The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has activated the choice-filling window for Round 3 of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This round covers the 15 percent All India Quota (AIQ) seats, as well as positions at deemed universities and central institutions such as AFMC, JIPMER, BHU, AMU, and others. If you did not secure a seat in earlier rounds, or if you are a fresh candidate, Round 3 represents a significant opportunity to claim an MBBS or BDS position. The choice-filling deadline is September 28, 2026 at noon, and locking your preferences before this cutoff is mandatory for a valid allotment.
Register and fill your college preferences on mcc.nic.in by September 28, 2026 at 12:00 noon, then lock them by the same deadline to be eligible for Round 3 seat allotment.
What is Round 3 and Who Can Apply?
Round 3 of MCC counselling focuses on seats that remain vacant after earlier rounds. These include the 15 percent All India Quota (AIQ) positions reserved for candidates across India, as well as seats in deemed universities and central medical institutions. Colleges such as AFMC, ESIC, BHU, AMU, DU, and JIPMER participate in this round.
If you joined a seat in Round 2, you cannot upgrade to a different college or course in Round 3. However, if you are a fresh candidate who did not participate in earlier rounds, or if you resigned from a Round 2 seat, you are eligible to register and compete for Round 3 positions. The MCC portal displays an updated seat matrix showing exactly which colleges and courses have vacancies.
Round 3 Counselling Timeline: Key Dates You Must Know
The MCC has released a detailed schedule for Round 3. Registration and payment runs from September 22 to September 27, 2026. Choice filling and locking occur simultaneously from September 23 to September 28, 2026, with the final deadline at 12:00 noon on September 28. After you lock your choices, the MCC will process allotments on September 28 and 29, and announce results on September 30, 2026.
Once results are declared, you will have until October 9, 2026 to report physically to your allotted college with original documents. Institutes will verify joined candidates' data by October 10, 2026. Missing the reporting deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat, so mark these dates clearly on your calendar.
- Registration and fee payment: September 22–27, 2026
- Choice filling window: September 23–28, 2026
- Choice locking deadline: 12:00 noon, September 28, 2026
- Seat allotment processing: September 28–29, 2026
- Result announcement: September 30, 2026
- Reporting period: October 1–9, 2026
How to Register and Fill Your Choices: Step-by-Step Guide
Before you can fill choices, you must complete Round 3 registration on mcc.nic.in and pay the required fee. The choice-filling module opens only for registered and fee-paid candidates. Once your registration is confirmed, log in using your NEET UG credentials to access the choice-filling dashboard.
On the dashboard, open the 'Choice Filling and Locking' tab. You will see a list of all participating colleges and their available courses. Add your preferred colleges and courses in order of priority—rank your first choice as 1, second as 2, and so on. You can edit, rearrange, or delete choices as many times as you wish before locking. After finalizing your list, click 'Save' to store it, then click 'Lock' to finalize your preferences. Any unlocked choices will be automatically locked when the window closes at noon on September 28.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on the UG Medical Counselling link
- Log in with your registered NEET UG credentials
- Open the Choice Filling and Locking tab from your dashboard
- View the list of participating colleges and available courses
- Add preferred colleges and courses in your desired priority order
- Edit, rearrange, or delete choices as needed
- Click 'Save' to store your choice list
- Click 'Lock' to finalize your preferences before the deadline
- Download and print your locked choice list confirmation for records
Why Choice Order Matters: Strategy for Ranking Your Preferences
The order in which you rank your colleges is critical. The MCC allotment algorithm processes your choices in the exact sequence you provide. If you are eligible for your first choice, you will be allotted that seat. If not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on. This means you should rank colleges and courses in genuine order of your preference, not randomly.
A common strategy is to place your 'dream' college first, followed by colleges you are confident of getting into, and then colleges that are safer options. However, the safest approach is to rank based on your actual preference: if you would genuinely prefer a seat at College B over College A, rank B higher, even if A is more prestigious. The allotment is based on your rank, category, and locked choices—not on how many choices you make. Filling more choices does not improve your chances; only the order and your eligibility matter.
Documents You Must Have Ready Before Counselling
Prepare all required documents before you begin registration. You will need them during the counselling process and again when you report to your allotted college. Missing or incomplete documents can delay your admission or result in rejection of your candidacy.
Keep your NEET UG admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, and a valid government-issued photo identity (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence) readily available. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS), have your category certificate issued by the competent authority. If you are applying under the PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) category, keep your PwBD certificate. Also prepare passport-size photographs that match the image on your admit card.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Valid government-issued photo identity proof
- Category certificate (if applicable for reserved category)
- PwBD certificate (if applying under that category)
- Passport-size photographs matching your admit card image
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?
Once the choice-locking deadline passes on September 28 at noon, the MCC begins processing seat allotments. The system uses your NEET UG rank, your category, and your locked choice list to determine which seat you receive. Processing takes place over September 28 and 29, and results are announced on September 30, 2026.
