The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has announced the state merit list for Round 3 of the NEET UG 2026 counselling process. This is a critical moment for NEET aspirants in UP who have cleared the exam and are eligible for state quota seats in government and private MBBS and BDS colleges. With the merit list now live on the official portal, candidates must act quickly to complete their choice-filling process before the deadline passes. Missing this window could mean losing your chance at admission in this round.
You have until October 31, 2026 at 5 PM to fill and lock your college and course choices on upneet.gov.in if your name appears in the Round 3 merit list.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Happened: Round 3 Merit List Is Now Live
The DGME Uttar Pradesh has officially released the state merit list for Round 3 of NEET UG 2026 counselling on upneet.gov.in. This list contains the category-wise ranks of all candidates who registered, submitted their documents on time, and were verified as eligible by the authorities. If your name appears on this list, you are now eligible to participate in the choice-filling process for vacant MBBS and BDS seats across government and private medical and dental colleges in Uttar Pradesh.
The merit list is available as a downloadable PDF on the official website. Candidates can search for their roll number using the browser's search function (Ctrl+F) to quickly locate their rank and category. This rank determines your priority in the seat allotment process—a higher rank means you get to choose from available seats before candidates with lower ranks.
Choice Filling Window: Your Action Timeline
The choice-filling portal opened on October 28, 2026 and will remain open until October 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. This is your window to log in, review the available seats at each college, and rank your preferred colleges and courses in order of your choice. Once you submit and lock your choices, you cannot change them, so it is essential to think carefully about your preferences before finalizing.
After the choice-filling deadline closes, the authorities will run the seat allotment algorithm on November 2, 2026. The allotment result will be announced on that date. You will then have from November 3 to November 7, 2026 to download your allotment letter and report to your assigned college. Missing any of these deadlines could result in forfeiture of your seat.
How to Download Your Merit List and Check Your Rank
To access your merit list and verify your rank, visit upneet.gov.in and look for the 'Notifications' or 'Important Links' section on the homepage. You will find a link labeled 'State Merit List NEET UG-2026'. Click on it to download the PDF file. Once downloaded, open the file and use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) to search for your roll number. Your rank and category will be displayed next to your roll number.
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Save this PDF for your records and for future reference during the choice-filling and allotment process. Having a copy ensures you can quickly refer to your rank if you need to make decisions about which colleges to prioritize.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Your Choices
Once you have confirmed your rank, log in to the choice-filling portal at upneet.gov.in using your registration number, password, and security code. Navigate to the 'UP NEET UG Choice Filling' section. You will see a list of available colleges and courses based on your rank and category. Carefully review the vacancy matrix to understand which seats are available at each institution.
Select your preferred colleges and courses, then rank them in order of your priority. For example, if you prefer Government Medical College A over Government Medical College B, place A higher in your list. After ranking all your choices, save them. The system will then ask you to verify your choices by entering an OTP (one-time password) sent to your registered mobile number or email. Once verified, your choices are locked and cannot be changed.
- Log in with your registration number, password, and security code
- Navigate to the Choice Filling section
- Review the vacancy seat matrix for all colleges
- Select and rank colleges and courses by preference
- Save your choices
- Verify by entering the OTP
- Confirm that your choices are locked
Security Deposits: What You Need to Pay
If you are allotted a seat, you will be required to pay a security deposit to confirm your admission. The amount depends on the type of college and course you are allotted. For government MBBS and BDS seats in Uttar Pradesh, the security deposit is Rs. 30,000. This amount is held by the college and is refundable at the end of your course, provided you complete your studies without any disciplinary issues.
If you are allotted a seat in a private MBBS course, the security deposit is Rs. 2,00,000 (two lakh rupees). For private BDS courses, it is Rs. 1,00,000 (one lakh rupees). These deposits are significantly higher than government college deposits and should be factored into your decision-making. Ensure you have the funds available before you finalize your choices, as you will need to pay this deposit during the college reporting period (November 3–7, 2026) to secure your seat.
