MP NEET UG 2026 Second Round Counselling: Schedule, Dates & Key Deadlines

The Directorate of Medical Education, Madhya Pradesh, has released the official schedule for the Second Round of NEET UG counselling for MBBS and BDS courses in 2026. This round is for candidates who did not get a seat in the first round, as well as those already admitted who wish to upgrade to a better college. The schedule runs from September 5 to September 18, 2026, with key events including registration, choice filling, merit list publication, allotment, and college reporting. Every date and deadline in this schedule is binding — missing even one can cost you your seat. This article explains what happens when, what you must do, and the critical traps that lead to rejection.

What is the Second Round and who should apply?

The Second Round is a fresh counselling cycle for MBBS and BDS seats in Madhya Pradesh. It is open to two groups of candidates: (1) those who participated in the First Round but did not receive an allotment, and (2) those who were admitted in the First Round but now wish to upgrade to a better college or course.

If you were admitted in the First Round and want to stay in your current college, you do NOT need to participate in the Second Round. However, if you want to try for a better college or switch from BDS to MBBS (or vice versa), you must actively participate in the Second Round by filling fresh choices. Simply not doing anything will keep you in your First Round college.

The Second Round uses a revised merit list based on NEET UG 2026 scores. Your rank and eligibility remain the same as in the First Round, but the available seats are only those that were not filled in Round 1 or have been vacated by candidates who upgraded or resigned.

Important dates: the complete timeline

Below is the exact schedule for all events in the Second Round. Every date and time is final and tentative only in name — the authority will follow this unless a major emergency occurs. Mark these dates in your calendar and set phone reminders for the deadlines.

Note that some events happen on the same day (e.g., merit list publication and choice filling both start on Sept 7), and some have strict end times (e.g., choice filling ends at 11:59 PM on Sept 9). Being even one minute late will lock you out of that step.

Step 1: Registration and editing your profile (Sept 5–6)

If you are a fresh candidate (did not register in the First Round), you must register online during Sept 5–6, 2026, by 11:59 PM. Registration is free and is your first step to participate in the Second Round.

If you already registered in the First Round, you can edit your profile during this window — but ONLY if you were not admitted in the First Round. If you were admitted in the First Round, you cannot edit your profile; you can only participate in choice filling if you wish to upgrade. This is a critical rule: if you were admitted in Round 1, do not try to edit your registration, as the system will not allow it.

During registration or editing, ensure all your personal details, NEET roll number, category, and subcategory (if applicable) are correct. Any error here can lead to rejection during document verification at the college.

• Fresh candidates: register online by Sept 6, 11:59 PM
• Already registered candidates (not admitted in Round 1): edit your profile by Sept 6, 11:59 PM
• Already admitted in Round 1: do NOT edit; proceed directly to choice filling if you want to upgrade
• Verify all details — name, NEET roll number, category, subcategory — before submitting

Step 2: Check the merit list and available seats (Sept 7)

On Sept 7, 2026, the authority will publish two critical documents: (1) the Revised Merit List for the Second Round, showing all eligible candidates in rank order, and (2) the list of physical and virtual vacancies — i.e., the exact number of MBBS and BDS seats available in each college in this round.

Check the merit list to confirm your rank and eligibility. If your name is NOT on the merit list, you are not eligible for the Second Round and cannot proceed. If your name IS on the list, note your rank and category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.).

Then check the vacancy list to see which colleges have seats available in your category. This is crucial: a college may have MBBS seats but no BDS seats, or vice versa. You can only fill choices for colleges and courses where seats are actually vacant. Filling a choice for a college with zero vacancy in your category will waste that choice.

• Check the Revised Merit List on Sept 7 — confirm your name, rank, and category
• If your name is NOT on the merit list, you cannot participate in the Second Round
• Check the vacancy list to see which colleges have seats in your category and course
• Note colleges with zero vacancy — do not waste a choice on them
• Download and save both lists for reference during choice filling

Step 3: Fill your choices (Sept 7–9, 11:59 PM deadline)

Between Sept 7 and Sept 9, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM), you must fill your college and course choices online. This is compulsory for ALL candidates who want to participate in the Second Round — whether you are a fresh candidate or an already-admitted candidate seeking upgradation. If you do not fill choices, you will not receive an allotment in the Second Round.

