The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), Puducherry, is the official body responsible for conducting undergraduate admissions in government and private colleges across the Union Territory for the academic year 2026-27. For medical aspirants, CENTAC conducts the state-level NEET UG counselling for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BVSc & A.H. courses under the state quota.
If you are a resident of Puducherry or belong to any of the reserved categories, participating in CENTAC counselling is your gateway to securing a medical seat in some of the region’s top colleges. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know—from eligibility criteria and important dates to document requirements, seat matrix, and the step-by-step counselling process.
What is CENTAC?
CENTAC stands for the Centralised Admission Committee, a statutory body under the Government of Puducherry. It conducts admissions for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses across Engineering, Medicine, Management, and other fields.
For medical admissions, CENTAC accepts NEET UG scores and conducts counselling for MBBS and BDS seats in government and private medical colleges across Puducherry. Admission is granted based on the qualifying exam merit scores.
Official Website: centacpuducherry.in
Key Highlights of CENTAC NEET UG 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), Puducherry |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BVSc & A.H. |
| Accepted Entrance Exam | NEET UG 2026 |
| Total Seats (Approx.) | 1,344 (across all courses) |
| Counselling Rounds | 4 Rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 & Stray Round) |
| Counselling Mode | Online |
| Official Website | centacpuducherry.in |
CENTAC NEET UG 2026-27 Information Brochure
Eligibility Criteria for CENTAC NEET UG 2026
1. NEET UG Qualification
Candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with a valid scorecard from the National Testing Agency (NTA). The qualifying percentiles are:
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40th Percentile |
| General-PwD | 45th Percentile |
2. Academic Qualification
- Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects
- Minimum 50% marks in PCB (General/EWS candidates)
- Minimum 40% marks in PCB (OBC/MBC/EBC/BCM/SC/ST/BT/PwD candidates)
3. Age Criteria
- Minimum 17 years as on December 31, 2026
- No upper age limit for MBBS and BDS
4. Domicile / Residency
- Residents of Puducherry, other-state candidates, and NRI/OCI/Foreign National candidates are eligible under their respective quota categories
5. CENTAC Category Codes
Candidates must be aware of the following category codes while applying:
- OS – Other States (Non-Resident of U.T. of Puducherry)
- AGE – All India General
- U.T.P – Residents of Union Territory of Puducherry
- EWS – Economically Weaker Sections
CENTAC NEET UG 2026: Important Dates
Based on the latest available information, the counselling schedule for CENTAC NEET UG 2026 is as follows:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Information Brochure | July 2026 |
| Online Application Start | July 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission | Mid-July 2026 |
| Publication of Merit List | Late July – Early August 2026 |
| Round 1 Counselling – Registration & Choice Filling | August 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | August 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling – Registration & Choice Filling | Late August to Mid-September 2026 |
| Round 3 Counselling – Registration & Choice Filling | Early to Mid-October 2026 |
| Stray Round Counselling | Late October 2026 |
Note: Candidates are advised to check the official CENTAC website for the most accurate and updated schedule.
Application Process: Step-by-Step
The CENTAC application process is conducted entirely online:
Step 1: Registration
- Visit the official CENTAC website: centacpuducherry.in
- Register using a valid mobile number and e-mail ID
Step 2: Fill Application Form
- Log in and complete the online application by entering personal and academic details
Step 3: Upload Documents
- Upload the required documents in the specified format and size
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
- Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway
Step 5: Submit Preferences
- Submit course preferences once the fee payment is confirmed
Important: Candidates can apply under one or more quotas – Government Quota (GQ), Management Quota (MQ), or NRI Quota – but new quotas cannot be added after the application deadline.
CENTAC NEET UG 2026 Application Fee
| Quota / Category | Application Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Government Quota – SC/ST/PwD (Puducherry residents) | ₹500 |
| Government Quota – Others | ₹1,000 |
| Management Quota | ₹2,000 |
| NRI Quota | ₹5,000 |
Documents Required for CENTAC NEET UG 2026
CENTAC has issued a key notice directing candidates to keep all required certificates ready before the application process begins. Delays in document preparation can lead to verification issues and may impact admission chances.
Mandatory Certificates
| Document | Specification |
|---|---|
| Residency / Nativity Certificate | Issued after January 1, 2026 |
| Community Certificate | State format only; central format will NOT be accepted |
| Income Certificate | Issued after April 1, 2026 |
| NEET Scorecard | Valid NEET UG 2026 scorecard |
| Class 12 Mark Sheet | Qualifying examination marks |
Special Reservation Certificates
- Freedom Fighter (FF) Certificate
- Person with Disability (PwD) Certificate – issued after medical examination
- Ward of Ex-Serviceman (ESM) Certificate
- Meritorious Sports Person (MSP) Certificates – last 5 years only
- EWS Certificate – issued after April 1, 2026
Additional Required Documents
- Regional Reservation Certificate (Karaikal / Mahe / Yanam)
- Rural Reservation Certificate
- Ward of Farmer Certificate – issued after April 1, 2026
- Linguistic Minority (Telugu) – TC must mention mother tongue
- Government School Quota Certificate – continuous study proof
- Medical Fitness Certificate
Important Instructions
- ✅ Only recently issued certificates will be accepted
- ❌ Old or outdated documents will be rejected
- ❌ Central format certificates are not valid for Puducherry admissions
- ⚠️ Incomplete documentation may lead to rejection or delays during verification
What Candidates Should Do Now: Apply for all required certificates immediately. Ensure documents are issued within the specified dates. Verify the correct Puducherry format. Keep both digital and physical copies ready.
