Jharkhand NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Merit List: Choice Filling Starts

The Jharkhand NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Merit List is not merely a list of names; it is a competitive roadmap for the 2026-27 admission cycle. The JCECEB has curated this list based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scores provided by the NTA, specifically filtering for candidates who meet the Jharkhand Domicile requirements.

As of September 7, 2026, the list reflects the updated rankings after accounting for candidates who successfully opted for 'upgradation' and new applicants who registered during the Round 2 window. This list is critical because it determines the sequence in which the automated counseling software allocates seats.

Candidates must carefully check their State Merit Rank (SMR).

In many cases, the SMR can vary significantly from the AIR due to the specific demographics of the state. For 2026, we have observed a slight upward shift in the cutoffs for top-tier colleges like RIMS, making the Round 2 merit list even more competitive. If your name appears on the list, it confirms that your documents—including your local residential certificate and category certificates—have been provisionally accepted by the board.

However, inclusion in the list does not guarantee a seat; it only grants you the eligibility to participate in the choice filling stage. Candidates should also look for their 'Category Rank,' as many seats are reserved under SC, ST, BC-I, BC-II, and EWS categories as per the latest Jharkhand government mandates. Any discrepancies in the merit list, such as misspelled names or incorrect marks, should be reported to the JCECEB helpdesk immediately, as these details will be permanent for the duration of the 2026 counseling process.

Choice filling is arguably the most critical phase of the NEET UG counseling process. Starting September 7, 2026, candidates on the merit list can log in to the official portal to submit their preferences. The choices you make here will dictate your future for the next five years.

First, visit jceceb.jharkhand.gov.in and navigate to the 'Counselling' tab. You will need your NEET UG 2026 Roll Number and the password created during registration. Once inside the dashboard, you will see a list of available MBBS and BDS seats in both government and private colleges across Jharkhand.

The golden rule for 2026 choice filling is 'Preference over Probability.' Even if you feel your rank is low for a top college, always list your dream colleges first. The AI algorithm of JCECEB checks your first preference, and if no seat is available, it moves to the second, and so on. If you reverse this order, you might end up in a lower-tier college even if you were eligible for a better one.

After selecting your colleges, you must 'Lock' your choices. Unlocked choices may not be considered for allotment, or in some systems, the last saved choices are auto-locked—but relying on auto-lock is risky. Ensure you download the 'Locked Choice Printout' for your records. Remember, once the deadline passes, you cannot modify the sequence. Our experts at MatchToCollege recommend analyzing the 2025 Round 2 closing ranks as a benchmark while keeping in mind that 2026 scores have seen a general inflation of 5-10 marks across categories.

Eligibility for Round 2 of the Jharkhand NEET UG 2026 counseling is governed by specific rules set by the JCECEB and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Broadly, three types of candidates are eligible:

1) Freshly registered candidates who did not participate in Round 1 but registered during the Round 2 window;

2) Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 1 but opted for 'Upgradation'; and

3) Candidates who were not allotted any seat in Round 1 despite participating. It is important to note that if a candidate was allotted a seat in Round 1 but did not join the college, they are still eligible for Round 2, provided they follow the fresh registration or security deposit guidelines if applicable.

For the 2026-27 session, the Domicile Policy remains strict. Candidates must be permanent or local residents of Jharkhand to claim state quota seats. Furthermore, the NEET UG 2026 qualifying percentile (50th for General, 40th for SC/ST/OBC) is the baseline. If a candidate is found to have provided false domicile information during this round, their seat will be cancelled immediately, and they may be barred from future rounds, including the Mop-up and Stray Vacancy rounds.

Additionally, candidates already holding a seat in the All India Quota (AIQ) Round 2 and who have joined that seat are generally ineligible for State Round 2 as per the Supreme Court mandates to prevent seat blocking. Always ensure your status is clear on the MCC portal before proceeding with JCECEB choices.