Manipur NEET Counselling 2026: Registration Expected August, Seat Allotment and Cutoff

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 is the state-level admission process for MBBS and BDS seats under the 85% state quota in government and private medical colleges of Manipur, conducted by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Manipur. With the NEET UG 2026 re-exam being held today on June 21, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, qualified candidates can expect state counselling registration to open in mid-August 2026 once NTA declares the result in mid-July. All official updates and the counselling portal are available at manipurhealthdirectorate.mn.gov.in.

• NEET UG 2026 Result: Expected in mid-July 2026, roughly 3–4 weeks after today’s June 21 re-exam. In 2025, NTA declared the NEET UG result on June 14, 2025. The provisional answer key is expected around June 24, 2026.
• Manipur Counselling Registration: Expected to open in mid-August 2026. In 2025, Manipur state counselling registration began in the first week of August. Keep your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, Manipur domicile certificate, and category certificates ready before the window opens.
• State Merit List: DHS Manipur will publish the 2026 Manipur state NEET merit list after registration closes, expected in late August 2026. Only candidates who register on the official portal and hold a valid Manipur domicile certificate will appear on this list.
• Round 1 Seat Allotment: Expected in September 2026. In 2025, Round 1 allotment came out in early September. Allotted candidates must report to the allotted college with original documents within the deadline — typically 2–3 days from allotment — to secure their admission.

What is Manipur NEET Counselling 2026?

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 is the official state-level process for MBBS and BDS admissions in Manipur based on NEET UG 2026 scores. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Manipur, under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Manipur, organises this counselling every year to fill 85% of available medical seats — known as state quota seats — in government and private colleges of the state. The remaining 15% of government college seats (All India Quota or AIQ) are managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at the national level and have a separate process.

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 is open exclusively to candidates holding a valid Manipur domicile certificate. You compete only with other Manipur domicile holders, not against the national NEET pool of 24+ lakh candidates. This focused competition within a smaller state-level pool gives Manipur domicile candidates — especially those in reserved categories — significantly better access to MBBS seats than the All India Quota route.

Why Manipur State Counselling Matters

Manipur reserves 31% of state quota medical seats for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates — one of the highest ST reservation percentages in India for medical admissions. The state has a large tribal population across its hill districts, and the state counselling process reflects this demographic through its reservation structure. ST candidates with Manipur domicile who qualify NEET UG 2026 have a significantly better chance at an MBBS seat here compared to competing nationally. General and OBC candidates from Manipur also benefit from state-specific cutoffs that are more accessible than AIQ closing scores.

Impact of the NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam on Counselling Timeline

The NEET UG 2026 original exam scheduled for May 3, 2026 was cancelled, and a re-exam is being conducted today — June 21, 2026 — from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. This shifts the entire Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 timeline by roughly 6–8 weeks compared to a normal year. In a standard year, state counselling registration begins in July. In 2026, registration is expected in mid-August. Round 1 allotment is expected in September, with mop-up rounds completing by November 2026. Candidates should use this waiting period to prepare documents — especially the Manipur domicile certificate, which takes 3–4 weeks to process.

All official communications and the counselling portal are at manipurhealthdirectorate.mn.gov.in.

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026: Key Highlights

Here is a quick reference to the most important details about Manipur NEET Counselling 2026.

Source: Directorate of Health Services, Manipur

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 Important Dates

The table below lists dates for all events in the Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 cycle. Upcoming events appear first in chronological order, followed by past events. Since the NEET UG 2026 re-exam is being held today (June 21, 2026) and the result is awaited, all counselling events are upcoming. The 2026 dates are expected based on the re-exam timeline and 2025 patterns, subject to official confirmation by DHS Manipur.

All dates for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 are tentative and will be confirmed on the official portal after the NEET UG 2026 result is declared by NTA.

Source: DHS Manipur Official Portal

Eligibility Criteria for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026

Before registering for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026, you must meet every condition below. Missing even one condition can lead to rejection of your application at the document verification stage.

1. NEET UG 2026 Qualification

You must have appeared in and qualified NEET UG 2026. The minimum qualifying percentile set by NMC is:

Qualifying NEET UG 2026 only makes you eligible to apply — it does not guarantee a seat. For a realistic chance at RIMS Imphal (General category), you would need approximately 550+ marks based on 2025 reference data.

