Campus Times | Lucknow 

The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, has issued detailed guidelines for the first round of UP NEET UG 2026 online counselling for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses. The directions are aimed at making the counselling process more transparent, technology-driven, streamlined and candidate centric.

The Directorate has advised candidates to complete registration using their own mobile number and email ID and to pay the security deposit from their personal bank account. This will ensure timely communication throughout the counselling process and facilitate the smooth refund of the security deposit after completion of counselling.

Only NEET UG 2026 Qualified Candidates Eligible

Only candidates who have qualified the NEET UG 2026 examination will be eligible to participate in the counselling process. Eligible candidates must complete online registration through the official counselling portal, https://upneet.gov.in.

All counselling related notifications, including important updates and alerts, will be sent only to the registered mobile number and email ID provided during registration.

Online Document Verification to Simplify Counselling

To make the admission process more convenient, the Directorate has introduced an online document verification system. During registration, candidates will be required to select a nodal centre of their choice and upload the necessary documents online.

The required documents include High School and Intermediate mark sheets, reservation certificates (where applicable), and domicile certificates (where applicable). The online verification process is expected to reduce delays while improving transparency and efficiency.

Registration Fee and Security Deposit Details

Candidates participating in the online counselling must pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 2,000.

In addition, payment of the prescribed security deposit is mandatory before candidates can proceed with choice filling.

The security deposit has been fixed as follows:

• Government Medical and Dental Colleges: Rs 30,000

• Private Medical Colleges: Rs 2,00,000

• Private Dental Colleges: Rs 1,00,000

Candidates seeking admission to both government and private medical as well as dental colleges must deposit Rs 2 lakh. Those intending to participate only for government and private dental college seats are required to deposit Rs 1 lakh.

The Directorate has clarified that choice filling will not be permitted without payment of the applicable security deposit.

Security Deposit Must Be Paid From Candidates Own Bank Account

The DGME has strongly advised candidates to make the security deposit payment from their own bank account. After completion of all counselling rounds, the refundable security deposit will be returned only to the same bank account from which the payment was made, as per the prescribed rules.

The Directorate also clarified that the security deposit will not be adjusted against tuition or admission fees under any circumstances.

Free Exit Facility Available in First Round

To provide greater flexibility, the first round of counselling will include a Free Exit option.

Candidates who are allotted a seat in the first round but choose not to join will be allowed to participate in the second and third rounds of counselling without any penalty, in accordance with the counselling rules. This provision enables candidates to compete for seats that better match their preferences.

Reservation Certificate Requirements Clarified

The Directorate has issued detailed instructions regarding reservation certificates.

Certificates for OBC, SC, ST and EWS categories must be issued by the competent authority in Uttar Pradesh in the format prescribed by the state government.

For OBC and EWS candidates, certificates must have been issued on or after April 1, 2026. Candidates belonging to SC and ST categories have also been advised to obtain certificates in the updated prescribed format to ensure seamless online verification.

Reservation certificates issued for appointments under the Government of India will not be accepted for this counselling process. Reserved category candidates from states other than Uttar Pradesh will be treated under the Unreserved category.

Candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must submit certificates issued by centres authorised by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Similarly, candidates claiming benefits under the Freedom Fighter Dependent and Ex-Servicemen categories must furnish certificates in the prescribed format.

Choice Filling Should Reflect Genuine Preferences

The Directorate has advised candidates to carefully fill college choices based on their actual order of preference and include only those institutions where they are willing to take admission.

Candidates must also lock their choices after completing the choice filling process. Once the choices are locked, no modifications or corrections will be permitted.

Separate Admission Process for Government and Private Institutions

Candidates allotted seats in government medical and dental colleges will complete their admission formalities at their respective allotted institutions.

Candidates allotted seats in private medical and dental colleges will be required to complete the admission process at government-designated nodal centres.

Technology-Driven Counselling Aimed at Greater Transparency

According to the DGME, the comprehensive guidelines are intended to ensure a transparent, efficient and candidate-friendly counselling process. With online registration, digital document verification, clearly defined reservation norms, structured choice filling and a phased admission mechanism, the Directorate aims to make the UP NEET UG 2026 counselling process smoother and more accessible for all eligible candidates.