD (C) | PwBD (D&E) |
| Generalist | 64.75 | 58.25 | 70.50 | 69.50 | 70.75 | 58.25 | 38.00 | — | — |
| Doctors (MBBS) | 9.75 | 15.25 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 28.75 | 15.00 | 38.25 | 23.75 |
| Legal | 46.25 | 40.75 | 43.00 | 46.75 | 52.00 | ||||
| Finance | 56.25 | 53.25 | 65.00 | 66.00 | 66.00 | ||||
| Information Technology | 56.25 | 46.75 | 56.75 | 56.00 | 58.75 | ||||
| Automobile Engineers | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | ||||
The main NICL AO category-wise cut-off for the Generalist post was highest for the UR category at 70.75 marks, followed by OBC at 70.50 and EWS at 69.50 marks. Specialist cut-offs varied by discipline and should be compared with the relevant post rather than the Generalist threshold.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025: PwBD Categories
The notice also specifies separate qualifying marks for applicable PwBD categories.
| Post or Applicable Group | PwBD (A) | PwBD (B) | PwBD (C) | PwBD (D & E) |
| Generalist | 58.25 | 38.00 | – | – |
| Applicable Specialist posts | 28.75 | 15.00* | 38.25 | 23.75 |
A dash indicates that there was no vacancy for the relevant category in the published table. Candidates should check the NICL AO category and post applicable to their candidature before comparing their scores.
NICL AO Prelims Sectional Cut Off 2025 ( Subject Wise )
Candidates must also meet the applicable sectional qualifying marks. NICL published different sectional requirements for Generalist and Specialist posts.
Generalist Posts
| Category | English Language (Out of 30) | Reasoning Ability (Out of 35) | Quantitative Aptitude (Out of 35) |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 13.25 | 6.75 | 7.25 |
| EWS and UR | 16.25 | 11.00 | 10.50 |
Specialist Posts
| Category | English Language (Out of 30) | Reasoning Ability (Out of 35) | Quantitative Aptitude (Out of 35) |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 7.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| EWS and UR | 10.00 | 2.25 | 3.75 |
The NICL AO 2025 Generalist sectional cut-off for UR and EWS candidates was 16.25 in English, 11.00 in Reasoning and 10.50 in Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates should check both the overall cut-off and the subject-wise requirements while evaluating their performance.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2024
The NICL AO Prelims cut-off for 2024 was published by post and category, with separate sectional qualifying marks. The overall cut-offs were calculated out of 100 marks.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2024: Category-Wise and Post-Wise
The following table shows the overall NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2024 data for the Generalist and Specialist posts in the 2024 recruitment cycle.
| Post | SC (Out of 100) | ST (Out of 100) | OBC (Out of 100) | EWS (Out of 100) | UR (Out of 100) |
| Generalist | 74.50 | 66.75 | 79.50$ | 79.50$ | 79.50 |
| Doctors (MBBS) | 15.00* | 13.25* | 13.50* | 20.75% | 20.75* |
| Legal | 37.25$ | 26.25* | 37.25$ | 37.25% | 37.25* |
| Finance | 59.00 | 43.75 | 65.75$ | 65.75$ | 65.75 |
| Actuarial | – | – | 65.50 | – | 65.50 |
| Information Technology | 61.00 | 55.50 | 63.75$ | 61.75 | 63.75 |
| Automobile Engineers | 21.00$ | 19.25* | 21.00$ | 19.50* | 21.00* |
The overall Generalist NICL AO cut off was 79.50 marks for UR, OBC and EWS candidates, 74.50 for SC candidates and 66.75 for ST candidates.
The 2024 notice also provided the following qualifying marks for PwBD categories.
| Post or Applicable Group | PwBD (A) | PwBD (B) | PwBD (C) | PwBD (D & E) |
| Generalist | 69.75 | 37.25 | 61.25 | 30.50* |
| Applicable Specialist posts | 21.75* | 34.00* | 29.00* | 30.25* |
NICL AO Prelims Sectional Cut Off 2024
The NICL AO sectional qualifying marks differed by post group and category. Candidates should refer to the relevant row instead of assuming that the same marks applied to every discipline.
