The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which runs the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) admissions into MBBS, BDS and institutes like AIIMS, JIPMER and AFMC, has put out a revised information bulletin for NEET UG Counselling 2026. The update matters because it changes how a candidate deals with an allotted seat: instead of the old system where upgrading meant reporting twice, there is now a Freeze-or-Float choice, an online resignation option, and no mandatory physical reporting for those who choose to stay in the running for a better seat. For a NEET aspirant, this directly affects travel, fee refunds, and how many days of the academic calendar get used up during counselling. This piece breaks down the new rules, the fee structure, and the Round 1 dates so you know exactly what to do once your seat is allotted.
Once a seat is allotted, candidates must actively choose between Freeze (accept and stop) and Float (accept but keep trying for better) within the reporting window — get this decision right, because it determines whether you report once or risk losing your seat entirely.
What MCC actually changed
The revised bulletin, published on mcc.nic.in, covers admission to AIQ seats in government and private medical and dental colleges, plus AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, AFMC, Central Universities and Deemed Universities.
Three changes stand out for candidates: a new Freeze-and-Float mechanism after allotment, the ability to resign an allotted seat online instead of through paperwork at the college, and removal of the requirement to physically report at a college a second time just because you are trying to upgrade in a later round.
Freeze vs Float — what each option means
After an allotment result is declared, the MCC portal will show two choices, and candidates must pick one within the notified reporting window.
Freeze means you are satisfied with the seat: you report physically to the college, complete admission, and exit the counselling process entirely — no further rounds for you.
Float means you accept the current seat but want a chance at something better in the next round. You submit your willingness and documents online, and only report physically in person at whichever college you finally settle into. This removes the earlier hassle of reporting at the first college, then again at the upgraded one.
Registration fee and security deposit for 2026
The amount a candidate pays depends on category and the type of quota being applied for. Deemed Universities carry a far higher refundable security deposit than government-quota seats.
If you are registering for both government-quota and Deemed University seats, you only pay the higher of the two applicable amounts — you don't pay both separately. The registration fee itself is non-refundable in every case; only the security deposit can be refunded if you follow the correct exit process.
| Institute type | Category | Registration fee | Refundable security deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESIC, AIIMS, JIPMER, BSc Nursing | UR / EWS | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities, AFMC, ESIC, AIIMS, JIPMER, BSc Nursing | SC / ST / OBC / PwD | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 |
| Deemed Universities | All categories | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
Round 1 schedule for 2026
MCC has pushed the choice-filling window slightly later than in earlier cycles, which also moves the allotment result date. Candidates should track their own deadline closely rather than relying on memory of past years' dates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration for Round 1 | August 5 to August 12, 2026 |
| Choice locking begins | 5:30 PM, August 17, 2026 |
| Choice filling closes | 11:59 PM, August 18, 2026 |
| Round 1 seat allotment result | August 21, 2026 |
Upgrade and exit rules to remember
The Float option only works within a defined window of the counselling cycle — it isn't available indefinitely, so candidates need to plan around firm cut-offs rather than assume flexibility throughout.
- Seat upgradation through Float is permitted only across Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 — not after that.
- Online resignation of an allotted seat is allowed only within the deadline notified for each round.
- No resignation or fresh entry into counselling is possible once Round 3 closes.
- Anyone already holding a seat allotted through MCC or a state counselling authority cannot apply for the Stray Vacancy round.
Why this matters for your admission plan
For years, a common complaint from NEET candidates was being forced to physically join a lower-preference college first, pay fees there, and then travel again to join an upgraded college later — sometimes losing time and money in the process. The Float option is meant to fix exactly this: you commit online, and travel only once, to your final college.
The trade-off is that Freeze and Float decisions have to be made carefully and on time. Choosing Float without a realistic sense of your rank and likely upgrade prospects could mean sitting through more rounds than necessary, while an unnecessary Freeze on a seat you're unhappy with locks you out of further chances altogether.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the Freeze and Float system in NEET UG Counselling 2026?
After a seat is allotted, you must choose Freeze (accept the seat, report physically, and exit counselling) or Float (accept the seat for now but stay eligible for a better allotment in the next round, with only online submission required at this stage).
Do I still need to report physically if I choose Float?
No. Under the revised rules, physical reporting is required only once, at the college where you finally settle, not at every college you get allotted to along the way.
How much is the registration fee for AIQ seats in 2026?
UR/EWS candidates pay Rs 1,000 registration fee plus a Rs 10,000 refundable security deposit; SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates pay Rs 500 plus Rs 5,000. Deemed University applicants pay Rs 5,000 registration fee plus a Rs 2,00,000 security deposit, regardless of category.
What if I am applying for both government quota and Deemed University seats?
You pay only the higher of the two applicable fee-and-deposit amounts, not both separately.
Until which round can I upgrade my seat?
Seat upgradation through the Float mechanism is allowed only in Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3. No upgrades or resignations are possible after Round 3 closes.
Can I enter the Stray Vacancy round if I already have an allotted seat?
No. Candidates who already hold a seat allotted through MCC or any state counselling authority are not eligible to participate in the Stray Vacancy round.
What are the key Round 1 dates for 2026?
Registration ran August 5–12, 2026; choice locking began 5:30 PM on August 17; choice filling closed at 11:59 PM on August 18; and the Round 1 allotment result was declared on August 21, 2026.
Read the full revised bulletin on mcc.nic.in before your allotment result is out, and decide in advance — based on your rank and preferred colleges — whether you are likely to Freeze or Float, so you aren't making that call under time pressure. Keep watching the MCC portal for the Round 2 registration schedule, which is expected to follow soon after Round 1 results.
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