The first round of NEET-UG counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions in Uttar Pradesh is being conducted afresh following a High Court order that stayed the implementation of a 91 percent reservation policy at four government medical colleges. The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, has released a revised counselling schedule, a new seat matrix, and an updated merit list. All candidates who participated in the earlier cancelled round must now complete the choice-filling process again within a compressed timeline. This restart affects over 31,600 eligible candidates and reshapes the seat availability across government and private institutions in the state.
If you participated in UP NEET-UG counselling Round 1 before September 18, 2026, your previous allotment is now invalid and you must re-fill your choices by 5 PM on September 21 to remain eligible for seat allotment.
Why UP NEET Counselling Round 1 Was Cancelled and Restarted
The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court issued an order staying the implementation of a 91 percent reservation policy that had been applied to four government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh: Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj, Saharanpur, and Jalaun. This reservation arrangement was challenged in court, and the High Court's stay meant that the earlier counselling round—which had produced a seat allotment result on September 7, 2026—could not proceed as planned.
In response to the court order, the DGME cancelled the first round entirely and announced that counselling would restart using the standard reservation percentages applicable across other government medical colleges in the state: 21 percent for Scheduled Castes (SC), 2 percent for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 27 percent for Other Backward Classes (OBC). This change required a complete reset of the counselling process, including fresh choice-filling and a new seat allotment.
Revised Counselling Schedule: Key Dates for MBBS and BDS Candidates
The DGME has issued a compressed timeline for the restarted Round 1. Online choice-filling and locking began on September 18, 2026, at 5 PM and will close on September 21, 2026, at 5 PM—a window of just three days. This is a critical deadline: any candidate who does not complete choice-filling and locking within this period will not be eligible for seat allotment in this round.
The revised seat allotment result will be announced on September 22, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment can download their allotment letters and complete admission formalities between September 23 and September 26, 2026. The DGME has emphasized that all other rules and conditions of the counselling process remain unchanged; only the timeline and reservation percentages have been altered.
- Choice-filling and locking: September 18, 5 PM to September 21, 5 PM
- Seat allotment result announcement: September 22, 2026
- Allotment letter download and admission formalities: September 23–26, 2026
Total Seats Available: 15,265 MBBS and BDS Positions Across UP
The revised seat matrix for Round 1 includes a total of 15,265 MBBS and BDS seats. Of these, 4,615 seats are in government institutions and 10,650 seats are in private institutions. This distribution reflects the significant role of private medical and dental colleges in Uttar Pradesh's postgraduate and undergraduate medical education landscape.
Among the 4,615 government seats, the breakdown by category is: 1,890 Unreserved (UR), 1,246 OBC, 969 SC, 92 ST, and 418 Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). All 10,650 private seats are listed under the UR category in the official matrix; reserved sub-categories are not separately shown for private institutions. This means that while government seats are distributed across reserved and unreserved categories, private college seats are open to all candidates on merit.
- Government seats: 4,615 (UR: 1,890; OBC: 1,246; SC: 969; ST: 92; EWS: 418)
- Private seats: 10,650 (all UR category)
- Total: 15,265 MBBS and BDS seats
Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Restarted Round 1
A total of 31,653 candidates have been included in the revised merit list for Round 1. To be eligible for choice-filling, a candidate must have completed three prerequisites: paid the registration fee, paid the security money, and successfully completed document verification. The DGME has made it clear that only candidates meeting all three criteria can participate in the choice-filling process.
The revised merit list has been published and is available on the official DGME website. Candidates should verify their inclusion in this list before attempting to fill choices. If a candidate's name does not appear on the merit list, they are not eligible for this round and should contact the DGME for clarification. The merit list itself remains unchanged from the first round; only the reservation percentages and counselling timeline have been altered.
- 31,653 candidates eligible for Round 1 choice-filling
- Must have paid registration fee and security money
- Must have completed document verification
- Merit list available on DGME website and upneet.gov.in
What This Means for Candidates Who Already Received an Allotment
Any candidate who received a seat allotment on September 7, 2026, in the cancelled round must understand that allotment is now void. The DGME's official notice explicitly states: 'The admission of all candidates who previously received an allotment on 07.09.2026 shall be deemed invalid.' This means that even if you were allotted a seat in the first attempt, you have no claim to that seat and must participate in the fresh choice-filling process.
This reset applies uniformly to all candidates, regardless of whether they had accepted or rejected their earlier allotment. The fresh allotment will be made only to candidates who complete choice-filling and locking within the new deadline. Candidates should not assume their earlier allotment will be honored; they must actively participate in the restarted round to secure a seat.
- All September 7 allotments are now invalid
- No candidate retains a claim to an earlier allotted seat
- Fresh allotment will be made only to those who complete new choice-filling
- Participation in the restarted round is mandatory for all eligible candidates
How the Court Order Changes Reservation Percentages
The High Court's stay on the 91 percent reservation policy means that the four affected government medical colleges—Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj, Saharanpur, and Jalaun—will now follow the standard state-level reservation percentages instead of the higher reservation arrangement that had been announced. This change increases the number of unreserved seats available at these colleges and may affect the competitiveness of merit cutoffs.
