According to the latest seat matrix, 834 seats are vacant in total, comprising 322 MBBS seats and 512 BDS seats. The vacancies have been published on a college-wise, course-wise, category-wise and quota-wise basis, allowing candidates to assess the seats available under their respective eligibility categories.

The Round 3 seat matrix is particularly significant because the Punjab counselling process is now moving toward the later stages of NEET UG 2026 admissions. Candidates who are eligible to participate in Round 3 should carefully examine the vacancy position before submitting their choices.

Punjab NEET UG Round 3 Seat Matrix 2026: Key Highlights

The seat matrix represents vacant seats for Round 3 and not the total sanctioned intake of the colleges. Therefore, candidates should not interpret the figures as the complete number of seats available in each institution.

Punjab MBBS/BDS Round 3 Counselling 2026

The Punjab NEET UG counselling process for MBBS and BDS admissions is being conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot.

The university has revised the schedule for the third round of counselling. Under the revised schedule, candidates were provided an opportunity to submit their choices for course, college, quota and category during the designated choice-filling window. Seat allotment is processed after the choice-filling period, followed by publication of the provisional allotment result and the opportunity to raise objections, wherever applicable.

The counselling portal has also made the MBBS/BDS Round 3 seat matrix available to candidates.

834 Vacant Seats Available in Punjab Round 3

The latest matrix indicates 834 vacant seats across MBBS and BDS programmes.

Of these:

• 322 seats are vacant in MBBS

• 512 seats are vacant in BDS

The distribution varies significantly between courses and categories. Candidates should therefore examine the individual college entries rather than relying only on the total vacancy figure.

The large number of BDS vacancies compared with MBBS vacancies may provide additional opportunities for candidates seeking admission to dental programmes, particularly in private institutions and specific reserved categories.

Punjab MBBS Round 3 Seat Matrix 2026

The Round 3 matrix shows 322 vacant MBBS seats across the participating institutions.

One of the notable features of the MBBS vacancy position is the relatively high number of seats under the NRI quota. Out of 322 vacant MBBS seats, 175 are listed as NRI seats.

Major MBBS Vacancy Highlights

Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot has the highest number of NRI vacancies, with 38 seats listed under the NRI category.

It is followed by:

• Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur – 23 NRI seats

• Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda – 22 NRI seats

The matrix also indicates 30 vacant MBBS seats under the Open category.

Among government medical colleges, Government Medical College, Patiala has 9 Open-category vacancies, while Government Medical College, Amritsar has 8.

There are also 59 PwD MBBS vacancies across the participating institutions.

For the Scheduled Caste category, 14 vacant MBBS seats are indicated in the Round 3 matrix. Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda has several SC vacancies, including seats under both Government and Management Quota.

Punjab BDS Round 3 Seat Matrix 2026

The BDS vacancy position is comparatively larger, with 512 vacant BDS seats listed for Round 3.

NRI seats account for 214 of the 512 BDS vacancies. Several private dental colleges show significant NRI vacancy positions.

The matrix also shows 119 vacant BDS seats under the Scheduled Caste category, with a substantial proportion listed under the Management Quota.

For example, Desh Bhagat Dental College, Mandi Gobindgarh and Guru Nanak Dev Dental College, Sunam each show 13 SC seats under the Management Quota.

The Open category has 12 vacant BDS seats.

Among the institutions listed, Government Dental College, Patiala has 3 Open-category vacancies, while Government Dental College, Amritsar and Gian Sagar Dental College, Banur have 2 Open-category vacancies each.

The matrix also indicates 70 PwD vacancies in BDS.

Quotas Covered in Punjab Round 3 Seat Matrix

The Round 3 seat matrix provides information across several quota categories. Candidates should understand the applicable quota before selecting a college.

The major quota classifications include:

Government Quota

Government Quota covers seats in government institutions as well as applicable government-quota seats in private colleges.

Management Quota

Management Quota primarily applies to seats in private medical and dental institutions. Candidates should carefully verify the applicable fee structure before opting for these seats.

Open Quota

The matrix also includes Open Quota seats. Certain institutions, including Christian Medical College and Christian Dental College, Ludhiana, have specific seat arrangements reflected in the matrix.

Minority Quota

Minority seats are also included for eligible institutions and candidates. Sri Guru Ram Das Institute, Amritsar, is among the institutions with minority-category provisions.

NRI Quota

NRI seats are listed across different quota structures depending on the institution. Candidates seeking NRI admission should carefully verify their eligibility and required documentation.

All India Quota

The matrix also identifies AIQ-related seats in applicable institutions, including the Christian colleges in Ludhiana.

Categories Included in the Seat Matrix

The Punjab NEET UG Round 3 matrix covers a broad range of categories and special reservations.

These include:

• Open

• Scheduled Caste

• Backward Classes

• Backward Area

• Border Area

• PwD

• Sports Person

• Terrorist-Affected

• Riot-Affected

• Defence

• PP category

• Freedom Fighter

• Jammu & Kashmir

• NRI

• EWS

• Christian Minority categories

The Christian Minority section includes sub-categories applicable to the concerned Christian institutions.

Because the number of vacancies varies substantially by category, candidates should check the exact category applicable to them before filling choices.

Why the Round 3 Seat Matrix Is Important

The seat matrix is one of the most important documents for candidates participating in Round 3 counselling.

It helps candidates determine:

1.    Which colleges have vacant seats.

2.    Which courses have available seats.

3.    Which categories have vacancies.

4.    Which quotas have seats available.

5.    Whether an institution has MBBS or BDS vacancies.

6.    Whether a candidate's category is represented in the available seats.

7.    Which college preferences should be added or rearranged.

Candidates should use the latest seat matrix rather than relying on the vacancy position from Round 1 or Round 2.

