The Uttar Pradesh government has released the Round 2 merit list for NEET UG counselling on September 21, 2026. If you registered for this round, you can now view your merit list position and prepare to select your college choices. The state has also announced a revised schedule for the remaining steps—choice filling, seat allotment, and admission letter download. Understanding these dates and the mandatory admission rules is critical to securing your MBBS or BDS seat without losing your security deposit.
You must complete choice filling by September 24, 11 am, and accept your allotted seat by the deadline, or your entire security deposit will be forfeited and you'll have to pay it again to enter Round 3.
When and where to check your Round 2 merit list
The merit list for Round 2 counselling went live on September 21, 2026, on the official UP NEET portal at upneet.gov.in. All candidates who registered for this round can now log in and view their position in the merit list. This list determines the order in which seats will be offered to you based on your NEET UG rank and category.
To access your merit list, visit upneet.gov.in, locate the Round 2 merit list link on the homepage, and download your result. Keep a printed or digital copy for your records, as you will need it to track your seat allotment status and for admission formalities at your assigned college.
Critical dates for Round 2: choice filling and seat allotment
The state has set a tight timeline for the remaining counselling steps. After the merit list release on September 21, you have a narrow window to fill your college and course choices. Choice filling opens at 2 pm on September 21 and closes at 11 am on September 24, 2026. This is your only opportunity to rank your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference.
Once choice filling ends, the state will process your preferences against available seats and your merit position. The seat allotment result will be announced on September 25, 2026. You will then have until October 1, 2026, to download your allotment letter from the portal. This letter confirms which college and course you have been assigned.
- Merit list released: September 21, 2026
- Choice filling: September 21, 2 pm to September 24, 11 am
- Seat allotment result: September 25, 2026
- Allotment letter download window: September 26 to October 1, 2026
How seat allotment works in Round 2
Seats in Round 2 are allocated strictly on the basis of the Round 2 merit list. This means your position in this list—determined by your NEET UG rank and category—is matched against your choice preferences and the availability of seats in government and private medical and dental colleges across Uttar Pradesh. The system assigns you the highest-ranked college on your preference list for which a seat is available at your merit position.
It is important to note that Round 2 merit list is separate from Round 1. If you did not receive a seat in Round 1 or chose not to accept an allotment, you are competing afresh in Round 2 with all other eligible candidates. Your ranking in Round 2 may differ from Round 1, and your chances of getting a particular college depend on how many candidates ahead of you have also chosen it.
Mandatory admission rule: accept your seat or lose your deposit
The Uttar Pradesh counselling authority has made it clear that accepting your allotted seat in Round 2 is not optional—it is mandatory. If you are allotted a seat in a government or private medical or dental college in Round 2 and you do not report for admission by the specified deadline, your entire security deposit will be forfeited (confiscated). This is a strict rule with no exceptions.
If you lose your deposit due to non-acceptance of a Round 2 seat, you will not be eligible to participate in Round 3 counselling unless you deposit the security amount again. This means you will have to pay the full deposit a second time to continue in the counselling process. Many aspirants have faced this penalty in previous years, so it is crucial to accept your allotted seat if you genuinely want to pursue MBBS or BDS in Uttar Pradesh.
What to do if you don't get a seat in Round 2
If your merit position does not result in a seat allotment in Round 2, you will remain eligible for Round 3 counselling, provided your security deposit is intact. Your original deposit will carry forward, and you will not need to pay it again. Round 3 typically offers remaining vacant seats and may include seats vacated by candidates who did not report for admission in earlier rounds.
If you are not allotted a seat in Round 2, do not panic. Many seats become available in Round 3 due to candidates withdrawing or not reporting. However, your chances in Round 3 depend on how many seats remain and your merit position relative to other candidates still in the pool. It is advisable to prepare for Round 3 while also exploring other options, such as private colleges or counselling in other states.
Steps to fill your choices correctly
Filling your choices is one of the most important decisions in the counselling process. You have only three days (September 21 afternoon to September 24 morning) to rank all colleges and courses you are willing to accept. Rushing through this step or making careless choices can result in an allotment you don't want or no allotment at all.
