Punjab's BFUHS (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences) has released the first sports merit list for MBBS and BDS admission in session 2026–27. This list contains 68 seats reserved exclusively for sportspersons under the sports quota — a special category for candidates who have represented Punjab or India in recognised sports competitions. The merit list ranks 68 eligible candidates based on their NEET UG 2026 scores and sports achievements. If your name appears on this list, you are eligible to participate in the upcoming counselling round. This is a critical document: it determines your position in the queue for seat allocation and shows the cutoff scores for each category.
If your name is on this sports merit list, you are eligible for counselling; check your rank, category, and the cutoff score for your category to understand your chances of getting a seat.
What is the Sports Merit List?
The sports merit list is an official ranking of candidates who have qualified for MBBS and BDS admission under Punjab's sports quota for the 2026–27 session. A total of 68 seats are reserved for sportspersons — candidates who have represented Punjab or India in recognised sports competitions at the state, national, or international level.
This list is prepared by BFUHS based on NEET UG 2026 scores and verified sports credentials. Candidates are ranked in order of merit (highest NEET score first). The list is divided into two columns: one showing the candidate's NEET score (75% weightage) and another showing the combined score including sports achievement points (25% weightage). The final merit rank is determined by this combined score.
This is the first merit list released for the sports quota. Subsequent lists may be released if seats remain unfilled after counselling rounds. Appearing on this list does NOT guarantee a seat — it only confirms your eligibility to participate in counselling.
Who is Eligible for the Sports Quota?
To be eligible for the sports quota, you must have represented Punjab or India in a recognised sport at the state, national, or international level. The sports achievement must be verified and documented. Candidates are selected based on their NEET UG 2026 score combined with their sports credentials.
The merit list shows candidates from various sports backgrounds — athletics, wrestling, hockey, kabaddi, badminton, volleyball, and others. Each candidate's sports achievement is recorded in the list (for example, 'National level hockey player', 'State-level athlete', etc.). Only candidates whose sports credentials have been verified by the competent authority are included.
If you believe you are eligible but your name does not appear on this list, it may be because your sports credentials were not verified or did not meet the recognition criteria. You should contact BFUHS immediately with your supporting documents (certificates, medals, official recognition letters from sports bodies).
How to Read Your Entry on the Merit List
Each row in the merit list contains the following information: your roll number (a unique identifier), your name, your sport/category, your NEET UG 2026 score, and your final merit score (which combines NEET score at 75% weightage and sports achievement points at 25% weightage).
For example, entry 1 shows roll number 551296, a candidate from Amritsar/Rupnagar/Hissar district, with a NEET score of 578 and a final merit score of 144.5+99 (meaning 144.5 points from NEET and 99 points from sports achievement, totalling 243.5). The higher your final merit score, the higher your rank on the list.
Your position on this list (row number) is your merit rank. Rank 1 is the highest-scoring candidate and will be called first for counselling. If you are rank 50, you will be called after the first 49 candidates have been offered seats or declined them. Understanding your rank helps you estimate your chances of getting a seat in your preferred college and course.
Understanding the Scoring System
The final merit score is calculated as follows: NEET UG 2026 score × 75% + Sports achievement points × 25%. This means your NEET score counts for three-quarters of your final score, and your sports credentials count for one-quarter. A candidate with a very high NEET score but lower sports recognition may rank higher than a candidate with a lower NEET score but higher sports achievement.
For example, if your NEET score is 500 and your sports achievement points are 100, your final merit score would be (500 × 0.75) + (100 × 0.25) = 375 + 25 = 400. The sports achievement points are awarded based on the level of competition (international, national, state) and the candidate's performance or recognition in that sport.
The merit list shows both components separately so you can see how much each part contributed to your final rank. This transparency helps you understand where you stand and what your realistic chances are in the counselling process.
Important Dates and Next Steps
The sports merit list was released on 21 August 2026 (as per the notice date). The notice does not specify the exact date for counselling registration or seat allocation to begin, but candidates should expect counselling to commence shortly after the merit list release.
