If you're a NEET UG 2026 candidate hoping for an MBBS or BDS seat in Punjab, you now have a few extra days to finalise your college and course preferences. Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot — the body that runs state counselling for Punjab's government, private and minority medical and dental colleges — has moved the Round 1 choice-filling deadline from August 19 to August 23, 2026. Because choice filling directly decides which seat you get in the provisional allotment, this extension matters even if you had already submitted your list, since you can still log back in and reorder your choices. The change has also shifted the dates for seat allotment, the objection window, and physical reporting, so it's worth checking the fresh timeline rather than relying on the earlier schedule.
Punjab NEET UG 2026 candidates now have until August 23, 2026 to lock their Round 1 MBBS/BDS choices on admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in, with allotment, objection and reporting dates all moved forward by a few days.
What exactly changed
The original cut-off for submitting and locking choices in Round 1 was August 19, 2026, 5:00 PM. BFUHS has now extended this to August 23, 2026. The extension applies to both MBBS and BDS seats, and covers government, private, and minority institutions across Punjab, not just government colleges.
This kind of short extension is fairly routine in state counselling and usually happens to give more registered candidates time to complete choice filling, or to accommodate technical or administrative delays. It does not signal any change in eligibility rules or the merit list already published.
Revised Round 1 schedule
Because choice filling now closes later, every subsequent step in Round 1 has also moved. Here is how the dates compare.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Original choice-filling deadline | August 19, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Revised choice-filling deadline | August 23, 2026 |
| Provisional seat allotment | August 22, 2026 (subject to revision) |
| Objection window against allotment | August 23, 2026, up to 3:00 PM |
| Revised seat allotment result | August 24, 2026 |
| Physical reporting and document verification | August 25 to 28, 2026 |
Who can fill choices this round
Only candidates who had registered for Punjab counselling by August 10, 2026 are eligible to participate in this round of choice filling. You also need to have qualified NEET UG 2026 as per BFUHS's own eligibility norms, and Punjab domicile is a mandatory requirement for this state quota counselling.
The provisional combined merit list for Punjab NEET UG 2026 was released on August 13, 2026. If you registered on time and appear on that list, you should be able to log in and fill or edit your choices before the new deadline.
Counselling fee to keep in mind
Registered candidates need to pay a counselling fee before participating, and this differs by category.
- General and other categories: Rs 5,900 (including 18% GST)
- Scheduled Caste category: Rs 2,950 (including 18% GST)
How to lock your choices correctly
The process is straightforward, but small mistakes — like forgetting to click 'lock' or leaving out a backup college — can cost you a seat. Follow these steps carefully on the portal.
- Go to admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in and log in with your registered candidate ID and password.
- Open the choice-filling section to view the list of participating MBBS and BDS colleges.
- Add your preferred colleges and courses in strict order of preference — this order decides what you get if you're eligible for more than one option.
- Review the full list before finalising; you can still edit it multiple times until you lock.
- Click 'lock' only when you are certain of the order — once locked, choices for that round generally cannot be changed.
- Download and save the confirmation page/receipt for your records; you may need it during document verification.
Why the extra days matter for your strategy
Punjab's entire Round 1 process — from merit list to physical reporting — now runs in a window of roughly two weeks. In such a compressed schedule, every additional day for choice filling is genuinely useful: it gives you time to cross-check your rank against previous years' closing ranks for specific colleges, confirm fee structures, and decide realistically between a safer BDS option versus a more competitive MBBS seat at a lower-ranked college.
Do not treat the extension as a reason to delay. Portals can see heavy traffic close to a deadline, and last-minute technical glitches are a real risk. Aim to lock your list at least a day before August 23.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the new last date for Round 1 choice filling in Punjab NEET UG 2026?
August 23, 2026, extended from the earlier deadline of August 19, 2026, 5:00 PM.
Can I still register for Punjab counselling now?
No. Only candidates who registered by August 10, 2026 are eligible to fill choices in this round; this extension is only for choice filling, not fresh registration.
Does the extension apply to both MBBS and BDS seats?
Yes, it covers MBBS and BDS seats in government, private, and minority colleges across Punjab.
When will the provisional seat allotment be announced?
The revised schedule lists provisional allotment around August 22, 2026, with the confirmed/revised allotment result on August 24, 2026, after the objection window closes on August 23 at 3:00 PM.
What is the counselling fee for Punjab NEET UG 2026?
Rs 5,900 (including 18% GST) for General and other categories, and Rs 2,950 (including 18% GST) for Scheduled Caste candidates.
When is physical reporting for allotted seats?
As per the revised schedule, physical reporting and document verification are scheduled for August 25 to 28, 2026, though this may shift further if there is another extension.
Is Punjab domicile required for this counselling?
Yes, Punjab domicile is listed as a key eligibility requirement for this round of state counselling.
Candidates and parents tracking Punjab counselling should log in well before August 23 to lock a well-thought-out choice list, and keep checking the BFUHS portal since reporting and verification dates may shift again after this extension. Save every confirmation and fee receipt — you'll need them at the document verification stage.
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