Provisional Round 1 list published; JNMC Raipur remains most competitive
The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Chhattisgarh released the provisional Round 1 seat allotment for NEET UG 2026 on 25 August, providing the first consolidated picture of how candidates have preferred government medical colleges in the state for MBBS and BDS admissions. The data show a clear preference for established institutions in Raipur and Bilaspur, while newer government colleges recorded wider closing rank ranges.
At the top of the preference list, Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College (JNMC), Raipur remained the most competitive government medical college. For the unreserved (UR), no subcategory, both-gender seats, the round opened at state rank 4 with a NEET score of 625 and closed at rank 64 with 583 marks. The female UR category showed even tighter competition, opening at state rank 1 and closing at rank 47 with 589 marks.
"The DME, Chhattisgarh, has published the provisional allotment list on August 25," the official release said.
Competition at JNMC extended into reserved categories as well. In the OBC segment, seats closed at state rank 116 with 569 marks, while SC seats reached a closing rank of 815 with 503 marks, according to the published allotment.
CIMS Bilaspur and newer colleges: contrasting demand
Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur, followed JNMC in demand. The UR category at CIMS opened at state rank 89 with 576 marks and closed at rank 139 with 564 marks; OBC seats closed at rank 178 with 557 marks. The pattern suggests candidates with stronger NEET scores still prefer established government colleges before considering recently opened institutions.
- Established colleges: higher cutoffs and tighter closing ranks (JNMC, CIMS).
- Newer government colleges: wider closing rank ranges, indicating lower demand relative to established centres.
- Counselling implication: candidates with mid-to-high NEET scores are prioritising older colleges in Raipur and Bilaspur.
The allotment data show newer government medical colleges recorded closing ranks in the broader ranges. Reported closing ranks for UR categories at selected newer colleges include:
| College | UR closing state rank | NEET marks (closing) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Medical College, Manendragarh | 718 | 508 |
| Government Medical College, Janjgir-Champa | 660 | 511 |
| Government Medical College, Kabirdham | 671 | 510 |
| Government Medical College, Geedam (Dantewada) | 765 | 506 |
| Government Medical College, Kunkuri (Jashpur) | 733 | 507 |
Category-wise closing ranks point to a stratified preference: well-established colleges attracted candidates with higher NEET marks, while newer institutions saw closing ranks in the 500–700 range for the UR category in this round.
Candidates who receive provisional allotments should follow DME guidelines for confirmation, reporting and further counselling rounds. The Round 1 list is provisional and subject to change in subsequent rounds of allotment and seat acceptance. Applicants who did not obtain seats in the first round may look to later rounds where vacancies arise due to withdrawals or non-reporting.
Officials and admissions counsellors typically advise students to check the DME portal for the official allotment document and instructions on fee payment, document verification and reporting schedules. The provisional list gives families their first clear indication of the competitiveness of medical seats across Raipur and other government colleges in Chhattisgarh for NEET UG 2026.
