HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Registration Begins: Complete Schedule, Fees & How to Apply

Himachal Pradesh has officially opened Round 1 counselling registration for NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS courses for the academic session 2026–27. The Atal Medical and Research University (AMRU), Himachal Pradesh — the state counselling authority released the prospectus on 13 August 2026 and activated online applications on the AMRUHP portal. If you are a domicile or eligible state-quota candidate, this is your first and most important window to secure a government or private medical/dental seat in Himachal Pradesh.

This guide explains the complete Round 1 schedule, registration steps on amruhp.ac.in, eligibility rules, application fees, participating colleges, and practical tips so you do not miss deadlines or lose your seat due to incomplete forms. Always cross-check dates on the official university website, as AMRU may revise the schedule through notifications.

HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Key Highlights

Before diving into dates and documents, here is a quick snapshot of what Round 1 counselling covers and who should apply now.

• Conducting authority: Atal Medical and Research University (AMRU), Himachal Pradesh
• Official portals: amruhp.ac.in and erpamruhp.in
• Courses: MBBS and BDS (Undergraduate Medical/Dental)
• Basis of admission: Merit of NEET UG 2026 conducted by NTA
• Counselling mode: Fully online — registration, choice filling, allotment, and fee payment
• Seat types covered: 85% State Quota in government colleges, Management/NRI quotas in private colleges, and 100% seats in private unaided dental colleges (as per prospectus distribution)
• Round 1 application window: 13 to 17 August 2026 (last time 11:55 PM on 17 August)
• Helpline: WhatsApp 9459139364 | Email counselling.amruhp@gmail.com | Phone 01905-243967

Candidates who wish to pursue All India Quota (15%) seats must register separately on MCC at mcc.nic.in. State counselling on AMRUHP is independent of AIQ and requires a separate application with fee payment.

Complete HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Schedule

AMRU has published a detailed timeline in the MBBS/BDS prospectus released on 13 August 2026. Missing any step — especially locking choices or reporting to the allotted college — can lead to seat forfeiture. Mark these dates on your calendar immediately.

Round 1 Important Dates (2026–27 Session)

Upcoming Rounds at a Glance

After Round 1, AMRU will conduct Round 2 and Round 3 (mop-up) counselling for vacant seats. Fresh online applications for Round 2 open from 31 August to 2 September 2026, with seat allocation expected around 10–11 September and joining on 13–14 September. Round 3 registration runs from 16 to 18 September 2026, with final allotment on 28 September and joining on 30 September and 1 October 2026. Stray vacancy round dates will be notified later on the university website.

Action tip: Even if you are unsure about getting a seat in Round 1, complete registration before 17 August 2026. You cannot participate in choice filling or merit list preparation without a successfully submitted application and confirmation copy.

Who Is Eligible for HP NEET UG 2026 State Counselling?

Only candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 are eligible to apply. Non-qualified applicants will have their forms rejected without notice, and the application fee is non-refundable. Beyond the NEET cutoff, Himachal Pradesh applies domicile and schooling rules for State Quota seats.

State Quota Eligibility (85% Government Seats)

Typical eligible categories include:

1. Bonafide Himachali candidates who have passed at least two qualifying examinations (middle, matric, +1, or +2) from recognized schools/colleges in Himachal Pradesh affiliated to HPBOSE, CBSE, ICSE, or equivalent boards.
2. Children of Central/State government employees posted in HP for a continuous two years (within the preceding four years before 1 January of the +2 passing year), provided the child studied +1 and +2 in HP.
3. Children of HP government employees posted outside HP for three continuous years (on or before 1 January of +2 year) — schooling condition waived with proper certificate.
4. Children of bonafide Himachalis working with Central Government outside HP for three years — schooling waived.
5. Children of defence/ex-servicemen — schooling criteria waived unconditionally for bonafide Himachalis in Indian Defence Services.
6. Reserved categories: SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD (benchmark disability), Single Girl Child, Backward Area, Freedom Fighter wards, Ex-servicemen/Defence wards, J&K Migrant children, and Tibetan Refugee children — each with specific certificate formats in the prospectus appendices.

Management Quota Eligibility (Private Colleges)

For Management Quota seats in private unaided medical and dental colleges, bonafide Himachali status is not mandatory. Any Indian national who qualified NEET UG 2026 and meets age and educational qualifications may apply through the same AMRU centralized counselling.

NRI Quota

NRI seats follow Supreme Court guidelines (Anshul Tomar vs State of MP). Eligible sponsors include NRI parents, first-degree NRI relatives, or legally recognized NRI guardians with documented bonafide guardianship and NRE account sponsorship affidavits.

