The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an urgent directive to all state counselling authorities on 10 October 2026, following a Supreme Court order. The notice mandates that candidates who have already been allotted and joined seats under the All India Quota (AIQ) must be filtered out before state counselling Round-3 is processed. This is to prevent the same candidate from being allotted a seat twice — once through AIQ and again through state counselling. Reporting for Round-3 of UG counselling was completed on 09 October 2026, and state authorities must now remove AIQ-joined candidates from their seat allocation process before proceeding with Round-3 seat processing.
If you joined an AIQ seat in Round-3, you will be automatically removed from state counselling Round-3 processing so you cannot be allotted a second seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is this notice about?
This is an administrative directive from MCC to state counselling authorities, issued under a Supreme Court order. The notice clarifies that candidates who have already accepted and joined a seat through All India Quota (AIQ) counselling must be filtered out before state counselling Round-3 processes its seat allotments.
The purpose is simple: to prevent a candidate from holding two medical seats at the same time — one from AIQ and one from state counselling. This is called 'double allotment' and is not permitted. By removing AIQ-joined candidates from state Round-3 processing, the system ensures that each candidate can hold only one seat, and that seat goes to the candidate who actually needs it.
Who does this affect?
This notice directly affects candidates who have already been allotted a seat through AIQ counselling and have reported/joined that seat by the Round-3 reporting deadline (09 October 2026). If you fall into this category, you will be automatically filtered out from state counselling Round-3 processing.
If you have NOT yet joined an AIQ seat, or if you are participating only in state counselling, this notice does not directly affect your application. However, it is important to understand the rule so you know what to expect if you are allotted a seat in any round.
The Supreme Court order behind this notice
This directive is based on a Supreme Court order in Contempt Petition No. 289 of 2022 in W.P. No. 223 of 2022 (Shubhankar Patnaik vs. K. Ramesh Reddy & Ors.). The Supreme Court has mandated that filtering out joined AIQ candidates is mandatory before the stray vacancy round of state UG counselling begins.
A stray vacancy round is a final round of counselling where any remaining unfilled seats are offered to candidates. The Court's order ensures that by the time this round happens, no candidate who already has an AIQ seat can be allotted another seat through state counselling. This protects the integrity of the admission process and ensures fair distribution of seats.
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What is AIQ and what is state counselling?
All India Quota (AIQ) seats are 15% of the total MBBS and BDS seats in government medical colleges across India. These seats are filled through a national-level counselling process managed by MCC, and candidates from any state can apply for them. State counselling, on the other hand, covers the remaining 85% of seats in each state's government colleges, and is managed by each state's own counselling authority. Candidates typically participate in both AIQ and state counselling separately.
In most cases, a candidate participates in AIQ counselling first. If they are allotted an AIQ seat and join it, they are considered 'joined' in AIQ. After that, they should not be allotted another seat through state counselling. This notice ensures that rule is enforced at the technical level by removing such candidates from state Round-3 processing.
What happens to candidates who joined AIQ seats?
If you have been allotted an AIQ seat in Round-3 and have reported/joined that seat by 09 October 2026, you will be automatically filtered out from state counselling Round-3 processing. This means you will not appear in the state counselling merit list or allotment list for Round-3, and you cannot be allotted a state seat.
This is automatic — you do not need to do anything. The state counselling authority will download the list of AIQ-allotted candidates from MCC's data sharing portal and remove those names from their Round-3 seat processing before allotments are made. Your AIQ seat remains yours, and you should proceed with joining that seat at your allotted college.
Important dates and timeline
Round-3 reporting for UG counselling 2026 was completed on 09 October 2026. This means the deadline for candidates to report and join their allotted seats in Round-3 was 09 October 2026. Any candidate who joined a seat by this date is now considered 'joined' and will be filtered out from state counselling.
This notice was issued on 10 October 2026, the day after Round-3 reporting ended. State counselling authorities are now in the process of filtering out AIQ-joined candidates before they begin seat processing for Round-3 of state counselling. The exact dates for state Round-3 allotment and reporting will vary by state and will be announced by each state's counselling authority separately.
- Round-3 reporting deadline: 09 October 2026
- Notice issued: 10 October 2026
- Action required: State authorities to filter AIQ-joined candidates before Round-3 seat processing
How will state counselling authorities implement this?
State counselling authorities have been instructed to download the list of candidates allotted in AIQ Round-3 from MCC's data sharing portal. This portal is a secure system where MCC shares allotment data with state authorities. The state authorities will cross-reference this list with their own state counselling candidates and remove any names that appear in both lists.
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This filtering will happen before state Round-3 seat processing begins — that is, before the state authority runs its algorithm to allot seats. By removing AIQ-joined candidates at this stage, the state ensures that no seat is wasted on a candidate who already has a seat elsewhere. The process is technical and happens behind the scenes; candidates do not need to take any action.
What if you have not yet joined an AIQ seat?
