BAMS Counselling 2026 — Round 1, 2 & Mop-Up Schedule

Introduction

The Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) program remains one of the most preferred medical courses in India after MBBS and BDS. With more students across India opting for traditional healthcare studies, BAMS admissions are becoming more competitive every year.

BAMS admission in India is conducted only through NEET-UG scores, followed by a centralized counselling process run by the Ministry of AYUSH and different state counselling authorities. If you are preparing for BAMS Counselling 2026, understanding the rounds, schedule, documentation, and seat-allocation rules is extremely important.

This blog is a complete 5000-word guide, divided into three detailed parts, to help you clearly understand:

• How BAMS counselling works
• Official authorities
• Round 1, Round 2 & Mop-Up Round schedule
• State-wise admission process
• Eligibility rules
• Category-wise reservation
• Seat matrix
• Fee structure
• Best strategies to secure a seat
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Frequently asked questions

1. Overview of BAMS Counselling 2026

BAMS Counselling for the 2026 academic year will follow the same structure as previous years under the AACCC (AYUSH Admission Central Counselling Committee).

There are TWO types of counselling:

1. All India Quota Counselling (AIQ – 15%)

Conducted by AACCC
Covers:

• Government Ayurvedic Colleges (15% AIQ seats)
• National institutes
• Deemed universities
• Central universities

2. State Quota Counselling (85%)

Conducted by State AYUSH Counselling Authorities
Covers:

• State government AYUSH colleges
• Private Ayurvedic colleges
• Management quota seats
• NRI quota seats

2. Who Conducts BAMS Counselling 2026?

A. Central Level

AACCC (AYUSH Admissions Central Counselling Committee)
Website: (official link is added during live counselling each year)
Handles:

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Mop-Up Round
• Special stray vacancy (if required)

B. State Level

Each state has its own counselling authority. Examples:

• Uttar Pradesh: UP AYUSH Counselling / DGME
• Maharashtra: State CET Cell
• Bihar: BCECE Board
• Karnataka: KEA
• Tamil Nadu: TN Health Dept.
• Rajasthan: RAJ AYUSH
• Madhya Pradesh: MP Online
• Haryana: DMER
• Gujarat: ACPUGMEC
• Odisha: DMET

Each state releases its separate schedule and seat matrix.

3. Eligibility Criteria for BAMS Counselling 2026

To participate in BAMS counselling, a candidate must:

1. Qualify NEET-UG 2026

Minimum required NEET percentile:

• General: 50th percentile
• OBC/EWS/SC/ST: 40th percentile
• PwD: 45th percentile

2. Educational Qualification

• Completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
• Minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories)

3. Age Criteria

• Minimum age: 17 years
• Maximum age: As per NEET-UG rules

4. Documents Required

• NEET 2026 scorecard
• NEET admit card
• Class 10 & 12 mark sheets
• Transfer certificate
• Migration certificate
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• EWS certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-size photographs
• ID proof (Aadhar, PAN, Passport)
• Domicile certificate (for state quota)

4. BAMS Counselling 2026 Process — Step-by-Step

BAMS counselling is entirely online, except for physical reporting at the allotted college.

Step 1: Registration

Students create an account on:

• AACCC website (for AIQ counselling)
• Respective state’s official website (for 85% seats)

Step 2: Choice Filling

Candidates select:

• Colleges
• Course (BAMS)
• Quota type

They can fill unlimited choices.

Step 3: Seat Allotment

Allotment is done based on:

• NEET score
• Category
• Seat matrix
• Choice priority

Step 4: Download Allotment Letter

Step 5: Reporting to College

Students must complete:

• Document verification
• Fee payment
• Admission confirmation

Step 6: Upgradation in Next Rounds

If a candidate wants a better college, they can upgrade during:

• Round 2
• Mop-up Round

Section 5: BAMS Counselling 2026 — Important Points to Understand

1. Central & State Counselling Are Separate

You can participate in both, and there is no restriction.

2. Mop-Up Round Is Final Opportunity

Most government seats get filled by Round 2.
Mop-Up is mainly for:

• Vacant private college seats
• Stray vacancy in government colleges (rare)

3. Upgradation Rules

You can:

• Upgrade from Round 1 → Round 2
• Upgrade from Round 2 → Mop-Up (State rules vary)

4. Bond / Fees / Reservation

Varies by state and college type.

6. BAMS Counselling 2026 Round-Wise Expected Schedule

Note:
The actual dates are released after NEET-UG results.
These are expected timelines based on previous years.

