AP NEET UG 2026 MBBS Counselling: Merit List Out, Phase 1 Options Open

Andhra Pradesh has released the final merit list for NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS admissions, and Phase 1 web option entry is now open. Eligible candidates can log in to fill their college preferences under the 85 percent state quota for the 2026-27 academic year. This is a critical step in the counselling process—your choice order directly affects which college and seat you receive. The state has also introduced two major rule changes that give you more flexibility than before: you can now list unlimited colleges, and missing Round 1 no longer bars you from later counselling rounds.

What You Need to Know About Phase 1 Option Entry

Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada has opened Phase 1 web option entry for all candidates whose names appear in the final merit list released on 29 August 2026. This phase covers MBBS and BDS admissions under the 85 percent state quota (also called Competent Authority Quota) for the 2026-27 academic year.

To participate, you must have qualified NEET UG 2026, completed registration on the Dr NTRUHS portal by the deadline (with or without late fee), and met Andhra Pradesh's local or non-local status requirements. Your certificates must also have been verified. If your name is in the final merit list and you meet these conditions, you are eligible to fill web options.

How to Fill Your College Preferences Online

Log in to the official admissions portal at apuhs-ugadmissions.aptonline.in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and the password you registered with. Once logged in, the system will display the seat matrix showing available seats by category and reservation type.

You will then list your preferred MBBS or BDS colleges in order of priority. The order matters—the system will allot you a seat based on your rank, category, and the preference order you save. After entering all your choices, you must save and lock your options before the Phase 1 deadline. Do not submit until you are certain of your preference order.

• Use your registered NEET UG roll number and password to log in
• Review the seat matrix to understand available seats in your category
• List colleges in strict order of preference (most preferred first)
• Save and lock your options before the deadline
• Recheck your entered choices before final submission

Two Major Rule Changes That Benefit You

Andhra Pradesh has revised its counselling rules for the 2026-27 session, and both changes work in your favour. First, there is no longer a cap on the number of colleges you can list. You can now enter as many colleges as you wish in your preference order, giving you more options to explore.

Second, the earlier rule that barred candidates from later counselling rounds if they were allotted a seat but did not join has been removed. This means if you are allotted a seat in Phase 1 but decide not to report, you can still participate in subsequent counselling rounds. This removes the penalty for missing Round 1 and gives you a second chance.

• Unlimited college preferences: list every college you consider suitable
• No penalty for not joining Phase 1: you can still participate in later rounds
• Greater flexibility in decision-making across multiple counselling phases

Key Dates and Portal Information

Registration on the Dr NTRUHS portal closed on 14 August 2026 (including late-fee registrations). The final merit list was released on 29 August 2026. Phase 1 web option entry is now live, and you should fill your preferences as soon as possible to avoid last-minute technical issues.

What Happens After You Fill Your Preferences

After the Phase 1 option entry deadline closes, Dr NTRUHS will process your preferences along with your NEET UG rank and category to generate a provisional seat allotment list. This list will be released on the official portal, and you will be informed of your allotted college and seat.

Following the provisional allotment, the university will issue reporting instructions. You will need to report to your allotted college within the specified time to confirm your admission. If you do not report, you can still participate in later counselling rounds (thanks to the new rule change). Watch the Dr NTRUHS portal for all updates.

• Provisional allotment list will be released after Phase 1 option entry closes
• Reporting instructions will follow the allotment announcement
• You must report to your allotted college within the deadline to confirm admission
• Later counselling rounds will be announced for candidates who do not report or wish to upgrade

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Options

Many candidates rush through option entry and make costly errors. Here are the most common pitfalls: listing colleges in the wrong order of preference, forgetting to save and lock your options before the deadline, or not verifying your entered choices before final submission.

Take time to research each college's location, infrastructure, and reputation before deciding your preference order. Remember, your rank and category determine which seats you are eligible for, but your preference order determines which seat you actually get. If you list a college you do not truly want as your first choice, you may be allotted there even if a better college was available lower in your list.

• Do not rush—take time to decide your true preference order
• Verify that your entered choices match your intended order
• Ensure you save and lock your options before the deadline
• Do not leave the form incomplete; submit only when fully ready
• Check the seat matrix to understand which seats are available in your category

Frequently asked questions

If your name is in the final merit list, log in to apuhs-ugadmissions.aptonline.in immediately and fill your Phase 1 web options with careful thought about your preference order. Watch drntr.uhsap.in for the provisional allotment list and reporting instructions, which will follow once option entry closes.