MET 2026 Choice Filling: How to Add, Edit and Lock Branch Preferences

MET 2026 choice filling is now active on the official MAHE counselling portal at counseling.manipal.edu, where you can add, rearrange and lock your branch preferences before the deadline.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) requires all qualified students to complete choice filling as a mandatory step of MET 2026 counselling. You log in to the portal, build an ordered list of preferred programs and campuses, and lock your choices before the window closes. The seat allotment engine uses your locked list and MET rank to assign a seat — so the order in which you place your choices matters.

• Choice filling is done at counseling.manipal.edu using your MET application number and date of birth.
• You can add, rearrange and remove preferences freely until you click the final lock button.
• Once locked, choices cannot be edited — confirm your order carefully before locking.
• Seat allotment is based on your MET 2026 rank and the priority order of your locked choices.
• Adding more choices across campuses and branches maximises your seat allotment chances.

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What is MET 2026 Choice Filling?

Choice filling is the step in MET 2026 counselling where you create a ranked list of the branch-campus combinations you want. The MAHE seat allotment system tries your first choice first, moves to your second if the first is unavailable, and so on down your locked list. Placing your most preferred program at the top and adding as many backup options as possible is the most effective strategy.

The choice filling window is open for a limited period. You can log in and out multiple times to revise your list, but all changes must be completed and locked before the deadline. An unlocked list is not considered for allotment, and a locked list cannot be changed afterwards.

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How to Login to the MET 2026 Counselling Portal

You need your MET 2026 credentials to access the choice filling section. Follow the steps below to log in.

1. Open the official portal at counseling.manipal.edu in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click the "Student Login" or "Login" button on the homepage.
3. Enter your MET 2026 application number and date of birth (or your registered password).
4. Complete the CAPTCHA verification if the portal prompts you.
5. Click "Submit" to enter your counselling dashboard.

If the login fails, verify that the application number and date of birth match your MET admit card exactly. Clear browser cache and cookies, then try again. Avoid using Internet Explorer or older browsers.

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How to Add Branch Preferences in MET 2026 Counselling

You can add branch-campus combinations from all MAHE campuses in a single session. The portal displays every available program; you select the ones you want and build your priority list.

1. After logging in, navigate to "Choice Filling" or "Fill Choices" in your dashboard.
2. A searchable and filterable list of available programs will load on screen.
3. Use the filters to narrow by campus (Manipal, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Sikkim) or by program/branch.
4. Click "Add" or the "+" icon next to any program you want to include.
5. The added program will appear in your numbered preference list on the right or bottom panel.
6. Repeat the process for every branch-campus combination you want to include.

There is no fixed cap on the number of choices you can add. Adding 15 to 20 preferences across different campuses and branches is a sound approach to ensure you receive a seat even if top choices are filled.

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How to Edit and Rearrange Choices in MET 2026

After building your initial list, you can change the order or remove any preference you no longer want. All edits must be done before you click "Lock Choices" — the portal freezes changes immediately after locking.

Always assign Preference 1 to the branch and campus you want most. Review the complete order from top to bottom before you proceed to the lock step.

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How to Lock Your MET 2026 Branch Preferences

Locking your choices is the final and irreversible step of MET 2026 choice filling. Only lock when you are fully satisfied with both the programs you have added and the order in which you have ranked them.

1. Open the "Choice Filling" section and scroll through your complete preference list one final time.
2. Confirm that Preference 1 is your most desired branch-campus and the rest follow in your intended order.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Lock Choices" or "Final Submit".
4. A confirmation pop-up will appear — read the warning carefully, then click "Confirm" to proceed.
5. The portal will display a lock confirmation screen — download or print this page as proof.

If you do not lock before the window closes, your choices may not be submitted for allotment. Lock at least a few hours before the deadline to avoid issues from high server traffic near closing time.

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Important Tips for MET 2026 Choice Filling

A well-planned preference list gives you the best chance of converting your MET rank into your preferred seat. Keep the following points in mind.

• Put your dream branch first — the system checks your top preference before moving down, so never bury your first choice.
• Add the same branch from multiple campuses (e.g. B.Tech CSE at Manipal, then B.Tech CSE at Jaipur) to widen your chances for that program.
• Never leave a branch unlisted simply because it seems out of reach — an unlisted option can never be allotted.
• Check previous-year closing ranks for each program on the MAHE website before setting your order.
• Click "Save" every time you step away from the portal to prevent losing your progress.
• Use a stable internet connection and a desktop or laptop browser — mobile browsers may not support drag-and-drop reordering.
• Save the lock confirmation receipt as a PDF or screenshot immediately after locking.