Round	Process	Expected Timeline (2026)
Round 1	Registration, Choice Filling, Seat Allotment	July – August 2026
Round 2	Vacancy Seats, New Choices, Allotment	August – September 2026
Mop-Up Round	Registration, Choice Filling, Final Admissions	September – October 2026
Stray Vacancy	Last round for leftover seats	October 2026

7. AIQ vs State Counselling — Which Is Better?

AIQ Counselling Advantages

• All India competition
• National-level institutes
• Transparent process
• Better reputation colleges

State Counselling Advantages

• Higher chances of securing a seat
• Many private college options
• Lower competition within the state

8. Types of BAMS Seats in 2026

1. Government College Seats

• Best reputation
• Lowest fees
• Highest competition

2. Private College Seats

• Higher fees
• Easier to get with average NEET scores

3. Management Quota

• Higher fees
• Preference given based on NEET score still required

4. NRI Quota

• Limited seats
• High fees
• NEET-qualified required

9. Category-Wise Reservation (As per Govt. Rules)

Central AIQ Reservation

• SC: 15%
• ST: 7.5%
• OBC: 27%
• EWS: 10%
• PwD: 5% in each category

State Quota Reservation

Varies by state, for example:

• Uttar Pradesh: OBC 27%, SC 21%, ST 2%
• Tamil Nadu: Vertical + Horizontal
• Maharashtra: SEBC, OBC, NT, etc.

10. Expected Seat Matrix for BAMS 2026 (Approx.)

College Type	Number of Colleges	Approx. Seats
Government Ayurvedic Colleges	70+	4,000+
Private Ayurvedic Colleges	250+	15,000+
Deemed Universities	5+	500+
Total	330+	19,000+

This number increases each year as new colleges receive approval.

11. Round 1 Counselling 2026 — Complete Process & Schedule

Round 1 is the most crucial step of BAMS counselling because most government seats get filled during this stage. Students with good NEET scores must take Round 1 seriously to secure the best college options.

Expected Timeline for Round 1 (2026)

Activity	Expected Dates
Registration Begins	July 2026
Choice Filling & Locking	July 2026
Round 1 Allotment Result	Late July / Early August 2026
Reporting to College	August 2026

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Step-by-Step Process of Round 1

1. Online Registration

Students must register on:

• AACCC website (for AIQ counselling)
• Respective State AYUSH websites (for state counselling)

Registration includes:

• Personal details
• NEET roll number
• Category details
• Email & phone verification

2. Payment of Counselling Fee

Counselling fees differ for AIQ and State.
It includes:

• Registration fee
• Security deposit (refundable for many states)

3. Choice Filling

This is the most important stage.

How to fill choices smartly:

• Put government colleges at the top
• Add multiple private colleges to stay safe
• Fill as many choices as available (no limit)
• Do not leave choice filling incomplete

4. Choice Locking

After finalizing the order, lock your choices.
If the system auto-locks choices, the last saved list will be used.

5. Seat Allotment Result (Round 1)

Seat allotment depends on:

• NEET-UG 2026 score
• Category
• State domicile
• Seat availability
• Choice order

6. Reporting to Allotted College

After allotment:

• Download the allotment letter
• Report to the allotted college
• Pay admission fees
• Complete verification

12. Round 2 Counselling 2026 — Complete Process

Round 2 is for students who:

• Did not get a seat in Round 1
• Want to upgrade
• Want to change their choices
• Are waiting for better private or government options

Expected Timeline for Round 2 (2026)

Activity	Expected Dates
Fresh Registration (if allowed)	August 2026
Choice Filling	August 2026
Seat Allotment Result	Late August 2026
Reporting to College	September 2026

Who Should Participate in Round 2?

• Those who did not get a seat
• Those who want an upgrade
• Students with average NEET scores who want private colleges
• Students aiming for management quota (state rules vary)

Important Rules of Round 2

1. Fresh Registration

Some states allow fresh registration in Round 2; some don’t.

2. Upgradation

If you already got a seat in Round 1:

• You may upgrade in Round 2 (depends on state rules)
• If upgraded, the new seat must be accepted

3. Exit Rules

AIQ Rules:

• No Exit After Round 2
  If you get a seat in Round 2 (AIQ), you cannot leave it.

State Rules vary:

• Some states allow exit with forfeiture of security money
• Some states do not allow exit after Round 2

13. Mop-Up Round Counselling 2026 — The Final Opportunity

The Mop-Up Round is extremely important for students who:

• Did not get a seat in earlier rounds
• Want private college seats
• Want to convert vacant management quota seats
• Want leftover government college seats (rare but possible)

Expected Timeline for Mop-Up Round (2026)

Activity	Expected Dates
Mop-Up Registration	September 2026
Choice Filling	September 2026
Mop-Up Allotment Result	Late September 2026
Physical Reporting to College	October 2026

What Happens in Mop-Up?

