If you're a NEET UG 2026 qualifier hoping for an MBBS or BDS seat in Chhattisgarh, the state's Round 1 counselling process has now begun. The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Chhattisgarh opened registration and choice filling on its portal on August 9, 2026, giving eligible candidates a narrow window to lock in their college preferences. This round decides admission to the state's 85 percent quota seats — separate from the All India Quota seats handled by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) — so anyone chasing a Chhattisgarh government or private medical college seat needs to act within the stated deadlines. Missing a step here means losing a shot at this round entirely, since counselling rounds move fast and don't offer grace periods.
Chhattisgarh NEET UG aspirants must register and pay fees by August 16, 2026, and lock choices by August 17, 2026, on cgdme.admissions.nic.in to be considered for Round 1 state quota MBBS/BDS seat allotment on August 20.
What Just Opened, and Why It Matters
DME Chhattisgarh's Round 1 registration is the entry point for state quota admissions to MBBS and BDS programmes in the state's medical and dental colleges. This is distinct from AIQ counselling run by MCC, which covers only 15 percent of seats nationally.
Candidates who only register for MCC counselling and skip this state portal will not be eligible for any Chhattisgarh state quota seat, even if they meet the domicile criteria. The two counselling processes run in parallel timelines, and tracking both separately is on the candidate — nobody else does it for you.
Key Dates for Round 1
The schedule is tight, spanning less than two weeks from registration opening to seat allotment. Aspirants should mark these on a calendar and set reminders, since each step has a hard cutoff.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and fee payment starts | August 9, 2026 |
| Last date for registration and fee payment | August 16, 2026 |
| Choice filling and locking closes | August 17, 2026 |
| Merit list and NRI eligible list published | August 18, 2026 |
| Round 1 seat allotment result | August 20, 2026 |
| Reporting and admission at allotted institute | August 21–27, 2026 |
How Many Seats Are Actually on Offer
The state has published its Round 1 seat matrix showing a combined total of 3,575 seats across MBBS and BDS courses in government and private institutions. This number typically shifts slightly across rounds as seats get added or vacated, so treat this as a Round 1 snapshot rather than a final figure.
Named participating institutes include Pt. JNM Medical College in Raipur, CIMS Bilaspur, and Bharat Ratna Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Government Medical College in Rajnandgaon. The full college-wise breakdown, including private BDS colleges, is available only on the official seat matrix document — aspirants should download and study this before filling choices rather than relying on general listings.
- MBBS seats: 2,875
- BDS seats: 700
- Total seats: 3,575
Who Can Apply and What to Keep Ready
Eligibility rests on two pillars: having qualified NEET UG 2026, and meeting Chhattisgarh's domicile rules as defined by DME. NRI candidates need to submit specific supporting documents at the time of registration, and reserved-category applicants must have a valid certificate from a competent authority — uploading anything less complete usually causes rejection or delay in the merit list stage.
Before logging in, keep your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, domicile certificate, category certificate (if applicable), a recent photograph, and signature scan ready in the correct format and size specified by the portal. The full eligibility conditions are listed in DME's official notice dated August 7, 2026, and it's worth reading that notice directly rather than relying on secondary summaries.
Step-by-Step: Registering and Filling Choices
The process is entirely online through cgdme.admissions.nic.in. Candidates who rush through choice filling often regret it later, since choices once locked cannot be edited — so take the time to rank colleges by genuine preference, not just by perceived prestige.
- Open the new registration link on the official portal
- Enter NEET UG 2026 roll number, application number, and date of birth
- Fill in personal, academic, category, and contact details
- Upload scanned NEET scorecard, domicile proof, photograph, and signature
- Pay the counselling registration fee via net banking, card, or UPI
- Enter the choice filling module and select preferred colleges and courses in order
- Lock choices before August 17, 2026 and save the confirmation page for your records
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices
Once choice locking closes, DME will publish the merit list and NRI eligible list on August 18, 2026. This list ranks candidates by NEET score within category and domicile criteria, and determines the order in which seats are offered. The Round 1 seat allotment result follows on August 20, 2026.
Candidates allotted a seat must report and complete admission formalities at the concerned institute between August 21 and August 27, 2026. Missing this reporting window typically results in forfeiture of the allotted seat, so factor in travel and document verification time when planning.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Do I need to register separately for MCC AIQ counselling and Chhattisgarh state counselling?
Yes. These are two independent processes with separate portals, fees and schedules. Registering only with MCC does not make you eligible for any Chhattisgarh state quota seat, and vice versa.
What is the last date to register for Chhattisgarh NEET UG 2026 Round 1?
Registration and fee payment must be completed by August 16, 2026. Choice filling and locking has a separate, later deadline of August 17, 2026.
How many total MBBS and BDS seats are available in Chhattisgarh this round?
The published Round 1 seat matrix lists 2,875 MBBS seats and 700 BDS seats, adding up to 3,575 seats across government and private colleges in the state.
Can NRI candidates apply through this counselling round?
Yes, NRI candidates are eligible but must submit valid supporting documents establishing their NRI status at the time of registration, as per DME's eligibility conditions.
When will I know if I got a seat in Round 1?
The merit list and NRI eligible list come out on August 18, 2026, followed by the Round 1 seat allotment result on August 20, 2026.
What happens if I get allotted a seat but miss the reporting deadline?
Reporting at the allotted institute is scheduled between August 21 and August 27, 2026. Missing this window generally leads to loss of the allotted seat, so plan travel and documentation well in advance.
Which colleges are confirmed to be part of this counselling round?
Named institutes include Pt. JNM Medical College Raipur, CIMS Bilaspur, and the Bharat Ratna Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Government Medical College in Rajnandgaon, alongside other government and private colleges listed in the full seat matrix on the DME portal.
Chhattisgarh aspirants should treat the August 16 registration deadline and August 17 choice-locking deadline as non-negotiable, since Round 1 sets the tone for the rest of the counselling cycle. Download the official seat matrix, verify your documents against DME's eligibility notice, and keep tracking cgdme.admissions.nic.in for the merit list and allotment result over the coming days.
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