Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada — the authority managing NEET UG counselling for Andhra Pradesh — has extended the deadline for candidates to exit their allotted MBBS seat without penalty. This is the free exit window for Phase-I of Competent Authority Quota (CAQ) admissions for 2026-27. If you have been allotted a seat under CAQ and want to change your college or course, you must act by 11 AM on 15 September 2026. After this time, any change will incur a forfeiture of your seat and admission fee. This extension gives you a few extra days to make a final decision.
If you have an MBBS seat allotted under Competent Authority Quota Phase-I, you can exit for free until 11 AM on 15 September 2026 — after that, you lose your seat and fees.
What is Competent Authority Quota (CAQ)?
Competent Authority Quota is a set of MBBS and BDS seats that the Andhra Pradesh government fills through its own counselling process, separate from the main NEET UG merit-based counselling. These seats are typically reserved for candidates who meet specific state-level criteria or are nominated by the state government.
CAQ counselling happens in phases. Phase-I is the first round of seat allotment under this quota. Once you are allotted a seat in Phase-I, you are expected to report to that college and begin the admission process. However, the university gives you a window to change your mind — the 'free exit' period — during which you can withdraw from your allotted seat without losing your admission fee or facing other penalties.
What is Free Exit and Why Does It Matter?
Free exit is a grace period after your seat is allotted, during which you can withdraw from that seat without any financial or administrative penalty. Your admission fee and any other charges are refunded, and you are free to participate in the next phase of counselling or withdraw from the process entirely.
This is important because after the free exit deadline closes, if you want to change your seat or college, you will forfeit your admission fee and your seat will be cancelled. You will not be eligible for further counselling rounds under CAQ Phase-I. Therefore, if you are unsure about your allotted college, location, or course, use this window to make a final decision.
The Extended Deadline: 15 September 2026, 11 AM
The original free exit deadline was set for 10 September 2026 (as mentioned in the earlier notification dated 10-09-2026). Dr. NTR University has now extended this deadline to 11 AM on 15 September 2026. This gives candidates an additional 5 days to decide whether to keep their allotted seat or exit.
The deadline is strict: 11 AM on 15 September 2026. Any exit request submitted after 11 AM on that date will not be accepted. Once the clock strikes 11 AM, the free exit window closes permanently for Phase-I CAQ admissions.
- Original deadline: 10 September 2026
- Extended deadline: 15 September 2026 at 11 AM
- No further extensions are mentioned in this notice
Who Can Use Free Exit?
Any candidate who has been allotted an MBBS seat under Phase-I of Competent Authority Quota for 2026-27 can use the free exit option. This includes candidates who have reported to their allotted college and completed initial admission formalities.
Free exit is available regardless of your category (General, OBC, SC, ST) or whether you are from Andhra Pradesh or another state. If you have a CAQ Phase-I allotment letter, you are eligible to exit for free during this window.
How to Exit Your Seat
The notice does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to submit a free exit request. However, based on standard counselling procedures, you will typically need to log into the Dr. NTR University counselling portal (or contact your allotted college directly) and submit a formal exit request before the deadline.
Contact your allotted college's admission office immediately to confirm the exact process for submitting a free exit request. Some colleges may require you to submit a written request, while others may have an online portal. Do not delay — with only a few days left, contact your college today to understand the procedure and ensure your request is submitted on time.
Keep a copy of your exit request confirmation (email, receipt, or acknowledgment) for your records. This proves you exited within the deadline and protects you from any future disputes about your seat status.
- Log into the Dr. NTR University counselling portal or contact your allotted college
- Submit a formal free exit request before 11 AM on 15 September 2026
- Obtain and save a confirmation receipt or acknowledgment
- Do not assume your exit is processed — verify with the college or university
What Happens After You Exit?
Once your free exit request is approved, your seat is cancelled and returned to the Competent Authority Quota pool. Your admission fee and any other charges paid are refunded to your account (usually within 7–10 working days, depending on the college and bank).
After exiting, you will not be eligible for further counselling rounds under CAQ Phase-I. However, you may be eligible for Phase-II or Phase-III of CAQ counselling if the university conducts them, or you may participate in other counselling processes (such as state merit-based counselling) if you meet the eligibility criteria. Check the university's website or contact the counselling helpline for information on upcoming phases.
- Your seat is cancelled and returned to the quota pool
- Your admission fee is refunded (typically within 7–10 days)
- You are not eligible for further Phase-I CAQ counselling
- You may be eligible for Phase-II or Phase-III if conducted
What Happens If You Do NOT Exit by the Deadline?
If you do not submit a free exit request by 11 AM on 15 September 2026, your seat is locked. You are now committed to that college and course for the entire academic year. Any attempt to change your seat or college after the deadline will result in forfeiture of your admission fee and cancellation of your seat.
You will be required to report to your allotted college, complete all admission formalities, and begin your MBBS course. If you fail to report without a valid reason, the college may cancel your admission and forfeit your fees. Therefore, if you are even slightly uncertain about your allotted seat, use the free exit window to reconsider.
