CENTAC Merit List 2026 has been released by the Centralised Admission Committee under the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Puducherry, on 17/06/2026. The draft merit list covers undergraduate admissions across Arts, Law, Agriculture, Engineering, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Diploma programmes offered in Puducherry colleges. Candidates can now verify their rank and category placement, and submit objections if they identify any errors before 20/06/2026 at 11:00 AM. This article is based on the official notification released by CENTAC.
Understanding the CENTAC Draft Merit List
The draft merit list serves as a transparency checkpoint in the admission process. It shows your preliminary ranking across category-wise divisions: Overall, Puducherry (local), Other States, and NRI/OCI/Foreign Nationals. This is not your final seat allotment-it is a verification opportunity. Once you confirm your details are correct, or submit objections if they are not, CENTAC will publish the final merit list, which feeds directly into the counselling and seat allocation process. The draft stage ensures clerical errors or data mismatches are caught before they lock in your admission outcome.
Key Highlights of CENTAC Merit List 2026
- Draft merit list published on 17/06/2026 for all UG Non-NEET courses.
- Candidates must submit objections by 20/06/2026 at 11:00 AM through the online dashboard.
- Merit list is divided by course and further by category: Overall, Puducherry, Other States, and NRI/OCI/FN.
- B.Sc. Nursing selections depend on PNET 2026 or NEET results based on quota type.
- B.Tech. Other State merit list will activate only after JEE-based allocations for the same category are exhausted.
- PWD and MSP category merit lists are yet to be published.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Draft Merit List Released | 17/06/2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Objections | 20/06/2026, 11:00 AM |
| Mode of Objection | Online via the candidate dashboard |
How to Check Your CENTAC Merit List Rank
- Visit the official CENTAC website at centacpuducherry.in.
- Navigate to the UG Non-NEET 2026-2027 draft merit list page.
- Select your course of interest and category (Overall, Puducherry, Other States, or NRI/OCI/FN).
- Click the “View” button against your selected course to open the full list.
- Locate your name and rank using your application or roll number.
- Verify all details: your marks, rank, and category placement match your application.
Before You Submit an Objection
- Gather your original application form, mark sheets, and category certificate to cross-check against the draft list.
- Calculate your merit score independently against the criteria stated in the CENTAC notification to confirm if your rank is accurate.
- Take screenshots or note down the specific discrepancy you identify. Vague or unsupported objections are rarely upheld.
- Ensure your registered email and phone number on the CENTAC portal are active; the committee may contact you for clarification.
- Understand that objections are only valid if they flag genuine errors in data entry or calculation, not disputes over policy or eligibility decisions already made.
What You Should Do Right Now
- Access the CENTAC portal immediately and download your draft merit list entry to verify your rank and category assignment.
- If you find any discrepancy, wrong marks, incorrect category, or missing qualification details, note it clearly and prepare your supporting documents.
- Submit your objection through the online dashboard before 20/06/2026 at 11:00 AM; email or offline submissions are not accepted.
- Mark your calendar for the final merit list publication date, which will be announced shortly after objection review closes.
How the Draft Objection Process Works
Candidates who flag errors during this draft stage allow CENTAC to correct data before the final merit list locks in your rank. Common issues that warrant objections include incorrect category coding, missing marks from a subject, or data entry errors in your name or roll number. Once the objection window closes on 20/06/2026, CENTAC reviews each submission against supporting documents and corrects the final list accordingly. Candidates with successful objections will see updated ranks in the final merit list; those without valid corrections will see their draft rank reflected in the final list.
Next Steps After the Draft Merit List
After 20/06/2026, CENTAC will release a final merit list incorporating accepted objections. This final list will immediately move into the counselling phase. Candidates ranked in the final merit list will be invited to participate in choice-filling, where you rank your preferred courses and colleges in order. Seat allotment follows based on your choice rank and vacancy status in each programme.
Important Notes on Specific Courses
B.Sc. Nursing (Government Quota): Puducherry Nursing Entrance Test (PNET) 2026 result must be declared before the merit list is published for this quota.
B.Sc. Nursing (Self-Supporting Quota): Selection depends on UG-NEET 2026 results. The merit list for this quota will be released only after NEET results are announced.
B.Tech. Other State Category: This merit list operates only after the JEE-based merit list for the same Other State category is exhausted, meaning all JEE-eligible candidates are placed first.
Ward of Farmer and Village Extension Worker Categories: No candidates are currently listed (NIL) under these categories.
PWD and MSP Categories: Merit lists for Persons with Disabilities and Meritorious Sports Persons have not yet been published and will follow in subsequent announcements.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Draft Merit List PDF | Download Merit List |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between the draft merit list and the final merit list?
Ans. The draft merit list is a preliminary list published for verification and objection. The final merit list is released after objections are reviewed and corrections are made. Only the final merit list is used for counselling and seat allotment.
Q2. Can I submit an objection by email instead of through the online portal?
Ans. No. CENTAC only accepts objections submitted through the official online candidate dashboard. Email or offline submissions are not processed.
Q3. What if my marks appear incorrectly in the draft merit list?
Ans. If your marks are wrong, note the discrepancy and submit an objection through the dashboard with supporting documents (your answer script scan, mark sheet copy, or admission ticket). CENTAC will verify and correct it in the final list if the error is confirmed.
Q4. My child’s rank seems lower than expected. Should we file an objection?
Ans. Only file an objection if there is a factual error, such as wrong marks, incorrect category coding, or missing qualification details. If the rank calculation appears correct under CENTAC’s published criteria but seems lower than you anticipated, an objection will not change the outcome. Verify the scoring formula in the official notification first.
Q5. What happens after I submit an objection? When will I know if it was accepted?
Ans. CENTAC will review your objection and supporting documents after the deadline closes on 20/06/2026. Accepted corrections appear in the final merit list. You will be able to see your updated rank in the final list when it is published; no separate acknowledgment letter is issued.
Q6. Is the CENTAC Merit List 2026 final, or can changes occur after the final list is published?
Ans. The draft list is subject to change based on accepted objections. Once the final merit list is published, it is used directly for counselling and choice-filling. Changes after that point are rare and only occur if a candidate successfully appeals a counselling or allotment decision.
Q7. When will the final merit list be published?
Ans. CENTAC typically publishes the final merit list within a few days of the objection deadline closing. The exact date will be announced on the official website once objections are reviewed.
