If you are still hoping for a better MBBS or BDS seat after Round 1 of NEET UG counselling, the next window to try is here. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which runs All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for 15% of MBBS/BDS seats in government colleges plus seats in central and deemed universities and AIIMS/JIPMER, has published the full Round 2 timetable for 2026. This round matters for two groups of candidates: those who did not get a seat in Round 1, and those who did get one but want to try for an upgrade. Knowing the exact dates for registration, choice filling, allotment and reporting is essential because missing any one of these steps can cost you the round entirely.
NEET UG 2026 Round 2 (AIQ) registration and choice filling run September 3–9, with the allotment result on September 11 and reporting to the allotted institute due by September 18 — mark every deadline now, not later.
The Round 2 schedule at a glance
MCC has laid out a tight, sequential calendar for Round 2. Candidates need to complete registration and payment first, then lock in their choice of colleges/courses, after which MCC runs the computerised seat-matching process.
Every stage has a hard cut-off time, and MCC counselling does not typically allow late entries once a stage closes.
- Registration: September 3 to September 8, 2026 (fee payment allowed till 6 pm on September 8)
- Choice filling: September 3 to September 9, 2026
- Choice locking: from 4 pm on September 8 to 10 am on September 9, 2026
- Seat allotment processing: September 9 to September 10, 2026
- Round 2 result declared: September 11, 2026
- Reporting to allotted institute: September 12 to September 18, 2026
- Institute verification of joined candidates: September 19, 2026
| Stage | Dates/Time |
|---|---|
| Registration | Sep 3 – Sep 8 (payment till 6 pm) |
| Choice filling | Sep 3 – Sep 9 |
| Choice locking | Sep 8, 4 pm – Sep 9, 10 am |
| Seat allotment processing | Sep 9 – Sep 10 |
| Result declared | Sep 11 |
| Reporting to institute | Sep 12 – Sep 18 |
| Institute verification | Sep 19 |
Who should register for Round 2
Round 2 of AIQ counselling is open to two categories of candidates. First, anyone who registered but did not receive a seat allotment in Round 1 can register fresh and submit a new choice list. Second, candidates who were already allotted a seat in Round 1 can also participate in Round 2 if they want to try for a better college or course, though this comes with consequences depending on whether they have already reported and joined.
Candidates who joined their Round 1 seat and get a fresh allotment in Round 2 are generally required to move to the new seat; those who skip reporting or upgrading rules risk losing their claim. It is worth reading MCC's counselling brochure carefully on upgradation rules before deciding whether to participate again.
Choice filling: the decision that matters most
Between September 3 and 9, candidates will list and rank the colleges and courses they are willing to accept, in order of preference. This ranking is what MCC's computer algorithm uses to match candidates to seats based on NEET UG rank, category, and seat availability.
The choice-locking window — from 4 pm on September 8 to 10 am on September 9 — is the final chance to confirm the list. If a candidate does not lock choices manually within this window, the system automatically locks whatever choices were last saved, so it is safer not to leave this to the very last minute given possible website traffic near the deadline.
After the result: reporting and verification
Once the Round 2 result is out on September 11, allotted candidates get roughly a week — September 12 to 18 — to physically report to the institute they have been allotted. This includes document verification and fee payment as specified by that particular college.
Institutes then confirm on September 19 which candidates have actually joined. Missing the reporting deadline typically means forfeiting the allotted seat, so candidates should keep original documents (NEET UG scorecard, admit card, class 10 and 12 certificates, category/PwBD certificates, ID proof, photographs) ready well in advance rather than scrambling after the result.
Practical tips for Round 2
A few habits make counselling rounds less stressful and reduce the chance of costly mistakes.
- Register on mcc.nic.in early in the window rather than waiting for the last day, since payment gateways can slow down under heavy traffic.
- Fill in as many realistic choices as possible, ordered strictly by genuine preference — this protects you if your top choices are unavailable.
- Cross-check your category (general, EWS, OBC, SC/ST, PwBD) and any applicable reservation before choice filling, since errors here can affect allotment.
- Keep scanned and physical copies of all documents ready before the result is declared, not after.
- If you already hold a Round 1 seat and are trying to upgrade, understand the specific upgrade/reporting rules for your state or category before opting into Round 2.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What percentage of MBBS/BDS seats does MCC counselling cover?
MCC conducts All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for 15% of seats in government medical and dental colleges, along with seats in central universities, deemed universities, AIIMS and JIPMER. State-level seats are counselled separately by respective state authorities.
Can I apply for Round 2 if I missed Round 1 entirely?
Yes. Candidates who did not register or did not get allotted a seat in Round 1 can register fresh for Round 2 within the given window.
If I already have a seat from Round 1, should I try Round 2?
You can, but check the upgrade rules first. In many cases, if you get a new allotment in Round 2 you are expected to move to it, and skipping reporting at your Round 1 seat without proper cancellation can have consequences. Read MCC's counselling brochure before deciding.
What happens if I don't lock my choices manually?
The system automatically locks whichever choices you last saved when the choice-locking window closes at 10 am on September 9. It's still advisable to lock manually to avoid uncertainty.
What documents will I need if allotted a seat in Round 2?
Typically your NEET UG scorecard, admit card, class 10 and 12 marksheets/certificates, category or PwBD certificates if applicable, valid photo ID, and passport-size photographs. Exact requirements can vary slightly by institute, so check the allotted college's instructions too.
What is the last date to report to my allotted institute in Round 2?
Reporting is open from September 12 to September 18, 2026. Institutes verify joined candidates on September 19.
For NEET UG aspirants still chasing a seat, Round 2 is a real second chance, but only if the deadlines are respected exactly. Bookmark mcc.nic.in, set reminders for the registration and choice-locking windows, and have your documents in order well before the September 11 result.
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