MCC NEET UG 2026 AIQ Counselling Schedule: Round 2, 3 & Stray Vacancy

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the official schedule for NEET UG 2026 counselling Rounds 2, 3, and the Stray Vacancy Round. This schedule applies to all candidates eligible for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and those applying to Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS institutions, and JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal) for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses. The schedule specifies exact dates for registration, choice filling, choice locking, seat allotment processing, and result declaration for each round. Every candidate who has qualified NEET UG 2026 and is eligible for these quotas must follow these dates carefully—missing even one deadline can result in losing your seat.

What This Schedule Covers

This schedule applies to counselling for NEET UG 2026 across three separate rounds plus a final stray vacancy round. It covers seats in the 15% All India Quota (AIQ)—seats that the central government allocates to medical colleges across India—and 100% of seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), AIIMS institutions, and JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal campuses).

The schedule is for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), and B.Sc Nursing courses only. If you are eligible for any of these quotas and courses, you must participate in the rounds according to these dates. The schedule is mandatory for all participating institutions and candidates.

All times mentioned in the schedule are in server time (the official time kept by the MCC counselling portal). Your local time may differ, so always check the portal for the exact server time before submitting any application or payment.

Round 2: Complete Timeline (3 September – 19 October 2026)

Round 2 is the second allotment round of the 2026 counselling process. It begins with colleges verifying their seat matrices on 1–2 September 2026. Candidates can then register and pay the counselling fee from 3 September to 8 September 2026 (payment window closes at 6:00 PM on 8 September, server time). Registration itself closes at 3:00 PM on 8 September.

After registration, you will fill and lock your choice of colleges and courses from 3 September to 9 September 2026. Choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on 9 September. Choice locking (the process of finalizing your choices so they cannot be changed) begins at 4:00 PM on 8 September and continues until 10:00 AM on 9 September. Once you lock your choices, they are final for that round.

The MCC will process seat allotments on 9–10 September 2026. Results will be declared on 11 September 2026. Colleges will then verify which candidates have joined and report this data from 12–18 October 2026. The MCC will share final data on 19 October 2026.

• Seat matrix verification by colleges: 1–2 September 2026
• Registration and payment: 3–8 September 2026 (payment until 6:00 PM on 8 Sept)
• Choice filling: 3–9 September 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 9 Sept)
• Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 8 September to 10:00 AM on 9 September
• Seat allotment processing: 9–10 September 2026
• Result declaration: 11 September 2026
• Reporting of joined candidates: 12–18 October 2026
• Data sharing by MCC: 19 October 2026

Round 3: Complete Timeline (21 September – 10 October 2026)

Round 3 is the third allotment round. Colleges verify seat matrices on 21 September 2026. Candidates register and pay from 22 September to 27 September 2026 (payment available until 6:00 PM on 27 September, server time). Registration closes at 3:00 PM on 27 September.

Choice filling runs from 23 September to 28 September 2026, closing at 12:00 Noon on 28 September (server time). Choice locking begins at 7:00 PM on 27 September and continues until 12:00 Noon on 28 September. This is your final opportunity to lock in your preferences for Round 3.

Seat allotment is processed on 28–29 September 2026. Results are declared on 30 September 2026. Colleges report joined candidates from 1–9 October 2026, and the MCC shares final data on 10 October 2026.

• Seat matrix verification by colleges: 21 September 2026
• Registration and payment: 22–27 September 2026 (payment until 6:00 PM on 27 Sept)
• Choice filling: 23–28 September 2026 (until 12:00 Noon on 28 Sept)
• Choice locking: 7:00 PM on 27 September to 12:00 Noon on 28 September
• Seat allotment processing: 28–29 September 2026
• Result declaration: 30 September 2026
• Reporting of joined candidates: 1–9 October 2026
• Data sharing by MCC: 10 October 2026

Stray Vacancy Round: Complete Timeline (12 October – 26 October 2026)

The Stray Vacancy Round is the final round of counselling. It is held to fill any seats that remain vacant after Rounds 2 and 3. Registration for this round opens on 12 October 2026 and closes on 14 October 2026 at 3:00 PM (server time). Payment is available until 6:00 PM on 14 October 2026.

