The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the schedule for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round, the final two phases of All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for MBBS and BDS seats. Round 3 registration begins on September 22 and concludes on September 27, with seat allotment results declared on September 30. The Stray Vacancy Round, which fills any remaining vacant seats, follows in mid-October. This is critical information for candidates who either missed earlier rounds or wish to upgrade their seat allocation.
If you qualified for NEET UG 2026 but missed Rounds 1 and 2, or took a free exit from Round 2, you must register for Round 3 between September 22–27 to secure an AIQ MBBS or BDS seat before the final Stray Round in October.
What is Round 3 and who can apply?
Round 3 is the third phase of MCC counselling for NEET UG 2026 and covers All India Quota seats, Deemed University seats, Central University seats, ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) medical college seats, and AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) seats. This round is open to fresh qualified candidates who did not participate in Rounds 1 and 2, as well as candidates who took a free exit from Round 2 (meaning they chose not to join their allotted seat and withdrew without penalty).
Candidates who were already admitted and joined a seat in Round 2 cannot apply in Round 3—their admission is final for the 2026 academic year. The key eligibility criterion is that you must have a valid NEET UG 2026 scorecard and must not have already accepted and reported to a college in an earlier round.
Round 3 registration and choice-filling timeline
Registration and payment for Round 3 opens on September 22, 2026, and closes on September 27, 2026. The payment deadline is 6 PM on September 27—this is a hard cutoff, and late payments will not be accepted. During this same window, you can fill and modify your college and course preferences.
Choice filling runs from September 23 to September 28, 2026. You must lock your choices between 7 PM on September 27 and noon on September 28. Once locked, your preferences cannot be changed. Seat allotment processing occurs on September 28–29, and results are declared on September 30. Reporting to your allotted college begins on October 1 and must be completed by October 9, 2026.
- Registration window: September 22–27, 2026
- Payment deadline: 6 PM on September 27, 2026
- Choice filling: September 23–28, 2026
- Choice locking: 7 PM September 27 to noon September 28, 2026
- Result declaration: September 30, 2026
- Reporting period: October 1–9, 2026
How to register for Round 3 counselling
The entire registration process is conducted online through the MCC portal at mcc.nic.in. You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password to log in. The process involves several mandatory steps, and missing any one of them may result in your application being rejected.
First, visit mcc.nic.in and click on the UG Medical Counselling link on the homepage. Log in using your NEET roll number and password. Next, pay the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable security deposit online. After payment is confirmed, fill in your college and course preferences in your order of choice. Carefully review your selections, as you will lock them before the deadline. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be modified. Finally, after the result is declared on September 30, download your allotment letter from the portal.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on UG Medical Counselling
- Log in with your NEET UG 2026 roll number and password
- Pay the registration fee and security deposit online
- Fill college and course preferences in order of preference
- Lock your choices before the deadline
- Download your allotment letter after September 30
Understanding the Stray Vacancy Round
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final MCC counselling phase for 2026 and is designed to fill any seats that remain vacant after Round 3. This is your last opportunity to secure an All India Quota MBBS or BDS seat through MCC counselling. After the Stray Round concludes on October 26, 2026, no fresh AIQ admissions will be processed.
Candidates who missed all earlier rounds, or who did not secure a seat in Round 3, can still register for the Stray Vacancy Round. Registration opens on October 12 and closes on October 14, 2026. Choice filling runs from October 12 to October 15, with locking between 4 PM on October 14 and 10 AM on October 15. Results are declared on October 17, and reporting to the allotted college must be completed between October 19 and October 26, 2026.
- Registration: October 12–14, 2026
- Choice filling: October 12–15, 2026
- Choice locking: 4 PM October 14 to 10 AM October 15, 2026
- Result declaration: October 17, 2026
- Reporting period: October 19–26, 2026
- This is the final round for AIQ seat allocation in 2026
Critical deadlines you must not miss
MCC counselling operates on strict, non-negotiable deadlines. For Round 3, registration closes at 3 PM on September 27, 2026, and payment must clear by 6 PM the same day. Choice filling ends at noon on September 28. These cutoffs are absolute—no extensions are granted under any circumstances, and missing even one deadline can disqualify you from that round.
For the Stray Vacancy Round, registration ends at 3 PM on October 14, 2026, and choice filling closes at 10 AM on October 15. Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders well in advance. Delays due to internet issues, payment gateway problems, or other technical reasons are not accepted as valid reasons for missing deadlines.
- Round 3 registration closes: 3 PM on September 27, 2026
- Round 3 payment deadline: 6 PM on September 27, 2026
- Round 3 choice filling ends: Noon on September 28, 2026
- Stray Round registration closes: 3 PM on October 14, 2026
- Stray Round choice filling closes: 10 AM on October 15, 2026
- No extensions are granted for any deadline
What documents and fees you need to prepare
Before you begin the registration process on September 22, ensure you have all required documents ready. You will need your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, your NEET admit card, and a valid government-issued ID proof (such as Aadhaar, passport, or PAN). Keep digital copies of these documents accessible on your device.
