The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the official schedule for NEET UG 2026 counselling for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS institutions, and JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal). The schedule covers three counselling rounds—Round 2, Round 3, and the Online Stray Vacancy Round—for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses. This is the second major counselling phase after Round 1, and it determines which seats remain available and when candidates can register, fill choices, and receive allotments. Every date has specific times (server time), and missing even one deadline can mean losing your seat opportunity.
Round 2 registration opens 3 September 2026; Round 3 opens 22 September 2026; Stray Vacancy opens 12 October 2026—all with strict deadlines and server-time cutoffs that cannot be extended.
What is this counselling schedule and who needs it?
This schedule applies to candidates who have qualified NEET UG 2026 and are eligible for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats or seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS institutions, and JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal). The AIQ is a national pool of seats that the central government allocates through MCC counselling, separate from state counselling. If you are an OBC, SC, ST, or General category candidate from any state, you can participate in AIQ counselling.
The schedule is divided into four phases: Round 2, Round 3, Online Stray Vacancy Round, and a final data-sharing phase. Each round follows the same structure—registration and payment, choice filling and locking, processing, result announcement, and reporting—but on different dates. You do not have to participate in every round; you can join in any round where seats are still available, but once you join and report to a college, you cannot participate in later rounds.
Important: This schedule covers MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing
The MCC counselling schedule applies to three courses: MBBS, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), and B.Sc Nursing. If you are a NEET UG candidate seeking admission to any of these courses through AIQ or the listed central/deemed institutions, this schedule is for you. B.Sc Nursing candidates should note that they follow the same registration and choice-filling windows as MBBS and BDS candidates, so the dates apply equally.
Round 2 Counselling: Dates and Deadlines
Round 2 is the second major counselling phase. Registration and payment open on 3 September 2026 and close on 8 September 2026 at 3:00 PM (server time). However, the payment facility remains open until 6:00 PM on 8 September 2026, so you have a 3-hour window after registration closes to complete your payment. This is a critical trap: if you register but do not pay by 6:00 PM on 8 September, your registration will be cancelled and you cannot participate in Round 2.
Choice filling (selecting your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference) opens on 3 September 2026 and closes on 9 September 2026 at 10:00 AM (server time). You can fill and modify your choices during this entire window. Choice locking (finalizing your choices so they cannot be changed) begins on 8 September 2026 at 4:00 PM and continues until 9 September 2026 at 10:00 AM. Once you lock your choices, they are final and used for allotment. The allotment is processed on 9–10 September 2026, and results are announced on 11 September 2026. Reporting (joining the allotted college) runs from 12–18 September 2026.
- Registration & 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: 8 September 2026 (4:00 PM) to 9 September 2026 (10:00 AM)
- Allotment Processing: 9–10 September 2026
- Result Announcement: 11 September 2026
- Reporting Period: 12–18 September 2026
Round 3 Counselling: Dates and Deadlines
Round 3 is the third and final regular counselling round. Registration and payment open on 22 September 2026 and close on 27 September 2026 at 3:00 PM (server time). Payment facility is available until 6:00 PM on 27 September 2026. As in Round 2, if you do not pay by 6:00 PM, your registration is cancelled.
Choice filling opens on 23 September 2026 and closes on 28 September 2026 at 12:00 Noon (server time). Note the different closing time—this is Noon, not 10:00 AM as in Round 2. Choice locking runs from 27 September 2026 at 7:00 PM until 28 September 2026 at 12:00 Noon. Allotment is processed on 28–29 September 2026, results are announced on 30 September 2026, and reporting runs from 1–9 October 2026.
- Registration & 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: 27 September 2026 (7:00 PM) to 28 September 2026 (12:00 Noon)
- Allotment Processing: 28–29 September 2026
- Result Announcement: 30 September 2026
- Reporting Period: 1–9 October 2026
Online Stray Vacancy Round: Dates and Deadlines
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling phase and is held for any seats that remain vacant after Rounds 2 and 3. Registration 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. This is your last chance to secure a seat if you have not been allotted in earlier rounds or if you wish to upgrade to a better college.
Choice filling runs from 12–15 October 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 15 October). Choice locking is from 14 October 2026 at 4:00 PM until 15 October 2026 at 10:00 AM. Allotment is processed on 15–16 October 2026, and results are announced on 17 October 2026. Reporting runs from 19–26 October 2026. After this round, no further counselling is conducted.