2. Manipur Domicile Requirement

You must hold a valid Manipur Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority of the Manipur Revenue Department. This is a strict requirement — candidates without this certificate, regardless of their NEET score, cannot apply for 85% state quota seats in Manipur NEET Counselling 2026.

If you belong to a hill district of Manipur, your tribal/community certificate from the hill district authority may also be required, as some colleges have specific sub-quotas for hill district residents.

Apply for your Manipur Domicile Certificate immediately if you do not have one. Processing takes 3–4 weeks. Do not wait until counselling registration opens.

3. Age Requirement

You must be at least 17 years old as of December 31, 2026. There is no upper age limit for NEET UG admissions, following the Supreme Court of India’s ruling that struck down the earlier upper age cap for MBBS and BDS admissions.

4. Educational Qualification

You must have passed Class 12 (10+2 or equivalent) from a recognised board with:

• Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology as core subjects
• English as a compulsory subject
• Minimum 50% aggregate in PCB for General/EWS candidates
• Minimum 40% aggregate in PCB for SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates

Candidates appearing in Class 12 compartment exams in 2026 may apply provisionally, subject to passing the final exam and submitting marksheets before the reporting deadline.

5. Nationality

Indian nationals are eligible for Manipur state quota seats. NRI candidates may apply for NRI quota seats in private colleges through a separate process — they do not compete for state quota seats in Manipur NEET Counselling 2026.

How to Register for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 registration is expected to open in mid-August 2026. Registration is done entirely online on the official DHS Manipur portal. Here is the step-by-step registration process based on the 2025 pattern.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

• Step 1: Visit the official portal at manipurhealthdirectorate.mn.gov.in and click on the Manipur NEET UG Counselling 2026 registration link
• Step 2: Register a new account using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and date of birth; you will receive login credentials on your registered mobile
• Step 3: Log in and fill in your personal details, NEET UG 2026 registration number, marks, domicile information, and category
• Step 4: Enter your educational qualification details — Class 10 and Class 12 data including board, year, and marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
• Step 5: Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the format and file size specified by DHS Manipur (use clear, legible scans)
• Step 6: Pay the registration fee through the online payment gateway (net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card)
• Step 7: Submit the completed form and download and print your registration confirmation slip — keep it for document verification and college reporting

Registration Fee (Expected for 2026)

The exact fee will be confirmed in the official Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 notification. The registration fee is non-refundable once paid.

Register only on the official DHS Manipur portal. Do not pay fees to any third-party agent or website claiming to process Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 registrations. DHS Manipur does not authorise any agents or intermediaries.

Important: NEET Registration is NOT Counselling Registration

Registering for NEET UG 2026 with NTA does NOT automatically register you for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026. You must separately register on the DHS Manipur portal when the counselling window opens in August 2026. These are two entirely different processes managed by two different organisations.

Documents Required for Manipur NEET Counselling 2026

Document verification is a mandatory step before seat allotment. If any document is missing or invalid during verification, DHS Manipur can cancel your candidature. Prepare all documents well before registration opens — keep originals and at least two sets of self-attested photocopies.

Mandatory Documents for All Candidates

• NEET UG 2026 Admit Card: The June 21 re-exam admit card (the May 3 admit card is not valid for the re-exam)
• NEET UG 2026 Scorecard: Official scorecard downloaded from the NTA website after result declaration in mid-July 2026
• Class 10 Certificate and Marksheet: For date of birth proof and school-level qualification
• Class 12 Certificate and Marksheet: Showing Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English with required minimum marks
• Manipur Domicile Certificate: Issued by the competent authority — this is the single most critical document for state quota eligibility
• Photo Identity Proof: Aadhaar card (preferred), Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence
• Passport-size Photographs: At least 6–8 recent colour photographs on a white background
• Registration Confirmation Slip: Printed confirmation from the DHS Manipur counselling portal

Category-Specific Documents

• SC Certificate: For Scheduled Caste candidates — must be issued by a competent Manipur government authority
• ST Certificate: For Scheduled Tribe candidates — must be from a Manipur government authority; specify the scheduled tribe name as listed under Manipur’s ST schedule
• OBC Certificate: For Other Backward Classes candidates — must include a non-creamy layer declaration and be issued by a Manipur state authority (Central OBC certificates may not be valid for state quota)
• EWS Certificate: Annual family income below Rs. 8 lakh; must be from the 2025–26 financial year or later; issued by a competent Manipur authority
• PWD Certificate: From a notified medical board stating the type and percentage of disability

Additional Documents (Where Applicable)

• Transfer Certificate / Migration Certificate from last school or college
• Character Certificate from the head of institution last attended
• Medical Fitness Certificate from a registered MBBS doctor (some colleges require it at reporting)
• Gap Year Certificate / Notarised Affidavit (if you have a year gap after Class 12)

All category certificates must be from Manipur government authorities. Certificates from other states are NOT valid for Manipur state quota reservation. Expired certificates will lead to rejection at document verification.

