BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choice filling is expected to open around July 1, 2026 — students must select and lock Bihar medical college preferences in the correct priority order on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in to maximise their chances of a seat allotment in Round 1.

The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) conducts UGMAC counselling to allot MBBS and BDS seats across government and private medical colleges in Bihar. Your choice list — the ranked order of college-course combinations you submit — is the single most important factor determining which seat you receive. A well-planned list places every realistic government MBBS option above private alternatives and ensures you do not miss eligible seats due to a narrow or poorly ordered preference list.

  • Choice filling window: Expected to open around July 1, 2026 on the official BCECEB UGMAC portal at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in.
  • No cap on choices: Add every college-course combination you are willing to accept — more choices improve allotment chances in each round.
  • Seat allotment basis: Bihar state merit rank derived from your NEET UG 2026 score (out of 720) and your choice priority order.
  • Locking is mandatory: Choices must be locked before the deadline; save a screenshot or PDF of your locked list as proof.
  • State rank applies: BCECEB uses your Bihar state merit rank, not your NEET UG all-India rank, for allotment under the state quota.
Direct Link — BCECEB UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling Portal bceceboard.bihar.gov.in

What is BCECEB UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling

Choice filling is the online step in BCECEB UGMAC 2026 counselling where you build a prioritised list of every college-course combination you are willing to accept. The BCECEB system uses this list along with your Bihar state merit rank and category to allot you the highest-preference seat for which you are eligible in that round.

Key facts about the process:

  • You select combinations of college and course (MBBS or BDS) — not just a college name.
  • The system allots the highest-ranked choice on your list for which a seat is available in your category.
  • If you add too few choices and none clears, you may not receive a seat allotment in that round and will need to participate in subsequent rounds.
  • You can edit your list any number of times during the open window, but once locked, no further edits are permitted.
  • Choice filling is completed entirely online — no physical visit to the board or college is required at this stage.

How to Fill Choices on the BCECEB UGMAC Portal

Follow these steps once the BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choice filling window is active on the official portal:

  1. Visit bceceboard.bihar.gov.in and open the UGMAC 2026 section from the homepage.
  2. Log in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and date of birth, or the credentials you created during UGMAC registration.
  3. Click the "Choice Filling" link or tab on your applicant dashboard.
  4. Browse the available college-course list. Use filters to view government colleges, private colleges, minority institution seats, or colleges by district.
  5. Click "Add" against each college-course combination you want in your preference list.
  6. Rearrange your choices using the drag-and-drop tool or up/down arrows so that your most preferred option sits at rank 1.
  7. Review your complete ordered list carefully before proceeding.
  8. Click "Lock Choices" to finalise your list. Download the confirmation page or take a clear screenshot for your records.

Do not wait until the last hour before the deadline to lock choices — high traffic near closing time regularly slows the portal. Lock well in advance to avoid technical errors.


Best Strategy for Selecting Bihar Medical Colleges

A structured approach to choice filling significantly increases your chances of a good seat allotment. Follow this framework when building your list:

Strategy Step What to Do
1. Know your realistic Bihar state rank Find your Bihar state merit rank from the BCECEB-published merit list. Compare it against previous-year closing ranks (state quota) for your category — UR, OBC, SC, ST, or EWS.
2. Prioritise government colleges Place all government MBBS college choices above private ones. Government seats carry substantially lower annual fees and generally stronger clinical infrastructure in Bihar.
3. Rank MBBS above BDS within every college If MBBS is your primary goal, rank all MBBS combinations (across all colleges) above any BDS combination. Once an MBBS seat is matched to your rank, the system stops processing your remaining choices.
4. Do not skip colleges by location alone Avoid ignoring colleges in Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, or Gaya purely because of distance. Add them — you can always decline at the document verification stage if allotted. Omitting them only reduces your Round 1 chances.
5. Fill every eligible option There is no penalty for adding many choices. An unfilled slot is a missed opportunity. The more combinations you list, the higher the probability of receiving a seat in Round 1.
6. Check category-specific closing ranks For OBC, SC, ST, and EWS students, category closing ranks are generally more lenient. Always compare your state rank against BCECEB’s category-wise allotment data from 2024 and 2025 counselling rounds before finalising your list.