- Registration & Payment: 12–14 October 2026 (payment until 6:00 PM on 14 Oct)
- Choice Filling: 12–15 October 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 15 Oct)
- Choice Locking: 14 October 2026 (4:00 PM) to 15 October 2026 (10:00 AM)
- Allotment Processing: 15–16 October 2026
- Result Announcement: 17 October 2026
- Reporting Period: 19–26 October 2026
Critical Trap: Server Time vs. Your Local Time
All deadlines in this schedule are in **server time**, not your local time. This is crucial. If you are in a different time zone, you must convert the deadline to your local time or you risk missing it. For example, if the deadline is 3:00 PM server time and you are in a time zone that is 5 hours behind, the deadline in your local time is 10:00 AM. The MCC system will not accept any submission after the server-time deadline, regardless of your location.
To avoid this trap: (1) Check what the server time is in your location before the deadline. (2) Aim to complete your registration, payment, and choice locking at least 1–2 hours before the deadline, not at the last minute. (3) Do not rely on your phone or computer clock—use the official MCC portal clock or a reliable time source. Missing a deadline by even one minute means you cannot participate in that round.
Payment Deadline is 3 Hours After Registration Closes
A major trap that catches many candidates: registration closes at 3:00 PM (server time), but payment is available until 6:00 PM (server time). This means you have a 3-hour window to pay after registration closes. If you register at 2:50 PM and then delay payment, thinking you have until the next day, you will lose your registration. Payment must be completed by 6:00 PM on the same day registration closes, or your registration is automatically cancelled and you cannot participate in that round.
Action: Register early (on the first or second day of the registration window), not on the last day. This gives you time to arrange payment without rushing.
Choice Filling vs. Choice Locking: What's the Difference?
**Choice Filling** is the period during which you can enter, edit, and modify your list of preferred colleges and courses. You can change your choices as many times as you want during this window. For example, in Round 2, you can fill and change your choices from 3 September until 10:00 AM on 9 September.
**Choice Locking** is when you finalize your choices. Once you lock, your choices cannot be changed. The locking window is shorter than the filling window. In Round 2, locking runs from 4:00 PM on 8 September until 10:00 AM on 9 September. If you do not lock your choices by the deadline, the system will automatically lock your last-filled choices at the deadline. It is your responsibility to lock; do not assume the system will do it for you.
Strategy: Fill your choices early, review them carefully, and lock them well before the deadline. Do not wait until the last hour to lock, as server delays or internet issues could prevent you from locking in time.
Weekends and Holidays Are Working Days
The notice explicitly states: "All participating institutes/colleges are directed to treat all Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted Holidays as working days." This means that if a registration or choice-filling deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, the deadline does NOT shift to the next working day. The deadline remains on that date and time. For example, if 8 September 2026 is a Sunday, registration and payment still close on 8 September at the scheduled times.
This is important for planning: do not assume that weekends will give you extra time. Mark all deadlines on your calendar and plan to complete your registration and choice filling on a weekday if possible, to avoid any last-minute issues.
What Happens After You Report to a College?
Once you report to a college during the reporting period (e.g., 12–18 September in Round 2), you are considered "joined" and your data is verified by the institute. After this, you cannot participate in any subsequent round (Round 3 or Stray Vacancy). Your seat is locked with that college for the entire academic year.
However, if you do not report during the reporting period, your allotment is cancelled and you can participate in the next round. This is your choice: if you are not satisfied with your allotment, you can skip reporting and try again in the next round. But once you report, you are committed.
Institutions Covered in This Counselling
This counselling schedule applies to the following categories of institutions: (1) All colleges offering the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in MBBS and BDS; (2) 100% seats in Deemed Universities (private universities with deemed status); (3) Central Universities offering medical courses; (4) AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College, Pune); (5) AIIMS institutions (All India Institute of Medical Sciences); and (6) JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) in Puducherry and Karaikal.
If you are applying for a seat in any of these institutions, you must follow this MCC schedule. State government medical colleges (except for AIQ seats) are not part of this counselling; they conduct their own separate state counselling.
