BCECE Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) for B.Tech admissions in government and select private engineering colleges of Bihar.
- The process runs in two phases: Bihar UGEAC (Undergraduate Engineering Admission Counselling) based on JEE Main 2026 scores,
- It is followed by BCECE-based counselling for seats remaining vacant after UGEAC rounds, based on BCECE scores.
- Both phases are conducted online with separate portals accessible on bceceboard.bihar.gov.in.
- Bihar UGEAC counselling registration started on May 13, 2026, and commences on June 5, 2026.
- Bihar UGEAC 2026 is expected to cover approximately 14,000+ B.Tech seats in around 38 government engineering colleges across Bihar.
- The Bihar UGEAC counselling fee is INR 1200 for the General/EWS/BC candidates and INR 600 for SC/ST candidates.
- Only students who are Bihar residents or whose parents are domiciled in Bihar are eligible for BCECE counselling 2026.
Check the official BCECE seat matrix PDF for 2025 through the links below:
Related Links:
| Table of Contents |
BCECE Counselling 2026 Overview
BCECE Counselling 2026 is the only official route to get a B.Tech seat in government engineering colleges in Bihar.
- Bihar's engineering admission process works in two sequential phases.
- First, Bihar UGEAC runs two rounds based on JEE Main scores.
- Vacant seats are filled through BCECE 2026 score-based counselling in up to three rounds, including a Mop-up round.
| Parameter | Bihar UGEAC (Phase 1) | BCECE Counselling (Phase 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) | |
| Official Portal | bceceboard.bihar.gov.in | |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main 2026 AIR (State Merit List) | BCECE 2026 rank |
| Rounds | 2 rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up round |
| Seats Available | ~14,000+ B.Tech seats | Remaining vacant seats after UGEAC |
| Counselling Begins | June 10, 2026 | August 2026 (expected) |
| Counselling Fee | Rs. 2,200 (General) / Rs. 1,100 (SC/ST) | Non-refundable (amount to be announced) |
| Document Verification | Offline — at BCECEB reporting centres | Offline — at BCECEB reporting centres |
| Colleges Covered | ~38 government engineering colleges in Bihar | Same colleges, remaining vacant seats |
BCECE Counselling 2026 Important Dates
You must track all BCECE 2026 counselling dates carefully.
Based on the previous year, the expected important dates related to BCECE counselling are given in the table below:
| Event | Dates 2026 |
|---|---|
| (JEE Main Based — Phase 1) | |
| UGEAC Counselling Registration Last Date | June 5, 2026 |
| UGEAC Merit List Release | June 8, 2026 |
| UGEAC Choice Filling and Locking | June 2026 |
| UGEAC Round 1 Seat Allotment | June/July 2026 (Expected) |
| Document Verification – Round 1 | July 2026 (Expected) |
| UGEAC Round 2 Choice Modification | July 2026 (Expected) |
| UGEAC Application Form Start | May 13, 2026 |
| UGEAC Round 2 Seat Allotment | July/August 2026 (Expected) |
| Document Verification – Round 2 | August 2026 (Expected) |
| (BCECE-Based Counselling — Phase 2) | |
| BCECE 2026 Exam | May 30, 2026 |
| BCECE 2026 Rank Card Release | July 2026 (Expected) |
| BCECE Counselling Registration Starts | August 2026 (Expected) |
| Choice Filling and Locking | August 2026 (Expected) |
| BCECE Round 1 Seat Allotment | August 2026 (Expected) |
| BCECE Round 2 Seat Allotment | August 2026 (Expected) |
| BCECE Mop-up Round | September 2026 (Expected) |
| Final Admission Confirmation | September 2026 (Expected) |
BCECE Counselling Eligibility 2026
You must meet the eligibility criteria for the relevant phase before registering for BCECE 2026 counselling.
Academic Eligibility
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Passed or appearing in 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
| Minimum Marks – General | 45% aggregate in PCM in Class 12 |
| Minimum Marks – SC/ST | 40% aggregate in PCM in Class 12 |
| For UGEAC (Phase 1) | Valid JEE Main 2026 score (any positive score in JEE Main Paper I) |
| For BCECE Counselling (Phase 2) | Valid BCECE 2026 rank card — BCECE exam cleared with score above category-wise minimum cutoff |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit for B.Tech admission in Bihar |
Domicile Eligibility (Mandatory for All Students)
A Bihar domicile is mandatory for BCECE counselling eligibility. You qualify under the domicile requirement if any one of the following applies:
- Your parents are domiciled in Bihar state.
- Your parents are registered refugees settled in Bihar.
- Your parents are from other states but are employed by the Bihar State Government.
- Your parents work in PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) located in Bihar.
