The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (JCECEB) has released an updated seat matrix for Round 3 of NEET UG counselling 2026. This revised matrix shows 238 state quota vacancies across MBBS, BDS, and BHMS programmes in government and private colleges across the state. If you are a Jharkhand NEET UG candidate in Round 3, this update is critical: it reflects actual seats that became available after Round 2 candidates either upgraded or withdrew. You now have a narrow window to review these vacancies and lock your final choice list before the October 7 deadline.
Review the revised seat matrix immediately, rearrange your college and course preferences based on actual vacancies, and lock your choices by October 7, 6 PM—this is your final chance to shape your allotment in Round 3.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Is the Revised Seat Matrix and Why Does It Matter?
A seat matrix is a detailed list of how many seats are available in each course at each college during a counselling round. The revised matrix released on October 5 reflects the real vacancy position after Round 2 candidates completed their admissions or chose to upgrade to better colleges. Seats that were not filled in Round 2, or that were vacated when candidates moved to other institutions, now appear as fresh opportunities in Round 3.
For you as a Round 3 candidate, this revised matrix is your roadmap. It tells you exactly where seats exist, which colleges have openings in your preferred course, and how many candidates are competing for each seat. Using outdated or initial vacancy data could lead you to lock choices for colleges or courses that have no seats left, wasting your Round 3 opportunity.
How Many Seats Are Available in Round 3?
The revised matrix lists a total of 238 state quota vacancies across all three courses. These seats span government and private medical colleges (MBBS), dental colleges (BDS), and homoeopathic institutions (BHMS) in Jharkhand. The exact distribution across each college and course is detailed in the PDF matrix available on the JCECEB portal.
The number 238 is not arbitrary—it represents seats that genuinely exist and are ready to be filled. However, the availability varies significantly by college, course, and category (general, OBC, SC, ST). A college may have 5 MBBS seats but only 1 BDS seat, or seats may be reserved for specific categories. This is why downloading and carefully studying the full matrix is essential before you finalize your preferences.
Critical Dates: When Must You Act?
The counselling timeline is tight and non-negotiable. Choice filling opened on September 28, but the revised matrix was released on October 5—giving you only two days to review updated vacancies and adjust your preferences. The absolute deadline to lock your choices is October 7 at 6:00 PM. After that, no changes are allowed.
Once you lock your choices, the system will generate provisional seat allotment letters from October 9 onwards. You will then have until October 14 to complete document verification and admission formalities at your allotted college. Missing any of these dates can result in forfeiture of your seat.
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- Round 3 State Merit List: September 25, 2026
- Initial Vacant Seat Matrix: September 25, 2026
- Choice Filling Opens: September 28, 2026
- Revised Vacancy Matrix Released: October 5, 2026
- Last Date for Choice Filling and Locking: October 7, 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Provisional Seat Allotment Letter: October 9–14, 2026
- Document Verification and Admission: October 10–14, 2026
Which Courses and Colleges Are Included?
Round 3 vacancies cover three medical and health science courses under the Jharkhand state quota: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) at government and private medical colleges, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) at government and private dental colleges, and BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) at homoeopathic colleges recognized by the state.
All participating government and private institutions in Jharkhand are part of this counselling. However, not every college has vacancies in every course. Some colleges may have only MBBS seats, others only BDS, and some may have seats in multiple courses. This is why the course-wise and college-wise breakdown in the matrix is so important—it prevents you from wasting a preference on a college that has no opening in your chosen course.
- MBBS: Government and private medical colleges in Jharkhand
- BDS: Government and private dental colleges in Jharkhand
- BHMS: Homoeopathic colleges under Jharkhand state quota
How to Download and Review the Revised Seat Matrix
Accessing the matrix is straightforward but requires you to be organized. Visit the official JCECEB portal at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in, navigate to the latest notices section on the homepage, and locate the link for 'Round 3 Revised Seat Matrix 2026.' Click it to open the PDF, then download it to your device so you can study it offline without losing internet connection.
Once downloaded, open the PDF and search for your preferred colleges and courses. Note down the exact number of vacancies in each category (general, OBC, SC, ST) that applies to you. Cross-reference this with your NEET UG rank and category to identify realistic options. Many candidates make the mistake of locking preferences for colleges where their rank does not qualify or where no seats exist in their chosen course—the revised matrix prevents this if you use it carefully.
- Visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in on your browser
- Open the latest notices section on the homepage
- Click the 'Round 3 Revised Seat Matrix 2026' link
- Download the PDF to your device
- Search for your preferred colleges and courses
- Note the exact vacancy count in your applicable category
How to Lock Your Choices Before the Deadline
Locking your choices is the final and irreversible step in Round 3 counselling. Log into the JCECEB counselling portal using your Round 3 registration credentials (usually your application number and password). Once logged in, navigate to the choice filling tab in your dashboard.
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Add your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference—rank them from your most desired option to your least desired. Use the revised seat matrix to ensure each choice is realistic: verify that the college has seats in your chosen course and that your rank qualifies for that seat category. After you are satisfied with your list, click 'Lock Choices' before 6:00 PM on October 7. Any choices left unlocked will be automatically locked at the deadline, but you will have no control over their order or content.
- Log in using your Round 3 registration credentials
- Open the choice filling tab in your dashboard
- Add preferred colleges and courses in order of preference
- Rearrange choices based on the revised seat matrix
- Verify that each choice has available seats in your category
- Lock your final list before 6:00 PM on October 7, 2026
- Do not leave any choices unlocked—they will auto-lock at the deadline
Why Round 3 Is Often Your Last Chance
For most Jharkhand NEET UG candidates, Round 3 is the final state counselling round. After Round 3, if seats remain unfilled, they may be offered through special rounds or may remain vacant. This means that if you do not secure a seat in Round 3, your options for a government or private medical college seat in Jharkhand become very limited. The stakes are high, and the revised matrix is your best tool to make an informed decision.
