Uttar Pradesh NEET MBBS Counseling 2026
NEET UG Counseling 2026
Uttar Pradesh NEET MBBS Counseling 2026
Top Government Medical Colleges, Verified Cutoffs & Choice Filling Order
Uttar Pradesh is one of the most competitive medical state-quota arenas in India, with lakhs of NEET aspirants competing for top seats across the Purvanchal, Western UP, and Awadh regions. Getting your choice preference list right can determine whether you land a top seat or miss an upgrade entirely.
A common question every counseling season: should KGMU come before IMS BHU? Is AIIMS Gorakhpur a better pick than RMLIMS Lucknow? This guide is built around where top NEET rankers actually locked their seats in Round 1 of MCC Counseling — a strong signal of real-world institutional preference under the All-India Quota (AIQ 15%) and Central Quota.
Quick Video Guide
Watch Before You Fill Your Choice List
A fast visual walkthrough of Uttar Pradesh’s top government medical colleges, Round 1 cutoffs, and what to weigh before locking your final choices.
Covers KGMU Lucknow vs IMS BHU Varanasi, the state rural service bond trade-off, and where AIIMS Gorakhpur, AIIMS Raebareli, RMLIMS and the legacy state colleges fit for different rank ranges.
Quick Answer: UP’s Top Government Medical Colleges (Round 1, 2026)
- Top central benchmark: IMS BHU, Varanasi closed Round 1 at AIR 1,174 (Open Category) — the highest-preference central institute in UP.
- Top state medical university: KGMU Lucknow, UP’s flagship state college, closed at AIR 1,628.
- Rising central institutes: AIIMS Gorakhpur (AIR 2,091) and AIIMS Raebareli (AIR 2,600) — no state rural service bond, modern infrastructure.
- Top regional state colleges: RMLIMS Lucknow (AIR 3,323), GIMS Greater Noida (AIR 4,401), GSVM Kanpur (AIR 4,575).
Top Government Medical Colleges in Uttar Pradesh — Round 1 Cutoffs
The table below ranks UP’s leading government medical colleges by Round 1 AIQ/Central closing rank (AIR), along with seat intake and year established.
| Tier / Rank | College | Location | Round 1 Closing Rank (AIR) | MBBS Seats | Established |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Tier | IMS BHU | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (100% Central) | 1,174 | 100 | 1960 |
| Rank 1 | King George’s Medical University (KGMU) | Shahmina Road, Chowk, Lucknow | 1,628 | 250 | 1911 |
| National Tier | AIIMS Gorakhpur | Kunraghat, Gorakhpur (100% Central) | 2,091 | 125 | 2019 |
| National Tier | AIIMS Raebareli | Munshiganj, Raebareli (100% Central) | 2,600 | 100 | 2013 |
| Rank 2 | Dr. RML Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) | Gomti Nagar, Lucknow | 3,323 | 200 | 2006 |
| National Tier | JLNMC, AMU | Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (100% Central) | 3,971 | 150 | 1962 |
| Rank 3 | Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) | Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar | 4,401 | 100 | 2016 |
| Rank 4 | G.S.V.M. Medical College | Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur | 4,575 | 250 | 1956 |
| Rank 5 | L.L.R.M. Medical College | Garh Road, Meerut | 4,621 | 100 | 1966 |
| Rank 6 | S.N. Medical College | Hospital Road, Agra | 4,945 | 128 | 1854 |
Note: State quota allotment for the 85% seats across UP state institutions is conducted separately by the Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (UPDGME).
Round 1 Cutoff Rank Comparison
Lower AIR (All India Rank) = higher preference / harder to secure.
What Makes These UP Colleges Different?
1. IMS BHU, Varanasi & KGMU, Lucknow
Round 1 closing ranks: IMS BHU (AIR 1,174) | KGMU Lucknow (AIR 1,628)
IMS BHU operates as a central university under MCC, offering a 50% internal PG quota down the line, strong research funding, and zero state service bond. KGMU, established in 1911, is the gold standard among UP’s state colleges — ideal if you want high patient volume, large hospital wards, and an active global alumni network.
2. AIIMS Gorakhpur & AIIMS Raebareli
Round 1 closing ranks: AIIMS Gorakhpur (AIR 2,091) | AIIMS Raebareli (AIR 2,600)
Both are fully central-government funded, meaning modern hostels, up-to-date diagnostic equipment, no state rural bond, and internal PG reservation advantages for future PG entrance exams.
3. Dr. RMLIMS Lucknow & GIMS Greater Noida
Round 1 closing ranks: RMLIMS Lucknow (AIR 3,323) | GIMS Greater Noida (AIR 4,401)
RMLIMS is located in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, offering super-specialty exposure and state-capital lifestyle advantages. GIMS Greater Noida has become popular with students who want Delhi NCR proximity alongside a modern academic environment.
4. Legacy State Centres: GSVM Kanpur, LLRM Meerut & SNMC Agra
Round 1 closing ranks: GSVM Kanpur (AIR 4,575) | LLRM Meerut (AIR 4,621) | SNMC Agra (AIR 4,945)
These long-established state colleges have handled regional patient care for generations. The sheer patient volume at GSVM Kanpur and LLRM Meerut gives students hands-on clinical confidence that newer campuses take years to build.
3 Essential Rules Before Filling Your UP Choice List
- Register on the UPDGME Portal: MCC controls the 15% All India Quota and Central Universities, but the 85% State Quota seats run through UPDGME (upneet.gov.in). A separate security deposit and registration on the state portal are required.
- Mind the 2-Year State Bond: State medical colleges in UP require graduates to complete a 2-year compulsory rural service bond or pay a ₹10 lakh penalty. Central institutes such as IMS BHU, AIIMS Gorakhpur, AIIMS Raebareli, and AMU carry no such obligation.
- Check Category Validity Dates: State OBC-NCL and EWS reservation certificates must be issued within the current financial year (after March 31). Verify paperwork carefully before reporting.
Key takeaway: Central institutes (IMS BHU, AIIMS Gorakhpur, AIIMS Raebareli, AMU) carry no rural service bond — a major factor to weigh against KGMU’s stronger clinical exposure and state college prestige.
Get 1-on-1 Expert Guidance for Your NEET UG Counseling
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Through MyExams.Ai NEET UG Counseling Support, you get a dedicated counseling advisor who stays with you through MCC All India Quota, AIIMS, Central Universities, Deemed Universities, and 21 State Counseling Boards — including customized choice-list design and OBC-NCL/EWS certificate review to avoid rejection during physical reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who handles state quota medical counseling in UP?
The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (UPDGME) runs state counseling for the 85% State Quota seats across government and private colleges in Uttar Pradesh.
Q2: KGMU Lucknow or IMS BHU Varanasi — which one should I pick?
Pick IMS BHU Varanasi for central university benefits, no rural service bond, and 50% internal PG quota advantages. Pick KGMU Lucknow for unmatched clinical patient load, state heritage, and strong residency exposure in Lucknow.
Q3: Can candidates from other states apply for the 85% UP state quota seats?
No. The 85% State Quota in UP government colleges is strictly reserved for UP domicile candidates, or those who completed class 10 and 12 in UP. Non-domicile candidates can only apply for the 15% AIQ seats in government colleges, or open seats in private medical colleges.
Q4: Should I choose GIMS Greater Noida over older colleges like GSVM Kanpur or LLRM Meerut?
GIMS Greater Noida offers a better Delhi NCR location and modern infrastructure. Older colleges like GSVM Kanpur and LLRM Meerut offer significantly higher patient footfall and established PG departments. Choose GIMS for location; choose Kanpur/Meerut for deeper clinical training.