- Your parents were Bihar Government employees before the reorganisation of the state, whose posts are still transferable between Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Your parents are Central Government employees who are currently posted and residing in Bihar.
BCECE Registration 2026
Registering for Bihar UGEAC or BCECE counselling 2026 is mandatory — your rank alone does not secure you a seat. The registration process commences on the official website @bceceboard.bihar.gov.in.
The two phases have separate registration processes and portals.
Bihar UGEAC 2026 Registration (JEE Main Based)
- Step 1 – Visit the portal: Go to bceceboard.bihar.gov.in and click on “online portal of UGEAC-2026”
- Step 2 – Authenticate with JEE Main details: Enter your JEE Main 2026 Application Number, Name, and Date of Birth.
- Step 3 – Generate UGEAC ID: After successful OTP verification, a UGEAC ID is generated.
- Step 4 – Fill personal information: Log in using your UGEAC ID and fill in personal, communication, and academic details.
- Step 5 – Provide academic details: Enter your Class 10 and 12 details, board, year of passing, and subject-wise marks.
- Step 6 – Upload photograph and signature: Upload a scanned colour photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size.
- Step 7 – Pay counselling fee: Pay online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The fee is Rs. 2,200 for General and Rs. 1,100 for SC/ST.
- Step 8 – Download Form A and Form B: Download and print both Parts A and B of your submitted application form.
BCECE Counselling 2026 Registration (BCECE Score Based)
- Registration begins after the BCECE 2026 rank card is released (expected July 2026) and UGEAC rounds are complete.
- Visit bceceboard.bihar.gov.in, click on the BCECE portal link, and register using your BCECE 2026 application number or roll number.
- Fill personal and academic details, upload documents, and pay the counselling fee (amount to be announced).
BCECEB will NOT reset your password under any circumstances. Keep them safe from the moment of registration.
Ques: What is the difference between Bihar UGEAC and BCECE counselling?
Ans. Bihar UGEAC is conducted first based on JEE Main 2026 scores and covers around 14,000+ seats in two rounds. After UGEAC ends, seats remaining vacant are filled through BCECE score-based counselling in up to three rounds. Both are conducted by BCECEB on the same portal.
Related Link: List of Colleges Accepting BCECE 2026
Choice Filling Strategy for BCECE Counselling 2026
Choice filling is the most critical step in BCECE 2026 counselling. Your seat allotment depends entirely on your rank and the order of choices you submit. A well-planned list secures a better college even with a moderate rank.
How Choice Filling Works
- After registering and the merit list is published, you log in and fill in college-course combinations in order of preference.
- There is no limit on the number of choices; fill as many as you want.
- Before the deadline, you must lock your choices by clicking "Lock Choices".
- If you forget to lock your choices before the deadline, the order of choices as last saved is considered final and automatically locked.
- Allotment is done from top to bottom of your locked list; the first college-course combination that has a seat for your rank and category is allotted.
- For Round 2, you can modify your choices before the Round 2 locking deadline.
Choice Filling Tips
- Fill as many choices as possible
- Put your top preference first
- Check 2024–2025 cutoffs before filling
- Include reach, match, and safety choices
- Add choices across multiple districts
- Don't ignore less-popular branches as backup
- Lock choices before the deadline
Ques: What if I am allotted a seat in UGEAC but also want to try BCECE counselling for a better seat?
Ans: If you accept a UGEAC seat and then want to try for a better option through BCECE phase counselling, you can register for BCECE rounds. However, if you are allotted and accept a seat in the BCECE phase, your UGEAC seat is vacated.
Ques: What is the Mop-up Round in BCECE counselling?
Ans: The Mop-up Round is the final round of BCECE score-based counselling for any seats remaining vacant after Round 2. In 2025, around 1,596 seats were available in the Mop-up Round. It is the last opportunity for students to get a government engineering seat in Bihar before admissions close.
BCECE Round-Wise Seat Allotment 2026
The BCECE 2026 seat allotment is done in multiple rounds across both phases. Each round fills seats not taken in the previous one. After allotment, you must download the provisional allotment letter and report within the deadline.
| Phase | Round | Basis | Action Required After Allotment |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGEAC (JEE Main) | Round 1 | JEE Main AIR + Bihar State Merit List + choices locked | Download allotment letter → report at BCECEB verification centre → pay fee at college |
| Round 2 | Seats vacant after Round 1 + modified choices | Download new allotment letter → report at verification centre → pay fee. Candidates dissatisfied with Round 1 allotment can participate by modifying choices. | |
| BCECE (BCECE Score) | Round 1 | BCECE 2026 rank + choices locked (for seats vacant after UGEAC) | Download allotment letter → report at BCECEB centre → pay fee at college |
| Round 2 | Seats vacant after BCECE Round 1 + modified choices | Same as Round 1 process; students can modify choices before Round 2 locking | |
| Mop-up Round | All remaining vacant seats after Round 2 | Final centralised round; report and confirm admission within strict deadline |
Key Facts About Each Round
- UGEAC Round 1: The most competitive round for JEE Main students. Top colleges (Bihar Engineering College, Bhagalpur; Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology) and CSE/ECE branches fill here.