Generalist, Legal, Finance and Information Technology Posts
| Category | English Language (Out of 30) | Reasoning Ability (Out of 35) | Quantitative Aptitude (Out of 35) |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 12.75 | 5.25 | 4.25 |
| EWS and UR | 16.00 | 10.50 | 8.25 |
Actuarial Posts
| Category | English Language (Out of 30) | Reasoning Ability (Out of 35) | Quantitative Aptitude (Out of 35) |
| OBC and PwBD | 12.75 | 5.25 | 4.25 |
| SC, ST, EWS and UR | 16.00 | 10.50 | 8.25 |
Doctors (MBBS) and Automobile Engineers
| Category | English Language (Out of 30) | Reasoning Ability (Out of 35) | Quantitative Aptitude (Out of 35) |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 7.75 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| EWS and UR | 11.00 | 2.75 | 2.50 |
The NICL AO cut off values show that the minimum qualifying marks varied across post groups. Candidates preparing for the 2026 recruitment should use the current notification to confirm the applicable examination requirements.
NICL AO Mains Cut Off 2024
The NICL AO Mains cut-off for the 2024 recruitment cycle was published separately by post and category. The overall cut-off marks in the following table are out of 250.
NICL AO Mains Cut Off 2024: Category-Wise and Post-Wise
Check the category wise NICL AO Mains Cut Off 2024.
| Post | SC (Out of 250) | ST (Out of 250) | OBC (Out of 250) | EWS (Out of 250) | UR (Out of 250) |
| Generalist | 128.25 | 116.25 | 141.00 | 138.00 | 141.00 |
| Doctors (MBBS) | 59.75* | 58.00* | 56.75 | @ | 65.00* |
| Legal | 109.00 | 91.00 | 123.00$ | 109.75 | 123.00 |
| Finance | 103.75 | 99.50 | 120.50 | 118.00 | 120.50 |
| Actuarial | – | – | 90.25% | – | 90.25 |
| Information Technology | 109.50 | 90.75 | 122.00 | 120.00 | 124.00 |
| Automobile Engineers | 96.50$ | 75.00 | 96.50$ | 94.50 | 96.50 |
| Hindi (Rajbhasha) Officers | 89.50 | 50.50* | 90.00$ | 90.00$ | 90.00 |
The NICL AO Generalist Mains cut-off was 141 marks for UR and OBC, 138 for EWS, 128.25 for SC and 116.25 for ST, out of 250. Specialist cut-offs varied by discipline, so candidates should compare their scores with the post applicable to them.
The following PwBD NICL AO cut offs were also specified for applicable Specialist posts.
| Post or Applicable Group | PwBD (A) | PwBD (B) | PwBD (C) | PwBD (D & E) |
| Generalist | 157.50 | 96.25 | 120.75 | 87.25 |
| Applicable Specialist posts | 71.25 | @ | 88.00 | 115.00* |
NICL AO Mains Sectional Cut Off 2024
The objective NICL AO Mains examination also had sectional qualifying marks. In the NICL AO 2024 recruitment cycle, the published Generalist sectional cut-off was 1 mark in each of the five objective modules.
Generalist Posts
| Section | Maximum Marks | Sectional Cut-Off |
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 1.00 |
| English Language | 50 | 1.00 |
| General Awareness | 50 | 1.00 |
| Computer Knowledge | 50 | 1.00 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 1.00 |
These sectional thresholds applied to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, UR and PwBD categories in the published notice.
Specialist Posts
For Doctors (MBBS), Legal, Finance, Actuarial, Information Technology and Automobile Engineers, the 2024 notice specified a sectional cut-off of 1 mark in each listed objective module.
| Section | Sectional Cut-Off |
| Reasoning Ability | 1.00 |
| English Language | 1.00 |
| General Awareness | 1.00 |
| Computer Knowledge | 1.00 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 1.00 |
| Professional Knowledge | 1.00 |
NICL AO Descriptive Test Cut Off 2024
The NICL AO descriptive test in the 2024 recruitment cycle was qualifying in nature. Candidates had to meet the prescribed descriptive cut-off in addition to the applicable objective examination requirements.
