CENTAC Round 3 NEET UG Counselling 2026: Registration, Fees & Key Deadlines

The Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) in Puducherry has launched Round 3 registration for undergraduate NEET-based medical admissions covering MBBS, BDS, and BAMS (Ayurveda) programmes for the 2026–27 academic year. This round is open to all registered candidates, including those already admitted in Rounds 1 or 2 who wish to explore better options through course preference sliding. Understanding the registration process, fee structure, and critical joining rules is essential, as failing to join an allotted seat in Round 3 carries serious consequences including forfeiture of fees and ineligibility for further counselling rounds.

Who Can Register for Round 3 and What Are the Eligibility Rules?

All candidates registered with CENTAC are eligible for Round 3 counselling, regardless of whether they were allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 or whether they joined their allotted seat. This includes candidates who were admitted and joined in earlier rounds, those who were admitted but did not join, and those who were not allotted any seat at all.

A critical rule applies to candidates already admitted in Rounds 1 or 2: if they participate in Round 3 and are allotted a new seat based on their fresh course preferences, they must join that new seat. Sliding to a different course or college is permitted, but once a new seat is allotted in Round 3, the candidate's previous admission is automatically cancelled and they must enrol in the newly allotted course.

Round 3 Registration Fee Structure for MBBS, BDS, and BAMS

CENTAC has published a tiered fee structure based on quota, category, and course selection. Candidates opting for Government Quota (GQ) with general or other eligible categories pay ₹1,00,000 for MBBS, BDS, or BAMS combined, while reserved category candidates (EBC, SC, ST, GSS) pay ₹25,000. For BAMS alone, the fees are ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 respectively for general and reserved categories.

Management Quota and NRI Quota candidates pay ₹2,00,000 regardless of course selection. Importantly, candidates applying across both Government and Management/NRI quotas need pay only the higher amount (₹2,00,000) once. Candidates already admitted in Rounds 1 or 2 under Government Quota (except EBC/SC/ST/GSS categories) can participate in Round 3 without paying the registration fee again; however, reserved category government quota candidates must pay the full fee or any balance owed.

• Government Quota (GE/EWS/OBC/MBC/BCM/BT): ₹1,00,000 for MBBS/BDS/BAMS; ₹10,000 for BAMS only
• Government Quota (EBC/SC/ST/GSS): ₹25,000 for MBBS/BDS/BAMS; ₹5,000 for BAMS only
• Management & NRI Quota: ₹2,00,000 for all applicable courses
• Candidates applying to both Government and Management/NRI quotas pay ₹2,00,000 total
• Previously admitted candidates (except reserved categories) may participate without re-paying the registration fee

How to Pay the Registration Fee and Submit Course Preferences

Candidates must pay the registration fee through the CENTAC candidate login dashboard using net banking or by generating an NEFT/RTGS challan. The exact amount shown in the challan must be transferred to avoid rejection or return of funds. Each NEFT/RTGS challan can be used only once, so candidates should read the payment instructions carefully before proceeding.

After paying the registration fee, candidates must submit their course preferences afresh for Round 3. Importantly, any course preferences submitted in Round 2 are now null and void and will not carry forward. Candidates are solely responsible for the order in which they list their preferences, and no changes will be entertained after the 5 October 2026 deadline. Sliding is permitted in Round 3, meaning vacancies may arise dynamically during allotment, so candidates should submit preferences even if published vacancy lists appear limited.

• Payment deadline: 5 October 2026, 5:00 pm
• Payment method: Net banking, NEFT, or RTGS via CENTAC dashboard
• Course preferences must be submitted afresh; Round 2 preferences are void
• No changes to preferences allowed after the deadline
• Sliding is permitted; submit preferences regardless of published vacancies

Mandatory Joining Rule and Consequences of Non-Joining in Round 3

CENTAC has issued a strict mandatory joining rule for Round 3: if a candidate is allotted a seat and fails to join, the forfeiture amount prescribed for that course, quota, and category will be deducted from their registration fee, and they will become ineligible for any further rounds of counselling. This is a significant penalty that effectively ends a candidate's counselling journey for the 2026–27 academic year.

Additionally, candidates who were admitted in Round 1 or Round 2 and who retain their seats in Round 3 (i.e., do not slide to a new course) or who are newly allotted in Round 3 will not be eligible to participate in any subsequent counselling rounds. Once Round 3 admission is confirmed, no further seat changes are possible, and candidates cannot resign their seat after Round 3 admission. This finality underscores the importance of careful course preference selection before the Round 3 deadline.