Seat Matrix & Reservation
Seat Availability in Puducherry
| Course | Institutions | Total Seats (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | IGMCRI, PIMS, SMVMCH, SVMCH&RC | 930 |
| BDS | MGPGIDS, SVDC, MINDS | 325 |
| BAMS | RGAMC | 63 |
| BVSc & A.H. | RIVER | 26 |
| Total | — | 1,344 |
Quota Distribution
- 15% All India Quota (AIQ) – through MCC counselling
- 85% State Quota – through CENTAC counselling
Reservation Categories
CENTAC follows the reservation policy of the Government of Puducherry. Candidates must apply under the appropriate category based on their community certificate.
CENTAC Counselling Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Qualify NEET UG 2026
- Appear for NEET UG 2026 and secure a valid score
Step 2: Register on CENTAC Portal
- Visit the official CENTAC website: centacpuducherry.in
- Complete online registration with personal and academic details
Step 3: Fill and Lock Choices
- Select preferred colleges and courses
- Fresh course preferences are required for each round
Step 4: Merit List Publication
- CENTAC releases a merit list based on NEET UG scores
Step 5: Seat Allotment
- Based on merit rank, category, and preferences
- Four rounds of counselling: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Stray Round
Step 6: Download Allotment Letter
- Download the allotment letter from the CENTAC portal
Step 7: Report to the College
- Candidates allotted a seat must report to the allotted college with original documents and the prescribed fee to confirm admission
- Failing to report within the stipulated time will result in automatic cancellation of the seat
JIPMER vs CENTAC: Understanding the Difference
Puducherry NEET Counselling 2026 has two distinct components:
| Feature | JIPMER MBBS | CENTAC (Other Puducherry Colleges) |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | MCC (AIQ) | CENTAC |
| Seats | 187 MBBS | State Quota seats in other colleges |
| Eligibility | All India candidates | Puducherry residents + others |
| Counselling Mode | mcc.nic.in | centacpuducherry.in |
Key Takeaway: JIPMER MBBS is not part of CENTAC counselling. It is conducted through MCC’s All India Quota. CENTAC handles the state quota seats for other Puducherry medical colleges.
Participating Colleges in CENTAC Counselling
CENTAC conducts counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions in the following types of colleges:
Government Institutions
- IGMCRI – Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry
- MGPGIDS – Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences
- RIVER – Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research
- RGAMC – Rajiv Gandhi Ayurveda Medical College
Private Institutions
- PIMS – Puducherry Institute of Medical Sciences
- SMVMCH – Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital
- SVMCH&RC – Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital & Research Centre
- SVDC – Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College
- MINDS – Mahe Institute of Dental Sciences
Note: The complete list of participating colleges is available on the official CENTAC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is CENTAC in NEET?
A: CENTAC (Centralised Admission Committee) is the state-level counselling authority in Puducherry that conducts admissions for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BVSc & A.H. courses under the state quota based on NEET UG scores.
Q2. Is JIPMER part of CENTAC counselling?
A: No. JIPMER MBBS admissions are conducted through MCC counselling (AIQ) and are not part of CENTAC state quota counselling.
Q3. Who is eligible for CENTAC NEET counselling?
A: Candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 and meet the residency, academic, and age criteria. Residents of Puducherry, other-state candidates, and NRI/OCI/Foreign National candidates are eligible under their respective quota categories.
Q4. What is the application fee for CENTAC counselling?
A: The application fee ranges from ₹500 to ₹5,000, depending on the category and quota.
Q5. What documents are required for CENTAC counselling?
A: Key documents include Residency/Nativity Certificate (issued after Jan 1, 2026), Community Certificate (State format only), Income Certificate (issued after Apr 1, 2026), NEET scorecard, and other reservation certificates as applicable.
Q6. How many counselling rounds will CENTAC conduct?
A: CENTAC will conduct four rounds of counselling – Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and a Stray Round.
Q7. How many MBBS seats are available through CENTAC?
A: Approximately 930 MBBS seats are available across government and private institutions in Puducherry.
Q8. Can candidates from other states apply for CENTAC?
A: Yes, candidates from other states can apply, but they will be considered under the respective category. Priority is given to Puducherry residents for state quota seats.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Admission policies, dates, and other details are subject to change. Readers are strongly advised to verify all information through official CENTAC (centacpuducherry.in) and NTA channels before making any admission decisions.
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