- UGEAC Round 2: Students not satisfied with Round 1 allotment can modify choices and try for something better. Allotment is based on the updated choice list and vacancies.
- BCECE Round 1: After UGEAC ends, remaining seats are opened for BCECE score holders. Competition is lower as the pool of applicants changes. Students with moderate BCECE ranks can still get into good colleges.
- BCECE Round 2: Seats not filled in Round 1. More lenient closing ranks — a good opportunity if you missed Round 1.
- Mop-up Round: Final chance to fill any remaining vacant seats. Based on 2025 data, around 1,596 seats were available in the Mop-up Round. This is your last opportunity before admissions close for the year.
If you are allotted a seat in any round and do not complete the admission process (document verification + fee payment at college) before the deadline, your seat is cancelled permanently.
Documents Required for BCECE Counselling 2026
You need scanned copies during online registration for UGEAC/BCECE. However, document verification for both phases is offline — you must carry all original documents to the BCECEB-designated reporting centre in person. BCECEB sets up verification centres across multiple districts in Bihar.
| Document | Details / Specification |
|---|---|
| UGEAC-2026 Application Form (Part A and Part B) / BCECE Counselling Form | Downloaded and printed from bceceboard.bihar.gov.in after registration |
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card (for UGEAC) / BCECE 2026 Admit Card (for BCECE phase) | Original hall ticket issued by NTA / BCECEB |
| JEE Main 2026 Scorecard / BCECE 2026 Rank Card | Official scorecard / rank card showing AIR and subject scores |
| Class 10 Marksheet and Pass Certificate | Board-issued documents; must show DOB |
| Class 10 Admit Card | Hall ticket from board exam; additional DOB proof |
| Class 12 Marksheet and Pass Certificate | Must show PCM aggregate meeting minimum eligibility (45% General / 40% SC/ST) |
| Class 12 Admit Card | Hall ticket from board exam |
| Residential (Domicile) Certificate of Bihar | Issued by competent authority; mandatory for all students; must be valid Bihar domicile |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) | Issued by competent authority; required for reserved category benefits |
| PwD / DQ Certificate | Issued by government medical authority for Differently Qualified students |
| SMQ Certificate | Service Man's Quota — for wards of defence personnel (if applicable) |
| EWS Certificate | Economically Weaker Section certificate (if applicable) |
| Aadhaar Card | For identity verification at reporting centre |
| 6 Passport-size Photographs | Same as pasted on JEE Main / BCECE admit card; recent colour photographs |
| Transfer Certificate (TC) | From last attended school/college; stays with allotted institution |
| Migration Certificate | If previously enrolled in another university; stays with allotted institution |
Ques: Is document verification online or offline for BCECE counselling?
Ans. Document verification for both UGEAC and BCECE counselling is done in offline mode at BCECEB-designated reporting centres set up across districts in Bihar. You must carry all original documents and photocopies to the centre on the scheduled date.
BCECE Counselling 2026 FAQs
Ques: When will BCECE 2026 counselling start?
Ans. Bihar UGEAC 2026 choice filling starts on June 10, 2026. BCECE score-based counselling for vacant seats is expected to begin in August 2026 after UGEAC rounds are complete. Check bceceboard.bihar.gov.in for the latest schedule.
Ques: Is JEE Main mandatory for BCECE counselling?
Ans. JEE Main is mandatory for Bihar UGEAC (Phase 1). For BCECE-based counselling (Phase 2), you need a valid BCECE 2026 rank card. So if you have a BCECE rank but no JEE Main score, you can still get a B.Tech seat in Bihar through the Phase 2 rounds.
Ques: What is the Bihar UGEAC counselling fee for 2026?
Ans. The Bihar UGEAC 2026 counselling fee is Rs. 2,200 for General category and Rs. 1,100 for SC/ST category. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI during registration.
Ques: How many rounds does BCECE counselling 2026 have?
Ans. Bihar UGEAC has 2 rounds (JEE Main based). BCECE score-based counselling has 3 rounds: Round 1, Round 2, and Mop-up Round. So across both phases, there are up to 5 opportunities to get a seat in Bihar engineering colleges.
Ques: What happens if I don't lock my choices before the deadline?
Ans. If you don't manually lock choices before the deadline, the system auto-locks the last-saved order of your choices. However, you should always manually lock to confirm your final preferences; an unlocked list may not reflect your actual priorities if you made partial edits.
Comments