Ladakh Revises MBBS, BDS Central Pool Admission Guidelines; Single Merit List Introduced

The Ladakh administration has revised its admission guidelines for MBBS and BDS seats allotted to the Union Territory under the Central Pool. The major change is the introduction of a single merit list, replacing the earlier category-based roster system. The revised guidelines were issued by the Health and Medical Education Department with the approval of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.

The changes have been introduced following the formation of seven new districts in Ladakh and will affect the way eligible candidates are considered for Central Pool medical and dental seats.

Single Merit List to Replace Roster System

Under the earlier system, introduced in 2021, candidates were considered through different categories and a roster system. These included distinctions based on:

• Leh and Kargil districts
• Male and female candidates
• Reserved and unreserved categories
• Other categories prescribed under the previous guidelines

Under the revised system, these separate categories and the roster will be discontinued.

Admission Based on NEET Merit and Choice

The revised guidelines specify that admission to the medical and dental colleges allotted under the Central Pool will be made strictly according to NEET merit/ranking and the choices submitted by eligible candidates.

This means candidates will need to carefully consider their college preferences while applying for the Central Pool seats.

Seven MBBS and Two BDS Seats for 2026-27

For the 2026-27 academic session, the Centre has allotted seven MBBS seats and two BDS seats to Ladakh under the Central Pool.

MBBS Seats

The seven MBBS seats have been allotted to:

BDS Seats

The two BDS seats have been allotted to:

The seat allocation is specifically for the 2026-27 academic year.

Seven-Day Application Window

The Ladakh administration has stated that eligible candidates with a valid NEET ranking will be given seven days to apply for the Central Pool MBBS and BDS seats.

Candidates should therefore monitor the official Ladakh administration portal for the application notification, deadline and detailed instructions.

What Has Changed for Candidates?

The key change is the move from a roster-based admission system to a single merit-based system.

The administration has said the new system will apply irrespective of domicile district, sex and reserved or unreserved status.

What Students Should Do

Eligible Ladakh candidates should keep their NEET 2026 rank details and required documents ready before the application window opens.

Students should also carefully check the list of participating colleges and submit their choices according to the official instructions. Since only seven MBBS and two BDS seats have been allotted for 2026-27, the available options are limited.

Conclusion

Ladakh's revised Central Pool admission guidelines introduce a single merit list for MBBS and BDS admissions, replacing the earlier category and roster-based system. For 2026-27, Ladakh has received seven MBBS and two BDS Central Pool seats across colleges in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

Eligible candidates with valid NEET rankings will get a seven-day application window through the official Ladakh NIC portal. Students should follow the official notification closely for the exact application dates and document requirements.