The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the official schedule for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 and the All India Quota (AIQ) Stray Vacancy Round. If you did not secure a seat in Rounds 1 or 2, or wish to upgrade your allotment, these are your final opportunities to claim an MBBS or BDS seat. Round 3 registration begins September 22, while the Stray Vacancy Round—the last chance for AIQ candidates—runs in mid-October. Understanding these timelines and deadlines is critical to avoid missing your admission window.
Round 3 registration opens September 22 and closes September 27 at 3 pm; the Stray Vacancy Round is your final chance to secure an AIQ seat, with reporting ending October 26.
What is Round 3 Counselling and Who Should Apply?
Round 3 is the third and penultimate phase of NEET UG 2026 counselling. It is open to all eligible NEET candidates, including those who did not participate in earlier rounds, those who were not allotted a seat, and those who wish to upgrade from their current allotment. If you were allotted a seat in Round 2 but are unhappy with the college or course, you can register afresh for Round 3 to try for a better option.
The academic session for undergraduate medical and dental courses began on September 15, 2026. This means candidates joining in Round 3 will enter their colleges after classes have already started. You will need to catch up on missed coursework and lectures at your allotted institution. Despite this, Round 3 remains a valuable window if you believe a different college or location better suits your goals.
Round 3 Registration and Payment Timeline
Registration and fee payment for Round 3 will open on September 22, 2026, and close on September 27, 2026. The registration portal will shut at 3 pm on September 27, so you must complete your registration before this deadline. The payment facility will remain open until 6 pm on the same day, giving you a 3-hour window after registration closes to finalize your fee payment if needed.
Ensure you have your NEET UG 2026 roll number, admit card, and valid identity documents ready before you begin. Pay the counselling fee through the online modes available on the MCC portal. Keep your payment receipt and registration confirmation for future reference.
- Registration window: September 22–27, 2026 (closes at 3 pm)
- Payment facility: Available until 6 pm on September 27
- Required documents: NEET roll number, admit card, identity proof
Choice Filling and Locking Deadlines for Round 3
After registering, you must fill your college and course preferences on the MCC portal. The choice-filling window runs from September 23 to September 28, 2026, until 12 noon. This gives you a full five days to research colleges, compare options, and enter your preferences in order of priority. The more colleges and courses you list, the higher your chances of allotment.
Once you have filled your choices, you must lock them within the specified window: from 7 pm on September 27 to 12 noon on September 28. Locking your choices is mandatory and final—you cannot change them after the lock window closes. Plan your preferences carefully before locking to avoid regret.
- Choice filling: September 23–28, 2026 (until 12 noon)
- Choice locking: September 27 (7 pm) to September 28 (12 noon)
- Locking is final and cannot be reversed
Round 3 Seat Allotment and Reporting
After the choice-locking window closes, the MCC will process seat allotments. State-level Round 3 counselling will take place from September 28 to October 9, 2026. During this period, the MCC will match your preferences with available seats based on your NEET rank and the choices you have locked. The allotment result will be declared on the MCC portal.
Once your allotment is announced, you must report to your allotted college by October 14, 2026. Reporting involves verifying your documents, paying the college fee, and completing admission formalities. Failure to report by this deadline may result in forfeiture of your seat. If you do not report in Round 3, you may still be eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round, but this is not guaranteed.
- State Round 3 counselling: September 28 to October 9, 2026
- Last date to join allotted college: October 14, 2026
- Non-reporting may disqualify you from the Stray Vacancy Round
Understanding the Stray Vacancy Round: Your Final Chance
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final phase of NEET UG 2026 counselling and is open only to candidates under the All India Quota (AIQ). This round is designed for candidates who did not secure a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3, or who did not report against their allotted seat. It is your last opportunity to claim an MBBS or BDS seat under the national quota.
Eligibility for the Stray Vacancy Round is strict. Only candidates deemed eligible by the MCC according to official norms will be permitted to register. If you did not report against a Round 2 allotment, you may not be eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round. Before applying, carefully read the official eligibility criteria on the MCC notice to confirm your status.
- Open only to AIQ candidates
- Final chance to secure a seat if you missed earlier rounds
- Eligibility is determined by MCC norms; check the official notice
Stray Vacancy Round Registration and Choice Filling Dates
Registration for the Stray Vacancy Round will open on October 12, 2026, and close on October 14, 2026, at 3 pm. This is a short window—only three days—so mark your calendar and register early to avoid last-minute technical issues. You will need to pay the counselling fee during registration.
Choice filling for the Stray Vacancy Round runs from October 12 to October 15, 2026, until 10 am. This overlaps with the registration period, allowing you to fill and lock your choices while registration is still open. The choice-locking window is from 4 pm on October 14 to 10 am on October 15. After locking, your choices are final.