Under the revised arrangement, all government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh now operate under the same reservation framework: 21 percent SC, 2 percent ST, 27 percent OBC, and the remainder UR and EWS. This uniformity simplifies the counselling process and ensures that candidates competing for seats at different government colleges face consistent reservation policies. The practical effect is that candidates from unreserved categories may find it easier to secure seats at these four colleges compared to the earlier 91 percent reservation scenario.
- Standard state reservation now applies: 21% SC, 2% ST, 27% OBC
- Affects four government medical colleges: Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj, Saharanpur, Jalaun
- Increases unreserved seat availability at these colleges
- Uniform reservation policy across all government medical colleges in UP
Round 2 Counselling Postponed: What Candidates Should Know
In a separate development, the DGME has announced the postponement of Round 2 of UP NEET-UG 2026 counselling, citing unavoidable reasons. No new date has been announced yet. This postponement means that candidates should focus entirely on the restarted Round 1 and not assume that Round 2 will proceed as originally scheduled.
The postponement of Round 2 may have implications for candidates who do not secure a seat in Round 1 or who wish to upgrade their allotment. Candidates are advised to monitor the DGME website and upneet.gov.in for updates on Round 2. In the interim, all eligible candidates must prioritize completing the Round 1 choice-filling process within the September 18–21 window.
- Round 2 counselling has been postponed indefinitely
- No new date announced; candidates should await official updates
- Focus on completing Round 1 choice-filling by September 21
- Monitor DGME website for Round 2 announcement
Practical Steps: How to Prepare for the Restarted Choice-Filling
Candidates must act quickly. First, verify that your name appears on the revised merit list published by the DGME. Second, review the revised seat matrix and identify colleges and courses that match your rank and preferences. Third, prepare a prioritized list of choices before the choice-filling window opens, as you will have only three days to complete the process. Do not wait until the last day; the portal may experience high traffic, and technical delays could prevent you from submitting your choices on time.
Ensure that you have all necessary login credentials and that your registered email and phone number are current. If you face any technical issues during choice-filling, contact the DGME helpline immediately rather than waiting. Remember that your earlier allotment is invalid, so treat this as a fresh start. Carefully consider your preferences based on the revised seat matrix and your rank, and lock your choices well before the 5 PM deadline on September 21.
- Verify your name on the revised merit list at upneet.gov.in or www.dgme.up.gov.in
- Review the revised seat matrix and identify your preferred colleges and courses
- Prepare a prioritized choice list before September 18
- Complete choice-filling and locking by 5 PM on September 21
- Do not wait until the last day; avoid technical delays
- Contact DGME helpline if you encounter any issues
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is my earlier seat allotment from September 7, 2026, still valid?
No. The DGME has explicitly stated that all allotments made on September 7, 2026, are now invalid. You must participate in the restarted Round 1 and complete fresh choice-filling to be eligible for a new allotment. Your earlier allotment carries no weight in the new process.
What are the new choice-filling dates for UP NEET-UG Round 1?
Online choice-filling and locking began on September 18, 2026, at 5 PM and will close on September 21, 2026, at 5 PM. This is a three-day window. You must complete both choice-filling and locking within this period to be eligible for seat allotment.
Why was the earlier Round 1 cancelled?
The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court stayed the implementation of a 91 percent reservation policy that had been applied to four government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. In response, the DGME cancelled the earlier round and restarted counselling using the standard state-level reservation percentages (21% SC, 2% ST, 27% OBC).
How many seats are available in the revised Round 1?
A total of 15,265 MBBS and BDS seats are available: 4,615 in government institutions and 10,650 in private institutions. Government seats are distributed across reserved and unreserved categories; all private seats are listed under the unreserved category.
Am I eligible to participate in the restarted Round 1?
You are eligible if your name appears on the revised merit list of 31,653 candidates and you have completed three requirements: paid the registration fee, paid the security money, and successfully completed document verification. Check the merit list on upneet.gov.in or www.dgme.up.gov.in to confirm your eligibility.
When will the new seat allotment result be announced?
The revised seat allotment result will be announced on September 22, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment can download their allotment letters and complete admission formalities between September 23 and September 26, 2026.
What changed in the reservation percentages after the court order?
The four affected government medical colleges (Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj, Saharanpur, and Jalaun) now follow the standard state-level reservation: 21% SC, 2% ST, 27% OBC, and the remainder UR and EWS. This replaces the earlier 91 percent reservation policy and makes these colleges consistent with other government medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh.
Has Round 2 counselling been scheduled?
No. The DGME has postponed Round 2 counselling indefinitely, citing unavoidable reasons. No new date has been announced. Candidates should focus on completing Round 1 choice-filling and monitor the DGME website for updates on Round 2.
If you are an eligible NEET-UG candidate in Uttar Pradesh, verify your name on the revised merit list immediately and prepare your choice list before September 18. Complete your choice-filling and locking by 5 PM on September 21—this is a hard deadline, and missing it will exclude you from Round 1 allotment. Monitor the DGME website (www.dgme.up.gov.in) and upneet.gov.in for the allotment result on September 22 and any updates on Round 2.
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