• Vacant seats from Round 2 are released
• Some private colleges release new seats
• NRI seats may convert to general seats
• Many students get private colleges at this stage

Who Should Attend the Mop-Up Round?

• Students with low NEET scores
• Students who want private colleges
• Students who want last-minute opportunities

14. Stray Vacancy Round (If Conducted)

After Mop-Up, if seats are still vacant, a Stray Vacancy Round is conducted.

Important Points

• No fresh registration allowed
• No reshuffling allowed
• Colleges fill seats based on the list shared by the authority
• NEET qualification is mandatory

15. Detailed State-Wise BAMS Counselling Pattern (2026)

Below is the structure for major states:

1. Uttar Pradesh (UP) AYUSH BAMS Counselling

Conducted by: UPDGME
Website: (released every year)

Process:

• Registration
• Document verification (online)
• Choice filling
• Round 1 / 2 / Mop-Up
• Physical reporting

UP has:

• 15+ government Ayurvedic colleges
• 70+ private colleges
• Largest number of BAMS seats in India

2. Maharashtra BAMS Counselling (CET Cell)

Conducted by: State CET Cell
Process includes:

• Centralized registration
• Provisional merit list
• Document verification
• Allotment rounds

Maharashtra has excellent private Ayurvedic institutes.

3. Bihar BAMS Counselling (BCECE)

Seats available for:

• Government Ayurvedic Colleges
• Private Ayurvedic Colleges
• Management quota

Bihar has strict rules for state domicile.

4. Karnataka BAMS Counselling (KEA)

KEA conducts counselling for:

• AYUSH government colleges
• Private & minority colleges
• NRI quota seats

Choice filling occurs only once for all rounds.

5. Tamil Nadu BAMS Counselling (TN Health Dept.)

Admission based on:

• NEET score
• Domicile
• TN reservation categories

Tamil Nadu has growing private AYUSH colleges.

6. Rajasthan BAMS Counselling (RAJ AYUSH)

Key features:

• Document verification
• Separate rounds for Govt & Pvt colleges
• Good government colleges in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur

7. Madhya Pradesh BAMS Counselling (MP Online)

MP has:

• 6 government colleges
• 15+ private colleges

Counselling involves:

• Registration
• Choice filling
• Seat allotment
• Upgradation round

8. Haryana BAMS Counselling (DMER)

Key points:

• High number of private colleges
• Government seats limited
• Many seats go vacant in late rounds

9. Gujarat BAMS Counselling (ACPUGMEC)

Highly transparent counselling system.
Includes:

• Merit list
• Document verification
• Mock round
• Final allotment

10. Odisha BAMS Counselling (DMET)

Seats available in:

• Government Ayurvedic College, Bhubaneswar
• Private institutes

Odisha often has seats vacant in Mop-Up.

16. Fee Structure for BAMS Colleges (2026)

Below is an approximate fee structure (varies by state & college):

1. Government Ayurvedic Colleges

• ₹10,000 – ₹60,000 per year
• Lowest fees
• High-quality education

2. Private Ayurvedic Colleges

• ₹1.5 lakh – ₹3.5 lakh per year

3. Management Quota

• ₹3 lakh – ₹6 lakh per year

4. NRI Quota

• $5,000 – $12,000 per year

17. Document Verification — Complete Details

Documents Required

• NEET 2026 scorecard
• NEET admit card
• Class 10 mark sheet
• Class 12 mark sheet
• Transfer certificate
• Migration certificate
• Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC)
• EWS certificate
• Domicile certificate
• Passport-size photographs
• Identity proof (Aadhar/PAN)
• Medical fitness certificate

Tips for Verification

• Ensure names match exactly
• Check category certificates
• Carry at least 3 photocopies
• Keep everything in one folder

18. Reporting to College — Final Admission Formalities

Once you get a seat:

• Report to the college within deadline
• Submit original documents
• Pay admission fees
• Complete medical checkup
• Attend orientation (college-specific)

Failure to report may lead to seat cancellation.

19. How Upgradation Works in BAMS Counselling

1. Upgradation After Round 1

You may get:

• Better college
• Better quota
• Government seat (if available)

2. Upgradation After Round 2

State rules vary.
AIQ does not allow exit after Round 2.

3. Mop-Up Round Upgradation

Only private colleges usually participate.

20. Common Mistakes Students Make

Mistake 1: Filling fewer choices

→ Always fill maximum choices.

Mistake 2: Ignoring private colleges

→ Keep them as backups.

Mistake 3: Not Understanding State Rules

→ Each state has different documents & eligibility.

Mistake 4: Waiting Only for Government Seats

→ Competition is extremely high; keep options ready.