How to Use the Seat Matrix for Choice Filling

Candidates should not fill choices randomly. A strategic approach can improve the chances of receiving a preferred seat.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

First confirm that you are eligible for the particular category and quota.

Step 2: Identify Vacant Seats

Check the Round 3 matrix and shortlist colleges where seats are available.

Step 3: Check Course

Make sure the vacancy corresponds to the course you want—MBBS or BDS.

Step 4: Check Category

Look specifically for seats under your applicable category.

Step 5: Check Quota

Verify whether the seat is under Government, Management, NRI, Minority, Open or another applicable quota.

Step 6: Compare Colleges

Consider the college's location, fee structure, academic environment, hospital facilities and other relevant factors.

Step 7: Arrange Preferences

Place colleges in the order in which you would actually prefer to join them.

Step 8: Lock Choices

Review the final list carefully and lock the choices within the prescribed deadline.

Punjab NEET UG Round 3 Choice Filling

The release of the seat matrix is particularly important because candidates participating in Round 3 need to make their choices based on the latest availability.

The counselling portal has listed the Round 3 MBBS/BDS choice-filling process, while the revised schedule provides the applicable dates for submitting preferences.

Candidates should not wait until the final hours to complete the process. Technical difficulties, incorrect choices or failure to lock preferences within the permitted period could affect participation in the allotment process.

Punjab NEET UG Round 3 Merit List

The Round 3 counselling process follows the publication of the provisional combined merit list.

The latest provisional Round 3 merit list contains 3,307 candidates, with NEET scores ranging from 621 to 177. It also identifies candidates eligible for the 85% State Quota and those who are not eligible for that quota.

Candidates should use their state merit position, NEET rank and category eligibility when assessing their chances of receiving a seat.

85% State Quota Eligibility

Candidates participating in Punjab state counselling should pay particular attention to their eligibility for the 85% State Quota.

The Round 3 merit list specifically identifies whether a candidate is eligible for these seats.

Candidates should verify:

• State merit number

• NEET marks

• NEET rank

• Category

• Applied quota

• 85% State Quota eligibility

Any discrepancy should be brought to the attention of the counselling authorities within the applicable period.

NRI Candidates Should Check Documentation Carefully

The large number of NRI vacancies makes the Round 3 seat matrix particularly relevant for NRI candidates.

Of the 322 MBBS vacancies, 175 are NRI seats, while 214 of the 512 BDS vacancies are under the NRI category.

Candidates applying under NRI provisions should ensure that they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements and have all supporting documents ready.

They should also carefully verify the fee structure and other admission conditions before selecting an NRI seat.

Important Points About the 2026 Round 3 Matrix

Candidates should remember that:

• The matrix shows vacant seats, not total college intake.

• Vacancy figures are course-specific.

• Category-wise availability can vary considerably.

• Several categories may show zero vacancies at particular colleges.

• NRI seats form a substantial portion of the available MBBS and BDS vacancies.

• Candidates should check the applicable quota before selecting a seat.

• The latest matrix should always be preferred over older vacancy lists.

• Seat availability can change during the counselling process.

How to Check Punjab MBBS/BDS Round 3 Seat Matrix 2026

Candidates can check the latest seat matrix through the Punjab NEET UG counselling portal.

The basic procedure is:

1.    Visit the Punjab NEET UG counselling portal.

2.    Open the MBBS/BDS counselling section.

3.    Look for the Round 3 Seat Matrix notification.

4.    Select the MBBS or BDS seat matrix.

5.    Download the relevant PDF.

6.    Search for the preferred college.

7.    Check the course, quota and category.

8.    Note the vacant seats before preparing the choice list.

The counselling portal currently displays the MBBS BDS Seat Matrix 3rd Round 2026-27 among the available seat-matrix documents.

What Happens After Choice Filling?

After the choice-filling period closes, the submitted preferences are processed according to the applicable merit, eligibility, category, quota and seat availability.

The university has indicated that seat allotment will be processed after choice submission, followed by publication of the provisional allotment result. Candidates may be given an opportunity to raise objections in accordance with the published schedule.

Candidates who receive an allotment must complete the required admission and reporting formalities within the prescribed period.

Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready

Candidates should keep their original documents and required copies prepared for admission.

These may include:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card

• NEET UG 2026 scorecard

• Class 10 certificate

• Class 12 marksheet and certificate

• Valid identity proof

• Punjab domicile certificate, wherever applicable

• Category certificate

• Caste certificate, wherever applicable

• EWS certificate

• PwD certificate, if applicable

• NRI eligibility and sponsorship documents, if applicable

• Minority certificate/documents, where applicable

• Passport-size photographs

• Counselling registration documents

• Provisional allotment letter

• Other documents prescribed by the counselling authority

Candidates should verify the exact documentation requirements applicable to their category and allotted institution.

Punjab MBBS/BDS Round 3 2026: Final Takeaway

The release of the Punjab NEET UG 2026 Round 3 MBBS/BDS seat matrix gives candidates a clearer picture of the seats available during the latest stage of state counselling.

A total of 834 vacancies are listed, including 322 MBBS seats and 512 BDS seats. The matrix contains detailed information by college, course, category and quota. Notably, 175 MBBS and 214 BDS vacancies are under the NRI category, while PwD and Scheduled Caste candidates also have significant vacancies in the respective categories.

Candidates should use the seat matrix as a planning tool and prepare their choices according to their NEET rank, state merit position, category eligibility, preferred college, course and applicable quota. They should also consider fee structures and admission conditions, particularly for Management and NRI seats.

With Round 3 being an important stage of the Punjab NEET UG 2026 admission process, candidates should carefully review the latest seat matrix and complete all counselling formalities within the prescribed timeline.