Application Fee for HP NEET UG 2026 Counselling

Pay the counselling registration fee online during application submission. Fee categories as per the official prospectus:

• General / NRI / OBC and other categories: ₹2,500
• SC / ST / EWS: ₹1,500
• Persons with Disability (PwD): Zero (no fee)

Important: Fee payment alone does not complete your application. You must fill all sections, upload documents if required, and generate the confirmation copy (PDF) of the online application. Without this confirmation printout, your registration is treated as incomplete and you will not appear on the merit list.

Participating Medical and Dental Colleges in Himachal Pradesh

Round 1 counselling covers all government and participating private institutions listed in the AMRU prospectus. Knowing college names helps you plan realistic choice filling based on your NEET rank and category.

Government Medical Colleges (MBBS)

• Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla — 120 seats (approx.)
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda, Kangra — 120 seats
• Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan — 120 seats
• Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk, Mandi — 120 seats (includes ESI quota distribution)
• Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba — 120 seats
• Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur — 120 seats

Government Dental College (BDS)

• H.P. Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla — 75 seats

Private Dental Colleges (BDS)

• Himachal Dental College, Sundernagar, Mandi — 60 seats
• Bhojia Dental College, Nalagarh, Solan — 60 seats
• Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Paonta Sahib, Sirmour — 100 seats

Private Medical College (MBBS)

• Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College, Kumarhatti, Solan — 150 seats (State Quota 25%, Management 75%, NRI quota as notified; subject to court orders)

In total, Himachal Pradesh offers roughly 870+ government MBBS seats and additional private seats across MBBS and BDS programmes. Choice filling strategy should balance dream colleges with safe backups based on previous year cutoffs and your category merit position.

HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Registration: Step-by-Step Process

Registration is live on the AMRUHP ERP portal. Follow these steps carefully on a laptop or desktop using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for a smooth experience.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to amruhp.ac.in → Admission → Apply for Admission and Counselling → MBBS/BDS. Alternatively, use the direct Round 1 link on the homepage under counselling notifications. Download and read the full prospectus PDF before starting.

Step 2: New Registration

Register using a fresh mobile number and email ID not used previously on the portal. Enter your NEET UG 2026 roll number, name, and father's name exactly as on the NEET scorecard. Verify email and mobile via OTP. Mismatched details will block registration.

Step 3: Pay Application Fee

Select your category and pay the applicable fee online. Save the payment receipt. Remember: payment without final form submission does not confirm registration.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

Fill personal details, category, quota (State/Management/NRI), domicile information, and academic records. Upload photograph (taken on or after 1 August 2026, max 40 KB) and signature as per specifications. Select only one reserved category if applicable — changes are not allowed after submission.

Step 5: Final Submit and Download Confirmation Copy

Review every field, submit the form, and download the PDF confirmation copy. Print this document — you must submit it along with the allotment letter and self-attested documents when reporting to your allotted college.

Step 6: Choice Filling (21–23 August 2026)

After the final merit list on 19 August, log in again to fill college and course preferences in order of priority. Lock your choices before the deadline. Unlocked or incomplete preference lists are not considered for allotment.

Step 7: Check Allotment and Report to College

Download your provisional and final allotment letter from the portal. Report physically to the allotted college on 28 or 29 August 2026 with original documents for verification and pay admission fees to confirm the seat.

Documents Required for HP NEET UG Counselling

Keep scanned copies ready for upload (if prompted) and originals plus self-attested photocopies for reporting day verification.

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard and admit card (from NTA)
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and passing certificates
• Character certificate from the last attended institution
• Bonafide Himachali certificate (for state quota; format as per Appendix-1, issued on or after January 2013)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD/Single Girl Child/Backward Area etc.) in prescribed formats
• Domicile/residence proof and schooling certificates where applicable
• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or other government ID)
• Passport-size photographs matching uploaded digital photo
• Income certificate for EWS category
• NRI/OCI/Foreign National documents if applying under those quotas
• Printout of online application confirmation copy and allotment letter

PwD candidates need disability certification from designated boards at IGMC Shimla or RPGMC Tanda as per NMC guidelines dated 27 July 2026.

Merit List and Seat Allotment Rules

AMRU prepares a state merit list based on NEET UG 2026 scores for candidates with successfully submitted applications. The process includes:

• Provisional merit list (18 August): Review your rank and raise objections if any data error exists (within notified window).
• Final merit list (19 August): Binding list used for Round 1 seat allotment.
• Seat allotment (25–26 August): Based on merit, category, quota, and locked preferences. Higher preference is allotted only if seats are available at your rank.

