The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released the full schedule for Jharkhand NEET UG 2026 state counselling, which decides admission to MBBS, BDS and BHMS (homoeopathy) seats under the state's 85 percent quota. For any NEET UG-qualified candidate with a Jharkhand domicile, this counselling is the main route into government and private colleges within the state, running as four rounds from August through October 2026. Missing a registration or choice-filling deadline in this cycle can mean losing a seat this admission year altogether, since state counselling windows do not reopen outside the notified dates. This piece breaks down the dates, fees, and eligibility rules so aspirants and parents can plan without last-minute confusion.
Jharkhand NEET UG 2026 counselling runs in three regular rounds plus a stray vacancy round between August and October 2026, and candidates need a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate along with their NEET UG 2026 result to register.
What this counselling covers
This is state-level counselling conducted by JCECEB for seats reserved under Jharkhand's 85 percent state quota. It applies to MBBS, BDS and BHMS seats across government and private colleges located in the state.
Candidates who wish to compete for the remaining 15 percent All India Quota seats must separately register through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) process, which is different from this state-run counselling.
Round-wise schedule
The counselling has been structured into three main rounds and a final stray vacancy round for any seats left unfilled after Round 3.
- Registration: August 7 to August 11, 2026 (till 3 PM)
- State merit list: August 12, 2026
- Round 1 choice filling: August 13 to 19; seat allotment August 22 to 28; reporting/verification August 23 to 28
- Round 2 application: August 25 to 27; merit list August 30; choice filling till September 6; allotment and admission September 8 to 14
- Round 3 application: September 11 to 12; merit list September 15; choice filling September 16 to 23; allotment September 26 to October 1; verification September 27 to October 1
- Stray vacancy round: application September 28 to 29; allotment October 5 to 10; reporting deadline October 10, 2026
Registration fee and security deposit
The registration fee is charged once at the time of applying for counselling and differs by category. A separate, much larger security deposit is payable only after a seat is allotted and the candidate confirms admission — this amount depends on whether the college is government or private, and on the course.
| Item | Category/College Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | General / EWS / BC-I / BC-II | Rs 1,000 |
| Registration fee | SC / ST / Women / Divyang | Rs 500 |
| Security deposit | Government college (General/EWS) | Rs 20,000 |
| Security deposit | Government college (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | Rs 10,000 |
| Security deposit | Private medical college | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Security deposit | Private dental college | Rs 1,00,000 |
Who can apply
Eligibility for this state counselling combines NEET UG qualification with Jharkhand-specific residency and academic conditions.
- Must have qualified NEET UG 2026 and hold Indian citizenship
- Must hold a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate
- Minimum age of 17 years as on December 31, 2026
- Must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- Minimum aggregate marks in qualifying exam: 50 percent for General/EWS; 40 percent for SC, ST, BC-I, BC-II and PwBD candidates
How to register
The process is entirely online through the JCECEB portal at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in, and candidates should keep their NEET UG scorecard, rank card, and category/domicile certificates ready before starting the form.
- Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in and open the NEET UG 2026 counselling registration link
- Register using NEET UG 2026 roll number and personal details
- Fill in academic and personal information
- Upload required documents in the prescribed format
- Pay the registration fee applicable to your category online
- Submit and save the confirmation page for future reference
What aspirants should watch for next
The state merit list, expected on August 12, 2026, will determine each candidate's rank for choice filling. Since Round 1 choice filling begins the very next day, candidates should shortlist preferred colleges and courses in advance rather than deciding after the list is out.
Because the timeline moves fast between rounds — often with only a few days between merit list release and choice filling deadlines — candidates should track the JCECEB website daily rather than relying on secondary sources for date changes.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is this counselling only for Jharkhand domicile candidates?
Yes. This state quota counselling by JCECEB requires a valid Jharkhand domicile certificate. Candidates from other states cannot apply through this process for the state quota seats.
Does this cover All India Quota seats too?
No. This is separate from the All India Quota counselling run by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). This JCECEB process covers only the 85 percent state quota seats in Jharkhand's medical, dental and homoeopathy colleges.
What is the minimum qualifying percentage needed?
General and EWS candidates need at least 50 percent aggregate marks in the qualifying exam, while SC, ST, BC-I, BC-II and PwBD candidates need at least 40 percent.
When does Round 1 seat allotment happen?
Round 1 seat allotment is scheduled from August 22 to 28, 2026, with reporting and document verification running from August 23 to 28.
What happens if seats remain vacant after Round 3?
A stray vacancy round is scheduled, with applications on September 28-29, seat allotment from October 5 to 10, and a reporting deadline of October 10, 2026.
Is the security deposit refundable?
The source schedule does not specify refund terms; candidates should check the detailed counselling brochure or contact JCECEB directly for the security deposit refund policy before paying.
Jharkhand NEET UG aspirants should treat the August 12 merit list and the tight Round 1 choice-filling window as the immediate priority, since each subsequent round moves quickly with little room for delay. Keep documents, fees, and a ranked list of preferred colleges ready well before each deadline, and verify every date directly on jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in.
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