Odisha NEET Round 2 Merit List 2026 Out: Choice Locking Ends Today at 4 PM; MBBS, BDS Allotment Tomorrow
Odisha NEET UG Counselling 2026: The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination authorities have published the second-round state merit list for MBBS and BDS admission, and candidates now have only a limited window to finalise their college choices.
According to the revised Round 2 schedule, choice filling and locking will close at 4 PM on September 10, 2026. The provisional Round 2 seat allotment is scheduled for 11:30 AM on September 11, followed by the final allotment result later the same day.
Odisha NEET Round 2: Important Dates
| Activity | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Round 2 registration | September 7-8, 2026 |
| Revised state merit list | September 9, 2026 |
| Choice filling and locking | September 9 to September 10, 4 PM |
| Provisional seat allotment | September 11 at 11:30 AM |
| Query on provisional allotment | Up to September 11 at 5 PM |
| Final Round 2 allotment | September 11 at 7:30 PM |
| Reporting/admission | September 13-18, 2026 |
Where Can Candidates Check the Odisha NEET Merit List?
The state merit list is available through the OJEE medical counselling section. Candidates should use the official portal rather than relying on screenshots circulated through social media.
The list establishes the merit position of candidates eligible to participate in Round 2 under the applicable state counselling rules.
Does Being on the Merit List Mean You Have an MBBS Seat?
No.
This distinction is extremely important.
A merit list establishes a candidate's position in the counselling pool. It does not identify the final college assigned.
| Merit List | Seat Allotment |
|---|---|
| Shows eligible candidates and merit position | Shows actual college/course assigned |
| Released before allocation | Released after preferences are processed |
| Does not guarantee admission | Still requires reporting and verification |
What Should Candidates Do Before 4 PM Today?
Candidates should focus on the choice list rather than repeatedly checking their merit position.
Before locking choices:
- Check every available MBBS and BDS option.
- Review the revised vacancy position.
- Check tuition fees.
- Compare government and private options.
- Understand bond requirements where applicable.
- Review location and hostel facilities.
- Arrange choices in true preference order.
- Recheck the complete list before locking.
Why Preference Order Matters
Counselling software considers available seats along with candidate merit, reservation rules and submitted preferences.
A candidate should therefore put the most preferred acceptable institution first.
Do not place a lower-preference college above a dream college merely because you think the dream college is difficult to obtain.
If you qualify for the higher choice when your allotment is processed, the system can consider it.
How Many MBBS Seats Are Vacant?
Round 2 has become particularly important because vacancies remain after first-round admission.
Published vacancy reporting indicated 164 government MBBS vacancies when the relevant EWS positions are included, while additional BDS vacancies were also available.
The official revised vacancy document should be checked before final choice submission because seat positions can be updated.
What Creates Round 2 Vacancies?
Seats can become available because:
- Round 1 candidates did not report.
- Candidates resigned or withdrew.
- Seats were added or revised.
- Category conversion becomes applicable.
- Some seats remain unfilled after the previous stage.
Should You Fill BDS Choices Too?
Only if you are genuinely prepared to study dentistry.
BDS should not be entered automatically as a backup if the student has no interest in dental practice.
Medical and dental careers have different curricula, training requirements and professional pathways.
Government vs Private Medical College
| Government College | Private College |
|---|---|
| Usually lower tuition | Often higher tuition |
| Highly competitive | Cutoffs may be more accessible in some seat categories |
| Strong patient load at many institutions | Clinical exposure varies by institution |
| Limited seats | Can expand available choice pool |
How Should Candidates Compare Medical Colleges?
NEET cutoff is only one factor.
Students should also compare:
- Hospital patient load
- Clinical departments
- Faculty
- Recognition status
- Hostel availability
- Tuition fee
- Bond conditions
- Location
- Internship environment
- Postgraduate exposure
What Happens on September 11?
The first Round 2 allotment output is scheduled for 11:30 AM.
Candidates can raise an applicable query concerning the provisional allotment until 5 PM. The final result and allotment-letter stage is scheduled for around 7:30 PM.
This same-day provisional-to-final structure means candidates should check the result promptly rather than waiting until the following day.
What Happens After Final Allotment?
Selected candidates will need to pay the required admission fee and report according to OJEE instructions.
Reporting for provisional admission is scheduled from September 13 through September 18.
Candidates should keep original documents and any required signed bond ready.
Odisha NEET Round 2 FAQs
Is the Round 2 merit list out?
Yes.
When does choice filling close?
At 4 PM on September 10 under the revised schedule.
When is provisional allotment?
September 11 at 11:30 AM.
When is the final allotment?
September 11 at 7:30 PM.
Does merit-list inclusion guarantee MBBS admission?
No. Seat allotment depends on merit, preferences, category/quota rules and vacancies.
Final Takeaway
For Odisha medical aspirants, today is fundamentally a choice-list day.
The revised merit list is already available. What candidates do before the 4 PM locking deadline could now matter more than simply knowing their rank.
Use the remaining time to compare colleges, fees and vacancies carefully. Tomorrow's seat-allotment result will be based not only on where you rank, but on the choices you submit today.