Reserved category candidates selected on general merit under Group-B (Unreserved) are not counted against reserved seats. Vacant reserved seats may convert to unreserved in later rounds as per prospectus rules. PwD and NRI vacant seats may be filled from general merit in Round 3 if no eligible candidates remain.

Reservation Policy and Special Quotas

Himachal Pradesh follows a detailed seat matrix with category-wise distribution across colleges. Key reservation highlights:

• Horizontal reservation for PwD (benchmark disabilities) — 5% as per RPwD Act
• EWS reservation in government colleges — typically 10 seats per 120-seat MBBS college
• Single Girl Child, Backward Area, Freedom Fighter, Ex-servicemen, and Defence Personnel quotas
• Separate merit for J&K Migrant and Tibetan Refugee reserved seats
• ESI quota seats at SLBS GMC Ner Chowk (35% of state quota at that institution)
• SC and ST seats are inter-transferable if candidates are unavailable in one category

Select your category carefully during registration. False claims lead to cancellation at any stage, including after admission, and may attract legal action.

Smart Choice-Filling Strategy for Round 1

Choice filling is where most candidates either secure a strong seat or lose opportunities due to poor planning. Use these practical strategies during the 21–23 August 2026 window:

• Research previous cutoffs: Compare your expected state rank with last year's closing ranks for your category at each college.
• Mix ambition with safety: Place 2–3 dream choices at the top, followed by realistic options and 2–3 safe backup colleges at the bottom.
• Consider course preference: Decide whether MBBS or BDS is your primary goal, and order choices accordingly within each course.
• Factor in quota type: State Quota, Management Quota, and NRI seats have different fee structures and eligibility — apply only to quotas you genuinely qualify for.
• Do not leave choices unlocked: Save and lock preferences well before the deadline to avoid last-minute server issues.
• Keep printouts: Save a screenshot or PDF of your locked preference list for reference during allotment result day.

Remember that allotment is strictly automated based on merit and locked choices. No manual preference changes are possible after the deadline, so review your list twice before locking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Round 1 Registration

Every year, candidates lose valuable time due to avoidable errors. Protect your candidature by avoiding these pitfalls:

1. Name or roll number mismatch with NEET UG 2026 data — double-check before OTP verification.
2. Stopping after fee payment without generating the confirmation PDF.
3. Using an already registered email/mobile — the system allows one-time registration credentials per candidate.
4. Missing the 17 August 11:55 PM deadline — no extension should be assumed.
5. Not locking choices during 21–23 August window.
6. Skipping college reporting on 28–29 August — seat may be forfeited and security/token amount lost.
7. Applying only on AMRU for AIQ seats — register on MCC separately for 15% All India Quota.
8. Ignoring prospectus appendices for certificate formats — wrong formats cause rejection at verification.

HP NEET UG Counselling vs All India Quota (MCC)

Understanding the difference prevents duplicate effort and missed opportunities:

If you hold an AIQ seat and also get a state seat, follow MCC and AMRU guidelines on seat acceptance, upgradation, and resignation to avoid penalties.

What Happens After Round 1?

Candidates who secure a seat must complete admission formalities at the college within the stipulated dates, including medical examination and anti-ragging undertakings. Those not allotted a preferred seat, or who wish to upgrade, may participate in Round 2 after fresh registration (31 August – 2 September 2026). Vacant seats after Round 2 move to Round 3 mop-up counselling in September 2026. A stray vacancy round may follow for remaining seats — dates to be announced.

Candidates planning postgraduate medical education later should note that HP also conducts NEET PG based state counselling for MD/MS seats through AMRU in subsequent academic cycles.

Conclusion

HP NEET UG 2026 Round 1 counselling registration is now active on the AMRUHP portal, with applications accepted until 17 August 2026, 11:55 PM. Qualified NEET candidates targeting MBBS or BDS seats in Himachal Pradesh must complete online registration, pay the prescribed fee, and obtain the confirmation copy without delay. Merit lists will appear on 18–19 August, choice filling runs from 21–23 August, and final allotments on 26 August, with college joining on 28–29 August 2026.

Read the official prospectus thoroughly, prepare certificates in prescribed formats, and monitor AMRU counselling notifications daily for any schedule updates. Acting early within the Round 1 window gives you the best chance at government medical and dental seats before vacancies move to subsequent rounds. For broader exam context and preparation resources, explore the complete NEET UG guide on CollegeDwar.