Uttar Pradesh has released the Round 1 merit list and seat matrix for NEET-PG counselling 2026, marking a critical milestone in the admission process for postgraduate medical courses across the state. A total of 6,084 candidates have been ranked in the state merit list, competing for 3,961 available seats in MD, MS, and PG Diploma programmes. The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) has also published separate seat matrices for DNB (Diplomate of National Board) courses. With choice-filling now underway and allotment results due within a week, this is a pivotal moment for MBBS graduates awaiting their PG placement.
If you registered for UP NEET-PG counselling 2026, download your merit list and seat matrix immediately from upneet.gov.in, then lock your college and course choices by October 30, 5 PM to secure your Round 1 seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat Has Been Released: Merit List and Seat Matrix Explained
The Uttar Pradesh DGME has published two critical documents for Round 1 counselling: the state merit list, which ranks all 6,084 eligible candidates by their NEET-PG score, and the seat matrix, which shows exactly how many postgraduate seats are available in each college and course. These documents form the foundation of the entire counselling process—your rank determines your eligibility to choose from available seats, and the seat matrix tells you which colleges and specialities have openings.
Separate merit lists and seat matrices have also been released for DNB courses, since DNB seats are allocated through the same NEET-PG counselling portal but follow their own ranking and availability. This means if you are eligible for both MD/MS/Diploma and DNB seats, you will see both options during choice-filling.
Seat Availability Across Government and Private Colleges in UP
A total of 3,961 postgraduate seats are available in Uttar Pradesh for Round 1 counselling. The breakdown shows a significant skew towards private medical colleges, which account for the majority of available positions. This distribution is important because it affects your chances of securing a seat in a government college—competition will be intense for the limited government seats, while private college seats may be more accessible depending on your rank and choice strategy.
- Government medical colleges: 1,095 seats
- Private medical colleges: 2,866 seats
- Total: 3,961 seats
| College Type | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Government medical colleges | 1,095 |
| Private medical colleges | 2,866 |
| Total | 3,961 |
How to Download Your Merit List and Seat Matrix
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The merit list and seat matrix are available on the official UP NEET-PG counselling portal at upneet.gov.in. The process is straightforward: visit the website, navigate to the UP NEET PG Counselling 2026 section, and look for the 'Latest Updates' area. You will find separate download links for the MD/MS/Diploma merit list, the MD/MS/Diploma seat matrix, and the corresponding documents for DNB courses.
Save these documents immediately after downloading—you will need to refer to them during choice-filling to identify which colleges and courses are available at your rank. Having them offline ensures you can review them even if the portal experiences traffic congestion during the busy choice-filling window.
- Visit upneet.gov.in
- Open the UP NEET PG Counselling 2026 section
- Click on the merit list or seat matrix link under 'Latest Updates'
- Download and save the PDF for your reference
Critical Dates: Choice-Filling and Allotment Timeline
The Round 1 choice-filling and locking window is now open and runs from October 26 to October 30, 2026, at 5 PM. This is a hard deadline—any choices not locked by 5 PM on October 30 will not be considered for allotment. During this period, you must log into the counselling portal, review the available seats at your rank, select your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference, and lock your choices.
The Round 1 seat allotment result will be announced on November 2, 2026. This means you will have just two days after the choice-filling deadline to prepare for the allotment outcome. It is essential to plan your choices carefully during the filling window, as a rushed or poorly thought-out selection can result in an undesirable allotment or even no seat if your choices are too narrow.
- Choice-filling and locking: October 26–30, 2026, 5 PM (deadline)
- Round 1 allotment result: November 2, 2026
What Your Rank Means: Understanding Merit List Position
Your position in the 6,084-candidate merit list determines which seats you are eligible to choose. If you are ranked in the top 1,000, for example, you will have access to all seats in the matrix—both government and private colleges. As your rank number increases, your choice options narrow, as higher-ranked candidates will have already selected the most competitive seats. This is why understanding your exact rank and comparing it to the seat matrix is crucial before you begin filling choices.
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The merit list is based solely on your NEET-PG score; it does not account for category reservations or other eligibility criteria that may apply during allotment. Therefore, your actual allotment may differ from your merit list rank if you belong to a reserved category or if there are other policy-based adjustments.
Strategy for Choice-Filling: Making the Most of Your Rank
With 3,961 seats available and 6,084 candidates in the merit list, not every candidate will secure a seat in Round 1. Your choice-filling strategy should balance ambition with realism. If you are aiming for a government college seat, research the typical cutoff ranks for your preferred specialities and colleges in previous years (if available), and place those choices early in your preference list. Follow these with private college options that align with your rank to ensure you have a fallback.