| Category | Descriptive Cut-Off Out of 30 |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 7.50 |
| EWS and UR | 10.50 |
Hindi (Rajbhasha) Officers had a separate descriptive qualifying requirement.
| Category | Descriptive Cut-Off Out of 40 |
| SC, ST, OBC and PwBD | 12.50 |
| EWS and UR | 17.50 |
Descriptive test marks were qualifying in nature and were not counted towards interview shortlisting or final selection under the applicable recruitment rules.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025 vs 2024
The NICL AO Generalist Prelims cut-off was lower in 2025 than in 2024 across the five main categories.
| Category | NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025 | NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2024 |
| UR | 70.75 | 79.50 |
| OBC | 70.50 | 79.50 |
| EWS | 69.50 | 79.50 |
| SC | 64.75 | 74.50 |
| ST | 58.25 | 66.75 |
The UR cut-off decreased by 8.75 marks, from 79.50 in 2024 to 70.75 in 2025. Candidates can use this comparison to understand historical variations, but the difference does not predict how the 2026 cut-off will change.
NICL AO Cut Off 2016
The 2016 NICL AO cut-off provides an older historical benchmark for candidates comparing qualifying marks across recruitment cycles. The figures include Prelims, Mains and descriptive test cut-offs.
NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2016: Category-Wise
The overall NICL AO Prelims cut-off marks varied by category in the 2016 recruitment cycle.
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
| UR | 65.50 |
| SC | 57.25 |
| ST | 51.25 |
| OBC | 59.75 |
| HI | 26.50 |
| OC | 52.25 |
| VI | 55.50 |
The UR Prelims cut-off was 65.50 marks, while the SC and ST cut-offs were 57.25 and 51.25 marks, respectively.
NICL AO Prelims Sectional Cut Off 2016
The NICL AO 2016 Prelims sectional cut-offs were published separately for UR candidates, candidates in the PWD (HI) category and the combined SC, ST, OBC and PWD (VI, OC) group.
| Section | UR | PWD (HI) | SC, ST, OBC and PWD (VI, OC) |
| English Language | 9.75 | 5.75 | 7.00 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 10.75 | 6.25 | 7.75 |
| Reasoning Ability | 16.00 | 9.75 | 12.00 |
These sectional figures show the qualifying marks recorded in the NICL AO 2016 recruitment cycle. They should be treated as historical data rather than as a prediction of the 2026 requirements.
NICL AO Mains Cut Off 2016: Category-Wise
The overall NICL AO Mains cut-off was published separately from the Prelims cut-off.
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
| UR | 99.25 |
| OBC | 88.25 |
| SC | 81.25 |
| ST | 72.25 |
| HI | 67.50 |
| OC | 75.45 |
| VI | 84.75 |
The NICL AO UR Mains cut-off was 99.25 marks, while the SC and ST cut-offs were 81.25 and 72.25 marks, respectively.
NICL AO Mains Sectional Cut Off 2016
The following table presents the sectional qualifying marks for the NICL AO 2016 Mains examination.
| Section | UR | SC, ST, OBC and PWD |
| English Language | 12.25 | 8.00 |
| Reasoning Ability | 20.50 | 16.75 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 9.75 | 7.25 |
| General Awareness | 13.25 | 10.00 |
NICL AO Mains Descriptive Cut Off 2016
The descriptive paper will only be checked for the candidates who will qualify the NICL AO Mains Objective paper. The descriptive test is only qualifying in nature and marks will not be counted toward shortlisting for the interview round. Check below the NICL AO Mains Descriptive Cut Off 2016 for an idea about this year cut off.
| Category | Descriptive Cut-Off Out of 30 |
| UR | 15.00 |
| OBC | 15.00 |
| SC | 13.50 |
| ST | 13.50 |
| HI | 13.50 |
| OC | 13.50 |
| VI | 13.50 |
What Do the Symbols in NICL AO Cut-Off Tables Mean?
