The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) in Puducherry has published the Final Merit List for NEET UG 2026 on its official portal. This list determines which candidates are eligible for Round 1 seat allotment across medical, dental, Ayurveda, and veterinary courses. If your name appears on this list, you now have a critical window to review and edit your course preferences—but only until 1 PM on September 2, 2026. Missing this deadline means your seat allotment will be based on preferences you cannot change later. Understanding what to do next is essential to secure the course and college that match your goals.
If you are listed in the CENTAC Puducherry NEET UG 2026 Final Merit List, you must log in and edit your course preferences by 1 PM on September 2, 2026—after this, your choices are locked and cannot be altered.
What the CENTAC Merit List Release Means for You
The release of the Final Merit List is the official confirmation that you have qualified for counselling and seat allotment in Puducherry's medical and dental admission process. Your position on this list is determined by your NEET UG score, category, and quota eligibility. The list covers admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS (Ayurveda), and B.V.Sc. & A.H. (veterinary) programmes across National State Seats and NRI streams.
Being on the merit list does not guarantee a seat—it only makes you eligible to participate in the allotment process. Your actual seat depends on three factors: your merit rank, the preferences you submit, and the availability of seats in your chosen courses and colleges. This is why the next step—editing your preferences—is so critical.
The One-Hour Preference Editing Window: Why It Matters
CENTAC has set a strict deadline of 1 PM on September 2, 2026, for all candidates to finalize their course and college preferences. This is not a soft deadline; the portal will close automatically, and no requests for extensions or late submissions will be accepted. Once this window closes, your preferences are frozen and will be used to generate your seat allotment in Round 1.
The order in which you list your preferences directly influences which seat you receive. If you rank MBBS at College A first and BDS at College B second, the allotment algorithm will try to place you in MBBS at College A. If that is not possible based on your rank and availability, it will move to your second choice. If you do not edit your preferences now, you may be allotted a seat that does not reflect what you actually want to study.
How to Edit Your Preferences on the CENTAC Portal
The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few minutes if you are prepared. Start by visiting the official CENTAC portal at centacpuducherry.in and clicking on the UG NEET 2026 candidate login link. Enter your application number and password to access your dashboard.
Once logged in, navigate to the course preference section. Here, you can add new choices, remove courses or colleges you no longer want, or reorder your existing list. Take your time to think through your preferences carefully—this is not a decision to rush. After you have finalized your list, save your changes and download the confirmation page. Keep this confirmation for your records; it proves that your preferences were submitted before the deadline.
- Visit centacpuducherry.in
- Click on UG NEET 2026 candidate login
- Enter your application number and password
- Open the course preference section
- Add, drop, or reorder your choices
- Save and download the confirmation page
Understanding the Merit List Categories and Quotas
The Final Merit List has been published across multiple reservation categories under Government Quota, including General, EWS (Economically Weaker Section), OBC, MBC, BCM, EBC, SC, BT, ESM, FF, MSP, and Government School Students. Separate lists have also been released for Management Quota, Management Quota Tamil, and NRI streams. You will find your name in the list corresponding to your category and quota eligibility.
CENTAC has also published a list of candidates removed under the Dual Nativity claim and a separate list of MSP non-eligible candidates. If you believe you have been incorrectly categorized or removed, contact the CENTAC helpdesk at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571 (available 10 AM to 5 PM) before the preference editing deadline.
What Happens After the Preference Window Closes
Once 1 PM on September 2 passes, the preference editing window closes permanently. CENTAC will then process Round 1 seat allotment using your locked preferences, your merit rank, and your category. The allotment algorithm will attempt to match you with a seat based on these factors and the availability of seats in your chosen courses and colleges.
The Round 1 allotment result will be uploaded to your candidate dashboard. If you are allotted a seat, you will be required to pay the prescribed fee and report to the designated college within the specified reporting window. Failure to pay the fee or report within the deadline will result in cancellation of your allotted seat, and you may lose your opportunity in that round.
Key Dates and Deadlines You Must Remember
The Final Merit List was published on September 1, 2026. The preference editing deadline is 1 PM on September 2, 2026—just one day later. After this, Round 1 seat allotment will proceed based on your locked preferences. The allotment result will be announced on the CENTAC portal, followed by a reporting window during which you must complete fee payment and college reporting.
Mark these dates clearly in your calendar and set reminders. Missing the preference editing deadline is a common mistake that can result in an unfavorable allotment or loss of your seat. Plan ahead so that you have time to think through your preferences carefully before the deadline arrives.