Avoid leaving your choice list too narrow—if you select only three highly competitive government college seats and your rank does not qualify for any of them, you may not be allotted a seat in Round 1. Conversely, do not fill your entire list with seats far below your rank, as this wastes the opportunity to aim higher. A balanced approach—mixing aspirational, realistic, and safe choices—maximizes your chances of a favorable allotment.
DNB Seats: A Separate but Parallel Process
DNB (Diplomate of National Board) seats are allocated through the same NEET-PG counselling portal but have their own merit list and seat matrix. If you are eligible for both MD/MS/Diploma and DNB seats, you will see both options during choice-filling. Some candidates prefer DNB seats because they offer flexibility in terms of training location and may have different fee structures compared to MD/MS seats in private colleges.
Review the DNB seat matrix carefully if you are considering this option. The number of DNB seats available may differ significantly from MD/MS/Diploma seats, and the colleges offering DNB programmes may not overlap entirely with those offering MD/MS/Diploma. Make an informed decision about whether to prioritize DNB or MD/MS/Diploma seats based on your career goals and the specific colleges and specialities available.
What Happens After Round 1: Subsequent Rounds and Mop-Up
Round 1 is the first of multiple counselling rounds. If you do not secure a seat in Round 1, or if you are allotted a seat but choose to participate in subsequent rounds for a better option, you will have the opportunity to do so. Typically, Round 2 and mop-up rounds follow, with fresh choice-filling windows and allotment results. However, each round has fewer available seats as candidates are progressively allotted, so the competition becomes more intense.
Plan ahead: if you are not satisfied with your Round 1 allotment, understand the rules for participating in Round 2 before you accept or reject your Round 1 seat. Some states allow candidates to decline a Round 1 seat and participate in Round 2 without penalty, while others may impose restrictions. Check the UP NEET-PG counselling guidelines for these details.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How do I download the UP NEET-PG 2026 Round 1 merit list?
Visit upneet.gov.in, navigate to the UP NEET PG Counselling 2026 section, and click on the merit list link under 'Latest Updates'. The merit list for MD/MS/Diploma and DNB courses are available as separate PDFs. Download and save them for reference during choice-filling.
What does my rank in the merit list mean for my seat options?
Your rank determines which seats you are eligible to choose. A higher rank (lower number) gives you access to more competitive seats, including government college seats. As your rank number increases, your choice options narrow because higher-ranked candidates will have already selected the most sought-after seats. Compare your rank to the seat matrix to identify realistic options.
When must I lock my choices, and what happens if I miss the deadline?
You must lock your choices by October 30, 2026, at 5 PM. This is a hard deadline. Any choices not locked by this time will not be considered for allotment. If you miss the deadline, you will not be allotted a seat in Round 1 and will have to wait for subsequent rounds.
How many seats are available in government versus private colleges in UP?
Out of 3,961 total seats, 1,095 are in government medical colleges and 2,866 are in private medical colleges. This means private colleges have significantly more seats, but competition for government college seats will be intense due to their limited availability.
What is the difference between MD/MS/Diploma seats and DNB seats?
MD/MS/Diploma seats are offered by medical colleges and are allocated through the NEET-PG counselling process. DNB seats are offered by DNB-accredited institutions and are also allocated through the same portal but have separate merit lists and seat matrices. If you are eligible for both, you can choose to prioritize either option during choice-filling.
When will the Round 1 allotment result be announced?
The Round 1 seat allotment result is scheduled to be announced on November 2, 2026. After this date, you will know which seat (if any) has been allotted to you based on your rank and choices.
What should I do if I don't secure a seat in Round 1?
If you are not allotted a seat in Round 1, you can participate in Round 2 and subsequent mop-up rounds. Each round will have fresh choice-filling windows and allotment results. However, fewer seats are available in later rounds as candidates are progressively allotted, so competition increases. Check the UP NEET-PG counselling guidelines to understand the rules for participating in subsequent rounds.
How should I approach choice-filling to maximize my chances of a good seat?
Use a balanced strategy: place your most aspirational choices (competitive government college seats) early, follow with realistic choices (private colleges or less competitive specialities at your rank), and include safe choices (seats well below your rank) to ensure you have a fallback. Avoid making your list too narrow, as this risks not being allotted any seat. Research typical cutoff ranks for your preferred colleges and specialities to inform your decisions.
Download your merit list and seat matrix from upneet.gov.in immediately, review your rank against the available seats, and plan your choice-filling strategy carefully before the October 30 deadline. The allotment result on November 2 will determine your Round 1 placement, so make every choice count.
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