You must monitor the BFUHS admission portal (admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in) regularly for announcements about counselling dates, registration deadlines, and document submission requirements. Counselling typically includes registration, choice filling (selecting colleges and courses in order of preference), and seat allocation based on merit rank and availability.
If your name is on this list, you should prepare all required documents immediately — NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste/category certificate (if applicable), sports achievement certificates, and any other documents specified in the counselling notification. Missing a deadline or failing to submit documents can result in forfeiture of your seat.
Category-Wise Breakdown and Cutoff Scores
The 68 sports quota seats are distributed across different categories. The notice mentions that certain merit list entries (rows 5 and 6, 16 and 17, 30–31, 35–36, 40–41, 43–44, 53–54, 55–56, and 64–65) have special significance — these are boundary entries where the merit list changes category or where cutoff scores shift. This means that if you are ranked just above or below these entries, your chances of getting a seat may differ significantly.
The merit list also notes that entries 1, 19, 28, 29, and 32 are reserved for candidates under the Punjab State Policy on Reservation for Sportspersons (notified vide Government of Punjab, Department of Sports & Youth Services Notification No. 03/18/2018-3SS/25 dated 09.03.2026). These entries have special status and may be subject to different allocation rules.
To understand your exact category and cutoff, locate your row number on the merit list and note the final merit score shown. If you are near a boundary entry, check whether your category changes at that point. The cutoff score for your category is the lowest merit score among candidates in that category who received a seat in the previous round (if applicable) or the score of the last candidate in your category on this list.
What Happens After the Merit List is Released
After the merit list is released, BFUHS will announce the counselling schedule. Counselling typically involves the following steps: (1) Registration on the admission portal using your NEET roll number and password, (2) Filling in your choice of colleges and courses in order of preference, (3) Seat allocation based on your merit rank, category, and available seats, and (4) Reporting to the allocated college with original documents.
During counselling, you will be asked to select colleges and courses. You can choose multiple options in order of preference — for example, MBBS at College A (1st choice), MBBS at College B (2nd choice), BDS at College C (3rd choice), and so on. The system will allocate you a seat in the highest-ranked college and course available based on your merit rank and the choices you made.
If you are allocated a seat, you must report to the college within the specified time frame with all original documents. Failure to report will result in forfeiture of your seat, and the seat will be offered to the next candidate on the merit list. If you do not get a seat in the first round, you may be eligible for subsequent rounds if seats become available due to candidates not reporting or declining their offers.
Documents You Must Prepare Now
If your name is on the sports merit list, you must gather all required documents immediately. Do not wait for the counselling notification to be released. The standard documents required for NEET UG counselling in Punjab include: (1) NEET UG 2026 admit card, (2) NEET UG 2026 scorecard (downloaded from the NTA website), (3) 10th standard mark sheet and certificate, (4) 12th standard mark sheet and certificate, (5) Caste/category certificate (if applicable — SC, ST, OBC, or other reserved category), (6) Income certificate (if required for your state), (7) Domicile certificate for Punjab, (8) Sports achievement certificates and recognition letters from the relevant sports body.
For sports quota candidates, the sports achievement documents are critical. You must have official certificates or letters from the state sports authority, national sports body, or international sports federation confirming your participation and achievement. Medals, trophies, or newspaper clippings alone are not sufficient — you need official documentation.
Ensure all certificates are original or certified copies. Some documents may need to be issued after a specific date (for example, caste certificates issued within the last 5 years). Check the counselling notification carefully for any specific requirements. Keep all documents in a folder and make photocopies as well, as you may need to submit both originals and copies at the college.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard
- 10th standard mark sheet and certificate
- 12th standard mark sheet and certificate
- Caste/category certificate (if applicable)
- Income certificate (if required)
- Domicile certificate for Punjab
- Sports achievement certificates and official recognition letters
- Aadhar card or other government-issued ID
- Passport-size photographs (as per counselling notification)
Common Mistakes That Get Candidates Rejected
One of the most common mistakes is not reporting to the allocated college within the specified time frame. If you are allocated a seat but do not report with original documents by the deadline, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate. There is usually no second chance — missing the reporting deadline means losing your seat entirely.
