Bihar UGMAC 2026 choice filling is expected to open around July 2, 2026 on the BCECE Board portal — the order in which you arrange your college preferences directly determines which government medical college you are allotted a seat in.
Bihar UGMAC (Under Graduate Medical Admission Counselling) is the centralised counselling process for MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical seats in Bihar’s government colleges. With only 1,232 government MBBS seats across major institutions like PMCH, IGIMS, NMCH, and SKMCH, competition is intense and your choice filling order is as important as your NEET rank itself. Understanding college-wise closing ranks, Bihar’s category system, and the step-by-step process helps you fill preferences strategically and avoid leaving eligible seats on the table.
- Choice filling expected to begin around July 2, 2026 at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in.
- Bihar’s government MBBS pool has 1,232 seats across 7+ major government medical colleges under the 85% state quota.
- PMCH Patna (165 seats) and IGIMS Patna (128 seats) are the most sought-after colleges with the highest NEET closing ranks.
- Bihar uses reservation categories UR, EWS, BC, EBC, SC, ST, RCG — different from the generic OBC label used in other states.
- Fill as many preferences as possible — unfilled choices are permanently forfeited for that round.
- All closing rank data in this article is based on 2025 trends and is indicative for 2026 planning purposes.
| Direct Link — Bihar UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling Portal (ACTIVE on opening date) — bceceboard.bihar.gov.in/UGMACIndex.php |
What is Bihar UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling?
Choice filling is the step in Bihar UGMAC counselling where you log in to the BCECE Board portal and arrange your preferred colleges and courses in priority order. The seat allotment engine then matches your NEET All India Rank (AIR), your reservation category, and your filled preferences to assign the highest-ranked choice for which a seat is available. The core rule: your seat outcome is decided by your rank and the preferences you fill — colleges you skip in the list cannot be allotted to you in that round.
Bihar UGMAC 2026 counselling covers MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and BNYS seats in government colleges. The state quota is 85% of total institutional seats; the remaining 15% are filled through All India Quota (AIQ) via MCC counselling. Only students with valid Bihar domicile and NEET 2026 qualification are eligible for state quota rounds. Bihar UGMAC 2026 is expected to run across 4 rounds including a stray vacancy round.
Government Medical Colleges and MBBS Seats in Bihar
Bihar’s government MBBS pool comprises approximately 1,232 state quota seats spread across 7 major government medical colleges. The table below lists them along with verified seat counts based on UGMAC 2025 data.
| College | Location | Approx. MBBS State Quota Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) | Patna | 165 |
| Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) | Patna | 128 |
| Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) | Patna | 124 |
| Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) | Muzaffarpur | 98 |
| Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) | Darbhanga | 97 |
| Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College (ANMMCH) | Gaya | 98 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JLNMCH) | Bhagalpur | 98 |
| Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS / BMIMS) | Pawapuri, Nalanda | ~100 |
| Government Medical College (GMC) | Bettiah, West Champaran | ~100 |
| Government Medical College | Chapra (Saran) | ~100 |
| Government Medical College | Saharsa | ~100 |
Seat counts for PMCH, IGIMS, NMCH, SKMCH, DMCH, ANMMCH, and JLNMCH are based on verified UGMAC 2025 data. Seats for newer GMCs are approximate. Always check the official 2026 seat matrix brochure on the BCECE Board portal before filling choices.
Previous Year Closing NEET Ranks for Bihar UGMAC (Based on 2025 Trends)
The table below shows expected closing NEET All India Ranks for major Bihar government medical colleges based on UGMAC 2025 Round 3 trends. Actual 2026 closing ranks may shift based on NEET difficulty, total Bihar applicants, and seat changes. Use these as a realistic planning reference only.
| College | UR Closing NEET AIR (Expected) | EWS Closing NEET AIR (Expected) | SC Closing NEET AIR (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMCH Patna | ~7,000–8,500 | ~14,000–18,000 | ~60,000–80,000 |
| IGIMS Patna | ~9,000–11,000 | ~17,000–22,000 | ~70,000–90,000 |
| NMCH Patna | ~10,500–13,000 | ~20,000–26,000 | ~85,000–1,10,000 |
| SKMCH Muzaffarpur | ~13,000–17,000 | ~25,000–32,000 | ~1,25,000–1,50,000 |
| DMCH Darbhanga | ~14,000–18,000 | ~27,000–35,000 | ~1,30,000–1,60,000 |
| ANMMCH Gaya | ~16,000–21,000 | ~30,000–40,000 | ~1,50,000–1,75,000 |
| JLNMCH Bhagalpur | ~18,000–23,000 | ~33,000–44,000 | ~1,55,000–1,80,000 |
| VIMS Pawapuri | ~18,500–24,000 | ~35,000–46,000 | ~1,60,000–1,90,000 |
| GMC Bettiah | ~20,000–27,000 | ~38,000–50,000 | ~1,70,000–2,00,000 |
| GMC Chapra / Saharsa | ~22,000–29,000 | ~40,000–54,000 | ~1,75,000–2,10,000 |
Note: Bihar uses EBC (Extremely Backward Class) and BC (Backward Class) categories — not a single OBC label. Students should identify their exact category from the BCECE Board brochure. The SC column above uses partial verified 2025 data: SKMCH SC closing rank was ~1,43,672 and ANMMCH SC Female closed at ~1,65,380.