Additionally, the seats available in Round 3 are often the most competitive because they represent the 'last chance' for many candidates. Colleges with strong reputations may still have vacancies if their cutoff rank was very high in earlier rounds, but these seats will fill quickly in Round 3. Conversely, colleges with lower cutoffs may have already filled all seats. The revised matrix shows you the current reality, not the initial expectations.
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?
After the October 7 deadline, JCECEB will process all locked choices and generate provisional seat allotment letters. These letters will be issued from October 9 onwards and will be available on the portal. Your allotment is based on your NEET UG rank, your category, your locked preferences, and the availability of seats. The system allocates seats in order of merit within each category, respecting your preference order.
Once you receive your allotment letter, you must report to the allotted college for document verification between October 10 and 14. Bring all original documents (NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate, domicile certificate, etc.) as specified in the allotment letter. Failure to report and complete verification within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat, and it will be offered to the next candidate in the merit list.
Practical Action Plan for the Next 48 Hours
You have approximately 48 hours from the release of the revised matrix to make your final decision. Here is a step-by-step action plan: First, download the revised seat matrix PDF from jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in immediately. Second, identify all colleges where your NEET UG rank qualifies for a seat in your preferred course and category. Third, compare this list with your earlier preferences and note any new opportunities or closed options.
Fourth, log into the JCECEB counselling portal and update your choice list based on the revised matrix. Rearrange your preferences to reflect your genuine priorities, not just what was available in earlier rounds. Fifth, double-check each choice one more time to ensure the college has seats and your rank qualifies. Finally, lock your choices well before 6:00 PM on October 7—do not wait until the last minute, as portal congestion or technical issues could prevent you from locking in time. Keep your original documents ready for verification after allotment.
- Download the revised seat matrix PDF from jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in
- Identify colleges where your rank qualifies in your preferred course
- Compare with your earlier preferences and note changes
- Log into the counselling portal and update your choice list
- Rearrange preferences based on genuine priorities and seat availability
- Double-check each choice for seat availability and rank eligibility
- Lock your choices well before 6:00 PM on October 7
- Prepare original documents for verification (October 10–14)
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the revised seat matrix and how is it different from the initial matrix?
The revised seat matrix shows the actual vacancy position after Round 2 candidates completed their admissions or withdrew. The initial matrix, released on September 25, showed theoretical vacancies before Round 2 allotments. The revised matrix reflects real, available seats and is more accurate for making your Round 3 choices. Using the revised matrix ensures you do not lock preferences for seats that no longer exist.
How many seats are available in Round 3 across all courses?
The revised Round 3 seat matrix lists 238 state quota vacancies in total. These are distributed across MBBS, BDS, and BHMS courses in government and private colleges in Jharkhand. The exact distribution varies by college, course, and category (general, OBC, SC, ST). You must download the full matrix to see the breakdown for each institution.
What is the deadline to lock my choices, and what happens if I miss it?
The absolute deadline to lock your choices is October 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM on the JCECEB portal. If you do not lock your choices by this time, any unlocked preferences will be automatically locked in the order they appear in your list, and you will have no control over them. Missing this deadline means you cannot change your preferences, so lock well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
How do I know if my NEET UG rank qualifies for a seat in a particular college and course?
The revised seat matrix shows the number of vacancies in each course at each college, but it does not show cutoff ranks. You must cross-reference the matrix with the Round 2 cutoff ranks published by JCECEB for each college, course, and category. If your rank is better than (lower than) the Round 2 cutoff for that seat category, you likely qualify. However, cutoffs can change in Round 3, so use Round 2 cutoffs as a guide, not a guarantee.
Can I change my locked choices after October 7?
No. Once you lock your choices at or before 6:00 PM on October 7, you cannot edit or change them. The system will use your locked preferences to generate your seat allotment. This is why it is critical to review the revised matrix carefully and finalize your preferences before locking. If you realize an error after locking, you cannot correct it in Round 3.
When will I receive my provisional seat allotment letter, and what do I do next?
Provisional seat allotment letters will be issued from October 9 to 14, 2026, and will be available on the JCECEB portal. Once you receive your allotment, you must report to the allotted college for document verification between October 10 and 14. Bring all original documents (NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate, domicile certificate, etc.). Failure to report and complete verification within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat.
Is Round 3 the final counselling round for Jharkhand NEET UG 2026?
For most candidates, yes. Round 3 is typically the final state counselling round. After Round 3, if seats remain unfilled, they may be offered through special rounds or may remain vacant. This makes Round 3 critical—if you do not secure a seat here, your options for a government or private medical college seat in Jharkhand become very limited. Treat this round as your last opportunity.
Where can I download the revised seat matrix, and how do I access it?
Visit the official JCECEB portal at jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in. On the homepage, open the latest notices section and click the link for 'Round 3 Revised Seat Matrix 2026.' The PDF will open in your browser. Download it to your device so you can study it offline. Search the PDF for your preferred colleges and courses to identify realistic options based on your rank and category.
What courses are included in the Round 3 seat matrix?
The revised matrix covers three courses: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) at government and private medical colleges, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) at government and private dental colleges, and BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) at homoeopathic colleges. All seats listed are under the Jharkhand state quota. Not every college has vacancies in every course, so verify the course-wise availability for each college you are considering.
Download the revised seat matrix immediately, identify realistic options based on your rank and category, and lock your final choices well before 6:00 PM on October 7. This is your last state counselling round—make it count by using the updated vacancy data to make an informed decision.
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