State-Level NEET PG Counselling Continues Post Merit Lists Across Multiple States

As of January 31, 2026, state-level NEET PG 2025 counseling is in full swing with the release of Round 3 merit lists in West Bengal, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. Following the percentile reduction, 800+ new candidates have become eligible in various states. Candidates are now participating in the final choice-filling phases for state-quota MD and MS seats. While the All India Quota (AIQ) counseling faces a temporary pause, state-level NEET PG 2025 counseling authorities are aggressively pushing forward with their Round 3 processes. As of January 31, 2026, several states, including West Bengal, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh, have released their updated merit lists. These lists reflect the new candidate pool created by the National Board of Examinations' recent decision to lower the qualifying cut-offs, allowing a fresh wave of medical graduates to compete for remaining state-quota seats in government and private medical colleges.

In the northern region, the Punjab NEET PG counseling body has finalized its Round 3 merit list, identifying 833 newly eligible candidates who can now opt for clinical specialties. Similarly, in the east, the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) has issued a revised schedule for physical document verification. These regional updates are crucial as they account for the specific domicile and reservation quotas unique to each state.

• Andhra Pradesh: The state released its merit list for the Competent Authority Quota, with some candidates qualifying with scores as low as the 0th percentile.
• West Bengal: WBMCC has updated its portal to allow "In-service" doctors to verify their rural service marks for Round 3 weightage.
• Punjab: Fresh registrations for Round 3 closed yesterday, and the final seat allotment result is expected early next week.
• Rajasthan: The state portal has opened a 48-hour window for choice filling for 1,064 available MD and MS seats.

The Impact of Percentile Revision on State Ranks

The drastic drop in the NEET PG 2025 qualifying percentile has caused a significant shift in state-level rankings. Candidates who were previously out of the race are now eligible for "Non-Clinical" and "Semi-Clinical" branches, which typically see high vacancy rates. However, state authorities have clarified that while more candidates are eligible, the original top-tier ranks remain undisturbed, meaning the competition for popular branches like Radio-diagnosis and General Medicine remains intense.

• New Eligibility: Candidates in the General category now qualify at the 7th percentile, while SC/ST/OBC candidates qualify at the 0th percentile.
• State Rank Shifts: State-specific rank lists have been recalculated to include the thousands of new aspirants nationwide.
• Branch Preferences: Authorities are seeing a surge in choices for DNB courses in private hospitals under the state quota.

Next Steps for State Quota Aspirants

Candidates who find their names in the newly released merit lists must act quickly to complete their choice-filling and fee-payment processes. Each state follows a slightly different timeline, and missing a deadline could mean forfeiting the chance for a seat in the 2025-26 academic year. Aspirants are advised to keep a close eye on their respective Directorate of Medical Education (DME) websites for real-time notifications.

• Choice Filling: Ensure that choices are locked before the state-specific deadline to avoid auto-locking.
• Document Readiness: Keep original internship certificates and NEET PG scorecards ready for the upcoming physical reporting.
• Fee Deposits: Some states require a security deposit before Round 3 choice filling can be initiated.

Conclusion

The progression of state-level NEET PG 2025 counseling on January 31, 2026, provides a vital pathway for medical students to secure specialized training. Despite the complexities introduced by the percentile revision, the release of state-specific merit lists ensures that the admission process continues with regional transparency. Candidates should continue to coordinate with their local authorities and check the Medical Counselling Committee for any overarching AIQ updates that might influence state-level seat vacancies.

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