You can fill as many choices as you wish, in order of preference. The system will rank them 1, 2, 3, etc. During allotment, the system will try to match you to your highest-ranked choice first; if that is not available, it will try your second choice, and so on. Therefore, arrange your choices carefully: put your most-desired college at rank 1, your second choice at rank 2, and so on.

After filling all your choices, you MUST lock them by clicking the 'Lock Choices' button before 11:59 PM on Sept 9. Locked choices cannot be edited. If you do not lock your choices, they will be automatically locked at 11:59 PM on Sept 9. Once locked, you cannot change them, so be absolutely certain before locking.

Important: if you were admitted in the First Round and are now filling choices for upgradation, you are still required to fill fresh choices in the Second Round. Your First Round choice will NOT carry forward. If you do not fill choices in the Second Round, you will remain in your First Round college and will NOT be eligible for the MOP UP Round (the third round) even if you wanted to upgrade later.

• Fill choices online between Sept 7–9, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM)
• Compulsory for all candidates — fresh and already-admitted
• Arrange choices in order of preference (1 = most desired, 2 = second choice, etc.)
• Lock your choices before 11:59 PM on Sept 9 — they will auto-lock at that time
• Once locked, choices cannot be edited — be certain before locking
• If you do not fill choices, you will not get an allotment in the Second Round
• If you were admitted in Round 1 and do not fill choices in Round 2, you cannot upgrade in the MOP UP Round

Step 4: Allotment result (Sept 11)

On Sept 11, 2026, the authority will publish the Second Round Allotment Result. This will show which college and course you have been allotted, based on your rank, category, choices, and available seats. Download and save your allotment letter immediately.

If you receive an allotment, note the college name, course (MBBS or BDS), and the reporting date and time. If you do NOT receive an allotment, it means no seat was available for you in the Second Round based on your rank and choices. In that case, you may be eligible for the MOP UP Round (the third round), which will be announced later.

Do not ignore the allotment result even if you think you might not join. You must actively decide whether to report to the college or resign (see the resignation section below). Ignoring the allotment can lead to penalties.

• Allotment result published on Sept 11, 2026
• Download your allotment letter immediately
• Note your allotted college, course, and reporting deadline
• If no allotment, you may be eligible for the MOP UP Round
• Do not ignore the result — you must actively accept or resign

Step 5: Report to your allotted college (Sept 12–18, 6:00 PM deadline)

If you received an allotment, you must report to your allotted college IN PERSON between Sept 12 and Sept 18, 2026, by 6:00 PM. Reporting means physically going to the college with all required documents for verification and completing your admission.

The college will verify your original documents (see the 'Documents Required' section below), check your eligibility, and issue an admission confirmation. Once you report and are admitted, your seat is confirmed. If you do not report by the deadline, your seat will be cancelled and given to the next eligible candidate.

Reporting is NOT optional. Even if you are unsure about joining, you must report by the deadline to secure your seat. You can always resign later (see the resignation section) if you change your mind, but if you miss the reporting deadline, you lose the seat permanently and cannot get it back.

• Report to your allotted college in person between Sept 12–18, 2026
• Deadline: 6:00 PM on Sept 18 — do not be late
• Bring all original documents for verification (see list below)
• Reporting is compulsory — missing the deadline means losing your seat
• Once admitted, you can resign later if you change your mind (but with a penalty)

Documents required at college reporting

When you report to your allotted college, you must bring all original documents for verification. The college will check these against your application and NEET records. If any document is missing or incorrect, your admission can be rejected on the spot.

Below is the complete list of documents you must bring. Do not assume — bring everything listed. If the notice does not specify a particular document, do not invent it; but if it is listed here, it is mandatory.