Key Bihar Medical Colleges and Preference Order

The table below lists major Bihar medical colleges typically available under BCECEB UGMAC counselling. Government colleges should appear first in your choice list. Expected closing ranks are based on 2024–2025 UGMAC trends and are indicative only; actual 2026 figures will depend on NEET UG cutoffs and seat availability that year.

College Type Course Expected Closing Rank — UR (2026 Estimate)
Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Patna Government MBBS ~500 – 900
Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur Government MBBS ~900 – 1,500
Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Laheriasarai Government MBBS ~1,000 – 1,700
Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna Government MBBS ~1,100 – 2,000
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JLNMCH), Bhagalpur Government MBBS ~1,400 – 2,200
Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College (ANMMCH), Gaya Government MBBS ~1,600 – 2,800
Government Medical College, Bettiah Government MBBS ~2,200 – 4,000
Government Medical College, Chhapra Government MBBS ~2,200 – 4,000
Katihar Medical College and Hospital, Katihar Private MBBS ~4,500 – 9,000
Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj Private (Minority) MBBS ~5,000 – 11,000

All ranks above are Bihar state merit list ranks, not NEET UG all-India ranks. Always verify against BCECEB’s official previous-year allotment data published on the portal before finalising your choices.


How to Lock Your Preferences Correctly

Locking is the final confirmation step in BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choice filling. Until you lock, your saved list is provisional; locking it seals your exact preference order for the seat allotment algorithm.

  • Review before locking: Read through the full ordered list at least twice. Confirm government colleges appear above private ones and all MBBS choices are ranked above BDS choices.
  • Check your category eligibility: Make sure you have selected choices under your valid reservation category (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PWD) where applicable, so category-reserved seats appear in your list.
  • Use the full window strategically: If the window is open for multiple days, refine your list during that period, then lock at least several hours before the hard deadline — not at the last minute.
  • Save proof of locking: Download the locking confirmation PDF from the portal or take a clear screenshot showing your list status as "Locked."
  • After locking, no changes are possible: Track your application using your login credentials and wait for the BCECEB UGMAC 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result to be published on the official portal.

BCECEB UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling FAQs

Ques. When does BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choice filling start?

Ans. BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choice filling is expected to begin around July 1, 2026. The confirmed schedule will be published on the official portal at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in. Check the portal regularly for updates and notifications.

Ques. How many choices can I fill in BCECEB UGMAC 2026?

Ans. There is no maximum limit on the number of choices you can add in BCECEB UGMAC 2026. You should include every college-course combination you are willing to accept. Adding more choices significantly improves your chances of receiving a seat allotment in Round 1 without requiring you to wait for subsequent rounds.

Ques. Can I edit my choices after locking in BCECEB UGMAC 2026?

Ans. No. Once you click "Lock Choices," your preference list is finalised and cannot be edited or reordered. You can make changes only while the choice filling window is open and before you lock. Review your complete list very carefully before you click lock.

Ques. Which Bihar medical college should I rank first in my UGMAC 2026 choice list?

Ans. Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Patna is the top-ranked government medical college in Bihar and should be your first choice if your Bihar state merit rank allows. After PMCH, rank SKMCH Muzaffarpur, DMCH Laheriasarai, NMCH Patna, JLNMCH Bhagalpur, and ANMMCH Gaya before adding private colleges to your list.

Ques. Does BCECEB UGMAC 2026 use my all-India NEET rank or my Bihar state rank?

Ans. For state quota seats, BCECEB UGMAC 2026 uses your Bihar state merit rank — not your NEET UG all-India rank. BCECEB calculates the state merit rank based on your NEET 2026 score among all eligible Bihar state students. When comparing your position against previous-year closing ranks, always use BCECEB’s state-quota allotment data, not the national rank list.

Ques. What happens if I do not lock my BCECEB UGMAC 2026 choices before the deadline?

Ans. If you do not lock your choices before the closing deadline, BCECEB may treat your last saved order as final or may disqualify your choices from that allotment round. Always lock your list well before the deadline and retain a screenshot of the locked confirmation as proof of completion.