Complete Schedule Summary Table
Below is a complete summary of all key dates for all four phases of counselling:
| Phase | Registration & Payment | Choice Filling | Choice Locking | Allotment Processing | Result | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 2 | 3–8 Sept (pay by 6 PM on 8 Sept) | 3–9 Sept (until 10 AM on 9 Sept) | 8 Sept 4 PM – 9 Sept 10 AM | 9–10 Sept | 11 Sept | 12–18 Sept |
| Round 3 | 22–27 Sept (pay by 6 PM on 27 Sept) | 23–28 Sept (until 12 Noon on 28 Sept) | 27 Sept 7 PM – 28 Sept 12 Noon | 28–29 Sept | 30 Sept | 1–9 Oct |
| Stray Vacancy | 12–14 Oct (pay by 6 PM on 14 Oct) | 12–15 Oct (until 10 AM on 15 Oct) | 14 Oct 4 PM – 15 Oct 10 AM | 15–16 Oct | 17 Oct | 19–26 Oct |
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between AIQ counselling and state counselling?
AIQ (All India Quota) counselling is conducted by MCC for 15% of MBBS and BDS seats in government medical colleges across India, plus 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS, and JIPMER. Any NEET-qualified candidate from any state can apply. State counselling is conducted by individual state governments for the remaining 85% of seats in their government colleges and is open only to candidates from that state. This schedule covers only AIQ counselling.
Can I participate in multiple rounds?
Yes, you can participate in Round 2, then Round 3, then Stray Vacancy—but only if you do not report to a college in an earlier round. Once you report to a college during the reporting period, you are locked into that college and cannot participate in later rounds. If you do not report, you can try again in the next round.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
If you miss the registration deadline for a round, you cannot participate in that round. You will have to wait for the next round. For example, if you miss the Round 2 registration deadline (8 September 2026), you can only participate in Round 3 (registration opens 22 September 2026) or Stray Vacancy (registration opens 12 October 2026).
What is the difference between choice filling and choice locking?
Choice filling is the period when you can enter and modify your list of preferred colleges and courses as many times as you want. Choice locking is when you finalize your choices—once locked, they cannot be changed. The locking window is shorter than the filling window. For example, in Round 2, you can fill choices until 10 AM on 9 September, but locking closes at the same time, so you must lock before 10 AM on 9 September.
What if I register but do not pay by the deadline?
If you register but do not pay by the payment deadline (6:00 PM on the registration closing day), your registration is automatically cancelled and you cannot participate in that round. Payment must be completed on the same day registration closes, not later. This is a critical trap—do not delay payment.
Are all deadlines in my local time or server time?
All deadlines are in **server time**, not your local time. You must convert the server time to your local time zone. If you are unsure, check the MCC portal or use a reliable time converter. The system will not accept any submission after the server-time deadline, regardless of your location. Missing a deadline by even one minute means you cannot participate.
What if a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
Weekends and gazetted holidays are treated as working days for this counselling. Deadlines do not shift. If a deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it remains on that date and time. Do not assume you will get extra time.
When should I fill my choice list—early or at the last minute?
Fill your choices early, not at the last minute. This gives you time to review, make changes if needed, and lock your choices well before the deadline. If you wait until the last hour, server delays or internet issues could prevent you from locking in time, and your last-filled choices will be automatically locked at the deadline.
What is the Stray Vacancy Round and when should I participate?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling phase, held for any seats remaining after Rounds 2 and 3. Participate in this round only if you have not been allotted in earlier rounds or if you want to try for a better college. Registration opens 12 October 2026. After this round, no further counselling is conducted.
Can I change my choices after I lock them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they are final and cannot be changed. The locked choices are used for allotment. If you want to change your choices, you must do so before the locking deadline. After locking, you can only wait for the allotment result.
What happens if I do not report to the college I am allotted?
If you do not report during the reporting period, your allotment is cancelled and you can participate in the next round. However, if you report, you are locked into that college for the entire academic year and cannot participate in later rounds. Choose carefully whether to report or try again in the next round.
Which courses are covered in this counselling?
This counselling covers MBBS, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), and B.Sc Nursing courses in the listed institutions. All three courses follow the same registration and choice-filling schedules.
Mark all three rounds on your calendar now: Round 2 (3–18 September 2026), Round 3 (22 September – 9 October 2026), and Stray Vacancy (12–26 October 2026). Remember that all deadlines are in server time, not your local time. Register early, pay immediately, fill your choices carefully, and lock well before the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute—server delays and internet issues are common. Once you report to a college, you are locked in and cannot participate in later rounds, so decide carefully whether to report or try again. For the most up-to-date information and to register, visit the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in.
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