Bihar NEET-PG 2026 ENT Cutoff Ranks: What Your Score Means for Admission

The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has released Round 1 seat allotment results for the 2026 PGMAC (Post Graduate Medical Admission Counselling) session, including opening and closing ranks for ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) admissions across government and private medical colleges in the state. This data is critical for NEET-PG aspirants to understand the competition level for ENT seats and estimate whether their rank qualifies them for their preferred college and category. The cutoff ranks vary significantly between state-run institutions and private colleges, and also differ based on whether you are applying under unreserved (UR), reserved category, or minority quotas. Understanding these rank thresholds helps you make informed choices during subsequent counselling rounds and plan your backup options.

What the Bihar NEET-PG 2026 Round 1 Results Show

Round 1 of PGMAC 2026 counselling concluded on 6 November 2026, and the allotment results now display the actual ranks of candidates who secured ENT seats across Bihar's medical institutions. The opening rank is the highest (best) rank that was allotted a seat in that category at that college; the closing rank is the lowest (worst) rank that received a seat. If your NEET-PG rank falls between the opening and closing rank for your category at a college, you would have been allotted that seat in Round 1.

The data released includes both overall NEET-PG ranks and category-specific ranks (CAT — Category Rank), which apply to reserved category candidates competing within their own community bracket. Government colleges show significantly lower closing ranks, especially for reserved categories, while private and minority institutions have much higher closing ranks, reflecting lower competition or different quota structures.

Government Colleges: Lower Cutoffs for Reserved Categories

State-run institutions such as Patna Medical College (PMCH), Nalanda Medical College (NMC) Patna, and IGIMS Patna show substantially lower closing ranks, particularly for candidates applying under reserved categories (BC, EBC, SC, EWS). For example, at PMCH Patna, the closing rank for BC (Backward Class) seats was 14,039, and at NMC Patna, the closing rank for EBC (Extremely Backward Class) seats was 23,075. These figures indicate that if you belong to a reserved category and your rank is within these thresholds, you have a strong chance of securing an ENT seat at a government college.

The category rank (CAT) data for government colleges shows even tighter competition within reserved categories. IGIMS Patna had a CAT closing rank of 42, meaning only 42 candidates from the reserved category competed for that seat. This reflects the fact that reserved seats are allocated only to candidates from that specific community, creating a smaller but more competitive pool. For aspirants from reserved categories, government colleges remain the most accessible pathway to ENT admission in Bihar.

• PMCH Patna: BC closing rank 14,039; EBC closing rank 18,433
• NMC Patna: EBC closing rank 23,075; CAT closing rank 122
• IGIMS Patna: SC closing rank 55,720; CAT closing rank 42
• ANMMC Gaya: EWS closing rank 26,209; CAT closing rank 107

Private and Minority Colleges: Higher Ranks Required

Private and minority medical colleges in Bihar show significantly higher closing ranks for unreserved (UR) seats. Netaji Subhas Medical College had a UR closing rank of 144,630, while RDJM Medical College Muzaffarpur had a UR closing rank of 138,368. These colleges do not typically fill seats through state-level reserved category quotas; instead, they allocate seats based on unreserved competition or their own minority community criteria. Consequently, if you are an unreserved candidate seeking an ENT seat at a private college in Bihar, you need a much better (lower) NEET-PG rank compared to government colleges.

Madhubani Medical College and Lord Budha Koshi Medical College also show UR closing ranks above 100,000, indicating that competition for private college ENT seats is substantially higher. However, these colleges may offer more seats or different speciality options, so they remain relevant for candidates whose ranks do not qualify for government institutions. The trade-off is typically higher fees and potentially different academic infrastructure compared to state colleges.

• Netaji Subhas Medical College: UR closing rank 144,630
• RDJM Muzaffarpur: UR closing rank 138,368
• Madhubani Medical College: UR closing rank 129,724
• Lord Budha Koshi Saharsa: UR closing rank 99,812

Understanding Opening vs. Closing Rank and What It Means for You

The opening rank represents the best (lowest) rank that secured a seat, while the closing rank is the worst (highest) rank that was allotted. The gap between opening and closing rank indicates how many seats were available and how competitive the category was. For instance, at Lord Budha Koshi Medical College, the UR opening rank was 85,768 and closing rank was 99,812 — a gap of over 14,000 ranks. This suggests multiple UR seats were available, and anyone with a rank between these two numbers would have received an allotment.