Step-by-Step Bihar UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling Process
Follow these steps to complete your choice filling on the official BCECE Board portal during the open window:
- Go to bceceboard.bihar.gov.in and click on the Bihar UGMAC 2026 counselling link.
- Log in using your UGMAC application number and registered password or date of birth.
- Click on Choice Filling in your dashboard menu.
- Browse the list of available colleges and courses — add MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, or BNYS preferences and arrange them in priority order.
- Sequence your preferences using the up/down controls — Preference 1 is your top choice; the system allots the highest-ranked available option at your rank.
- Verify the correct seat category (UR, EWS, BC, EBC, SC, ST) for each entry before saving.
- Click Save and Lock to finalise — choices cannot be modified once the window closes.
- Download and save the choice confirmation slip for your records and future reference at document verification.
Tips for Smart Bihar UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling
The allotment algorithm works in your favour only if your preference list is complete and correctly ordered. Use these strategies to maximise your chances:
| Strategy | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fill every available choice | There is no penalty for adding more preferences. Students who list all available college-course combinations have a much higher allotment rate than those who fill only a few. |
| Lead with aspirational picks | Put PMCH or IGIMS first even if your rank is borderline — the system gives you the highest-ranked available choice. Safe options can follow lower in the list. |
| Cross-check your NEET AIR against closing ranks | Compare your AIR to previous year closing ranks before placing a college in your top 5 so you know what is realistic vs. aspirational. |
| Rank all MBBS options above BDS | If MBBS is your goal, list all MBBS options across every Bihar government college before adding any BDS preferences — a BDS allotment blocks the rest of the list in some rounds. |
| Stay location-flexible | Restricting yourself to Patna only eliminates SKMCH, DMCH, JLNMCH, and others. Government MBBS at any Bihar college delivers the same degree and MCI-recognised clinical training. |
| Verify your Bihar category before filling | Bihar uses BC and EBC separately from SC/ST — picking the wrong seat type wastes a preference and can cost you a seat that your rank was eligible for. |
Category-wise Choice Filling Strategy for Bihar UGMAC 2026
Your reservation category determines the seat pool you compete in and the closing rank you need. Use this tier guide to set realistic targets while keeping aspirational picks at the top of your list.
| Category | Realistic MBBS Targets (Expected 2026) | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|---|
| UR (General) | PMCH/IGIMS for NEET AIR below 11,000; NMCH/SKMCH for 11,000–17,000; regional GMCs beyond 20,000 | Lead with PMCH then IGIMS, then fill all other government MBBS colleges in tier order |
| EWS | PMCH/IGIMS for AIR below 22,000; regional colleges for AIR up to 54,000 | Fill both EWS-seat and UR-seat preferences for each college to access both seat pools |
| EBC (Extremely Backward Class) | PMCH/IGIMS/NMCH for AIR below 28,000; regional colleges up to ~55,000 | Add EBC-category preferences for all Bihar government medical colleges in sequence |
| BC (Backward Class) | Closing ranks slightly higher than EBC; access to all major colleges up to AIR ~50,000 | Fill all BC-seat options across all government colleges; add UR fallback options too |
| SC | Access to all Bihar government medical colleges up to NEET AIR ~2,10,000 based on 2025 data | Include all colleges with all available MBBS seats; add BDS seats as a backup |
| ST | ST seats are limited — students beyond AIR 2,10,000 may still secure a seat | Fill every available ST-category preference; include AYUSH options as a final backup |
All rank estimates above are based on 2025 Bihar UGMAC trends and may change in 2026 based on NEET difficulty, total Bihar applicants, and any seat matrix revision by the BCECE Board.
Bihar UGMAC 2026 Choice Filling FAQs
Ques. When does Bihar UGMAC 2026 choice filling start?
Ans. Bihar UGMAC 2026 choice filling is expected to open around July 2, 2026 on the official BCECE Board portal at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in. Check the portal regularly for the confirmed schedule, as dates are released only after NEET UG results and state merit list preparation.
Ques. Can I change my choices after saving them during the choice filling window?
Ans. Yes, you can modify your preference list any number of times during the open choice filling window. Once the window closes and choices are locked by the system, no further edits are allowed. Always review and save your final list before the deadline.
Ques. Which is the best government medical college to choose first in Bihar UGMAC?
Ans. PMCH Patna (165 MBBS seats) is widely regarded as the best government medical college in Bihar for clinical exposure and infrastructure. IGIMS Patna (128 seats) is the second-most competitive college. Both have the highest NEET closing ranks in the state. Add them as your first two choices if your AIR is below 11,000 for UR category.
Ques. How many choices should I fill in Bihar UGMAC 2026?
Ans. Fill as many choices as possible — there is no penalty for adding more preferences. Students who add all available college-course combinations have a significantly better chance of getting a seat than those who add only a few options.
Ques. Is Bihar domicile mandatory for Bihar UGMAC state quota seats?
Ans. Yes, a valid Bihar domicile certificate is mandatory to participate in the 85% state quota rounds of Bihar UGMAC. Students without Bihar domicile must apply for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) through MCC counselling separately.
Ques. What is the difference between BC and EBC categories in Bihar UGMAC?
Ans. Bihar does not use a single OBC category. Backward Class (BC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) are two separate reservation pools with distinct closing ranks. You must fill preferences under the correct category as per your caste certificate. Check your certificate carefully and refer to the official BCECE Board UGMAC 2026 brochure to confirm which category applies to you.
Comments