UPTAC 2026 Special Round Choice Filling: Register Now!

The Special Round of UPTAC 2026 is distinct from the regular rounds (Round 1 to 4) primarily because it focuses on filling the 'vacant seats' left after the main counseling cycle. These vacancies often occur due to candidates withdrawing their admissions, failing to report to their allotted colleges, or not meeting the document verification requirements. For the 2026-27 academic year, the Special Round is highly anticipated as it often includes seats in top-tier government engineering colleges like IET Lucknow, BIET Jhansi, and KNIT Sultanpur, which might have opened up due to national-level counseling movements like JoSAA or CSAB.

The process begins with a fresh registration for those who were not part of the counseling previously, or a simple login for those already in the system. Unlike earlier rounds where seat sliding was more flexible, the Special Round often follows a more rigid structure. Candidates are required to pay a specific participation fee, which is often non-refundable or adjusted against the tuition fee if a seat is allotted. Understanding this financial commitment is vital.

The registration window on uptac.samarth.edu.in is relatively short, usually lasting only a few days, making it imperative for students to monitor the website constantly. At MatchToCollege, we emphasize that students should not treat this as a 'trial' round. Because this is the end of the counseling cycle, every choice filled must be one where the student is genuinely prepared to enroll.

The system uses a merit-based allocation algorithm that factors in your JEE Main rank or CMAT/CUET scores, depending on the course. Failure to accept a seat in this round can result in the forfeiture of the security deposit, so strategic planning is your best defense against administrative setbacks.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University has opened UPTAC 2026 special round choice filling at uptac.samarth.edu.in. Candidates can fill choices until August 12 and registration closes on August 10.

The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has opened Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling (UPTAC) 2026 special round choice filling. Eligible candidates can fill preferences online at uptac.samarth.edu.in until August 12, 2026.

The special round targets seats left vacant after the main counselling and sliding rounds. Registration for new applicants closes on August 10, 2026. The first seat allotment result will be released on August 13, 2026.

UPTAC 2026 Special Round Important Dates

AKTU has released the full schedule for the special round on the counselling portal. Candidates should track each deadline carefully to avoid missing their allotment chance.

Who Is Eligible for the UPTAC 2026 Special Round?

The special round is open to multiple qualifying groups this year. Aspirants from Uttar Pradesh and other states can both participate in the process.

• JEE Main 2026 qualified candidates seeking BTech seats.
• CUET UG 2026 candidates who selected AKTU during application.
• Class 12 merit-based candidates for eligible programmes.
• Candidates from states outside Uttar Pradesh can also register.

What Is the Counselling Fee?

Candidates must pay the applicable counselling fee during registration on the Samarth portal. AKTU has confirmed this fee is non-refundable in most cases.

A refund is issued only when a candidate formally withdraws from counselling. Non-reporting to an allotted institute does not qualify for any refund.

How to Fill Choices in the UPTAC 2026 Special Round?

Registered candidates can log in on the portal and add their preferred options. The system allows unlimited college and branch combinations during the window.

1. Visit the official portal at uptac.samarth.edu.in.
2. Log in using your UPTAC application number and password.
3. Open the seat vacancy list under the special round tab.
4. Add preferred college and branch options to your list.
5. Rearrange the choices in your desired order of preference.
6. Lock the choices before the deadline on August 12.
7. Download the confirmation page for future reference.

Why This Matters

The special round is the last chance to secure an AKTU-affiliated engineering seat this year. Students who missed earlier rounds or want a branch upgrade must act within this window.

Action Plan for Candidates

1. Complete special round registration on the portal by August 10.
2. Review the seat vacancy list released on August 8.
3. Log in and lock preferred choices by August 12.
4. Keep original documents and category certificates ready for reporting.
5. Check the first allotment result on August 13.

Filling your choices correctly is the most influential factor in your admission success during the UPTAC 2026 Special Round. Once you have successfully registered or logged in at the official portal, you will be presented with a list of colleges and branches that have vacant seats. It is important to note that the vacancy list is dynamic and should be studied carefully before you start locking in your preferences.

To begin, navigate to the 'Choice Filling and Locking' section. Here, you can filter colleges based on their location, type (Government/Private), and the specific courses they offer. Our recommendation at MatchToCollege is to create a priority list on paper before entering it into the portal.

When you start the digital process, ensure your internet connection is stable. Add your top-preferred colleges first. In the Special Round, it is often wise to be slightly more inclusive with your choices compared to Round 1, as the competition for the remaining few seats can be unpredictable. After arranging your choices, use the 'Save' function frequently. Once you are satisfied with the order, you must 'Lock' your choices. Remember, once choices are locked, they cannot be altered under any circumstances.

If a candidate fails to lock their choices before the deadline, the system usually auto-locks the last saved preferences. However, manual locking is always the safer route to ensure your most recent changes are recorded. After the choice-filling window closes, the UPTAC authorities will process the data and release the seat allotment result. This result will indicate which college and branch you have been assigned based on your rank and the availability of seats. Since this is the 2026-27 session's final push, the turnaround time between choice filling and allotment is typically very fast.