You will also need to arrange funds for the registration fee and security deposit. The registration fee is non-refundable, meaning you will not get it back regardless of the outcome. The security deposit, however, is refundable and will be returned to you after you complete the reporting process at your allotted college. Arrange these funds before September 22 to avoid last-minute delays.
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard
- NEET admit card
- Valid government-issued ID proof (Aadhaar, passport, or PAN)
- Non-refundable registration fee
- Refundable security deposit
- Have funds ready before September 22, 2026
Practical steps to take now
Start by reading the official notice released by MCC on September 14, 2026, available at mcc.nic.in. This will give you the most authoritative and detailed information. Gather all your documents—scorecard, admit card, and ID proof—and store them in a safe, easily accessible location. Verify that your contact information (phone number and email) registered with NEET is current, as MCC will use these to send updates.
Next, research the colleges and courses you are interested in. Visit the websites of medical colleges offering AIQ seats to understand their specialties, infrastructure, and location. Make a prioritized list of your preferred colleges and courses well before September 22. This preparation will help you fill your choices quickly and accurately during the registration window. Finally, arrange the registration fee and security deposit and confirm that your payment method (debit card, credit card, or net banking) is working.
- Read the official MCC notice at mcc.nic.in
- Gather and organize all required documents
- Verify your contact information with NEET
- Research colleges and courses offering AIQ seats
- Create a prioritized list of college preferences
- Arrange and test your payment method
- Set calendar reminders for all key deadlines
What happens after you report to college
Once you receive your allotment letter on September 30 (for Round 3) or October 17 (for Stray Round), you must report to your allotted college within the specified reporting window. For Round 3, reporting runs from October 1 to October 9, 2026. On the day you report, the college will verify your documents, confirm your identity, and complete the admission formalities. Bring all original documents—your NEET scorecard, admit card, ID proof, and any other documents specified by the college.
After you report, the college will conduct data verification on October 10, 2026. This is a final check to ensure all your information is correct and that you meet the eligibility criteria. Once data verification is complete, your admission is confirmed, and you can proceed with fee payment and hostel allocation (if applicable). If you do not report within the deadline, your seat will be cancelled, and you will lose the opportunity to join that college.
- Report to your allotted college within the deadline
- Bring all original documents on reporting day
- Complete admission formalities at the college
- Participate in data verification by the institute
- Pay fees and complete hostel allocation if applicable
- Failure to report results in seat cancellation
2 minute · Free preview
Which MBBS colleges can your NEET rank actually get?
See the real colleges your rank can reach — every state and All India Quota — with official closing ranks and the exact fee for each seat.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Can I apply for Round 3 if I missed Rounds 1 and 2?
Yes. Round 3 is open to fresh NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who did not participate in Rounds 1 and 2. You can register between September 22 and September 27, 2026. However, if you were already admitted and joined a seat in Round 2, you cannot apply in Round 3.
What is a free exit, and can I apply in Round 3 if I took one?
A free exit means you chose not to join your allotted seat in Round 2 and withdrew without any penalty. If you took a free exit from Round 2, you are eligible to apply in Round 3. You will be treated as a fresh candidate and can participate in the Round 3 counselling process.
What are the key deadlines for Round 3 registration?
Registration opens on September 22, 2026, and closes on September 27, 2026, at 3 PM. Payment must be completed by 6 PM on September 27. Choice filling runs from September 23 to September 28, with locking between 7 PM on September 27 and noon on September 28. These deadlines are strict and non-negotiable.
When will Round 3 results be declared, and when must I report to college?
Round 3 results will be declared on September 30, 2026. You must report to your allotted college between October 1 and October 9, 2026. The college will conduct data verification on October 10. If you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled.
What is the Stray Vacancy Round, and when does it happen?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final MCC counselling phase for 2026. It fills seats that remain vacant after Round 3. Registration opens on October 12 and closes on October 14, 2026. Results are declared on October 17, and reporting must be completed by October 26. After October 26, no fresh AIQ admissions will be processed.
What documents do I need to register for Round 3?
You need your NEET UG 2026 scorecard, NEET admit card, and a valid government-issued ID proof (such as Aadhaar, passport, or PAN). Keep digital copies accessible during registration. You will also need to arrange the non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit.
Can I change my college preferences after I lock them?
No. Once you lock your choices before the deadline (noon on September 28 for Round 3, or 10 AM on October 15 for Stray Round), they cannot be changed. This is why it is important to carefully review and prioritize your preferences before locking them.
What happens if I miss the reporting deadline?
If you do not report to your allotted college within the specified deadline, your seat will be cancelled. You will lose the opportunity to join that college, and no refund of the security deposit will be issued. Always report within the deadline to secure your admission.
Mark September 22 as the start of your Round 3 registration window and prepare all documents now. If you miss Round 3, the Stray Vacancy Round in mid-October is your final chance to secure an AIQ MBBS or BDS seat for 2026—do not let this opportunity pass.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.