Another critical mistake is submitting incomplete or incorrect documents. For example, if your caste certificate does not clearly show your sub-caste (if required by your state), it may be rejected. If your sports achievement certificate is not from an officially recognised sports body, it will not be accepted. Always verify that your documents match the exact requirements listed in the counselling notification.
Candidates also sometimes fail to fill their choice of colleges and courses correctly during counselling. If you do not fill your choices or fill them in the wrong order, the system may allocate you a seat you did not want, or you may not get a seat at all. Read the choice-filling instructions carefully and fill your preferences in the correct order of priority.
Finally, some candidates miss the counselling registration deadline or the choice-filling deadline because they did not monitor the admission portal regularly. Set reminders on your phone and check the BFUHS website daily once the merit list is released. Missing a deadline means you cannot participate in that round of counselling.
If Your Name is NOT on the List
If you expected to be on the sports merit list but your name does not appear, there are several possible reasons: (1) Your sports credentials were not verified or did not meet the recognition criteria, (2) Your NEET UG 2026 score was below the cutoff for the sports quota, (3) Your application for sports quota was not submitted or was rejected, or (4) There was an administrative error.
If you believe your sports credentials are valid and should have been considered, contact BFUHS immediately with your supporting documents. You may be able to appeal or request a review. However, do not delay — counselling will proceed quickly, and you need to resolve this as soon as possible.
If your NEET score was below the sports quota cutoff, you may still be eligible for the general merit list (non-sports quota). Check whether a general merit list has been released. If not, wait for it to be released. You can participate in counselling under the general category if your score qualifies.
Counselling Portal and Registration
All counselling activities — registration, choice filling, and seat allocation — take place on the BFUHS admission portal at admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in. You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password to log in. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using your registered email or phone number.
During registration, you will be asked to verify your personal details, NEET score, and category. Ensure all information is correct. Any discrepancy between your NEET scorecard and the portal data can cause problems during seat allocation. If you notice an error, report it to BFUHS immediately.
After registration, you will be directed to the choice-filling page. Here, you will see a list of colleges and courses available under the sports quota. You can select up to a certain number of choices (the exact number will be specified in the counselling notification) and arrange them in order of preference. The system will allocate you a seat in the highest-ranked college and course available based on your merit rank and choices.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What does it mean if my name is on the sports merit list?
It means you have been verified as a sportsperson eligible for the sports quota and your NEET UG 2026 score qualifies you for counselling. Your name on the list confirms that your sports credentials (representing Punjab or India in a recognised sport) have been accepted. However, appearing on the merit list does NOT guarantee a seat — it only confirms your eligibility to participate in counselling. Your final seat allocation will depend on your merit rank, the choices you make, and the availability of seats in your preferred colleges and courses.
How is my merit rank determined on this list?
Your merit rank is determined by a combined score: your NEET UG 2026 score (75% weightage) + your sports achievement points (25% weightage). For example, if your NEET score is 500 and your sports achievement points are 100, your final merit score is (500 × 0.75) + (100 × 0.25) = 400. Candidates are ranked in descending order of this final merit score — the highest score gets rank 1. Your position on the merit list (row number) is your rank. The higher your rank, the earlier you will be called for counselling and the better your chances of getting a seat in your preferred college.
What are the 68 seats in the sports quota for?
The 68 seats are reserved exclusively for sportspersons under Punjab's sports quota for MBBS and BDS admission in the 2026–27 session. These seats are separate from the general merit list seats. Only candidates who have represented Punjab or India in a recognised sport and whose credentials have been verified are eligible for these seats. The seats are distributed across MBBS and BDS courses and across different colleges in Punjab.
When will counselling begin, and what do I need to do?