When results are declared, log in to mcc.nic.in to check your allotment. If you are allotted a seat, you will see the college name, course, and category under which you have been admitted. You must then report to that college between October 1 and October 9, 2026, with all original documents. Failure to report within this window may result in cancellation of your seat and forfeiture of your security deposit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Choice Filling
Many candidates make preventable errors during choice filling that cost them their seats. Do not fill choices randomly or in alphabetical order; rank them by your genuine preference. Do not assume that filling more choices increases your chances—the allotment depends on your rank and the order you provide, not the number of choices. Do not forget to lock your choices; unlocked choices will be auto-locked at the deadline, but it is safer to lock them yourself to confirm.
Do not wait until the last minute to fill and lock your choices. The portal may experience traffic congestion near the deadline, and you risk losing your opportunity if your internet connection fails. Fill your choices at least a few hours before the noon deadline on September 28. Do not ignore the seat matrix; always check the updated list of available colleges and courses before finalizing your preferences. Finally, do not lose your locked choice list confirmation—download and print it for your records and for reference during reporting.
Why Round 3 Is Your Last Chance for Many Candidates
Round 3 is often the final opportunity for candidates who did not secure seats in Rounds 1 and 2. After Round 3, the remaining vacant seats are typically filled through state-level counselling or spot counselling, which may have fewer seats and different eligibility criteria. If you are a fresh candidate or have resigned from an earlier seat, Round 3 represents a critical window to claim an MBBS or BDS position.
The seats available in Round 3 come from candidates who upgraded to better colleges in earlier rounds or who resigned after joining. While the number of vacancies may be smaller than in earlier rounds, the competition is also lower because many candidates have already secured seats. This makes Round 3 a realistic opportunity for candidates with moderate to good ranks who may have missed out earlier.
Action Checklist: What You Must Do Now
If you are eligible for Round 3, follow this checklist to ensure you do not miss this opportunity. First, verify that you are eligible: you must be a fresh candidate or have resigned from a Round 2 seat. Next, gather all required documents and keep them in one place. Then, log in to mcc.nic.in and complete your Round 3 registration by September 27, paying both the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable security deposit.
Once registered, access the choice-filling module and carefully enter your college preferences in order of priority. Save your choices frequently to avoid data loss. Before September 28 at noon, lock your final choice list and download the confirmation. After locking, monitor mcc.nic.in for the seat allotment result on September 30. If allotted, prepare your documents and report to your college between October 1 and October 9, 2026.
- Confirm your eligibility for Round 3 (fresh candidate or resigned from Round 2)
- Gather and organize all required documents
- Complete Round 3 registration and fee payment by September 27, 2026
- Log in and access the choice-filling module
- Enter and order your college preferences by genuine priority
- Save your choices frequently
- Lock your final choice list by September 28 at 12:00 noon
- Download and print your locked choice list confirmation
- Check mcc.nic.in for the allotment result on September 30, 2026
- Report to your allotted college with original documents by October 9, 2026
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Who is eligible to participate in MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 counselling?
Fresh candidates who did not participate in Rounds 1 and 2 are eligible for Round 3. Additionally, candidates who resigned from a Round 2 seat can participate. However, if you joined a seat in Round 2, you cannot upgrade in Round 3. You must register separately for Round 3 and pay the required fee to be eligible.
What is the deadline for filling and locking choices in Round 3?
The choice-filling window is open from September 23 to September 28, 2026. The final deadline to lock your choices is 12:00 noon on September 28, 2026. Any choices that remain unlocked at this time will be automatically locked by the system. It is recommended that you lock your choices well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
What seats are available in Round 3?
Round 3 covers the 15 percent All India Quota (AIQ) seats, as well as seats in deemed universities and central medical institutions. Participating colleges include AFMC, ESIC, BHU, AMU, DU, and JIPMER. These are seats that remained vacant after Round 2 allotments and upgrades. The exact number and list of available seats are displayed in the updated seat matrix on mcc.nic.in.
How do I fill my college preferences, and does the order matter?
Log in to mcc.nic.in with your NEET UG credentials, open the Choice Filling and Locking tab, and add colleges in your desired order of priority. Yes, the order matters critically—the allotment algorithm processes your choices in the exact sequence you provide. Rank your colleges based on your genuine preference: if you are eligible for your first choice, you will be allotted that seat; if not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment result be announced?
The MCC will process seat allotments on September 28 and 29, 2026, and announce the results on September 30, 2026. You can check your allotment by logging in to mcc.nic.in on that date. If you are allotted a seat, you will see the college name, course, and category details.
What is the reporting deadline, and what happens if I miss it?
You must report to your allotted college between October 1 and October 9, 2026, with all original documents. If you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled and your security deposit may be forfeited. Reporting means physically joining the college and completing the admission formalities.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No, once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. The locking is final and binding for the allotment process. This is why it is important to carefully review and finalize your preferences before clicking the 'Lock' button. If you realize an error after locking, you cannot modify it for Round 3.
What documents do I need to keep ready for Round 3 counselling and reporting?
Keep your NEET UG admit card and scorecard, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates, valid government-issued photo identity, category certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if applicable), and passport-size photographs matching your admit card image. Have all these documents in original and photocopied form ready before you begin registration and for when you report to your college.
Round 3 is your opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat if you missed earlier rounds. Register by September 27, fill and lock your choices by September 28 at noon, and monitor mcc.nic.in for your allotment result on September 30. Report to your college promptly between October 1 and October 9 to confirm your admission.
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