The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released the seat matrix for Round 3 of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round covers vacant state quota seats in MBBS, BDS, and BHMS programmes across government and private colleges in Jharkhand. Candidates who registered between September 20 and 24 can now fill their college and course preferences online. This is the final major opportunity to secure a state quota medical or dental seat in Jharkhand for the 2026 admission cycle.
You have until October 7 to fill and lock your Round 3 choices; allotment results will be announced between October 9 and 14.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is Round 3 and why does it matter for NEET aspirants?
Round 3 is the third and final major counselling phase for Jharkhand NEET UG 2026. It includes seats that became vacant after earlier rounds due to candidate upgrades, withdrawals, and non-reporting. These are fresh vacancies added to the pool, giving aspirants who did not secure a seat in Rounds 1 or 2 another chance to claim a state quota position.
This round covers 85 percent of state quota seats across three medical streams: MBBS, BDS, and BHMS. Both government institutions like RIMS Ranchi, MGM Medical College Jamshedpur, and PMCH Dhanbad, as well as private medical, dental, and homoeopathy colleges participate. For many aspirants, Round 3 represents the last realistic window to lock in a medical or dental seat under state quota before the cycle closes.
How to download and review the Round 3 seat matrix
The seat matrix is available on the official JCECEB portal at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in. It is published as a downloadable PDF file and lists all vacant seats college-wise and category-wise. The matrix shows vacancies for General, EWS (Economically Weaker Section), OBC (Other Backward Class), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), and reserved sub-categories.
Before you begin filling choices, download the matrix and carefully review which colleges have seats in your category and course preference. Match the available vacancies against your NEET rank and reservation status. This step is crucial because it helps you identify realistic options and avoid wasting choices on colleges where your rank may not qualify.
- Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
- Locate the Round 3 seat matrix notice
- Download the PDF file
- Review college-wise and category-wise vacancies
- Note down your preferred colleges and courses before logging into the counselling portal
Important dates for Round 3 choice filling and allotment
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The choice filling window is now open and will remain active until October 7, 2026. You must log in to the counselling portal, enter your preferences, and lock your choices before this deadline. Any choices not locked by October 7 will be automatically locked by the system, so do not delay.
Seat allotment letters will be issued between October 9 and October 14. After receiving your allotment letter, you will be required to report to your allotted college for document verification and admission formalities. Missing the reporting deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat.
- Round 3 registration window: September 20–24, 2026 (already closed)
- Revised merit list and vacancy matrix released: September 25, 2026
- Choice filling and locking: September 28 – October 7, 2026
- Seat allotment letters issued: October 9–14, 2026
Step-by-step guide to filling and locking your Round 3 choices
Log in to the counselling application portal at cap.jceceb.co.in using your Round 3 registration credentials. Once logged in, navigate to the choice filling section on your counselling dashboard. You will see an interface where you can add colleges and courses in your order of preference.
Enter your choices carefully, starting with your most preferred college and course combination. You can add multiple choices and rearrange them until your list reflects your true priority order. After finalizing your preferences, click the lock choices button before the October 7 deadline. Save and download a PDF copy of your locked choices for your records.
Remember: the order in which you list your choices matters. The allotment algorithm will assign you to the highest-ranked college on your list for which you are eligible based on your rank and category. Therefore, place colleges where you are confident of admission lower on the list, and colleges that are slightly out of reach higher up, if you genuinely prefer them.
- Log in at cap.jceceb.co.in with your Round 3 credentials
- Open the choice filling section from your dashboard
- Add colleges and courses in order of preference
- Rearrange the list to reflect your true priority
- Click lock choices before October 7 deadline
- Download and save the final locked list as PDF
Who is eligible to participate in Round 3?
Only candidates who registered for Round 3 between September 20 and September 24, 2026 are eligible to fill choices in this round. This includes both fresh registrants who did not participate in earlier rounds and eligible candidates from Rounds 1 or 2 who wish to try again.
