The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Cell released the provisional state merit list for NEET UG 2026 counselling today, August 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Qualified candidates registered for Odisha MBBS and BDS admissions can now download the merit list from the official portal ojee.nic.in using their NEET credentials. The list determines a candidate’s eligibility for state-quota seats and outlines the state rank assigned based on NEET All India Rank and Odisha-specific categorisation.
Key Highlights
- Provisional merit list released today, 13 August 2026 at 4:00 PM.
- Only Odisha natives are eligible for 85% state-quota MBBS and BDS seats
- Final merit list will be published on August 14 at 5:00 PM
- Choice filling opens on August 14 at 8:30 PM and closes on August 17 at 11:59 PM
- First-round seat allotment scheduled for August 22
- New 2026-27 reservation: ST 22.5%, SC 16.25%, SEBC 11.25% (new)
- Registration fee: ₹1,000 (non-refundable); ₹500 for SC/ST/PwD
How to Download and Check Your Merit List
Candidates must visit ojee.nic.in and log in with their NEET UG application number and password to access the provisional merit list. Once the PDF opens, use the search function (Ctrl+F) to locate your application number or name. The merit list will display your All India Rank, state rank, category, and eligibility status. Candidates must save or print the list for future counselling stages.
Important: Candidates are required to appear in person at designated centres for document verification before the choice-filling deadline. Ex-Servicemen (ES) category candidates must also report to the Rajya Sainik Board, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, to claim their reservation benefits.
Raising Queries on the Merit List
If there is any discrepancy in the provisional merit list, such as an incorrect rank, missing name, or data error, candidates must raise their concerns before 11:30 AM on August 14, 2026. Queries can be submitted through the official OJEE portal or emailed to odishaojee@gmail.com. OJEE will address these concerns before releasing the final merit list on August 14 at 5:00 PM.
Choice Filling and Locking Schedule
Choice filling is a critical step. Registered candidates on the final merit list must fill and lock their course and college preferences between August 14 at 8:30 PM and August 17 at 11:59 PM. During choice filling, candidates can select multiple courses (MBBS or BDS) and colleges in order of preference.
Once the deadline passes, choices automatically lock. Candidates are advised to fill their choices carefully, considering their state rank, previous cutoff trends, and college facilities. Preferences cannot be changed after locking within a round.
Key Dates for Round 1
| Activity | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Data reconciliation and verification | August 11–12, 2026 |
| Provisional merit list release | August 13, 2026, 4:00 PM |
| Query submission deadline | August 14, 2026, 11:30 AM |
| Final merit list release | August 14, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Choice filling period | August 14 (8:30 PM) to August 17 (11:59 PM), 2026 |
| Round 1 provisional allotment | August 19, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Round 1 allotment letter download | August 22, 2026, 11:30 AM |
| Provisional admission and document reporting | August 23–28, 2026 |
| Withdrawal (resignation) deadline | August 23 (5:00 PM) to August 30 (11:59 PM), 2026 |
New Reservation Policy for 2026-27
Odisha has significantly expanded its reservation matrix for the 2026-27 admission cycle, effective from this counselling round. The new percentages are:
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 22.5% (increased from 12%)
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 16.25% (increased from 8%)
- Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC): 11.25% (new)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10% (as per central norms)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwBD): 5% (horizontal)
- Ex-Servicemen: 3%
- Green Card Holders: 5% (horizontal)
This represents a substantial restructuring of the seat matrix. The total vertical reservation now stands at 50%, the maximum limit under Supreme Court norms. General category candidates should anticipate higher cutoff ranks due to the reduced number of unreserved seats.
Odisha NEET UG 2026 Seat Matrix
Approximately 2,525 MBBS and 363 BDS seats are available under 85% state quota in government and private medical and dental colleges across Odisha. Major government institutions include SCB Medical College (Cuttack), MKCG Medical College (Berhampur), VIMSAR (Burla), and other state medical colleges. AIIMS Bhubaneswar (125 seats) follows separate MCC-led national-level counselling and is not part of the Odisha state quota process.
Contact and Official Links
Candidates can access the official counselling portal at ojee.nic.in and www.odishajee.com. For queries or technical assistance, email odishaojee@gmail.com or contact OJEE directly through the official website. The full counselling guidelines and instructions for MBBS/BDS 2026 are available in the official notice published on the OJEE portal.