- Final Merit List published: September 1, 2026
- Preference editing deadline: 1 PM, September 2, 2026
- Round 1 seat allotment: To be announced
- Reporting window: To be announced
Preparing Your Documents and Fee for Reporting
While you are editing your preferences, also prepare the documents you will need if you are allotted a seat. These typically include your original NEET admit card, merit list printout, category proof (if applicable), caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by CENTAC. Having these ready will speed up the reporting process and reduce the risk of missing the reporting deadline.
Confirm the fee amount for your chosen course and college in advance. Different courses and colleges may have different fee structures. Ensure you have access to the required funds so that you can pay immediately upon receiving your allotment. Delays in fee payment can result in forfeiture of your seat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preference Editing
One of the most common mistakes is submitting preferences without careful thought. Candidates sometimes list courses or colleges they do not actually want, only to be allotted those seats and then face regret. Take time to research each college and course before adding it to your preference list. Rank them in the order that genuinely reflects your priorities.
Another mistake is assuming that a high merit rank guarantees a specific seat. Your rank is important, but it is your preferences that determine which seats you are considered for. If you do not include a particular college in your preferences, you cannot be allotted a seat there, regardless of your rank. Similarly, if you rank a college low on your list, you may not be allotted a seat there even if seats are available. Think strategically about your preference order.
What to Do If Your Name Does Not Appear on the Merit List
If you do not find your name on the Final Merit List, first verify that you are checking the correct list for your category and quota. CENTAC has published separate lists for different categories and streams. If you still cannot find your name after checking all relevant lists, contact the CENTAC helpdesk immediately. There may be an error, or you may need to clarify your eligibility status.
Do not assume that not appearing on the list means you are ineligible. Some candidates may be removed due to dual nativity claims or other eligibility issues, and CENTAC has published separate lists for these cases. Review all available lists and contact the helpdesk if you have questions about your status.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline to edit my course preferences on the CENTAC portal?
The deadline is 1 PM on September 2, 2026. After this time, the preference editing window will close automatically, and you will not be able to make any changes. Your preferences will be locked and used for Round 1 seat allotment.
What courses are covered under the CENTAC NEET UG 2026 merit list?
The merit list covers admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery), and B.V.Sc. & A.H. (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) programmes. These are available under National State Seats and NRI streams across various reservation categories.
How do I log in to the CENTAC portal to edit my preferences?
Visit centacpuducherry.in, click on the UG NEET 2026 candidate login link, and enter your application number and password. Once logged in, navigate to the course preference section on your dashboard to add, remove, or reorder your choices.
What happens if I do not edit my preferences before the deadline?
If you do not edit your preferences by 1 PM on September 2, 2026, your existing preferences (if any) will be locked and used for Round 1 seat allotment. You will not be able to make any changes after the deadline, even if you realize you made a mistake.
Can I change my preferences after Round 1 allotment results are announced?
No. Once the preference editing window closes at 1 PM on September 2, 2026, your preferences are frozen. Round 1 allotment will be based on these locked preferences. You may have the opportunity to edit preferences in subsequent rounds, but this depends on CENTAC's counselling schedule.
What should I do if I cannot find my name on the Final Merit List?
First, verify that you are checking the correct list for your category and quota. CENTAC has published separate lists for different categories, Management Quota, and NRI streams. If you still cannot find your name, contact the CENTAC helpdesk at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571 (10 AM to 5 PM) for clarification.
What documents do I need to prepare for reporting after receiving my allotment?
You will typically need your original NEET admit card, merit list printout, category proof (if applicable), caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by CENTAC. Have these ready so that you can complete reporting quickly if you are allotted a seat.
What is the CENTAC helpdesk contact number if I have questions?
You can contact the CENTAC helpdesk at 0413-2655570 or 0413-2655571. The helpdesk is available from 10 AM to 5 PM. Contact them if you have questions about your merit list status, preference editing, or any other aspect of the counselling process.
If your name appears on the CENTAC Puducherry NEET UG 2026 Final Merit List, your immediate priority is to log in to the portal and carefully edit your course preferences before 1 PM on September 2, 2026. This single decision will determine which seats you are considered for in Round 1 allotment. After the deadline, watch the CENTAC portal for the allotment result and the reporting schedule, and ensure you have all required documents and fees ready.
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