- Your seat becomes permanent and locked after 11 AM on 15 September 2026
- You cannot change your college or course without losing your admission fee
- You must report to your allotted college and begin your course
- Failure to report may result in cancellation of your admission
Important Dates and Timeline
This notice was issued on 11 September 2026, giving candidates 4 days to decide. The free exit deadline is 11 AM on 15 September 2026. After that, no free exits are allowed for Phase-I CAQ admissions.
If you are reading this notice after 15 September 2026, the free exit window has already closed. You must now report to your allotted college and complete your admission.
- Notice issued: 11 September 2026
- Free exit deadline: 11 AM on 15 September 2026
- After deadline: Seat is locked; no free exits allowed
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Notice issued | 11 September 2026 |
| Free exit deadline (extended) | 15 September 2026 at 11 AM |
| Seat locked after deadline | 15 September 2026 at 11 AM onwards |
Common Mistakes That Cost You Your Seat
**Submitting your exit request after 11 AM on 15 September:** The deadline is strict and no requests are accepted after 11 AM. If you submit at 11:01 AM, it will be rejected. Plan to submit your request by 10:30 AM at the latest to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
**Not confirming your exit with the college:** Simply sending an email or message is not enough. Contact your allotted college's admission office directly by phone to confirm that your exit request has been received and processed. Do not assume it has been done.
**Confusing free exit with seat withdrawal after the deadline:** Free exit means you can exit without losing your fees. After the deadline, if you try to withdraw, you lose your admission fee and your seat is forfeited. These are two different things — use free exit while you can.
**Not checking the university's portal or email for updates:** The university may send further notifications or clarifications. Check your email and the Dr. NTR University website regularly for any updates or changes to the deadline.
Contact Information and Next Steps
This notice is issued by Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada. For any clarifications or to confirm the free exit process, contact your allotted college's admission office or the university's counselling helpline.
Do not wait until the last day. If you are unsure about your allotted seat, contact your college today to understand the free exit procedure and submit your request well before the 11 AM deadline on 15 September 2026.
- Authority: Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada
- Contact your allotted college's admission office immediately
- Check the university website for counselling helpline contact details
- Submit your free exit request by 10:30 AM on 15 September 2026 (to avoid last-minute delays)
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the free exit deadline for MBBS CAQ Phase-I admissions?
The free exit deadline is 11 AM on 15 September 2026. This is the last time you can withdraw from your allotted seat without losing your admission fee or facing penalties. After 11 AM on 15 September, the free exit window closes permanently.
I have been allotted an MBBS seat under CAQ Phase-I. Can I change my college for free?
Yes, you can exit your allotted seat for free until 11 AM on 15 September 2026. Once you exit, your seat is returned to the quota pool and your admission fee is refunded. However, after the deadline, you cannot change your college without losing your fees.
What happens to my admission fee if I use free exit?
Your admission fee and any other charges paid are fully refunded. The refund is typically processed within 7–10 working days and credited to your bank account. Keep your exit confirmation receipt for reference.
If I exit my seat, can I participate in Phase-II or Phase-III counselling?
The notice does not explicitly state whether you can participate in Phase-II or Phase-III after exiting Phase-I. Contact Dr. NTR University's counselling office or your allotted college to confirm your eligibility for future phases. You may also be eligible for other counselling processes depending on your qualifications.
What is the exact process to submit a free exit request?
The notice does not provide detailed step-by-step instructions. Contact your allotted college's admission office immediately to confirm the exact procedure — whether you need to submit a written request, use an online portal, or visit the college in person. Do not delay, as the deadline is 11 AM on 15 September 2026.
What happens if I do not exit by the deadline?
Your seat becomes locked and permanent. You are committed to that college and course for the entire academic year. You must report to your allotted college and complete all admission formalities. Any attempt to change your seat after the deadline will result in forfeiture of your admission fee.
Can the free exit deadline be extended further?
The notice does not mention any possibility of further extensions. The deadline is 11 AM on 15 September 2026. If you need more time, contact Dr. NTR University immediately to request an extension, but there is no guarantee it will be granted.
I submitted my free exit request, but I am not sure if it was received. What should I do?
Contact your allotted college's admission office by phone to confirm that your exit request has been received and processed. Obtain a written confirmation or receipt. Do not assume your request has been processed — verify directly with the college.
Is free exit available for all candidates, regardless of category or state?
Yes, any candidate who has been allotted an MBBS seat under CAQ Phase-I can use free exit. This applies to all categories (General, OBC, SC, ST) and all candidates, whether from Andhra Pradesh or other states.
What is the difference between free exit and seat withdrawal after the deadline?
Free exit (before 11 AM on 15 September) means you can withdraw without losing your admission fee. Seat withdrawal after the deadline means you lose your admission fee and your seat is forfeited. Use free exit while you can — it is your only penalty-free option.
If you have been allotted an MBBS seat under Competent Authority Quota Phase-I, you have until 11 AM on 15 September 2026 to decide whether to keep your seat or exit for free. Contact your allotted college's admission office today to confirm the free exit procedure and submit your request well before the deadline. After 11 AM on 15 September, your seat is locked and you cannot change it without losing your admission fee. Do not wait — act now.
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