• NEET UG 2026 admit card (original)
• NEET UG 2026 result/scorecard (original)
• 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates (originals)
• Category certificate (if applicable — OBC, SC, ST, etc.) issued by the competent authority
• Subcategory certificate (if applicable — e.g., OBC-NCL, OBC-Creamy Layer, etc.)
• Domicile/residence certificate for Madhya Pradesh (if required)
• Medical fitness certificate (if required by the college)
• Character certificate from school/college
• Passport-size photographs (as per college requirement)
• Any other document specified in the allotment letter or college prospectus

Upgradation: the MOP UP Round option (Sept 12–18)

If you are admitted in the Second Round, you have the option to express willingness for upgradation in the MOP UP Round (the third and final round). The MOP UP Round will be held after the Second Round reporting is complete, and it will offer any remaining seats.

To express willingness for upgradation, you must fill an online form between Sept 12 and Sept 18, 2026, by 11:59 PM. This does NOT mean you will definitely get an upgrade — it only means you are willing to participate in the MOP UP Round if seats become available.

Important: if you were admitted in the First Round but could not upgrade in the Second Round (i.e., you did not receive an allotment in Round 2), you are also eligible to express willingness for the MOP UP Round. However, if you were admitted in the Second Round and do not express willingness for upgradation, you will remain in your Second Round college and will NOT be eligible for the MOP UP Round.

If you express willingness for upgradation and a better seat becomes available in the MOP UP Round, you will be offered that seat. If no better seat is available, you will remain in your Second Round college. There is no penalty for expressing willingness — it is purely optional.

• Upgradation is optional — you can choose to stay in your Second Round college
• To express willingness, fill the online form between Sept 12–18, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM)
• Willingness does NOT guarantee an upgrade — it only means you are willing to participate
• If you do not express willingness, you cannot participate in the MOP UP Round
• If you were admitted in Round 1 but not Round 2, you can still express willingness for MOP UP
• No penalty for expressing willingness — it is purely optional

Resignation: how to cancel your admission and the penalty

If you receive an allotment in the Second Round but decide not to join, you can resign (cancel your admission) online between Sept 12 and Sept 18, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Resignation means you are giving up your seat, and it will be offered to the next eligible candidate.

CRITICAL PENALTY: If you resign between Sept 12 and Sept 18, 2026, you will be liable to pay a penalty. The penalty is ₹2 lakhs (₹200,000) for non-NRI candidates and ₹10 lakhs (₹1,000,000) for NRI candidates. This is a substantial amount and is non-refundable. You will not be eligible for any subsequent rounds of counselling (MOP UP or otherwise) if you resign.

Before resigning, think carefully. Resignation is permanent — you cannot get your seat back, and you cannot participate in future rounds. Only resign if you are absolutely certain you do not want to join any medical or dental college in Madhya Pradesh in this session.

If you resign, you must pay the penalty within the time specified by the authority. Failure to pay the penalty may result in legal action or a ban on future admissions.

• Resignation window: Sept 12–18, 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
• Penalty for non-NRI candidates: ₹2 lakhs (₹200,000)
• Penalty for NRI candidates: ₹10 lakhs (₹1,000,000)
• Penalty is non-refundable
• After resignation, you are NOT eligible for MOP UP or any future round
• Resignation is permanent — you cannot get your seat back
• Only resign if you are absolutely certain you do not want to join

Critical traps and common mistakes

Below are the most common mistakes that lead to rejection or loss of a seat. Read these carefully and avoid them.

**Trap 1: Not filling choices in the Second Round if you were admitted in the First Round.** If you were admitted in Round 1 and want to upgrade in Round 2, you MUST fill fresh choices in Round 2. Your Round 1 choice will NOT carry forward. If you do not fill choices in Round 2, you will remain in your Round 1 college and will NOT be eligible for the MOP UP Round. Many candidates assume their Round 1 choice is still active and skip choice filling in Round 2 — this is a fatal mistake.

**Trap 2: Missing the choice-locking deadline.** You must lock your choices by 11:59 PM on Sept 9. If you fill choices but forget to lock them, they will be auto-locked at 11:59 PM, but if there is any system delay or your internet connection drops, you may miss the deadline. Lock your choices at least 1–2 hours before the deadline to be safe.