• Allotted candidates must join their seat; failure to join results in forfeiture of registration fee
• Non-joining candidates become ineligible for further counselling rounds
• Candidates admitted in Round 1/2 who retain or are newly allotted in Round 3 cannot participate in future rounds
• No seat resignation is permitted after Round 3 admission
• A list of ineligible candidates will be published on the CENTAC website after Round 3 admissions

Resignation and Withdrawal of Round 1 or Round 2 Admitted Seats

Candidates who joined their allotted seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and now wish to resign and participate in Round 3 must submit a resignation request through their candidate login dashboard on or before 5 October 2026 at 5:00 pm. Upon resignation, the registration fee paid in Round 2 will be forfeited, but this allows the candidate to participate in Round 3 as a fresh applicant without an existing admission.

It is critical to note that Round 1 or Round 2 admitted candidates cannot resign their seat after Round 3 allotment. This means the resignation window closes once Round 3 allotments are announced. Candidates must decide whether to resign before the 5 October deadline if they wish to explore Round 3 options.

• Resignation deadline: 5 October 2026, 5:00 pm
• Resignation submitted via candidate login dashboard
• Registration fee from Round 2 is forfeited upon resignation
• No resignations permitted after Round 3 allotment
• Resigned candidates can participate in Round 3 as fresh applicants

Refund and Forfeiture Policy for Registration Fees

CENTAC's refund policy is structured as follows: candidates not allotted a seat in Round 2 receive a full refund of their registration fee. For candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 who join the course, the registration fee is adjusted against the tuition fee, meaning they pay only the balance tuition amount. For candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 but who fail to join, the forfeiture amount (determined by quota and course) is deducted, and any remaining balance is refunded.

All refunds are processed only after the entire UG NEET counselling process is complete, not immediately after individual rounds. Candidates should plan their finances accordingly and not expect immediate reimbursement. Additionally, candidates who paid a registration fee in Round 2 but did not join their allotted seat will have that fee forfeited and must pay the full registration fee again to participate in Round 3.

• Not allotted in Round 2: full registration fee refunded
• Allotted and joined in Round 3: registration fee adjusted against tuition fee
• Allotted but not joined in Round 3: forfeiture amount deducted; balance refunded
• Round 2 non-joiners must pay full Round 3 registration fee again
• All refunds processed after entire counselling process concludes

Conversion of Unfilled Seats and Management Quota Availability

CENTAC has implemented a dynamic seat conversion mechanism for Round 3 to maximize seat utilization. Unfilled NRI seats in IGMCRI, MGPGIDS, and RIVER will be converted into All India Management Quota (self-supporting) seats and filled in Round 3. If these converted management seats remain unfilled, they will be further converted into Government Quota seats and allotted in Round 3 itself.

Similarly, unfilled Telugu Minority Management Quota seats will be converted into All India Management Quota seats after the minority merit list is exhausted. This conversion process means that management quota course preferences are now enabled in Round 3, and candidates should include management quota options in their preference list if they wish to be considered for converted seats. The fee structure for converted self-supporting seats at IGMCRI and MGPGIDS will follow the fee fixed by the Fee Committee for unaided private self-financing institutes in Puducherry.

• Unfilled NRI seats convert to All India Management Quota seats
• Unfilled management seats convert to Government Quota seats
• Telugu Minority Management Quota unfilled seats convert to All India Management Quota
• Management quota course preferences are enabled in Round 3
• Converted self-supporting seats follow private institute fee structure

Special Notice: Fee Structure for Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College

CENTAC has notified that the fee structure for Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College and Research Institute will follow the fee prescribed by an interim court order dated 8 September 2026 (W.P. No. 15159 of 2026). The dental course fee at this college will align with the MBBS course fee as specified in the same court order, subject to the final outcome of the case.

Candidates considering this college should be aware that the fee structure is currently under interim court direction and may be subject to change pending final judicial resolution. It is advisable to verify the exact fee amount on the CENTAC website or contact CENTAC directly before finalizing course preferences.

• Fee structure subject to interim court order dated 8 September 2026
• Dental course fee aligned with MBBS course fee per court order
• Fee structure subject to final judicial outcome
• Candidates should verify exact fees on CENTAC website before preference submission

Frequently asked questions

Round 3 registration closes on 5 October 2026 at 5:00 pm. Candidates must carefully review the fee structure, understand the mandatory joining rule, and submit course preferences thoughtfully, as joining an allotted seat in Round 3 is final and no further counselling rounds will be available. For the complete official notice and payment instructions, visit the CENTAC website.