The NICL AO cut-off notices use symbols to identify vacancy status and how certain categories are treated in the published merit list.
| Symbol | Meaning |
| – | No vacancy |
| $ | Reserved category at par with the UR category |
| * | All qualified candidates are merit-listed, so the list cannot be extended |
| % | All qualified candidates are merit-listed, the list cannot be extended, and the cut-off is at par with the UR category |
| @ | Candidates not qualified or not available |
These meanings apply to the symbols used in the relevant NICL AO cut off notices. Candidates should read the entries alongside the applicable post and category.
How to Use NICL AO Previous Year Cut Off Marks
NICL AO previous year cut offs can help you set a realistic target for the examination, provided you compare the correct recruitment cycle, examination stage, post and category.
- Start with the latest available data. Use the 2025 Prelims and 2024 Prelims and Mains figures as your primary historical references.
- Check your own post and category. Do not use the Generalist cut-off as the only benchmark if you are applying for a Specialist post.
- Track sectional performance. Review each subject separately instead of focusing only on your overall score.
- Aim above the historical cut-off. Prepare to score comfortably above previous qualifying marks, as the 2026 cut-off may differ from earlier figures.
Conclusion
The NICL AO cut off 2026 will be released after the relevant examination and result process. Until then, the 2025 and 2024 category-wise Prelims cut-offs, together with the 2024 Mains figures and the older 2016 data, provide useful reference points for understanding competition across posts and categories. Candidates can also use PracticeMock for mock tests and targeted practice to assess their preparation against their desired score.
Candidates should review both overall and sectional qualifying marks, use the cut-off applicable to their discipline and category, and prepare according to the current recruitment notification. NICL AO previous year cut off can help set a realistic target, but the actual 2026 qualifying marks will be determined by NICL for the relevant recruitment cycle.
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FAQs on NICL AO Cut Off
What is the NICL AO Cut Off 2026?
The official NICL AO cut off 2026 has not been released as of 15 October 2026. The Phase I examination is scheduled for 17 November 2026, and Phase II is scheduled for 22 December 2026. Candidates can use previous-year cut-offs as reference points until the official qualifying marks are announced.
What is the NICL AO Cut Off 2025?
The NICL AO Cut Off 2025 is the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage of the recruitment process.
What was the NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2025 for Generalist posts?
The NICL AO Generalist Prelims cut-off in 2025 was 70.75 for UR, 70.50 for OBC, 69.50 for EWS, 64.75 for SC and 58.25 for ST, out of 100 marks. NICL also published separate qualifying marks for applicable PwBD categories and sectional cut-offs for English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.
What was the NICL AO Prelims Cut Off 2024 for Generalist posts?
The NICL AO Generalist Prelims cut-off in 2024 was 79.50 for UR, OBC and EWS, 74.50 for SC and 66.75 for ST, out of 100 marks. Separate cut-offs were also published for PwBD categories and the three Prelims sections.
Does NICL AO have a sectional cut-off?
Yes. NICL specifies sectional qualifying marks in addition to the overall NICL AO cut off wherever applicable. The marks vary by category, post and recruitment cycle. Candidates should therefore check the relevant section-wise and overall cut-offs rather than assuming that meeting the aggregate marks alone is sufficient.
What was the NICL AO Mains Cut Off 2024 for Generalist posts?
The NICL AO Generalist Mains cut-off in 2024 was 141 marks for UR and OBC, 138 for EWS, 128.25 for SC and 116.25 for ST, out of 250. These are Mains examination cut-offs and should not be confused with the final selection score after the interview.
How is the final NICL AO selection cut-off determined?
Under the NICL AO 2026 recruitment rules, the objective Mains examination and interview carry 80% and 20% weightage, respectively. Candidates must also qualify in the descriptive test and meet the applicable requirements for interview shortlisting. The final merit position depends on the combined score and the relevant recruitment rules.
How can I estimate the NICL AO Cut Off 2026?
Candidates can compare the NICL AO 2025 and 2024 cut-offs for the same post and category to set a preparation target. However, expected marks are unofficial estimates. The actual 2026 qualifying marks will depend on the relevant examination results, candidate performance and recruitment requirements.
What are the key factors that affect NICL AO Cut off 2026?
NICL AO Cut Off 2026 Category wise data is based on a number of factors like the vacancy, number of candidates appeared for exam in each shift, and the exam difficulty level in each shift.
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