Madhya Pradesh's Directorate of Medical Education (DME) has released the official user manual for the choice filling and choice locking process for NEET UG 2026 counselling (MBBS/BDS courses). This manual is your complete guide to filling your college preferences on the MPOnline portal, arranging them in order of preference, and locking them by paying a ₹100 portal fee. Without locking your choices, you will not be considered for seat allotment. This article walks you through every step of the process so you don't miss anything.
You must fill your college preferences, arrange them in priority order, and lock them by paying ₹100 on the DME portal — if you don't lock, your choices won't be considered for allotment.
What is Choice Filling and Choice Locking?
Choice filling is the process where you select the colleges and courses (MBBS or BDS) you wish to be considered for during seat allotment. Choice locking is the final step where you confirm your selections by paying a ₹100 portal fee. Once you lock your choices, they are submitted for the allotment algorithm to process.
The key difference: filling your choices alone does NOT guarantee they will be used for allotment. You must lock them. If you fill choices but do not lock them, your preferences will be ignored and you will not receive a seat, even if you were eligible for one. This is a critical step — do not skip it.
Where to Access the Portal
Visit the official DME Madhya Pradesh counselling portal at dme.mponline.gov.in. On the homepage, click on 'Under Graduate Counselling' to access the choice filling and choice locking section for MBBS/BDS courses for 2026-27.
You will see a dashboard with several options including 'Latest Instruction', 'Counselling Schedule', 'Seat Chart', 'State Merit', 'Rule Book/Steps/User Manual', and 'Allotment List'. The 'Candidate Corner' on the right side is where you log in to fill and lock your choices.
How to Log In to Your Candidate Account
In the Candidate Corner section, enter your NEET UG 2026 Roll Number (the 12-digit number from your NEET admit card) and your password. Then enter the Captcha code shown on screen and click 'SUBMIT'.
If you have not yet created a profile, click 'Create Profile' first. If you have forgotten your password, use the 'Forgot Password?' link. Once you log in successfully, you will see your Candidate Status Tracker, which shows all the stages of counselling including 'Candidate Profile', 'Candidate Registration', 'Choice Filling and Locking', 'View Allotment', and other steps.
Step 1: Click on Choice Filling Option
After logging in, you will see your Candidate Status Tracker for the First Round. Look for the 'Choice Filling and Locking' stage in the tracker. Click on the 'CHOICE FILLING' option in the left sidebar menu to begin the process.
The system will display your candidate details including your NEET roll number, rank, percentile, score, name, category, and domicile status. Verify all details are correct before proceeding.
Step 2: Choose Your College Preference Option
You will be asked to select where you want to fill your choices. You have two options: (1) Government Colleges Only, or (2) Government and Private Colleges Both. Select the option that matches your preference.
If you select 'Government Colleges Only', you will only see government medical and dental colleges in the list. If you select 'Government and Private Colleges Both', you will see both government and private colleges. Choose carefully — this determines which colleges appear in your preference list. After selecting, click 'Proceed for Next'.
Step 3: Select and Arrange Your College Preferences
Before you start selecting colleges, read the 'Instruction For College Preference Selection' box that appears on screen. This contains important rules about how to fill your preferences.
You will see a list of colleges with checkboxes. Select the colleges you wish to be considered for by clicking the checkbox next to each college name. As you select colleges, they will appear in the 'Selected Preference Box' on the right side of the screen in the order you selected them.
The order matters — your first choice is your highest preference, your second choice is your second preference, and so on. You can change the order of your selected colleges by: (a) clicking on a college in the 'Selected Preferences Box', (b) using the 'Move Up' or 'Move Down' arrow buttons to move it to a different position. Arrange your colleges in the exact order of your preference — put your most desired college first.
After you have selected and arranged all your colleges, click 'Review Selected Preferences' to proceed to the next step.
- Read the instruction box before selecting colleges
- Click checkboxes to select colleges
- Selected colleges appear in the 'Selected Preference Box'
- Use Move Up/Move Down buttons to arrange the order
- First choice = highest preference, second choice = second preference, etc.
