Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada (the Andhra Pradesh NEET-UG counselling authority) has extended the deadline for candidates to exit their currently allotted seat without penalty. This is a critical window for students who have been allotted a college under the Competent Authority Quota (the seats the state fills through its own counselling process) but wish to change to a different college. The extension applies to both MBBS (Phase I and Phase II) and BDS (Phase I) courses for the 2026–27 academic year. The new deadline is 3:00 PM on 3 October 2026 — which is TODAY. If you are eligible and want to move, you must act immediately.
If you have been allotted an MBBS or BDS seat under Competent Authority Quota in Andhra Pradesh and want to change colleges, you have until 3 PM today (3 October 2026) to exit your current seat for free.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is Free Exit and Why Does It Matter?
Free exit is a one-time opportunity given to candidates who have already been allotted a seat in a college to withdraw from that seat without any financial penalty or loss of eligibility. Once you exit, you can participate in the next round of counselling (if one is announced) and be considered for a different college or course.
This is different from simply not joining a college. If you are allotted a seat and do not join, you may forfeit your eligibility or face other consequences. Free exit, by contrast, is a formal, penalty-free withdrawal that keeps your candidacy alive for future rounds.
The university has extended this deadline — meaning the original deadline has been pushed back — to give more candidates time to make this decision. This is your last chance to change your seat allocation without losing your position in the counselling process.
Who Can Use Free Exit?
Free exit is available only to candidates who have already been allotted a seat under the Competent Authority Quota (CQ) in the current round of counselling. The Competent Authority Quota is the set of MBBS and BDS seats that the Andhra Pradesh government fills through its own counselling process, separate from the national NEET counselling.
You must have reported to your allotted college and been issued a seat allotment letter to be eligible for free exit. If you have not yet been allotted a seat, this notice does not apply to you.
Free exit applies to candidates in MBBS Phase I, MBBS Phase II, and BDS Phase I. If you are in any of these categories and have been allotted a seat, you are eligible.
- You have already been allotted a seat under Competent Authority Quota
- You have reported to your allotted college
- You are in MBBS Phase I, MBBS Phase II, or BDS Phase I
- You wish to withdraw from your current seat to participate in the next round
The Critical Deadline: 3 PM on 3 October 2026
The deadline to exercise free exit is 3:00 PM (15:00 hours) on 3 October 2026. This is TODAY. There is no further extension mentioned in this notice.
The time is specified as 3:00 P.M., not midnight. This means you have only a few hours from the time this notice was issued (3 October 2026) to submit your free exit request. Do not assume you have until the end of the day — the cutoff is 3 PM sharp.
After 3 PM on 3 October 2026, the free exit window closes. Any request submitted after this time will not be accepted. Once the window closes, you will be locked into your current seat allocation.
- Deadline: 3 October 2026 at 3:00 PM
- No extensions will be granted after this time
- This is the final opportunity to exit your current seat for free
Which Courses and Phases Are Covered?
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This free exit extension applies to three specific categories of seats:
1. MBBS Course Phase I under Competent Authority Quota — if you were allotted an MBBS seat in the first phase of CQ counselling, you can exit.
2. MBBS Course Phase II under Competent Authority Quota — if you were allotted an MBBS seat in the second phase of CQ counselling, you can exit.
3. BDS Course Phase I under Competent Authority Quota — if you were allotted a BDS seat in the first phase of CQ counselling, you can exit.
If you are in any other category (such as a different quota, a different course, or a different phase), check the earlier notifications dated 29 September 2026 and 1 October 2026 to see if free exit applies to you. This notice only confirms the extension for the three categories listed above.
- MBBS Phase I (Competent Authority Quota)
- MBBS Phase II (Competent Authority Quota)
- BDS Phase I (Competent Authority Quota)
How to Exercise Free Exit
The notice does not provide step-by-step instructions on HOW to submit a free exit request. This is a critical gap. You must contact Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, or log into the official counselling portal (if one is active) to find the exact procedure.
