The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) Committee has officially released the provisional state-level merit list for candidates who have qualified in NEET-UG 2026 and are aspiring for admission into MBBS and BDS courses within Odisha for the 2026-27 academic session. This crucial list, essential for all prospective medical and dental students in the state, is readily accessible on the official OJEE website, ojee.nic.in, offering transparency and ease of access to applicants.
Aspiring medical professionals who have registered for admission under the 85% state quota can meticulously review their state rank, their All India Rank (AIR), and detailed category information within the provisional merit list, which is provided in a downloadable PDF format. This comprehensive list includes a significant total of 6,217 candidates, all of whom have met the preliminary criteria for consideration.
Topping this highly competitive Odisha NEET rank list 2026 is Aman Kumar Nayak, who distinguished himself with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 80. Following closely, the second position in the state merit list was secured by a candidate with an AIR of 225, while the third spot was claimed by an individual achieving an AIR of 462. These top performers highlight the exceptional talent and intense competition for medical and dental seats in the state. The merit list exclusively features eligible candidates from Odisha who successfully qualified in NEET-UG 2026 and have duly registered for the state-level counselling process for MBBS and BDS admissions.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has also outlined the specific qualifying percentile and corresponding score ranges for various categories for the 2026-27 academic year, setting the benchmarks for admission. For unreserved and EWS candidates, a 50th percentile is required, with cut-off scores ranging from 213 to 715. OBC, SC, and ST candidates need to achieve a 40th percentile, with scores between 177 and 212. UR/EWS-PwD candidates are expected to reach the 45th percentile, corresponding to scores from 194 to 212. For OBC-PwD/SC-PwD candidates, scores ranging from 177 to 193 are considered, while ST-PwD candidates require scores between 177 and 191.
The counselling process for MBBS and BDS admissions commenced with the release of the provisional state merit list on August 13, 2026. Candidates were given a brief window to submit any objections or grievances until 11:30 AM on August 14, 2026. Following this period, the final state merit list was scheduled for release at 5:00 PM on the same day. Online choice filling and locking, a critical stage in the admission process, began at 8:30 PM on August 14 and will conclude at 11:59 PM on August 17, 2026. The eagerly anticipated Round 1 provisional seat allotment results are slated for announcement at 5:00 PM on August 19, 2026.
Significant changes have been introduced in the medical counselling procedures by the Central Government and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), aiming to streamline the process by transitioning many operations online. A notable reform is that candidates will now only be required to physically report to the finally allotted college, eliminating the need for repeated visits to various institutions during the counselling phases. Seat upgradation and the float option, available up to Round 3, will also be handled entirely online, enhancing convenience. Furthermore, document verification will be conducted through a dedicated online portal, and candidates will have the facility to surrender a seat online if needed. The number of evaluation centers for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates has been substantially increased from 16 to 61, and registration for candidates applying under the NRI quota has been fully digitized, reflecting a broader shift towards a more accessible and efficient system.