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 Merit List

DHS Manipur prepares a Manipur-specific NEET merit list for 2026 that is separate from the All India Rank (AIR) list published by NTA. Your state rank on the Manipur merit list — not your AIR — determines your seat allotment in state counselling. A candidate with a lower AIR can have a high Manipur state rank if fewer Manipur domicile candidates scored higher than them.

Who Appears on the Manipur NEET Merit List 2026?

Only candidates who meet all three conditions appear on the Manipur state merit list:

• Qualified NEET UG 2026 (scored above the qualifying percentile for their category)
• Hold a valid Manipur domicile certificate
• Registered on the official DHS Manipur counselling portal and completed document verification

Qualifying NEET UG 2026 alone does NOT put you on the Manipur merit list. You must complete counselling registration to appear on it.

Category-wise Merit Lists

DHS Manipur publishes separate merit lists for each category: General (UR), SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PWD (horizontal). Your category as declared in NEET UG 2026 and verified through your submitted certificate determines which merit list you appear on. Seat allotment is done from category-specific lists.

Tie-Breaking Criteria

If two candidates have the same NEET UG 2026 total score, DHS Manipur applies these tie-breaking criteria in this order:

1. Higher marks in Biology (Botany + Zoology) in NEET UG 2026
2. Higher marks in Chemistry in NEET UG 2026
3. Fewer incorrect answers overall in NEET UG 2026
4. Older candidate by date of birth

When Will the Manipur NEET Merit List 2026 Be Released?

The merit list is expected in late August 2026, approximately 7–10 days after the registration window closes. You can check and download your state merit rank by logging in to the official DHS Manipur portal after the list is published. Your state rank is what you use to calculate your chances at each college — compare it with the previous year’s opening and closing ranks from the cutoff section.

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 Seat Matrix

The seat matrix lists all MBBS and BDS seats available through Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 at each participating college. DHS Manipur will release the official 2026 seat matrix with the counselling notification in late July or early August 2026. The table below is based on 2025 data and is indicative.

MBBS Seats in Manipur — Indicative Matrix (2025 Pattern)

Seat numbers are indicative. The confirmed 2026 seat matrix will be published on the DHS Manipur portal. Intake may change if any college receives revised NMC approval for 2026.

Source: DHS Manipur; NMC Approved Intake Data

Key Notes on the Seat Matrix

• Private college seats through state counselling cover only the state quota component; management quota seats in Shija Academy are filled by the college directly and are not part of Manipur NEET Counselling 2026
• The 15% AIQ seats in government colleges (RIMS, JNIMS, CMC) are filled by MCC at the national level — apply separately on the MCC portal to compete for AIQ seats
• BDS dental college seats, if any participate in 2026, will be listed separately in the official seat matrix
• Total MBBS seats across all Manipur colleges sum to approximately 475+, with about 385+ going through state quota

Choice Filling and Locking in Manipur NEET Counselling 2026

Choice filling is the most important step in Manipur NEET Counselling 2026. After the state merit list is published, eligible candidates get a window — typically 3–4 days — to fill and lock college and course preferences. The computerised seat allotment algorithm uses your state merit rank and locked choices to assign a seat. No manual changes are possible after locking.

How to Fill and Lock Choices

• Step 1: Log in to the DHS Manipur counselling portal with your registered credentials
• Step 2: Navigate to "Choice Filling" or "College Preference" section
• Step 3: Browse available colleges and courses from the published seat matrix
• Step 4: Add colleges in your order of preference — most preferred college at position 1
• Step 5: Add all colleges you are willing to study at, including backups — there is no limit on the number of choices
• Step 6: Review the complete list carefully and re-order if needed
• Step 7: Click "Save and Lock Choices" and download the locked choices confirmation slip

Rules for Choice Filling

• Your most preferred college must be at position 1 — the algorithm starts from the top and assigns the first available seat
• Once choices are locked, they cannot be modified under any circumstances
• Candidates who do not lock choices before the deadline will not be considered for allotment in that round
• Include backup choices — a seat at any NMC-approved college is better than no seat at all
• Compare your expected NEET 2026 score with 2025 reference cutoffs before deciding your choice order

Do not wait until the final hours to lock choices. Portal traffic is very high near deadlines and technical delays can cause you to miss the window. Lock your choices at least 12–24 hours before the closing time.

