Odisha UG 3rd Merit List 2026 Out: 53,656 Students Shortlisted for +3 Admissions; Complete Cut-Off & Admission Manual

In a major milestone for higher education aspirants in Odisha, the Department of Higher Education (HED), Government of Odisha, has officially released the SAMS Odisha UG 3rd Merit List 2026 for admission into undergraduate (+3 degree) courses across state degree colleges. Candidates who registered under Phase 1 of the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) can now access their seat allotment status and institution-wise cut-off percentages on the Student Academic Management System portal (samsodisha.gov.in).

According to official statistical data released by the Higher Education Department, a total of 53,656 candidates have been selected in this third admission round. With this announcement, the state enters the final leg of Phase 1 counselling, paving the way for physical document verification, fee collection, and seat locking across government and aided degree colleges.

Breakdown of Round 3 Selection Statistics

A closer examination of the third selection list reflects strong participation across demographic segments:

• Female Candidates Selected: 31,773

• Male Candidates Selected: 21,879

• Transgender Candidates Selected: 04

Odisha has an sanctioned capacity of 2,87,519 undergraduate seats spread across arts, science, commerce, self-financing, and vocational streams for the 2026–27 academic year. During the initial registration window for Phase 1, 2,37,200 applicants submitted their Common Application Forms (CAF).

In the preceding rounds, 1,18,630 students secured their admissions—88,480 candidates in the first selection list and 30,150 in the second merit list. With the inclusion of the 53,656 candidates in Round 3, over 1.72 lakh seats stand filled, setting a competitive tone for the upcoming waitlist and spot admission stages.

College & Subject Cut-Off Analysis: Top Colleges Maintain High Thresholds

Premier autonomous colleges and state universities continue to demand top-tier academic scores. The third cut-off list highlights the minimum percentage required across leading disciplines:

1. Humanities (Arts)

• Ravenshaw University, Cuttack: Highest cut-off in the state at 94.80% for English Honours.

2. Physical Science

• Ravenshaw University, Cuttack: Recorded the peak cut-off mark in Physical Science, with Physics reaching 95.67%.

3. Biological Science

• BJB Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar: Led the Biological Science domain with a cut-off of 93.50% for Zoology.

4. Commerce

• Ravenshaw University, Cuttack: Topped the Commerce stream across the state with 91.83%.

5. Specialized & Professional Programs

• BJB Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar: Registered 92.00% for Computer Science.

• Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack: Posted a competitive cut-off of 86.50% for 5-Year Integrated BA LLB.

• Sanskrit (Degree) College, Badakia: Recorded a cut-off score of 58.29% for the Shastri stream.

Important Admission Timeline: Key Dates for Candidates

Selected candidates must strictly adhere to the operational timeline laid down by the Higher Education Department:

Understanding Seat Options: Freeze, Float, and Slide

Under the SAMS Odisha admission framework, candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 must exercise one of the following options upon paying their online admission fee:

• Freeze: Selected candidates who are satisfied with both their allotted Higher Education Institution (HEI) and Honours subject can freeze their choice to lock their seat permanently.

• Float: Candidates who accept the allotted seat but wish to keep their option open for a preferred Honours subject in a higher-ranked college in subsequent rounds.

• Slide: Candidates who choose to remain in the same institution but seek an upgrade to a higher-preference Honours subject within that college.

Crucial Warning: Candidates who fail to complete fee submission and physical reporting at their allotted institution by August 1, 2026 (5:00 PM) will automatically lose their claims to the seat, and their candidature will be cancelled for Phase 1 allotment.

Essential Documents Required for Physical Verification

When reporting to the respective degree colleges, candidates must present original sets alongside self-attested photocopies of the following credentials:

1. Intimation Letter (downloaded from the SAMS portal).

2. Common Application Form (CAF) printout.

3. Class 10 (Matriculation) Certificate and Mark Sheet for age verification.

4. Higher Secondary (+2) / Equivalent Mark Sheet and Pass Certificate.

5. School/College Leaving Certificate (SLC/CLC) & Conduct Certificate.

6. Category/Reservation Certificate (SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen) if applicable.

7. Weightage Certificates (NCC “B” Level, NSS, Sports) if claim was made in CAF.

8. Passport-size photographs (minimum 4 copies).

Step-by-Step Guide to Download Allotment & Intimation Letter

To ensure a smooth admission process, candidates are advised to follow these steps to check their status:

1. Visit the official portal: samsodisha.gov.in.

2. On the main page, click on Higher Education and select the Degree (+3) tab.

3. Click on the “Know Your Selection Status” or “Merit List” link.

4. Enter your registered Mobile Number/Barcode Number and Password to access the student dashboard.

5. View the allotted institution, subject, and cut-off marks.

6. Proceed to make the online fee payment and download the Intimation Letter for college reporting.

Candidates not shortlisted in the third round will be considered in the Fourth Selection List scheduled for August 4, 2026.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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