Before you log in to fill choices, research the colleges on your merit list—their location, infrastructure, faculty, placement record, and course reputation. Rank them in genuine order of preference, with your most-desired college first. Remember, the system will allot you the highest-ranked college on your list for which you are eligible. If you rank a college first and get allotted there, you must accept it. Do not rank a college unless you are prepared to join it.
- Log in to upneet.gov.in during the choice-filling window
- Research colleges and courses before ranking them
- Rank colleges in genuine order of preference
- Do not rank a college unless you will accept an allotment there
- Submit your choices before the 11 am deadline on September 24
- Download and save your choice submission confirmation
Security deposit and admission formalities
Your security deposit is held by the state counselling authority as a guarantee that you will report for admission if allotted a seat. The deposit amount varies depending on whether you are seeking admission to a government or private college, and your category. This deposit is refundable once you complete admission formalities and enroll in your college.
When you receive your allotment letter on or after September 26, it will specify the college, course, and the deadline by which you must report for admission. You will need to bring your allotment letter, NEET admit card, mark sheet, category certificate (if applicable), and other documents to the college. The college will then process your admission and release your security deposit after you have enrolled.
Why Round 2 matters for your MBBS or BDS journey
Round 2 is often where many aspirants secure seats that were not available in Round 1. Some candidates withdraw after Round 1, creating vacancies. Additionally, if you were on the borderline in Round 1, a slight shift in the merit list in Round 2 might push you into a seat. This round is your second major opportunity to lock in a medical or dental college seat in Uttar Pradesh.
The key to success in Round 2 is acting quickly and decisively. The timeline is compressed, and every hour counts. Have your college preferences ready before September 21, so you can fill choices immediately when the window opens. Missing the deadline or making hasty choices can cost you a seat and potentially your entire counselling opportunity in Uttar Pradesh.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Where can I check my Round 2 merit list for UP NEET UG counselling?
Visit the official UP NEET portal at upneet.gov.in. Click on the Round 2 merit list link on the homepage, log in with your credentials, and view your merit position. Download and save a copy for your records.
What are the dates for filling my college choices in Round 2?
Choice filling opens at 2 pm on September 21, 2026, and closes at 11 am on September 24, 2026. You must rank your preferred colleges and courses within this window. After 11 am on September 24, the portal will close and you will not be able to make any changes.
When will I know which college I have been allotted in Round 2?
The seat allotment result will be announced on September 25, 2026. You can download your allotment letter from upneet.gov.in between September 26 and October 1, 2026. The letter will specify your assigned college, course, and the deadline to report for admission.
What happens if I don't accept my allotted seat in Round 2?
If you are allotted a seat in a government or private medical or dental college in Round 2 and do not report for admission by the deadline, your entire security deposit will be forfeited. You will then have to pay the security deposit again to participate in Round 3 counselling.
Can I participate in Round 3 if I don't get a seat in Round 2?
Yes, if you are not allotted a seat in Round 2, you remain eligible for Round 3 counselling. Your security deposit will carry forward, and you will not need to pay it again. However, if you reject an allotment in Round 2, your deposit will be forfeited and you must pay it again to enter Round 3.
How is my seat allotted in Round 2—what is the basis?
Seats in Round 2 are allotted based on the Round 2 merit list, which is determined by your NEET UG rank and category. The system matches your merit position against your choice preferences and available seats. You are allotted the highest-ranked college on your preference list for which a seat is available at your merit position.
What should I do to prepare for choice filling in Round 2?
Before September 21, research the colleges you are eligible for—their location, infrastructure, faculty, placements, and reputation. Make a list of colleges ranked by your genuine preference. When the choice-filling window opens, log in immediately and rank your colleges in order. Do not rank a college unless you are prepared to accept an allotment there.
Is my Round 2 merit position the same as my Round 1 merit position?
No. Round 2 has a separate merit list. Your position in Round 2 may differ from Round 1 because candidates who accepted seats in Round 1 are no longer in the pool, and the merit list is recalculated. You are competing afresh with all other eligible candidates in Round 2.
The Round 2 merit list is now live, and your next critical step is to fill your college choices between September 21 and September 24. Research your options carefully, rank them honestly, and submit before the deadline. Remember: accepting your allotted seat is mandatory, or you will lose your security deposit. Stay alert to the September 25 allotment result and download your letter by October 1.
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