Floating and Sliding Options

Some state counselling systems offer floating (consideration for a better college in the next round while retaining current allotment) and sliding (automatic move to a higher preference within the same college). If DHS Manipur offers these options in 2026, details will be in the official notification. You do not need to apply separately — just ensure your locked choice list reflects the correct order of preference.

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 Seat Allotment

Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 has three rounds of seat allotment. The allotment is fully computerised and based on your Manipur state merit rank and locked choices. DHS Manipur publishes results on the official portal — you must log in to check your allotment after each round.

Rounds of Allotment

Steps After Getting a Seat Allotment

If you are allotted a seat, you must:

• Log in to the portal and download your allotment letter — print multiple copies
• Accept the seat online within the portal by the specified deadline
• Pay any online seat acceptance fee as applicable
• Report to the allotted college in person within the reporting deadline — usually 2–3 days from allotment
• Carry all original documents and the allotment letter to the college
• Pay the first-year tuition and hostel fees as per the college’s published fee structure
• Complete document verification at the college — all originals will be checked in person

Upgrade Option in Round 2

In Round 2, if a seat opens at a college you ranked higher than your Round 1 allotment, you can be automatically upgraded based on your locked choices. The upgrade does not require any extra action from you — your locked choice list already indicates your preference order. Your Round 1 seat is released back to the pool when you are upgraded.

Consequences of Not Reporting on Time

If you receive an allotment but do not report to the college within the deadline, your allotment is automatically cancelled. The seat returns to the pool for the next round. DHS Manipur does not grant reporting deadline extensions. You may still get another allotment in Round 2 or the Mop-Up Round depending on your rank and available seats, but there is no guarantee.

Top Medical Colleges in Manipur

Manipur has four NMC-approved medical colleges — three government and one private — that participate in Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 for state quota seats. Here is a detailed overview of each institution to help you make informed decisions during choice filling.

Government Medical Colleges in Manipur

Private Medical Colleges in Manipur

About RIMS Imphal

The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal is the most prestigious medical college in Manipur and the top choice for NEET aspirants from the state. Established in 1972, it is the oldest medical college in Manipur and has a 1,200-bed attached teaching hospital that serves patients from across Northeast India. RIMS has 125 MBBS seats and offers a full range of MD/MS postgraduate programmes across specialisations. With government fees and strong clinical exposure, it consistently has the highest closing cutoff among Manipur state quota colleges. Getting a seat at RIMS through Manipur NEET Counselling 2026 requires the highest NEET scores in the state merit list — approximately 550+ for General category based on 2025 data.

About JNIMS, Porompat

Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Porompat, Imphal East, is the second government medical college in Manipur. Established in 2009, JNIMS has modern infrastructure, an attached teaching hospital, and offers MBBS along with several postgraduate programmes. With approximately 100 MBBS seats and a closing cutoff 20–30 marks lower than RIMS, JNIMS is a realistic target for candidates with scores in the 530–598 range (General category, 2025 reference). It is government-funded, meaning fees are low and no capitation fee applies.

About Churachandpur Medical College

Churachandpur Medical College (CMC) is located in Churachandpur district — a predominantly tribal hill district of Manipur. With 100 MBBS seats, CMC is particularly significant for ST candidates from Manipur’s hill districts. Its location in the hill region gives students direct exposure to rural and tribal healthcare challenges. The closing cutoff at CMC is lower than both RIMS and JNIMS, making it accessible to a broader range of candidates from the state. For hill district ST candidates, CMC’s closing mark based on 2025 data was approximately 418–452.

About Shija Academy of Health Sciences

Shija Academy of Health Sciences (SAHS) at Langol, Imphal, is the largest private medical college in Manipur by MBBS intake with 150 seats. It is attached to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, one of Manipur’s leading private hospitals, providing students with clinical training in a well-equipped, modern facility. As a private college, fees are substantially higher than government colleges. However, for candidates who cannot secure a government seat, SAHS offers quality MBBS education within the state. State quota seats in SAHS are filled through Manipur NEET Counselling 2026, while management and NRI quota seats are filled by the college directly.