Typically, free exit is processed through the official NEET counselling portal or by submitting a formal request to the university's admissions office. You may need to log in with your registration number and password, navigate to the 'Free Exit' or 'Withdraw Seat' option, and confirm your request.
Do not delay. Contact the university immediately if you are unsure of the process. Their contact details should be on the official counselling website or on your allotment letter. Waiting until the last minute risks missing the deadline due to technical issues or confusion.
- Check the official Dr. NTR University counselling portal for the free exit option
- Log in with your registration number and password
- Select the free exit or withdraw seat option
- Confirm your request before 3 PM today
- If you cannot find the option, contact the university admissions office immediately
What Happens After You Exit?
Once you successfully exit your seat before the 3 PM deadline, your seat will be released back to the university. You will no longer be bound to your current college.
Your candidacy remains active for future rounds of counselling, if any are announced. You will be eligible to participate in the next phase or round of seat allotment, where you may be offered a different college or course based on your rank and preferences.
However, the notice does not specify whether another round of counselling will be held or when it will occur. You must check the university's website or wait for an official announcement about the next steps in the admission process.
- Your current seat is released and becomes available for other candidates
- You remain eligible for future counselling rounds (if announced)
- Your rank and merit position are preserved
- You will be reconsidered in the next round based on your preferences and availability
What If You Do NOT Exit by 3 PM?
If you do not submit a free exit request by 3 PM on 3 October 2026, you will be locked into your current seat allocation. You will be required to join the college you have been allotted and cannot change your seat in this round.
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Failing to exit also means you will be bound by the joining deadline set by your college. If you do not join by that deadline, you may forfeit your seat and lose your eligibility for the current academic year.
This is a one-time, non-renewable opportunity. Once the deadline passes, there is no way to reverse your decision or exit your seat without facing consequences such as forfeiture of your seat or being marked as a 'no-show' candidate.
- You are locked into your current seat allocation
- You must join the allotted college by its joining deadline
- Failure to join may result in forfeiture of your seat
- No further free exit will be allowed
Important: This Is an Extension — Check Earlier Notifications
This notice states that it is 'in continuation to this office notifications dated 29-09-2026 & 01-10-2026.' This means the original free exit deadline was set in those earlier notifications, and today's notice is simply extending it.
The original deadline may have been earlier (possibly 1 October or 2 October 2026). If you missed that deadline, this extension gives you a second chance — but only until 3 PM today.
If you want to understand the full context of the free exit process, the eligibility criteria, or any other details, you should review the notifications dated 29 September 2026 and 1 October 2026 from Dr. N.T.R. University. Those documents may contain additional information not repeated in this extension notice.
- This is an extension of an earlier deadline
- Original notifications: 29 September 2026 and 1 October 2026
- Review those earlier notices for full details on the free exit process
- This extension is your final opportunity
Competent Authority Quota (CQ) — What It Means
The Competent Authority Quota (CQ) refers to MBBS and BDS seats that are filled by the state government (Andhra Pradesh) through its own counselling process, rather than through the national NEET counselling conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
CQ seats are typically reserved for candidates who meet specific state-level criteria and are counselled by the state's designated authority — in this case, Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences. The number of CQ seats varies by college and is determined by the state.
If you were allotted a seat under CQ, it means you participated in the state's counselling process and were offered a seat based on your NEET rank, category, and preferences. This notice applies only to CQ seats, not to seats filled through other quotas or processes.
- CQ = Competent Authority Quota (state-level seats)
- Filled by Andhra Pradesh through its own counselling
- Separate from national NEET counselling
- Allotted by Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences
Common Mistakes That Cost Candidates Their Seats
⚠️ **Confusing the deadline time**: The deadline is 3:00 PM, not midnight. Many candidates assume they have until the end of the day and miss the actual cutoff. Set a reminder for 2:30 PM to ensure you submit well before the deadline.
⚠️ **Not knowing how to access the free exit option**: If you cannot find the free exit button or option on the portal, do not assume it is not available. Contact the university immediately. Waiting until 2:50 PM to ask for help is too late.