Choice filling runs from 12 October to 15 October 2026, closing at 10:00 AM on 15 October (server time). Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on 14 October and continues until 10:00 AM on 15 October. After this round, no further counselling rounds are conducted.

Seat allotment is processed on 15–16 October 2026. Results are declared on 17 October 2026. Colleges report joined candidates from 19–26 October 2026. Unlike earlier rounds, there is no separate data-sharing stage after the Stray Vacancy Round—the process concludes with the reporting phase.

• Registration: 12–14 October 2026 (until 3:00 PM on 14 Oct)
• Payment available: Until 6:00 PM on 14 October 2026
• Choice filling: 12–15 October 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 15 Oct)
• Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 14 October to 10:00 AM on 15 October
• Seat allotment processing: 15–16 October 2026
• Result declaration: 17 October 2026
• Reporting of joined candidates: 19–26 October 2026
• No further rounds after this

Critical Deadlines: Payment and Choice Filling Cutoff Times

Payment deadlines are strict and are based on server time, not your local time. In Round 2, the payment window closes at 6:00 PM on 8 September 2026 (server time), even though registration itself closes at 3:00 PM. This means you can register up to 3:00 PM but must complete payment by 6:00 PM. If you miss the payment deadline, your registration will not be processed, and you will not be able to fill choices.

Choice filling deadlines also vary by round and are based on server time. In Round 2, choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on 9 September. In Round 3, it closes at 12:00 Noon on 28 September. In the Stray Vacancy Round, it closes at 10:00 AM on 15 October. If you do not fill and lock your choices by these times, you will not be considered for allotment in that round.

Choice locking is a separate step from choice filling. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. The locking window is always shorter than the filling window. For example, in Round 2, you can fill choices from 3 September to 9 September (10:00 AM), but locking only happens from 4:00 PM on 8 September to 10:00 AM on 9 September. Plan ahead and lock your choices early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

• Round 2: Payment by 6:00 PM on 8 Sept; Choice filling by 10:00 AM on 9 Sept
• Round 3: Payment by 6:00 PM on 27 Sept; Choice filling by 12:00 Noon on 28 Sept
• Stray Vacancy: Payment by 6:00 PM on 14 Oct; Choice filling by 10:00 AM on 15 Oct
• All times are in server time (MCC portal time), not your local time
• Missing any deadline means you cannot participate in that round
• Lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid technical delays

Who Is Eligible for This Counselling

This counselling schedule applies to candidates who have qualified the NEET UG 2026 exam and are eligible for one of the following quotas or institutions: (1) 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges across India; (2) 100% of seats in Deemed Universities; (3) 100% of seats in Central Universities; (4) AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), Pune; (5) AIIMS institutions across India; (6) JIPMER Puducherry and JIPMER Karaikal.

To be eligible, you must have appeared for and qualified NEET UG 2026. Your NEET score must meet the cutoff set by MCC for your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.). You must also be an Indian citizen or a foreign national eligible under the rules. If you are eligible for state counselling (state quota seats), you will participate in your state's counselling separately; this schedule is only for the national-level quotas and institutions listed above.

If you have already been allotted a seat in an earlier round and have joined that college, you are not eligible to participate in subsequent rounds. However, if you were allotted a seat but did not join, you may be eligible to participate in the next round, depending on MCC rules.

• Must have qualified NEET UG 2026
• NEET score must meet the MCC cutoff for your category
• Must be an Indian citizen or eligible foreign national
• Eligible for 15% AIQ, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS, or JIPMER
• If already joined a seat in an earlier round, not eligible for subsequent rounds
• State quota candidates participate in separate state counselling

How to Register and Pay the Counselling Fee

Registration for each round opens on the date specified in the schedule. You must visit the official MCC counselling portal (the link will be provided by MCC) and log in using your NEET roll number and password. You will then fill in your personal and academic details. Ensure all information is accurate, as errors can lead to rejection of your application.