Conversely, at PMCH Patna for BC seats, both opening and closing ranks were 14,039, meaning only one seat was available and filled by a single candidate. This is common in reserved categories where seat availability is limited. As an aspirant, if your rank is better (lower) than the closing rank of your preferred college and category, you would have qualified in Round 1. If your rank is worse (higher) than the closing rank, you did not qualify in Round 1 but may have opportunities in subsequent rounds if seats remain vacant or if you upgrade your choice.

Category Rank (CAT) vs. Overall NEET-PG Rank: Which Matters for You?

In Bihar NEET-PG counselling, candidates applying for reserved category seats are ranked both by their overall NEET-PG rank (among all candidates nationally) and by their category rank (CAT), which ranks them only within their own reserved category. For reserved category seats at government colleges, your CAT is what determines allotment — not your overall NEET-PG rank. This is why the data shows separate opening and closing ranks for CAT at government institutions.

For unreserved (UR) seats, only the overall NEET-PG rank applies; there is no CAT. Private colleges typically do not use CAT for allocation; they fill seats based on UR ranks or their own minority criteria. Understanding which rank applies to you is essential: if you are SC/ST/BC/EBC/EWS and applying for a reserved seat at a government college, focus on your CAT rank. If you are applying for UR seats or at private colleges, your overall NEET-PG rank is what matters. The source data shows that government colleges have CAT ranks (ranging from 42 to 131 in this ENT round), while private colleges show no CAT data, confirming they do not allocate reserved seats.

• CAT (Category Rank) applies only to reserved category seats at government colleges
• Overall NEET-PG rank applies to unreserved seats and private college seats
• Government colleges: check CAT closing rank if you are from a reserved category
• Private colleges: check UR closing rank regardless of your category

What Happens in Round 2 and Beyond: Rank Movements

Round 1 cutoff ranks are not final. In subsequent rounds, candidates who did not get allotted in Round 1 can participate, and those already allotted can try to upgrade to a better college or speciality. This typically causes closing ranks to rise (worsen) in later rounds because more candidates enter the pool and competition increases. If you did not qualify in Round 1 for your preferred college, you may still have a chance in Round 2 or Round 3, but you should be prepared for the possibility that the closing rank may move higher, making it harder to secure a seat.

Conversely, if you were allotted a seat in Round 1 but your rank is close to the closing rank, you face the risk of being bumped out in a later round if more candidates with better ranks join and compete for the same seat. This is why many aspirants choose to lock in their Round 1 allotment rather than risk an upgrade. Understanding the trend of rank movements across rounds helps you decide whether to participate in subsequent rounds or accept your current allotment.

How to Use This Data to Plan Your Next Steps

Compare your NEET-PG rank (or CAT if you are from a reserved category) against the closing ranks in the data. If your rank is better than the closing rank at a college you prefer, you would have been allotted in Round 1. If your rank is worse, you did not qualify in Round 1 but may still participate in Round 2 or 3. If your rank is significantly worse than all closing ranks shown, ENT in Bihar may not be realistic; consider other specialities or states where your rank is more competitive.

Use this data to identify backup colleges and categories. For example, if your UR rank is 100,000 and you did not qualify for private colleges in Round 1, you might consider applying for a reserved category seat (if eligible) at a government college, where closing ranks are much lower. Alternatively, you could explore ENT seats in other states or consider a different speciality where your rank is more competitive. The key is to be realistic about your rank and plan accordingly rather than waiting passively for later rounds.

• Locate your rank in the closing rank column for your category and preferred colleges
• If your rank is better (lower) than closing rank: you qualified in Round 1
• If your rank is worse (higher) than closing rank: you did not qualify in Round 1 but may try in later rounds
• Identify 3–5 backup colleges where your rank is within or close to the closing rank range
• Consider reserved category seats if eligible; they have significantly lower closing ranks

Key Colleges and Their ENT Cutoff Ranks at a Glance

The following table summarizes the major government and private colleges in Bihar and their ENT Round 1 closing ranks for unreserved (UR) and key reserved categories. This snapshot helps you quickly assess which colleges are within your rank range. Government colleges dominate the lower end of the rank spectrum, while private colleges occupy the higher end. The variation within government colleges (e.g., PMCH at 14,039 for BC vs. NMC Sasaram at 84,614 for UR) reflects differences in seat availability, college reputation, and category-specific demand.

Frequently asked questions

If you participated in Bihar NEET-PG 2026 Round 1 counselling for ENT, compare your rank against the closing ranks released by BCECEB to understand your allotment status and plan for subsequent rounds. If you did not qualify in Round 1, review the data to identify realistic backup colleges and categories for Round 2, keeping in mind that closing ranks typically rise in later rounds. Visit bceceboard.bihar.gov.in for the complete allotment data and official counselling schedule.