**Trap 3: Filling choices for colleges with zero vacancy in your category.** Check the vacancy list carefully. If a college has zero seats in your category, filling a choice for that college is a waste. Your rank may not be high enough to get a seat in a college with very few vacancies, so prioritize colleges with more seats in your category.

**Trap 4: Not reporting to the college by the deadline.** If you receive an allotment but do not report by 6:00 PM on Sept 18, your seat will be cancelled. There is no extension, no exception. If you are out of station or have an emergency, arrange for someone to report on your behalf with a power of attorney, or contact the college immediately to request a postponement (though this is rarely granted).

**Trap 5: Bringing incomplete documents to the college.** The college will reject your admission if any required document is missing or incorrect. Bring ALL original documents listed above. Do not assume the college will accept photocopies or digital copies — they will not. If a document is issued on a specific date (e.g., a category certificate issued after a certain date), ensure it meets the requirement.

**Trap 6: Resigning without understanding the penalty.** If you resign, you will pay ₹2 lakhs (non-NRI) or ₹10 lakhs (NRI) and will NOT be eligible for any future round. This is permanent. Do not resign on impulse. Think carefully before resigning.

Who is eligible for the Second Round?

The Second Round is open to two categories of candidates:

**Category 1: Fresh candidates who did not receive an allotment in the First Round.** If you participated in the First Round but your rank was not high enough to get a seat, you are eligible for the Second Round. You must have registered in the First Round to be eligible; if you did not register in Round 1, you can register now in the registration window (Sept 5–6).

**Category 2: Candidates already admitted in the First Round who wish to upgrade.** If you were admitted in the First Round but want to try for a better college or course, you can participate in the Second Round. You do not need to register again; you can directly fill choices in the Second Round. However, if you do not fill choices in Round 2, you will remain in your Round 1 college.

To be eligible, you must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and must be on the Revised Merit List published on Sept 7. If your name is not on the merit list, you are not eligible for the Second Round.

• Fresh candidates: did not get a seat in Round 1
• Already-admitted candidates: want to upgrade to a better college or course
• Must be on the Revised Merit List published on Sept 7
• Must have a valid NEET UG 2026 score
• Must be an Indian citizen or NRI (as per NEET eligibility rules)

Category and quota information

The Second Round follows the same category and quota system as the First Round. Seats are reserved for General, OBC, SC, and ST candidates as per Madhya Pradesh government rules. Your category is determined by your NEET application and cannot be changed during counselling.

If you belong to an OBC category, ensure your OBC certificate clearly mentions your subcategory (e.g., OBC-NCL or OBC-Creamy Layer). Some colleges may have different seat availability for different OBC subcategories. Check the vacancy list carefully to see which subcategories have seats available.

If you belong to SC or ST, your category is straightforward. Bring your SC/ST certificate issued by the competent authority.

The notice does not provide detailed quota breakdowns for the Second Round, so check the official MPOnline counselling portal or the DME website for the exact seat matrix for each college and category.

• Categories: General, OBC, SC, ST
• Your category is fixed in your NEET application — cannot be changed
• OBC candidates: ensure your certificate shows your subcategory (NCL or Creamy Layer)
• SC/ST candidates: bring your certificate issued by the competent authority
• Check the vacancy list for seat availability in your category and subcategory

Frequently asked questions

The Second Round of MP NEET UG 2026 counselling is your chance to secure a seat if you missed out in Round 1, or to upgrade if you were admitted in Round 1. The schedule is tight: register by Sept 6, fill choices by Sept 9, get your allotment on Sept 11, and report to the college by Sept 18. Do not miss any deadline — each one is final. Download the Revised Merit List and vacancy list on Sept 7, arrange your choices carefully, lock them before 11:59 PM on Sept 9, and report to your allotted college with all original documents by 6:00 PM on Sept 18. If you have any doubts, contact the DME office or the MPOnline helpline immediately — do not wait until the last minute.