⚠️ **Assuming free exit is automatic**: Simply not joining your college does NOT count as free exit. You must formally submit a free exit request through the official channel. Ignoring your allotment letter and not joining will result in forfeiture, not a clean exit.
⚠️ **Misunderstanding which seats are covered**: This extension applies only to CQ seats in MBBS Phase I, MBBS Phase II, and BDS Phase I. If you are in a different quota or phase, check the earlier notifications to see if free exit applies to you.
⚠️ **Delaying the decision**: If you are unsure whether to exit, decide now. The deadline is in hours, not days. Indecision will cost you this opportunity.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is free exit and why is it important?
Free exit is a penalty-free withdrawal from your allotted seat that allows you to participate in future counselling rounds without losing your eligibility. It is important because it gives you a chance to change your college or course if you are unhappy with your current allotment. Without free exit, you would be locked into your seat and forced to join that college.
What is the deadline for free exit, and is it firm?
The deadline is 3:00 PM on 3 October 2026 (today). Yes, it is firm. The notice does not mention any further extensions. After 3 PM, the free exit window closes permanently, and you will be locked into your current seat.
I have been allotted an MBBS seat under CQ. Can I use free exit?
Yes, if you were allotted an MBBS seat under Competent Authority Quota in Phase I or Phase II, you are eligible for free exit. You must submit your request by 3 PM today to exit your seat.
I have been allotted a BDS seat under CQ. Can I use free exit?
Yes, if you were allotted a BDS seat under Competent Authority Quota in Phase I, you are eligible for free exit. You must submit your request by 3 PM today.
How do I submit a free exit request?
The notice does not provide step-by-step instructions. You must log into the official Dr. N.T.R. University counselling portal and look for a 'Free Exit' or 'Withdraw Seat' option. If you cannot find it, contact the university's admissions office immediately. Do not wait until the last minute.
What happens if I do not exit by 3 PM today?
You will be locked into your current seat allocation. You will be required to join the college you have been allotted and cannot change your seat. If you do not join by your college's joining deadline, you may forfeit your seat and lose your eligibility for the current academic year.
If I exit my seat, will I get another chance to be allotted a different college?
Yes, your candidacy remains active for future rounds of counselling, if any are announced. You will be eligible to participate in the next phase or round of seat allotment based on your rank and preferences. However, the notice does not specify when the next round will occur, so check the university's website for updates.
Does this free exit extension apply to all MBBS and BDS seats, or only some?
This extension applies only to seats under Competent Authority Quota (CQ) in MBBS Phase I, MBBS Phase II, and BDS Phase I. If you are in a different quota or phase, check the earlier notifications dated 29 September 2026 and 1 October 2026 to see if free exit applies to you.
I was allotted a seat but have not reported to the college yet. Can I still use free exit?
The notice does not explicitly state whether you must have reported to the college to use free exit. However, it refers to 'free exit from the reported seat/college,' which suggests you should have reported. Contact the university immediately to clarify your eligibility.
What is Competent Authority Quota (CQ)?
CQ refers to MBBS and BDS seats filled by the Andhra Pradesh government through its own counselling process, separate from national NEET counselling. These seats are allotted by Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences based on your NEET rank, category, and preferences.
Is there any fee to submit a free exit request?
The notice does not mention any fee for free exit. It is described as a 'free' exit, which typically means no financial charge. However, confirm this with the university's portal or admissions office when you submit your request.
What should I do right now if I want to exit my seat?
Immediately log into the official Dr. N.T.R. University counselling portal, find the free exit or withdraw seat option, and submit your request. If you cannot access the portal or find the option, call the university's admissions office right away. Do not delay — you have only a few hours until 3 PM.
If you have been allotted an MBBS or BDS seat under Competent Authority Quota and wish to change colleges, you must act TODAY. Log into the official Dr. N.T.R. University counselling portal and submit your free exit request before 3:00 PM on 3 October 2026. If you cannot find the free exit option or have any doubts, contact the university's admissions office immediately — do not wait. After 3 PM, the window closes permanently, and you will be locked into your current seat.
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