The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has released the merit list and seat matrix for NEET PG counselling 2026 round 1. A total of 6,084 candidates who registered and paid the counselling fee are now eligible to participate in the state quota allocation for MD and MS programmes. The round 1 process offers 3,961 postgraduate medical seats across government and private colleges in Uttar Pradesh. For MBBS graduates aiming for a PG seat in UP, this marks the formal start of the admission cycle—choice filling is open until October 30, with seat allotment results expected on November 2.
If you registered for UP NEET PG 2026 and paid the fee, check the merit list at upneet.gov.in today and fill your college and speciality preferences by October 30 to secure your round 1 seat.
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Unlock My College ListMerit List Released: What It Means for Your Admission
The merit list published on October 26 confirms your eligibility to participate in round 1 counselling if your name appears on it. Eligibility is based on your NEET PG score, registration completion, and fee payment. This is not your final seat allotment—it is simply confirmation that you meet the basic criteria to enter the choice-filling stage. Your actual seat will depend on your rank, your preferences, and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges and specialities.
The merit list is the gateway to the next critical step: filling your preferences. Without appearing on this list, you cannot proceed to choice filling, regardless of your NEET PG score. If your name is missing, contact DGME Uttar Pradesh immediately to verify your registration and fee payment status.
Seat Availability: 1,095 Government and 2,866 Private Seats
Round 1 offers a total of 3,961 postgraduate medical seats across Uttar Pradesh. Of these, 1,095 are in government medical colleges and 2,866 are in private medical colleges. This split reflects the state's medical education infrastructure and the significant role private institutions play in PG training. The 50% state quota seats mentioned in the official announcement are allocated to candidates who are either UP domicile or have studied their MBBS in UP, depending on the specific eligibility criteria set by DGME.
The availability of nearly 2,900 private seats means that even if government seats are highly competitive, private college options remain substantial. However, private college fees vary widely, and some institutions charge significantly higher fees than others. Before filling preferences, research the fee structure and accreditation status of private colleges you are considering.
- Government medical college seats: 1,095
- Private medical college seats: 2,866
- Total round 1 seats: 3,961
- Eligible candidates: 6,084
Choice Filling Window: October 30 Deadline
You have until October 30 to fill and submit your preferences for colleges and specialities. This is a critical window—missing the deadline means you cannot participate in round 1 allotment. During choice filling, you will rank colleges and branches in order of your preference. The counselling system will then match your rank and preferences to available seats using a merit-based algorithm.
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Strategy matters during choice filling. Rank your preferences carefully: place your most desired college-speciality combination first, but also include realistic backup options based on your rank and previous year's cutoffs. Many candidates make the mistake of ranking only top colleges and then receive no seat in round 1 because their rank does not qualify for any of their choices. Use NEET PG college predictors and cutoff data to estimate which colleges and branches are within your reach.
- Choice filling deadline: October 30, 2026
- Allotment result date: November 2, 2026
- Rank your preferences in order of priority
- Include both aspirational and realistic options
How Your Rank Determines Your Seat
The merit list is ranked by NEET PG score. Your position on this list (your rank) is the primary factor in seat allotment. Candidates with higher ranks (lower numbers) get first choice among available seats. If you are ranked 500 and your first preference is a seat that has only 100 positions available, you will likely get that seat if your rank qualifies. However, if you are ranked 5,000 and that same seat is your first choice, you will not get it unless all higher-ranked candidates have filled their preferences with other seats.
Understanding your rank relative to seat availability is essential. With 6,084 eligible candidates and 3,961 seats, approximately 2,100 candidates will not receive a seat in round 1. However, additional rounds (round 2, round 3, and mop-up) will be conducted to accommodate more candidates. If you do not get a seat in round 1, you will have opportunities in subsequent rounds.
- Higher rank (lower number) = better chance of getting preferred seat
- Seat allotment is merit-based and preference-based
- Not all 6,084 candidates will get seats in round 1
- Additional rounds will follow for remaining candidates
Downloading the Merit List and Seat Matrix
Both the merit list and seat matrix are available as PDF downloads from upneet.gov.in. The merit list shows all eligible candidates ranked by their NEET PG score. The seat matrix provides detailed information about the number of seats available in each college, for each speciality, and for each category (general, OBC, SC, ST). Download both documents immediately and review them carefully.
The seat matrix is particularly important because it tells you exactly how many seats are available in your target colleges and branches. For example, if you want to pursue Internal Medicine at a particular government college, the seat matrix will show you how many seats are available for that speciality in that college. This information helps you make informed choices during preference filling.
- Download from: upneet.gov.in
- Merit list shows your rank and eligibility status
- Seat matrix shows seat availability by college, speciality, and category
- Review both documents before filling preferences
What Happens After Choice Filling: The Allotment Process
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After the October 30 deadline, DGME will process all submitted preferences using a computerised allotment algorithm. On November 2, the round 1 allotment result will be declared. You will be assigned to one seat based on your rank, your preferences, and the availability of seats. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college on the specified date with all required documents (MBBS degree, NEET PG scorecard, identity proof, etc.). Failure to report within the stipulated time may result in forfeiture of your seat.
After reporting, you will have the option to freeze, float, or upgrade your seat in subsequent rounds. Freezing means you accept your current seat and exit the counselling process. Floating means you keep your seat but remain eligible for upgradation in the next round. Upgrading means you attempt to move to a better-ranked college or speciality in the next round. Understanding these options will help you plan your strategy for round 1 and beyond.
