Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of the Odisha Government on Monday released the first selection merit list for admission to Undergraduate (UG) Degree (+3) courses for the 2026–27 academic session under the Phase-I admission process. A total of 1,78,782 students have been selected against 2,37,200 applications received for admission to various higher education institutions across the state.
According to an official release, the total sanctioned seat strength in colleges and universities stands at 2,87,327. The merit list, published at 2 PM, has opened the door for thousands of students seeking admission to undergraduate programmes.
Of the selected candidates, 1,09,591 are female students and 69,182 are male students, while nine transgender students have also secured seats in the first round. The figures indicate a significant participation of female students in higher education admissions this year.
Arts remained the most sought-after stream, accounting for 1,12,822 selected students. Science followed with 43,693 admissions, while 15,624 students secured seats in Commerce. Besides, 3,371 students were selected in the Shastri stream, 3,245 in self-financing courses and 167 in Law programmes.
The highest cut-off marks in several streams were recorded by Ravenshaw University, Cuttack. Political Science in the Arts stream registered the highest cut-off of 94.50 per cent. In Science, Physics under Physical Science recorded a cut-off of 96.50 per cent, while Zoology under Biological Science stood at 94.83 per cent. The highest cut-off in Commerce was 89.17 per cent.
Among self-financing courses, Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar (Autonomous) College, Bhubaneswar, recorded the highest cut-off of 92 per cent in Computer Science. In the Law stream, the five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. programme at Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack, registered the highest cut-off of 89.40 per cent. Brajakishore Sanskrit Degree College, Garhbishnupur, recorded the highest cut-off of 67.57 per cent in the Shastri stream.
The department has directed students opting for the “Freeze” option to report to their allotted Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) between June 23 and June 25, from 10 AM to 5 PM, to complete admission formalities.
Candidates selecting the “Slide” or “Float” options have been asked to pay the admission fee for their allotted seats and await the second round of selection. Such students need not visit their institutions at this stage.
Meanwhile, the department has introduced a new “Alter” option for candidates who have secured their first preference but wish to modify their remaining choices. The facility can be accessed through OTP-based verification on the admission portal.