The notice does not specify the exact counselling start date, but it will be announced shortly on the BFUHS admission portal (admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in). Once counselling begins, you must: (1) Register on the portal using your NEET roll number and password, (2) Fill in your choice of colleges and courses in order of preference, (3) Wait for seat allocation based on your merit rank and choices, and (4) Report to your allocated college with original documents within the specified time frame. Monitor the portal daily for announcements and deadlines.
What documents do I need to submit during counselling?
You must submit: NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, caste/category certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate for Punjab, sports achievement certificates and official recognition letters from the relevant sports body, income certificate (if required), and government-issued ID (Aadhar card). For sports quota candidates, the sports achievement documents are especially critical — they must be official certificates or letters from the state sports authority, national sports body, or international sports federation. Gather all documents now and keep both originals and certified copies ready.
What happens if I don't report to my allocated college on time?
If you are allocated a seat but do not report to the college with original documents by the specified deadline, your seat will be cancelled immediately and offered to the next candidate on the merit list. There is usually no second chance. Missing the reporting deadline means losing your seat entirely. Therefore, once you receive your seat allocation, report to the college as quickly as possible with all required documents.
Can I participate in counselling if my name is not on this sports merit list?
If your name is not on the sports merit list, you cannot participate in the sports quota counselling. However, you may still be eligible for the general merit list (non-sports quota) if your NEET UG 2026 score qualifies. Check whether a general merit list has been released. If not, wait for it. You can participate in counselling under the general category. If you believe your sports credentials should have been considered, contact BFUHS immediately with your supporting documents to request a review.
How many choices can I fill during counselling?
The notice does not specify the exact number of choices you can fill. This information will be provided in the counselling notification. Typically, candidates can fill 10–20 choices or more. You should fill as many choices as possible in order of your preference — this increases your chances of getting a seat. Arrange your choices carefully: put your most preferred college and course first, then your second preference, and so on.
What is the cutoff score for the sports quota?
The cutoff score is the lowest merit score among candidates who received a seat in the previous round (if applicable) or the score of the last candidate on this merit list. The notice does not specify a single cutoff score because the cutoff may vary by category and college. To estimate your chances, look at your merit rank and the final merit scores of candidates ranked just below you. If your score is significantly higher than the last candidate on the list, your chances are better.
Can I change my choices after I submit them during counselling?
The notice does not specify whether you can change your choices after submission. This information will be provided in the counselling notification. Typically, there is a choice-editing window during which you can modify your choices before the final seat allocation. Once the choice-editing window closes and seat allocation begins, you cannot change your choices. Therefore, fill your choices carefully and verify them before final submission.
What if I get a seat in a college far from my home?
If you are allocated a seat in a college far from your home, you have two options: (1) Accept the seat and report to the college, or (2) Decline the seat and wait for the next round of counselling (if seats become available). If you decline, you will not be considered for further rounds unless you re-register. Therefore, think carefully about your college preferences before filling your choices. If distance is a concern, prioritise colleges closer to your home in your choice list.
Is there a possibility of getting a seat in a subsequent round if I don't get one in the first round?
Yes, if you do not get a seat in the first round, you may be eligible for subsequent rounds if seats become available due to candidates not reporting or declining their offers. However, your eligibility for subsequent rounds depends on whether you remain registered on the portal and whether BFUHS announces additional rounds. Monitor the admission portal for announcements about subsequent rounds. If a second round is announced, you will be called based on your merit rank and the remaining available seats.
If your name appears on this sports merit list, congratulations — you are eligible for counselling. Start preparing immediately: gather all required documents (NEET scorecard, 10th/12th certificates, sports achievement certificates, domicile certificate, and caste certificate if applicable), and monitor the BFUHS admission portal (admission.bfuhsonline.ac.in) daily for the counselling schedule. Counselling will begin shortly, and you must register, fill your choices, and report to your allocated college within the specified deadlines. Missing any deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat. If your name is not on the list but you believe you are eligible, contact BFUHS immediately with your supporting documents.
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