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Your name must appear on the revised state merit list published on September 25, 2026 to be eligible. If you registered but do not see your name on the merit list, contact the JCECEB office immediately to resolve the issue. Candidates who did not register during the specified window cannot participate in Round 3.
Colleges and courses covered under Round 3
Round 3 covers MBBS, BDS, and BHMS programmes offered by government and private colleges affiliated with Jharkhand universities. Major government medical colleges participating include RIMS Ranchi, MGM Medical College Jamshedpur, and PMCH Dhanbad. Private medical, dental, and homoeopathy institutions also offer seats under this round.
The seat matrix will specify exactly which colleges have vacancies in each course and category. Not all colleges may have vacancies in all categories, so review the matrix carefully to identify colleges where seats are actually available in your category.
Strategy for choosing colleges: safe, target, and reach options
A balanced choice list includes three types of options: safe choices (colleges where your rank comfortably qualifies), target choices (colleges where your rank is borderline), and reach choices (colleges slightly above your rank that you genuinely prefer). This mix maximizes your chances of securing admission to a college you are happy with.
Use the seat matrix and your NEET rank to identify colleges in each category. If your rank is 5000 and you belong to the General category, for example, look at colleges where General category seats are available and where your rank historically qualifies. Add one or two colleges where your rank is slightly below the expected cutoff if you strongly prefer them. This strategy balances ambition with realism.
What happens after allotment and what to prepare
Once you receive your allotment letter between October 9 and 14, you will be instructed to report to your allotted college for document verification and admission formalities. Have all original documents ready: your NEET admit card, scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college.
Reporting is mandatory. If you do not report within the specified deadline, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate. After reporting and document verification, you will complete the admission process and secure your seat for the 2026–27 academic year.
- Keep original NEET admit card and scorecard ready
- Prepare 10th and 12th mark sheets
- Have caste certificate if applicable
- Have income certificate if applicable
- Check college website for additional document requirements
- Note the reporting date and time from your allotment letter
- Report on time; missing the deadline forfeits your seat
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does the Round 3 choice filling window close?
The choice filling window closes on October 7, 2026. Any choices not locked by this date will be automatically locked by the system. It is strongly recommended that you lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Where can I download the Round 3 seat matrix?
The seat matrix is available on the official JCECEB portal at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in. Look for the Round 3 seat matrix notice and download the PDF file. The matrix lists all vacant seats college-wise and category-wise.
Who is eligible to fill choices in Round 3?
Only candidates who registered for Round 3 between September 20 and September 24, 2026 and whose names appear on the revised merit list published on September 25 are eligible. This includes fresh registrants and eligible candidates from earlier rounds.
When will Round 3 allotment results be announced?
Seat allotment letters will be issued between October 9 and October 14, 2026. You can check your allotment status on the JCECEB portal using your login credentials.
What courses are covered in Round 3?
Round 3 covers MBBS, BDS, and BHMS programmes. Seats are available in government colleges like RIMS Ranchi, MGM Medical College Jamshedpur, and PMCH Dhanbad, as well as private medical, dental, and homoeopathy colleges in Jharkhand.
How do I log in to fill my Round 3 choices?
Log in to the counselling portal at cap.jceceb.co.in using your Round 3 registration credentials. Navigate to the choice filling section and enter your preferences in order of priority. Lock your choices before October 7.
What happens if I do not lock my choices by October 7?
If you do not manually lock your choices by October 7, the system will automatically lock them for you. However, it is safer to lock them yourself to ensure your preferences are correctly saved.
What documents do I need to bring for reporting after allotment?
Bring your original NEET admit card, scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by your allotted college. Check the college website for a complete list.
Download the Round 3 seat matrix today, review vacancies in your category, and prepare a balanced choice list of safe, target, and reach colleges. Lock your choices well before October 7 to secure your spot in the allotment process. After receiving your allotment letter, report promptly to your college with all required documents.
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