After completing registration, you must pay the counselling fee. The schedule specifies the payment window for each round. For example, in Round 2, payment is available from 3 September to 6:00 PM on 8 September 2026 (server time). Payment is typically made online through the portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. Keep a record of your payment receipt—you will need it to proceed to choice filling.

If you do not pay within the specified window, your registration will be considered incomplete, and you will not be allowed to fill choices. There is no grace period or extension for payment. If you face technical issues during payment, contact the MCC helpline immediately with proof of your attempt.

• Log in to the MCC counselling portal with your NEET roll number and password
• Fill in all personal and academic details accurately
• Pay the counselling fee within the specified payment window
• Payment is online only (debit card, credit card, or net banking)
• Keep your payment receipt for records
• No extensions or grace periods for payment
• Contact MCC helpline if you face technical issues during payment

How to Fill and Lock Your Choices

After successful payment, you can log back into the portal and begin filling your choices. The portal will display a list of all colleges and courses available in that round. You will rank these colleges and courses in order of your preference. For example, you might choose AIIMS Delhi for MBBS as your first choice, a Deemed University for MBBS as your second choice, and so on. The system will allocate you a seat based on your rank, your NEET score, and the availability of seats.

You can fill as many choices as you wish, and you can change your choices at any time during the choice-filling window. However, once you click 'Lock Choices,' your preferences are final and cannot be changed. The schedule specifies when choice locking begins and ends for each round. For example, in Round 2, locking begins at 4:00 PM on 8 September and ends at 10:00 AM on 9 September. You must lock your choices before the deadline, or you will not be considered for allotment.

It is important to rank your choices carefully. The allotment algorithm will assign you the highest-ranked choice for which you are eligible based on your score and category. If you are not eligible for your first choice, the system will move to your second choice, and so on. Therefore, place your most preferred college and course at the top, and arrange the rest in order of preference.

• Log in after payment to access the choice-filling portal
• View all available colleges and courses for that round
• Rank colleges and courses in order of your preference
• You can fill unlimited choices and change them anytime before locking
• Click 'Lock Choices' before the deadline to finalize your preferences
• Once locked, choices cannot be changed
• Allotment is based on your rank, score, category, and seat availability
• Place your most preferred college at the top of your list

Understanding Seat Allotment and Result Declaration

After the choice-filling and locking window closes, the MCC processes seat allotments using a computerized algorithm. This process typically takes 1–2 days. The algorithm considers your NEET rank, your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), your locked choices, and the number of seats available in each college and course. It then assigns you a seat based on these factors.

The allotment result is declared on the date specified in the schedule. For Round 2, results are declared on 11 September 2026. For Round 3, on 30 September 2026. For the Stray Vacancy Round, on 17 October 2026. You can check your result by logging into the MCC portal with your NEET roll number and password. The result will show which college and course you have been allotted, if any.

If you are allotted a seat, you must join the college within the specified time frame (usually a few days after result declaration). Joining involves reporting to the college in person, submitting original documents, and completing the admission formalities. If you do not join within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled, and you will not be eligible for further rounds. If you are not allotted a seat in a round, you can participate in the next round if you wish.

• Allotment is done using a computerized algorithm
• Algorithm considers your rank, category, choices, and seat availability
• Results are declared on the specified date for each round
• Check your result on the MCC portal using your NEET roll number
• If allotted, you must join the college within the deadline
• Joining requires reporting in person and submitting original documents
• If you do not join, your seat is cancelled
• If not allotted, you can participate in the next round

Important: Weekends and Holidays Are Working Days

The MCC has explicitly stated that all Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted Holidays (national and state holidays) are to be treated as working days for the purpose of this counselling schedule. This means that if a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, you must still meet that deadline on that day. There is no extension or postponement due to weekends or holidays.

This is a critical point that many candidates miss. For example, if choice filling closes at 10:00 AM on a Sunday, you must submit your choices by that time on Sunday. The portal will not remain open on Monday as an alternative. Plan your schedule accordingly and do not assume that deadlines will be extended due to weekends or holidays.