Mistake 5: Missing Deadlines

→ Counselling is time-sensitive; track dates properly.

21. State-Wise BAMS Cut-Off Trends (Government Colleges)

Even though NEET 2026 cut-off will vary, understanding the previous year trends helps you estimate your chances.

Approx. State-Wise Government BAMS Cut-Off (Category-Wise)

(Values are approximate NEET scores)

State	General	OBC	SC	ST
Uttar Pradesh	540–580	525–560	450–490	400–450
Maharashtra	520–560	500–545	420–470	350–430
Bihar	530–575	510–550	430–470	360–430
Rajasthan	540–590	530–560	460–500	420–460
Karnataka	500–540	480–530	400–450	350–420
Haryana	530–580	510–555	435–480	380–440
Gujarat	510–550	490–530	420–470	350–400
Tamil Nadu	480–520	460–500	400–460	360–420
Madhya Pradesh	500–550	480–520	420–460	350–400
Odisha	480–520	460–500	400–450	350–430

22. Which NEET Score is Needed for BAMS in 2026?

1. Government BAMS Colleges

• High competition
• Requires strong NEET score

Expected Score for 2026:

• General: 540+
• OBC: 520+
• SC: 450+
• ST: 420+

2. Semi-Government Colleges

• Expected score: 480–520

3. Private Colleges

• Expected score: 300–450

4. Management Quota

• Expected score: 200–300 (varies by college)

23. Score vs College Prediction — BAMS 2026

Below is a simplified guide based on expected trends.

Score 580+

• Top government colleges
• AIQ admission very likely

Score 550–580

• Strong chance of government colleges in most states
• Excellent options available

Score 500–550

• Good chance in:
  UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra (state quota)

Score 450–500

• Semi-government colleges
• Good private colleges possible

Score 350–450

• Private colleges (normal quota)
• Mop-up round recommended

Score 250–350

• Private colleges
• Management quota
• Stray round seats

24. How to Get a Government BAMS Seat — TOP STRATEGIES

1. Participate in both AIQ and State Counselling

Many students skip AIQ medical counselling — don’t do this.

2. Fill Maximum Choices

Never restrict options.

3. Participate in ALL rounds

Round 1 → Round 2 → Mop-Up
Every round increases your chances.

4. Choose your Home State counselling seriously

Your own state gives best chances due to domicile.

5. Track cut-off trends

Always check:

• Number of seats
• College demand
• NEET difficulty level

6. Keep documents ready in advance

Late documentation = admission cancelled.

7. Do not over-expect

Target realistic colleges based on rank.

25. Strategy for Students with Low NEET Scores (300–450)

1. Focus on Mop-Up Round

This is your golden chance.

2. Select Private Colleges with Lower Cut-offs

Especially in:

• UP
• MP
• Karnataka
• Bihar

3. Keep Management Quota as Backup

Some colleges drop fees drastically in late rounds.

4. Do not wait for Government Seats

Low score ⇒ private seat is more realistic.

26. BAMS Internship & Career Overview

Once admitted, BAMS course offers a complete Ayurvedic medical education including:

Curriculum Fields

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Ayurveda Samhitas
• Dravyaguna (Herbs)
• Panchakarma
• Surgery basics
• Pharmacy training

Internship

Final-year internship includes:

• OPD
• IPD
• Panchakarma treatments
• Herbal drug formulation
• Rural posting

27. Career Options After BAMS

Students can pursue:

1. Ayurvedic Doctor (Govt/Private)

Government jobs through:

• State PSC
• AYUSH hospitals
• CHO posts

2. Panchakarma Specialist

3. Ayurvedic Pharmacy Jobs

4. Teaching Jobs (After PG MD/MS)

5. Private Clinic Setup

28. Common Counselling Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: Not getting a seat in Round 1

Solution: Participate in Round 2 & Mop-Up.

Problem 2: Documents mismatch

Solution: Use affidavit or correction certificate.

Problem 3: Not getting government seat

Solution: Semi-govt or private colleges in low-demand states.

Problem 4: Fee refund issues

Solution: Always check refund policy of each counselling authority.

29. Final Counselling Checklist (2026)

Use this checklist before applying:

✔ NEET 2026 scorecard downloaded

✔ All documents updated

✔ State domicile prepared

✔ Category certificate updated

✔ Passport photos ready

✔ Email & phone active

✔ Counselling calendar saved

✔ Participate in all rounds

✔ Backup colleges selected

30. Most Important Tips for BAMS Counselling 2026

• Start early — counselling moves fast
• Join both AIQ + State counselling
• Fill all choices available
• Track official websites daily
• Participate in mop-up for better private colleges
• Don’t rely on a single state
• Keep scanned documents ready

31. FAQs: