HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Final Merit List Released, Check Merit, Quota and Next Steps
The HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 counselling process has moved to an important stage with the release of the Final Merit List for MBBS and BDS admissions in Himachal Pradesh.
The Atal Medical & Research University (AMRU), Himachal Pradesh, released the final merit list on August 21, 2026. The list has been prepared on the basis of NEET UG 2026 and contains candidates considered for the first round of MBBS/BDS counselling.
One of the most important points in the notice is that all HP Quota candidates will also be allowed to fill choices for Management Quota seats in private colleges. This gives eligible candidates an additional opportunity while preparing their Round 1 choices.
However, candidates should understand that the release of the final merit list is not the same as final seat allotment. AMRU has specifically advised candidates to approach the allotted college only after the final seat allotment is declared and the provisional allotment letter has been downloaded from the candidate login.
HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Merit List: Important Highlights
The final merit list provides a detailed ranking of candidates based on their NEET UG 2026 performance and applicable admission quota/category.
Here are the major highlights:
- Authority: Atal Medical & Research University, Himachal Pradesh
- Courses: MBBS and BDS
- Counselling: Round 1
- Basis: NEET UG 2026
- Final Merit List Released: August 21, 2026
- HP Quota candidates: Allowed to fill Management Quota choices in private colleges
- Total candidates listed: 2,747
- Final seat allotment: To be followed separately
The final entry in the published list is Merit No. 2747, indicating that the document contains 2,747 ranked candidates.
What Information Is Included in the HP NEET UG 2026 Merit List?
The merit list contains several details that candidates should check carefully.
These include:
- Merit number
- Application number
- Candidate name
- Admission quota
- Category/reservation
- NEET All India Merit Rank
- NEET roll number
- NEET score
- Backward Area schooling status
- Defence priority, wherever applicable
- Management Quota category
The document clearly identifies candidates under different admission categories, including HP Quota, NRI Quota and Management Quota. It also records special categories such as EWS, SC, ST, OBC, Backward Area, Single Girl Child, Defence-related categories and PwD candidates.
HP NEET UG 2026 Merit List: What Is the Highest NEET Score?
The top of the final merit list starts with candidates having very high NEET UG 2026 scores.
The first candidate listed has a NEET score of 663 and an All India Merit Rank of 756. The next candidates have scores of 653, 649, 646 and 644 respectively.
The merit list therefore gives candidates a useful indication of the competitive level among students participating in HP counselling.
However, it is important not to treat the first or last score in the merit list as the MBBS or BDS cutoff. A merit list tells you who is eligible and where candidates stand in the ranking. The actual closing rank or score for a particular college and seat category can only be determined after seat allotment.
HP Quota Candidates Get an Additional Management Quota Opportunity
One of the biggest updates in the official notice is related to Management Quota seats in private medical colleges.
AMRU has stated that all HP Quota candidates will be allowed to fill choices for Management Quota seats in private colleges as well.
This is significant for candidates who may not have a realistic chance of securing their preferred government MBBS seat based on their NEET rank.
Instead of limiting their choices, eligible HP Quota candidates can consider applicable private college Management Quota options while preparing their Round 1 preferences.
The merit list itself contains candidates under Management Quota, including General, OBC, SC and ST categories.
NRI Quota Candidates Are Also Included
The final merit list also contains candidates registered under the NRI Quota.
For example, the list includes NRI candidates with NEET scores of 563, 527 and 523, among others.
NRI Quota candidates should therefore check their individual merit position and the applicable choices and eligibility conditions before the seat allotment process.
The presence of NRI candidates at different NEET ranks also shows why candidates should not compare their rank directly with another quota without considering the applicable seat category.
HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1: Special Categories in the Merit List
The merit list includes several reservation and special categories.
Candidates can see entries under categories such as:
EWS Category
Candidates under the Economically Weaker Sections category are separately identified in the merit list. For example, candidates with NEET scores in the 630s and 560s appear under the EWS category.
SC, ST and OBC Categories
The list contains candidates under SC, ST and OBC categories throughout the merit ranking. Their applicable category is recorded alongside the NEET rank and score.