Always check the calendar and mark all deadlines well in advance. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, ensure you complete the required step (registration, payment, choice filling, or choice locking) on that day itself.

• Saturdays and Sundays are working days for counselling
• Gazetted Holidays (national and state) are also working days
• No extensions or postponements due to weekends or holidays
• Deadlines must be met even if they fall on a weekend or holiday
• Mark all deadlines on your calendar in advance
• Do not assume the portal will be open on the next working day

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

One of the most common mistakes is missing the payment deadline. Many candidates register on time but forget to pay the counselling fee within the specified window. If you do not pay by the deadline (e.g., 6:00 PM on 8 September for Round 2), your registration will be incomplete, and you will not be allowed to fill choices. There is no grace period or extension. Always pay immediately after registering to avoid this mistake.

Another frequent error is not locking choices before the deadline. Some candidates fill their choices but forget to click the 'Lock' button. If you do not lock your choices by the specified time, the system will not consider your preferences for allotment, and you will not be allotted a seat in that round. Always lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid this.

A third common mistake is not joining the college after being allotted a seat. If you are allotted a seat but do not report to the college and complete admission formalities within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled. You will then not be eligible for further rounds. If you are allotted a seat you do not want, you must still join it or explicitly withdraw before the deadline; simply ignoring the allotment will result in cancellation.

Finally, some candidates miss deadlines because they are not aware that weekends and holidays are working days. If a deadline falls on a Sunday, you must meet it on Sunday. Do not assume the portal will be open on Monday. Always check the exact deadline and plan accordingly.

• Missing the payment deadline: registration becomes incomplete
• Not locking choices: preferences are not considered for allotment
• Not joining after allotment: seat is cancelled, no further rounds
• Assuming weekends/holidays are non-working days: missing deadlines
• Providing incorrect personal information during registration: application rejected
• Using wrong NEET roll number or password: cannot log in
• Not keeping payment receipt: cannot prove payment if disputed
• Filling choices in wrong order: may get unpreferred college

What Happens After Each Round: Reporting and Data Sharing

After results are declared and candidates join their allotted colleges, each college verifies the data of candidates who have actually joined. This verification process is called 'Reporting of Joined Candidates Data.' For Round 2, this happens from 12–18 October 2026. For Round 3, from 1–9 October 2026. For the Stray Vacancy Round, from 19–26 October 2026. During this period, colleges confirm which candidates have completed admission and are now enrolled.

After colleges complete their reporting, the MCC shares the final data with all relevant authorities. This data includes the names of candidates who have joined, their allotted colleges and courses, and other admission details. For Round 2, data sharing happens on 19 October 2026. For Round 3, on 10 October 2026. The Stray Vacancy Round does not have a separate data-sharing stage; the process concludes with the reporting phase.

This reporting and data-sharing process is important because it ensures that all authorities have accurate information about which seats have been filled and which candidates are enrolled. It also prevents candidates from being allotted seats in multiple rounds simultaneously.

• Colleges verify and report data of candidates who have joined
• Reporting happens within a specified window after result declaration
• MCC shares final data with all relevant authorities
• Data includes candidate names, allotted colleges, and courses
• Ensures accurate seat-filling information across all institutions
• Prevents duplicate allotments in multiple rounds
• Stray Vacancy Round does not have a separate data-sharing stage

Frequently asked questions

Mark all three rounds on your calendar immediately: Round 2 (3 September – 11 September 2026), Round 3 (22 September – 30 September 2026), and Stray Vacancy (12 October – 17 October 2026). For each round, note the exact payment deadline (6:00 PM on the specified date, server time) and the choice-filling deadline (10:00 AM or 12:00 Noon, depending on the round, server time). Register and pay as soon as the window opens to avoid last-minute delays. Remember that weekends and holidays are working days—do not assume any deadline will be extended. If you have any doubts, visit the official MCC website or contact the helpline before the deadline.