- Click 'Review Selected Preferences' when done
Step 4: Review Your Selected Preferences
After clicking 'Review Selected Preferences', the system will display all the colleges you have selected in the order you arranged them. This is your final chance to check your choices before locking.
If you want to change your preferences, click 'Change College Preferences' to go back and modify your selections. If your preferences are correct, click 'Proceed to Next Step' to move forward to the payment and locking stage.
- Review all selected colleges and their order
- Click 'Change College Preferences' if you need to modify
- Click 'Proceed to Next Step' to continue
Step 5: Confirm Your Preferences and Proceed to Payment
Your selected college preferences will now be displayed on screen. This is your final confirmation before you pay and lock your choices. Read the 'Choice Locking Declaration' statement carefully: 'If you do not lock your choices, your choices will not be considered for allotment.'
If you want to change your preferences at this stage, click the 'Home' button (shown in green circle) and start the process again from the beginning. Otherwise, click 'Proceed to Lock Choices' to move to the payment step.
⚠️ WARNING: If you do not lock your choices by paying the fee, your preferences will NOT be considered for allotment. You will not receive a seat. Do not leave this step incomplete.
- Review your selected colleges one final time
- Click 'Home' if you need to change your preferences
- Click 'Proceed to Lock Choices' to pay and lock
Step 6: Pay the ₹100 Portal Fee and Lock Your Choices
You will now be asked to pay a ₹100 portal fee to lock your choices. The system offers three payment methods: (1) Net Banking, (2) Debit/Credit Card, or (3) UPI. Choose the method that is most convenient for you.
For Net Banking: You can use PayGov India (for all major banks) or NetBanking for All Banks (HDFC CCAvenue PG). Service charges apply as per the payment gateway.
For Debit/Credit Card: You can use HDFC CCAvenue Payment Gateway (credit card only, 0.75% processing fee) or PayGov India NDML (debit card 0.75% for amounts under ₹2000 and 1% for amounts ₹2000 and above; credit card 1% for all amounts).
For UPI: You can use PayGov India NDML or HDFC CCAvenue Payment Gateway. No transaction amount limit.
After selecting your payment method, complete the payment. Once payment is successful, your choices will be locked.
- Pay ₹100 portal fee using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI
- Net Banking: PayGov India or HDFC CCAvenue PG
- Debit/Credit Card: HDFC CCAvenue or PayGov India NDML
- UPI: PayGov India NDML or HDFC CCAvenue
- Service charges apply depending on payment method
Step 7: Download Your Receipt and Confirmation
After successful payment, you will receive an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile number. The system will generate an 'Online Counselling Choice Filling Receipt' which you must download and print for your records.
The receipt will show: your candidate details, your selected colleges in order of preference, payment details (transaction ID, payment date, portal fee amount), and a QR code. Keep this receipt safe — you may need it for future reference or if there are any issues with your allotment.
In your Candidate Status Tracker, the 'Choice Filling & Locking' stage will now turn green, indicating that this step has been completed successfully.
- You will receive an SMS confirmation
- Download and print your choice filling receipt
- Receipt shows your candidate details, selected colleges, and payment info
- Keep the receipt for future reference
- The 'Choice Filling & Locking' tracker will turn green
Can You Edit Your Locked Choices?
Yes, you can edit your locked choices during the choice filling and locking period. In your Candidate Login, there is an 'EDIT CHOICE FILLING' option available in the left sidebar menu. Click this to modify your preferences.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: If you edit your choices, you MUST lock them again by paying the ₹100 fee. If you fail to lock your edited choices before the deadline, your previously locked choices will be considered for allotment instead. Do not assume your edits are automatically saved — you must complete the locking process again.
Make sure you lock your edited choices well before the choice filling deadline to avoid any issues.
- Use 'EDIT CHOICE FILLING' option to modify your preferences
- You must lock your edited choices again by paying ₹100
- If you don't lock edits, your previous locked choices will be used
- Lock your edits before the deadline
Important Traps and Things to Remember
⚠️ TRAP 1 — Filling Without Locking: Many candidates fill their choices but forget to lock them. If you do not lock your choices by paying the ₹100 fee, they will NOT be considered for allotment. You will not receive a seat. Locking is mandatory.