- Registration: October 12–14, 2026 (closes at 3 pm)
- Choice filling: October 12–15, 2026 (until 10 am)
- Choice locking: October 14 (4 pm) to October 15 (10 am)
Stray Vacancy Seat Allotment and Final Reporting
After the choice-locking window closes, the MCC will process seat allotments for the Stray Vacancy Round. Seat allotment processing will occur on October 15 and 16, 2026. The final allotment result will be declared on October 17, 2026. This is the last allotment list for NEET UG 2026 counselling.
If you are allotted a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round, you must report to your college between October 19 and October 26, 2026. October 26 is the absolute final deadline for reporting. After this date, the admission process for NEET UG 2026 will be closed. Any candidate who does not report by October 26 will lose their seat.
- Seat allotment processing: October 15–16, 2026
- Result declaration: October 17, 2026
- Reporting window: October 19–26, 2026 (final deadline)
Step-by-Step Guide to Register for Round 3
Registering for Round 3 is straightforward if you follow the process carefully. First, visit the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in. Look for the NEET UG Counselling 2026 registration link and click it. You will be directed to the registration form.
Enter your NEET UG roll number and other required credentials to log in. Fill in your personal details (name, date of birth, contact information), academic details (NEET score, category, state), and address. Review all information for accuracy before proceeding. Pay the counselling fee using the available online payment methods—credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. After successful payment, you will receive a registration confirmation. Save this confirmation and proceed to choice filling within the designated window.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and locate the NEET UG Counselling 2026 link
- Enter your NEET roll number and login credentials
- Fill personal, academic, and contact details accurately
- Pay the counselling fee through your preferred online mode
- Receive and save your registration confirmation
- Proceed to choice filling and lock your preferences before the deadline
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline?
Missing any deadline in the counselling process can have serious consequences. If you do not register by September 27 at 3 pm for Round 3, you will not be able to participate in that round. If you register but fail to lock your choices by September 28 at 12 noon, your choices will not be processed, and you will not receive an allotment. If you do not report to your allotted college by October 14, your seat will be forfeited.
For the Stray Vacancy Round, the consequences are equally strict. Missing the October 14 registration deadline means you cannot apply for this final round. If you are allotted a seat but do not report by October 26, you will lose it permanently, and the admission process will close. There are no extensions or second chances. Set reminders on your phone and calendar for each deadline to ensure you do not miss any critical date.
- Missing Round 3 registration (Sept 27, 3 pm): Cannot participate in Round 3
- Missing choice locking (Sept 28, 12 noon): Choices not processed; no allotment
- Missing Round 3 reporting (Oct 14): Seat forfeited
- Missing Stray Vacancy registration (Oct 14, 3 pm): Cannot apply for final round
- Missing Stray Vacancy reporting (Oct 26): Seat lost; admission process closes
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET UG 2026 Round 3 registration open and close?
Round 3 registration opens on September 22, 2026, and closes on September 27, 2026, at 3 pm. The payment facility remains open until 6 pm on September 27. You must complete both registration and payment within these windows.
Can I participate in Round 3 if I already have a seat from Round 2?
Yes. If you are unhappy with your Round 2 allotment or wish to upgrade to a better college or course, you can register afresh for Round 3. However, registering for Round 3 means you are giving up your Round 2 seat. If you do not get allotted in Round 3, you cannot go back to your Round 2 seat.
What is the Stray Vacancy Round and who is eligible?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final phase of NEET UG 2026 counselling, open only to All India Quota (AIQ) candidates. It is for those who did not secure a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3. Eligibility is determined by MCC norms. If you did not report against a Round 2 allotment, you may not be eligible. Check the official MCC notice for detailed eligibility criteria.
When must I report to my allotted college in Round 3?
You must report to your allotted college by October 14, 2026. This is the final deadline for Round 3. If you do not report by this date, your seat will be forfeited, and you may lose eligibility for the Stray Vacancy Round.
What is the last date to report in the Stray Vacancy Round?
The last date to report to your allotted college in the Stray Vacancy Round is October 26, 2026. This is the absolute final deadline for the entire NEET UG 2026 counselling process. After October 26, the admission process will close, and no further seats will be allotted.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices, they are final and cannot be changed. For Round 3, the choice-locking window is from 7 pm on September 27 to 12 noon on September 28. Plan your preferences carefully before locking.
What documents do I need to register for Round 3?
You will need your NEET UG 2026 roll number, admit card, and a valid identity document (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID). Keep these documents ready before starting the registration process on mcc.nic.in.
Will I be able to join my college if I get allotted in Round 3, given that classes have already started?
Yes, you can join. However, the academic session for medical and dental courses began on September 15, 2026. If you join in Round 3, you will have missed the first few weeks of classes. You will need to catch up on missed lectures and coursework at your allotted college. Contact your college immediately after reporting to understand the catch-up plan.
Mark all key dates on your calendar, starting with Round 3 registration on September 22. If you miss Round 3 or do not get allotted, the Stray Vacancy Round (October 12–26) is your final opportunity. Visit mcc.nic.in regularly for updates and ensure you complete every step—registration, choice filling, locking, and reporting—before each deadline.
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