NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Seat Resignation: Deadline & Security Deposit Rules

If you have been allotted a seat in NEET UG 2026 Round 1 counselling but want to step back, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened a formal resignation window. Between 12 and 15 September 2026, you can withdraw from your allotted seat without losing your security deposit — but only if you complete the process correctly and on time. After the deadline, any resignation will result in forfeiture of your deposit. Understanding the exact rules and timeline is critical to protect your money and keep your options open for future rounds.

When can you resign from your NEET UG Round 1 seat?

The MCC has activated the resignation facility for candidates who received a seat allocation in Round 1 of NEET UG 2026 counselling. The window opens on 12 September 2026 at 4:00 PM and closes on 15 September 2026 at 6:00 PM. This is a four-day period during which you can formally withdraw from your allotted seat.

The timing is deliberate: it gives you a few days to think through your decision after receiving your allocation, but it also ensures that seats can be reallocated to other candidates in subsequent rounds without unnecessary delay. If you are unsure about your allotted college, course, or location, this window is your chance to reconsider without financial penalty.

Security deposit: what happens if you resign on time vs. late?

Your security deposit is at stake. If you resign during the official window (by 6:00 PM on 15 September), your deposit is returned in full — no forfeiture. This is the key incentive to act within the deadline.

However, if you attempt to resign after 6:00 PM on 15 September, your security deposit is forfeited entirely. This is a significant financial loss and is designed to discourage last-minute withdrawals that disrupt the counselling schedule. Once the deadline passes, the MCC treats your seat as confirmed, and any subsequent withdrawal carries a penalty.

How do you formally resign from your seat?

Resignation is not a simple online click. The process requires two mandatory steps: first, you must report physically at your allotted medical college or institution. Second, the nodal officer (the designated administrator) at that institution must issue your resignation letter or seat withdrawal slip through the official MCC online portal. This dual requirement — physical presence plus online documentation — ensures that the resignation is genuine and properly recorded.

Any resignation completed outside this process (for example, a letter sent by email or a verbal statement) will be considered null and void by the MCC. This means it will not be recognized, and you will remain bound to your allotted seat. Always ensure that your resignation slip is generated through the MCC portal by the institution's nodal officer to avoid disputes later.

• Visit your allotted college in person during the resignation window
• Meet the nodal officer and request a resignation slip
• Ensure the slip is issued online through the MCC portal
• Keep a copy of the portal-generated slip for your records
• Do not rely on informal communication or email

Who is eligible to use this resignation facility?

This facility is specifically for FREEZE candidates in Round 1. FREEZE status means your seat has been locked or frozen after you accepted the allocation and completed the reporting process. If you are a FREEZE candidate and have confirmed your seat, you have the right to resign during this window.

If you are in a different status (such as FLOAT, which means you have not yet reported or confirmed) or if you did not receive an allocation in Round 1, this facility does not apply to you. Check your counselling status on the MCC portal to confirm whether you are eligible.

Why would you want to resign from a Round 1 seat?

There are several legitimate reasons. You may have received an allocation at a college far from home, or in a course or location you did not prefer. You might be hoping for a better allocation in Round 2 counselling, especially if you believe your rank will fetch a more desirable seat. Or you may have decided that pursuing MBBS or BDS is not the right choice for you at this time.

Resigning allows you to participate in subsequent counselling rounds without being locked into a seat you do not want. However, resigning also means you are giving up a confirmed seat, so this decision should be made carefully. If you resign, you will re-enter the counselling pool for Round 2, and there is no guarantee you will receive an allocation in the next round.

What happens to your seat after you resign?

Once your resignation is processed and approved by the MCC, your seat becomes vacant and is available for reallocation. The MCC will use this seat to accommodate candidates from the waiting list or to fill gaps in subsequent counselling rounds. This is why the resignation window is time-bound: the MCC needs to know which seats are available so it can plan Round 2 allocations efficiently.

Your resignation does not affect other candidates' allocations in Round 1, but it does create opportunities for candidates ranked below you to receive a seat in later rounds. This is part of the fair and transparent counselling process.

What should you do if you miss the resignation deadline?

If you miss the 6:00 PM deadline on 15 September, you cannot resign without losing your security deposit. At that point, your options are limited. You can still attempt to resign, but you will forfeit your deposit. Alternatively, you can accept your seat and proceed with admission at the allotted college.

To avoid this situation, mark the deadline clearly on your calendar and plan to visit your allotted college well before 6:00 PM on 15 September. Do not wait until the last moment. If you are unsure about your decision, contact the MCC helpline or your college's nodal officer for guidance.

What happens in Round 2 if you resign now?

If you resign from your Round 1 seat, you will be eligible to participate in Round 2 counselling. Your rank and category remain the same, but you will be competing for the remaining available seats — which may be fewer and potentially less desirable than what you had in Round 1. There is no guarantee that you will receive an allocation in Round 2.

Before resigning, think strategically: is the seat you have now genuinely unacceptable, or are you gambling on a better outcome in Round 2? If you are unsure, seek advice from your parents, school counsellor, or a trusted mentor. Resigning is a significant decision with real consequences.

Key dates and checklist for NEET UG 2026 Round 1 resignation

Here is a summary of the critical information you need to act on:

Mark these dates in your calendar and plan accordingly. If you decide to resign, do so early in the window to avoid last-minute complications or travel delays.

• Resignation window opens: 12 September 2026, 4:00 PM
• Resignation window closes: 15 September 2026, 6:00 PM
• Security deposit forfeited if you resign after the deadline
• Physical reporting at your allotted college is mandatory
• Resignation slip must be issued online by the college's nodal officer
• Keep a copy of the portal-generated resignation slip
• Confirm your FREEZE status before attempting to resign

Frequently asked questions

If you have been allotted a seat in NEET UG 2026 Round 1 and are considering resignation, act decisively within the 12–15 September window to protect your security deposit. Verify your FREEZE status, plan your visit to your college, and ensure your resignation slip is generated through the MCC portal. If you are unsure, seek advice before the deadline — once 6:00 PM on 15 September passes, your options become limited and costly.