The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is running Round 3 of NEET UG counselling for 15% All India Quota seats, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS, and JIPMER. Choice filling for this round opened on September 23 and will close on September 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM (server time). Many aspirants are hoping for a deadline extension, but MCC has not officially announced one yet. Understanding the exact timeline and what happens if you miss it is critical to securing your seat.
Lock your Round 3 choices by September 28 at noon; no official extension has been announced, so do not wait for one.
What is the exact deadline for Round 3 choice filling?
Round 3 choice filling began on September 23, 2026, and will end on September 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM (server time). This is the hard deadline for submitting your course and college preferences for this round of counselling.
Choice locking—the process of finalizing your selections—will be available from 7:00 PM on September 27 through 12:00 PM on September 28. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them, so ensure your preferences are correct before locking.
Will MCC extend the Round 3 deadline?
As of now, MCC has not issued any official notice extending the Round 3 choice filling deadline. The committee has a tight schedule to maintain: seat allotment processing begins immediately after choice locking (September 28–29), and results are declared on September 30.
Extensions in earlier rounds occurred only when specific circumstances arose—such as updates to the PwD (Person with Disability) assessment window or administrative adjustments. Unless a technical server failure occurs or MCC releases a formal notice on its official website (mcc.nic.in), you should assume the September 28 noon deadline is final and plan accordingly.
Why is the timeline so tight this round?
MCC has directed all participating medical colleges and institutes to treat Saturdays, Sundays, and gazetted holidays as working days during the counselling period. This measure is designed to prevent delays and ensure the entire counselling process—from choice filling through seat allotment and reporting—is completed on schedule.
The compressed timeline reflects the need to complete all rounds of counselling and allow students to join their allotted colleges by the academic year's start. This is why extensions are unlikely unless an unforeseen technical or administrative issue arises.
What happens after Round 3 closes?
Once choice locking ends on September 28 at noon, MCC will process seat allotments from September 28 to September 29. The allotment results will be declared on September 30, 2026.
After Round 3, the next phase is the Online Stray Vacancy Round, for which fresh registration will open from October 12 to October 14, 2026. This round is for candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or wish to apply for remaining vacancies.
What seats are available in Round 3?
Round 3 covers 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, which are allocated across India's medical colleges. It also includes seats at Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), AIIMS institutes, and JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research).
Candidates can apply for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing seats through this round. The specific number of available seats varies by course and institution.
What should you do before the deadline?
Review all available colleges and courses in Round 3 carefully. Rank them in order of your preference—this ranking determines which seat you receive if you qualify for multiple options.
Complete your choice entry well before the noon cutoff on September 28. Do not rely on a last-minute submission, as server delays or technical issues near the deadline could prevent you from submitting in time. Lock your choices as soon as you are confident in your selections.
- Log in to the MCC counselling portal (mcc.nic.in) using your NEET roll number and password.
- Review all colleges and courses available to you based on your NEET rank and category.
- Rank your preferences in order of priority.
- Submit your choices before 12:00 PM on September 28.
- Lock your choices between 7:00 PM on September 27 and 12:00 PM on September 28.
What if you miss the deadline?
If you do not submit and lock your choices by September 28 at noon, you will not be considered for seat allotment in Round 3. You will have to wait for the Online Stray Vacancy Round (registration October 12–14) to apply for remaining seats.
Missing the deadline significantly reduces your chances of securing a seat, as the stray vacancy round typically has far fewer available positions. It is critical to complete your choice filling on time.
How to stay updated on any changes
Monitor the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) regularly for any announcements. If an extension or change is announced, it will appear there first.
Do not rely on social media, WhatsApp messages, or unofficial sources for deadline updates. Only official notices from MCC are authoritative.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET UG 2026 Round 3 choice filling close?
Choice filling closes on September 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM (server time). Choice locking is available from 7:00 PM on September 27 through 12:00 PM on September 28.
Has MCC announced an extension for Round 3 choice filling?
No. As of now, MCC has not issued any official notice extending the Round 3 deadline. Unless a technical issue arises or MCC releases a formal notice on mcc.nic.in, the September 28 noon deadline is final.
What seats are available in Round 3 of NEET UG counselling?
Round 3 includes 15% All India Quota seats, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS, and JIPMER seats. Candidates can apply for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses.
What happens if I miss the Round 3 choice filling deadline?
If you do not submit and lock your choices by September 28 at noon, you will not be considered for Round 3 seat allotment. You will have to wait for the Online Stray Vacancy Round (registration October 12–14) to apply for remaining seats, which typically has far fewer positions available.
When will Round 3 seat allotment results be declared?
Seat allotment processing takes place from September 28 to September 29, and results will be declared on September 30, 2026.
What is the next round after Round 3?
The Online Stray Vacancy Round is the next phase. Fresh registration for this round will open from October 12 to October 14, 2026. This round is for candidates who did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or wish to apply for remaining vacancies.
Why is the counselling timeline so tight this year?
MCC has directed all participating institutes to treat Saturdays, Sundays, and gazetted holidays as working days to prevent delays and ensure the entire counselling process is completed on schedule, allowing students to join their colleges by the academic year's start.
How do I lock my choices in Round 3?
After submitting your course and college preferences, you can lock them between 7:00 PM on September 27 and 12:00 PM on September 28. Once locked, you cannot change your choices, so ensure they are correct before locking.
Do not wait for an extension that may not come. Complete your Round 3 choice filling and lock your preferences well before the September 28 noon deadline. Monitor mcc.nic.in for any official updates, and prepare your preference list now to avoid last-minute stress.
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