⚠️ TRAP 2 — Wrong College Option: If you select 'Government Colleges Only' but later want to include private colleges, you cannot change this option after locking. You would need to edit and re-lock. Choose your college option carefully the first time.
⚠️ TRAP 3 — Preference Order Matters: The order in which you arrange your colleges is critical. Your first choice is your highest preference. If you are allotted a seat in your first choice college, you will not be considered for your second choice, even if it is a better college. Arrange your colleges in the order you actually prefer them, not in order of difficulty or cutoff.
⚠️ TRAP 4 — Editing Without Re-locking: If you edit your choices, you must lock them again. Simply editing and clicking 'Proceed' is not enough. You must complete the full locking process with payment again.
✅ DO THIS: Read the 'Instruction For College Preference Selection' before selecting colleges. Arrange your colleges carefully in order of preference. Lock your choices before the deadline. Download and save your receipt. If you edit, lock again immediately.
2 minute · Free preview
Which MBBS colleges can your NEET rank actually get?
See the real colleges your rank can reach — every state and All India Quota — with official closing ranks and the exact fee for each seat.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What happens if I fill my choices but don't lock them?
Your choices will NOT be considered for allotment. You will not receive a seat. Locking your choices by paying the ₹100 fee is mandatory. Without locking, your preferences are not submitted to the allotment algorithm.
How do I log in to the DME portal?
Visit dme.mponline.gov.in, click 'Under Graduate Counselling', then in the Candidate Corner, enter your NEET UG 2026 Roll Number, password, and Captcha, and click 'SUBMIT'. If you haven't created a profile yet, click 'Create Profile' first.
What is the difference between 'Government Colleges Only' and 'Government and Private Colleges Both'?
If you select 'Government Colleges Only', you will only see government medical and dental colleges in your preference list. If you select 'Government and Private Colleges Both', you will see both government and private colleges. Choose based on which colleges you want to be considered for. You cannot change this option after locking.
How do I arrange my college preferences in order?
After selecting colleges, they appear in the 'Selected Preference Box'. Click on a college in this box, then use the 'Move Up' or 'Move Down' arrow buttons to move it to your desired position. Your first choice should be your highest preference, your second choice your second preference, and so on.
What payment methods are available for the ₹100 locking fee?
You can pay using: (1) Net Banking (PayGov India or HDFC CCAvenue), (2) Debit/Credit Card (HDFC CCAvenue or PayGov India NDML), or (3) UPI (PayGov India NDML or HDFC CCAvenue). Service charges apply depending on the method and amount.
Can I edit my choices after locking them?
Yes, you can edit your locked choices using the 'EDIT CHOICE FILLING' option in your Candidate Login during the choice filling period. However, you MUST lock your edited choices again by paying ₹100. If you don't re-lock before the deadline, your previously locked choices will be used for allotment.
What should I do after successfully locking my choices?
You will receive an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile number. Download and print your 'Online Counselling Choice Filling Receipt' which shows your candidate details, selected colleges, and payment information. Keep this receipt for your records. Your 'Choice Filling & Locking' tracker will turn green.
What if I want to change my college preferences after locking?
You can use the 'EDIT CHOICE FILLING' option in your Candidate Login to modify your preferences. After editing, you must complete the full locking process again, including paying the ₹100 fee. Make sure you lock your edits before the choice filling deadline.
Does the order of my college choices matter?
Yes, the order is very important. Your first choice is your highest preference. If you are allotted a seat in your first choice college, you will not be considered for your second choice, even if it is a better college. Arrange your colleges in the order you actually prefer them.
What is the portal fee and why do I have to pay it?
The portal fee is ₹100. You must pay this fee to lock your choices and submit them for the allotment process. Without paying and locking, your preferences will not be considered for seat allotment.
Log in to dme.mponline.gov.in using your NEET UG 2026 Roll Number and password. Select your college preference option (government only or both), choose and arrange your colleges in order of preference, review your selections, and pay the ₹100 locking fee using your preferred payment method. Download and save your receipt. Do not leave this step incomplete — if you don't lock your choices, you will not receive a seat. If you need to edit your choices, use the 'EDIT CHOICE FILLING' option and lock again before the deadline.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.