Defence-Related Categories
Candidates applying under defence-related categories are also identified through their applicable priority. The document includes entries for wards of serving personnel, wards of ex-servicemen and other defence-related categories.
Other Special Categories
The merit list also includes categories such as Single Girl Child, Children of J&K Migrants, Backward Area, Widows/Wards of Ex-Servicemen and Physically Handicapped.
Candidates claiming any such benefit should make sure their supporting documents are valid and updated.
Important Warning About Category Certificates
AMRU has issued a clear warning for candidates claiming a reserved category or quota.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that their certificates and documents are:
- Valid
- Updated
- In the prescribed format
- Submitted as required in the prospectus
If a certificate is outdated, invalid or not submitted in the required format, the candidate may lose the benefit of the respective category or quota.
This is particularly important for candidates who are depending on a reserved category to secure a particular seat.
Final Merit List Does Not Mean Your Seat Is Confirmed
This is perhaps the most important point for candidates.
Being included in the HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Final Merit List does not automatically mean that you have received an MBBS or BDS seat.
AMRU has specifically stated that provisional allotment of a seat does not itself confer a right to admission. Final eligibility and category claims will remain subject to verification and approval by the Admission Committee of the concerned institute.
Candidates should therefore wait for the final seat allotment and then download the provisional allotment letter through their candidate login.
The university has also stated that admission will not be considered without seat allocation from AMRU.
What Should HP NEET UG 2026 Candidates Do Now?
If your name appears in the final merit list, the next step is to prepare carefully for choice filling and seat allotment.
Check Your Merit Details
First, verify your:
- Merit number
- NEET AIR
- NEET score
- Admission quota
- Category
- Special reservation status, if applicable
If you have claimed a special category, make sure your supporting documents are ready.
Prepare Your College Choices
HP Quota candidates should take advantage of the option to fill Management Quota choices in private colleges as announced by AMRU.
Your choice list should not be based only on the name of the college. Consider your NEET rank, category, quota, fees, location and the likelihood of getting the seat.
Do Not Report Before Seat Allotment
Candidates should not directly approach a college expecting admission merely because their name appears in the merit list.
AMRU has specifically advised candidates to approach the allotted college only after final seat allotment and after downloading the provisional allotment letter from their candidate login.
What Does the Merit List Tell Us About HP NEET 2026 Competition?
The merit list shows a very wide range of NEET ranks and scores among candidates participating in HP counselling.
At the top, candidates have NEET scores above 600, while the list continues down to candidates with scores below 200. The final listed candidate has a NEET score of 177 and an All India Merit Rank of 1,194,105.
This does not mean that MBBS or BDS seats will be available at every score shown in the merit list. It simply reflects the range of candidates included in the counselling merit list.
The actual college-wise closing rank will depend on the number of seats, candidate choices, quota, category and seat availability during the allotment process.
HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Key Takeaways
The HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Final Merit List is now available, giving candidates a clear picture of their position before the seat allotment stage.
The key points are:
- AMRU released the final merit list on August 21, 2026.
- The list is based on NEET UG 2026.
- It covers MBBS and BDS Round 1 counselling.
- The merit list contains 2,747 candidates.
- HP Quota candidates can also fill choices for Management Quota seats in private colleges.
- Candidates claiming reservation or special quotas must have valid and updated documents.
- Being included in the merit list does not guarantee admission.
- Candidates should wait for the final seat allotment and download their provisional allotment letter before reporting to a college.
For candidates, this is the stage where choice filling becomes extremely important. A good preference list should balance your preferred colleges with realistic options based on your NEET rank, category, quota and budget.
Official HP NEET UG 2026 Counselling Website
Atal Medical & Research University, Himachal Pradesh:
https://amruhp.ac.in/
Official Authority: Atal Medical & Research University, Himachal Pradesh
Counselling: MBBS/BDS NEET UG 2026
If you are checking your HP NEET UG 2026 merit position and are unsure which colleges to place higher in your Round 1 choices, it is important to evaluate your rank and category before locking your preferences.