If you have been allotted an AIQ seat but have not yet reported/joined it by 09 October 2026, you are not considered 'joined' and will NOT be filtered out from state counselling. You can still participate in state counselling Round-3 and potentially be allotted a state seat. However, if you later join the AIQ seat, you must inform the state counselling authority and withdraw from state counselling to avoid holding two seats.
It is important to make a clear decision: if you want to pursue an AIQ seat, join it on time. If you want to participate in state counselling, do not join the AIQ seat. Holding two seats simultaneously is not permitted and can result in both seats being cancelled.
What if you are participating only in state counselling?
If you have not participated in AIQ counselling or have not been allotted an AIQ seat, this notice does not affect you. You can participate in state counselling Round-3 normally and be allotted a state seat if you meet the eligibility criteria and your rank qualifies.
However, it is good to understand this rule for future reference. If you are allotted a state seat and join it, you should not then try to participate in AIQ counselling or any other counselling process, as you can hold only one seat at a time.
Why is this rule important?
This rule exists to ensure fairness in medical admissions. If a candidate could hold two seats simultaneously, it would mean one seat is wasted — a seat that could have gone to another deserving candidate. By enforcing the rule that a candidate can hold only one seat, the system ensures that every available seat is used to admit a candidate who will actually join and study.
The Supreme Court's order reflects the principle that medical education is a scarce resource in India, and every seat must be allocated to a candidate who genuinely needs it and will use it. This filtering process is a technical safeguard to enforce that principle.
Common questions about filtering and double allotment
Candidates often worry: 'Will I lose my AIQ seat if I participate in state counselling?' The answer is no — as long as you have joined the AIQ seat by the reporting deadline, it is yours. The filtering ensures you will not be allotted a second seat through state counselling, but your first seat is secure.
Another concern: 'What if I am allotted a state seat by mistake even though I joined AIQ?' This should not happen because of this filtering process. However, if it does, you must immediately inform the state counselling authority and withdraw from the state seat to avoid legal complications. Do not attempt to hold two seats.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
I joined an AIQ seat in Round-3. Will I be allotted a state seat in Round-3?
No. Because you have joined an AIQ seat by the 09 October 2026 reporting deadline, you will be automatically filtered out from state counselling Round-3 processing. State counselling authorities will remove your name from their allotment list before Round-3 seats are processed. You cannot be allotted a state seat if you already hold an AIQ seat.
What is the difference between AIQ and state counselling?
AIQ (All India Quota) covers 15% of MBBS and BDS seats in government colleges and is managed nationally by MCC. State counselling covers the remaining 85% of seats and is managed by each state's own counselling authority. Candidates can participate in both, but can hold only one seat at a time.
I was allotted an AIQ seat but did not join it. Can I still participate in state counselling?
Yes. If you did not report and join the AIQ seat by 09 October 2026, you are not considered 'joined' and will not be filtered out. You can participate in state counselling Round-3 normally. However, if you later decide to join the AIQ seat, you must withdraw from state counselling to avoid holding two seats.
Why is this filtering rule necessary?
This rule prevents a candidate from holding two medical seats at the same time, which would waste a seat that could go to another deserving candidate. The Supreme Court has mandated this filtering to ensure fair and efficient allocation of the limited number of medical seats available in India.
How will state counselling authorities know which candidates to filter out?
State counselling authorities will download the list of AIQ-allotted candidates from MCC's data sharing portal. They will cross-reference this list with their state counselling candidates and remove any names that appear in both lists before processing Round-3 allotments.
What if I am allotted a state seat by mistake even though I joined AIQ?
This should not happen because of the filtering process. However, if it does occur, you must immediately inform the state counselling authority and withdraw from the state seat. Holding two seats simultaneously is not permitted and can result in both seats being cancelled.
When will state Round-3 allotments be announced?
The notice does not specify the exact date for state Round-3 allotments. Each state counselling authority will announce its own schedule. Check your state's official counselling website for the Round-3 allotment date.
I am participating only in state counselling. Does this notice affect me?
No, not directly. This notice only affects candidates who have joined AIQ seats. If you are participating only in state counselling, you can proceed normally. However, remember that once you join a state seat, you cannot hold another seat simultaneously.
What is a 'stray vacancy round'?
A stray vacancy round is a final round of counselling where any remaining unfilled seats are offered to candidates. The Supreme Court's order ensures that by the time this round happens, no candidate who already has an AIQ seat can be allotted another seat through state counselling.
Can I appeal if I am filtered out from state counselling?
The notice does not mention any appeal process. If you believe you have been filtered out incorrectly, contact your state counselling authority directly with proof that you did not join an AIQ seat. However, if you did join an AIQ seat, the filtering is correct and you should not appeal.
If you have joined an AIQ seat by 09 October 2026, you will be automatically removed from state counselling Round-3 processing — no action is needed from you. If you have not joined an AIQ seat and are participating in state counselling, monitor your state's official counselling website for Round-3 allotment dates and results. Remember: you can hold only one medical seat at a time. If you are unsure about your status, contact your state counselling authority or MCC (adgme@nic.in) immediately.
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