If you are a Himachal Pradesh domicile candidate hoping to secure an MBBS or BDS seat under the state quota, take note: the Atal Medical and Research University (AMRU), which runs HP NEET UG counselling, has pushed its Round 1 dates. The final Round 1 merit list — the rank list used to decide who gets which seat — is now expected on the official portal amruhp.ac.in on August 21, 2026, and every step after it, from choice filling to final seat allotment and college reporting, has shifted accordingly. For students in the state quota pool, even a one- or two-day change in the merit list date resets the clock on how much time you have to research colleges and lock your preferences. This piece breaks down the revised timeline, fees, eligibility conditions and document list you need to be ready with.
HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 merit list is now due on August 21, 2026, with choice filling running August 22–25 and final seat allotment on August 29 — candidates should check amruhp.ac.in daily rather than rely on the original schedule.
What exactly changed
AMRU, the university that administers Himachal Pradesh's state quota NEET UG counselling, issued a revised calendar for Round 1. The most important shift is the release date of the final merit list, which decides each candidate's rank within the HP state quota pool for MBBS and BDS seats.
Because every subsequent stage — choice filling, provisional allotment, final allotment and reporting — is scheduled relative to the merit list date, the entire Round 1 process has moved along with it. Candidates who were tracking the earlier dates need to switch to the new ones immediately.
Revised Round 1 timeline
The table below lists the key dates as per the updated AMRU notification. These apply only to Round 1 of the HP state quota counselling process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Final merit list — Round 1 | August 21, 2026 |
| Choice filling and locking (course/college/quota) | August 22–25, 2026 |
| Provisional seat allocation — Round 1 | August 27, 2026 |
| Final seat allocation — Round 1 | August 29, 2026 |
| Reporting to allotted college | September 1–3, 2026 |
Registration fee by category
AMRU charges a counselling registration fee that varies by reservation category, and PwD (Persons with Disability) candidates are exempt entirely.
- General, NRI, OBC and other categories: Rs 2,500
- SC, ST and EWS: Rs 1,500
- PwD candidates: no fee
Who can take part
Only candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 and meet Himachal Pradesh's domicile requirements are eligible for this state quota round. Reserved-category candidates must hold valid category certificates to claim any quota benefit.
Registration during AMRU's counselling window was compulsory to enter Round 1 — candidates who missed that window cannot join this round and will have to wait for a later round or the stray vacancy round if seats remain unfilled.
Documents to keep ready for verification
Anyone who receives a seat allotment must report to the allotted institute with original documents; photocopies alone will not be accepted.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and rank/scorecard
- Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
- Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
- Himachal Pradesh domicile or bonafide certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, where applicable)
- Aadhaar card or another valid photo ID
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Counselling registration fee payment receipt
What comes after Round 1
Round 1 is the first of several stages for HP's state quota MBBS and BDS seats. AMRU has indicated two more counselling rounds will follow, and a stray vacancy round — used to fill seats left vacant after regular rounds — is expected in September 2026.
Candidates who do not get an allotment in Round 1, or who wish to try for a better seat, will get further chances in these later rounds, provided they remain within the eligible and registered pool.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where do I check the HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 merit list?
On the official AMRU portal, amruhp.ac.in. Look for the Round 1 merit list link, open the PDF and search using your registration number.
What if I miss the choice filling window between August 22 and 25?
Choice filling is time-bound; missing it means you will not be considered for seat allotment in this round. You would then have to wait for a subsequent round, subject to seat availability.
Is the registration fee refundable if I don't get a seat?
The source notification does not specify a refund policy, so candidates should check the fee refund rules directly on amruhp.ac.in or contact AMRU's helpline before assuming any refund.
Can candidates outside Himachal Pradesh apply for this quota?
This is a state quota round, so it is meant for candidates meeting Himachal Pradesh's domicile norms, alongside a valid NEET UG 2026 qualification.
What happens if I don't report to the allotted college between September 1 and 3?
Failing to report within the reporting window as per the allotment usually risks forfeiture of the allotted seat, so candidates should report with all original documents within the given dates.
Are there more rounds after Round 1?
Yes. AMRU has planned two additional counselling rounds after Round 1, plus a stray vacancy round expected in September 2026 for any seats still unfilled.
If you are in the HP NEET UG 2026 state quota pool, check amruhp.ac.in today for the Round 1 merit list, and keep your scorecard, certificates and domicile proof ready well before the choice-filling window opens. Watch the portal closely through late August and into September, since further schedule tweaks or the stray vacancy round could follow.
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