- Government MBBS/BDS: Rs. 30,000
- Private MBBS: Rs. 2,00,000
- Private BDS: Rs. 1,00,000
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Key Dates You Cannot Miss
The entire Round 3 process follows a strict timeline. The choice-filling window closes on October 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM—this is non-negotiable. Any choices submitted after this time will not be accepted. The seat allotment result will be declared on November 2, 2026, and you must download your allotment letter and report to your college between November 3 and November 7, 2026.
Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders. Many candidates miss deadlines due to oversight or technical issues. Plan ahead, ensure your internet connection is stable, and complete your choice-filling well before the deadline to avoid last-minute problems.
- October 28–31, 2026 (5:00 PM): Choice filling window
- November 2, 2026: Seat allotment result announcement
- November 3–7, 2026: Allotment letter download and college reporting
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices
After the choice-filling deadline, the counselling authority runs a computerized algorithm that matches your rank and choices with available seats. The algorithm respects your ranking—it tries to allot you the highest-ranked college on your list for which you are eligible based on your rank and category. If that seat is not available, it moves to your second choice, and so on.
The result of this process is your allotment letter, which will be available for download on November 2, 2026. This letter will specify the college, course, and seat you have been allotted. You must then report to that college with the required documents and pay the security deposit to confirm your admission. If you do not report within the specified dates, your seat may be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate.
Why Your Choices Matter: Strategy Tips
Your choice ranking is one of the most important decisions you will make during counselling. A common mistake is to rank colleges randomly or without research. Instead, spend time researching each college's reputation, infrastructure, faculty, placement record, and location. Rank them honestly based on your preferences, not on what you think others might choose.
Another key strategy is to include a mix of colleges in your list. Rank your dream colleges at the top, but also include colleges where you are very likely to get a seat based on your rank. This balanced approach increases your chances of getting a good college while minimizing the risk of not getting any seat at all. Do not leave your list incomplete—fill as many choices as possible to maximize your options.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How do I check if my name is in the UP NEET 2026 Round 3 merit list?
Visit upneet.gov.in and look for the 'State Merit List NEET UG-2026' link in the Notifications or Important Links section. Download the PDF and use Ctrl+F to search for your roll number. Your rank and category will be displayed next to your roll number if you are eligible.
What is the deadline for filling my choices in Round 3?
The choice-filling window closes on October 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Any choices submitted after this time will not be accepted. You must complete and lock your choices before this deadline.
Can I change my choices after I lock them?
No. Once you verify your choices by entering the OTP and lock them, you cannot change them. The system does not allow modifications after locking. Therefore, review your choices carefully before finalizing.
When will the seat allotment result be announced?
The Round 3 seat allotment result will be announced on November 2, 2026. You can download your allotment letter from the official portal on that date.
What is the security deposit, and when do I need to pay it?
The security deposit is a refundable amount you must pay to confirm your admission. For government MBBS/BDS seats, it is Rs. 30,000. For private MBBS, it is Rs. 2,00,000, and for private BDS, it is Rs. 1,00,000. You must pay this deposit during the college reporting period (November 3–7, 2026) to secure your seat.
What happens if I do not report to my allotted college by November 7, 2026?
If you do not report to your allotted college and pay the security deposit within the specified dates, your seat will be cancelled. The seat will then be offered to the next eligible candidate in the merit list. You will lose your chance for admission in Round 3.
How many colleges can I list in my choices?
The source does not specify a maximum number of choices. It is advisable to fill as many choices as possible to maximize your options. Include a mix of colleges where you are likely to get a seat and colleges that are your preferences.
What documents do I need to bring when I report to my allotted college?
The source does not specify the exact documents required. Typically, you will need your allotment letter, NEET admit card, merit list printout, identity proof, and proof of address. Contact your allotted college directly for a complete list of required documents.
If your name appears in the Round 3 merit list, act immediately. Download the list, research your college options, and fill your choices thoughtfully before October 31, 2026 at 5 PM. Missing this deadline means missing your chance at admission in this round. Once allotted on November 2, ensure you report to your college and pay the security deposit by November 7 to confirm your seat.
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