- Allotment result: November 2, 2026
- Report to your allotted college with required documents
- Options after allotment: freeze, float, or upgrade
- Missing the reporting deadline forfeits your seat
Government vs. Private Colleges: What to Consider
With 1,095 government seats and 2,866 private seats, you will likely have a mix of both in your preference list. Government colleges typically offer lower fees, better stipends, and strong academic reputation, but are highly competitive. Private colleges offer more seats and may be easier to access based on rank, but fees can be substantially higher. Some private colleges charge significantly more than others, and fee hikes are not uncommon after admission.
Before ranking private colleges, verify their accreditation status, fee structure, and whether they are deemed universities (which may have different fee regulations). Research the faculty, infrastructure, and placement outcomes. A lower-ranked private college with strong faculty and facilities may be a better choice than a higher-ranked private college with poor infrastructure. Balance your aspirations with practical considerations about cost and quality.
- Government colleges: lower fees, better stipends, highly competitive
- Private colleges: more seats, higher fees, variable quality
- Verify accreditation and fee structure before ranking
- Research faculty, infrastructure, and outcomes
What If Your Name Is Not on the Merit List?
If you registered for UP NEET PG 2026 and paid the counselling fee but your name does not appear on the merit list, contact DGME Uttar Pradesh immediately. This could be due to a registration error, fee payment not being processed, or a technical issue. Do not wait—reach out to the official helpline or visit the DGME office to resolve the issue before the choice-filling deadline.
Verify that your registration was completed correctly, your fee payment was successful, and your NEET PG scorecard is valid. If there is a genuine error, DGME may allow you to participate in a subsequent round or provide a remedy. However, missing the round 1 choice-filling deadline will push you to round 2 or later, which may have fewer seats available.
- Check your registration and fee payment status
- Contact DGME helpline if your name is missing
- Resolve issues before October 30 deadline
- Missing round 1 means participation in round 2 or later
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
How do I check if my name is on the UP NEET PG 2026 merit list?
Visit upneet.gov.in and download the round 1 merit list PDF. Search for your name or registration number on the list. The merit list is ranked by NEET PG score, so you will also see your rank. If your name is not on the list, verify your registration and fee payment status immediately and contact DGME Uttar Pradesh.
What is the deadline for filling my preferences in UP NEET PG round 1?
The choice-filling deadline is October 30, 2026. You must submit your ranked preferences for colleges and specialities by this date to participate in round 1 allotment. Missing this deadline means you will not receive a seat in round 1 and will have to wait for round 2 or later.
How many seats are available in UP NEET PG 2026 round 1?
A total of 3,961 postgraduate medical seats are available in round 1: 1,095 in government medical colleges and 2,866 in private medical colleges. With 6,084 eligible candidates, approximately 2,100 candidates will not get a seat in round 1, but additional rounds will be conducted.
What does the seat matrix tell me, and why is it important?
The seat matrix shows the exact number of seats available in each college, for each speciality (MD/MS branch), and for each category (general, OBC, SC, ST). It helps you understand which colleges and branches have seats available and how competitive they are. Use it to make informed choices during preference filling and to estimate your chances based on your rank.
How is my seat allotted in round 1?
Your seat is allotted based on three factors: your NEET PG rank, your preference ranking, and seat availability. The counselling system matches higher-ranked candidates to their preferred seats first. If your rank qualifies for your first choice, you get it. If not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on. Allotment results will be declared on November 2, 2026.
What should I do after I receive my allotment result on November 2?
After receiving your allotment result, you must report to your allotted college within the specified time frame with all required documents (MBBS degree, NEET PG scorecard, identity proof, etc.). Failure to report forfeits your seat. After reporting, you can choose to freeze your seat (exit counselling), float it (remain eligible for upgradation), or upgrade it in the next round.
Should I rank only top colleges in my preferences, or should I include backup options?
Always include realistic backup options. If you rank only top colleges and your rank does not qualify for any of them, you will not get a seat in round 1. Use NEET PG college predictors and previous year cutoffs to estimate which colleges and branches are within your reach. Rank your aspirational choices first, but ensure your list includes colleges where your rank is competitive.
What is the difference between government and private medical college seats in UP?
Government colleges (1,095 seats) typically offer lower fees, better stipends, and strong academic reputation, but are highly competitive. Private colleges (2,866 seats) offer more seats and may be easier to access based on rank, but charge higher fees. Research the accreditation, fee structure, faculty, and infrastructure of private colleges before ranking them.
What happens if I do not get a seat in round 1?
If you do not get a seat in round 1, you will automatically be considered for round 2 and subsequent rounds (round 3, mop-up). Additional seats may become available as candidates upgrade or withdraw. You will have opportunities to fill preferences again in these rounds. However, the number of available seats may decrease in later rounds.
Can I change my preferences after I submit them on October 30?
No, once you submit your preferences by October 30, you cannot change them for round 1. The allotment will be based on the preferences you submitted. If you are unhappy with your round 1 allotment, you can upgrade or float your seat in round 2 to attempt a better seat.
Download the merit list and seat matrix from upneet.gov.in immediately, verify your eligibility, and plan your preference strategy carefully. With the October 30 choice-filling deadline approaching, act now to secure your place in round 1 allotment on November 2.
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