The Medical Counselling Committee has opened registration for the third round of NEET UG counselling on September 22, 2026. Candidates who did not secure seats in earlier rounds or wish to upgrade their college choice can now register and fill their preferences. The choice-filling window opens the next day, and the complete process will conclude with seat allotment on September 30, followed by college reporting from October 1 to 9. Understanding the exact timeline and steps is crucial to avoid missing deadlines.
Register for NEET UG Round 3 counselling by September 27, fill your college choices by September 28, and report to your allotted college between October 1 and 9, 2026.
When does NEET UG Round 3 counselling registration open?
Registration and fee payment for Round 3 counselling began on September 22, 2026, and will remain open until September 27, 2026. This is a five-day window during which all eligible candidates must complete their registration on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in). Candidates who participated in earlier rounds but were not allotted a seat, or those who wish to change their college choice, are eligible to register in this round.
The registration process requires you to log in with your NEET credentials, fill out the application form, upload required documents, and pay the counselling fee. Once you submit your registration, you will receive a confirmation. It is important to complete this step before the deadline, as late registrations are typically not accepted.
What is the choice-filling timeline for Round 3?
After registering, candidates can begin filling their college and course preferences from September 23, 2026. The choice-filling window remains open until September 28, 2026, giving you six days to rank your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference. During this period, you can modify your choices as many times as you wish before the final submission.
On September 28, the choice-filling window closes, and you must lock your final preferences. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed. The MCC will then process all submitted choices from September 28 to 29 to determine seat allotments based on your rank, category, and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges.
Complete Round 3 counselling schedule at a glance
The entire Round 3 process follows a structured timeline to ensure fair and transparent seat allocation. Below is the complete schedule that every NEET aspirant should bookmark and follow closely.
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Registration and Fee Payment | September 22–27, 2026 |
| Choice Filling and Locking | September 23–28, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Processing | September 28–29, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Result Released | September 30, 2026 |
| College Reporting and Admission | October 1–9, 2026 |
| Data Verification by Institutes | October 10, 2026 |
How to register for Round 3 counselling: step-by-step guide
The registration process is straightforward and can be completed online in a few minutes. Start by visiting the official MCC counselling website and clicking on the 'New Registration' option. You will then enter your NEET roll number and other login credentials to access your account.
Once logged in, fill out the registration form with your personal and academic details. Upload the required documents, which typically include your NEET admit card, scorecard, and category certificate (if applicable). After uploading documents, proceed to pay the counselling fee through the available payment gateway. Finally, review all information, submit your registration, and save your confirmation receipt for future reference.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click 'New Registration'
- Enter your NEET roll number and login credentials
- Fill the application form with accurate personal details
- Upload NEET scorecard, admit card, and category documents
- Pay the counselling registration fee online
- Submit and save your confirmation receipt
What happens after you fill your choices?
After the choice-filling window closes on September 28, the MCC begins processing all submitted preferences. The system uses a merit-based algorithm that considers your NEET rank, category, and the order in which you ranked colleges. Seats are allocated based on availability in each college and course combination.
The seat allotment result will be announced on September 30, 2026. You can check your allotment status on the MCC website using your login credentials. If you are allotted a seat, you will see the college name, course, and category under which the seat has been reserved for you.
College reporting: what you need to do after allotment
Once your seat allotment result is declared on September 30, you must report to your allotted college between October 1 and 9, 2026. Reporting means physically visiting the college to complete the admission formalities, including document verification, fee payment, and hostel registration if applicable. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.
Before reporting, gather all original documents such as your 10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET scorecard, category certificate, and any other documents specified by the college. Contact your allotted college in advance to confirm the exact reporting date, time, and location. Some colleges may have staggered reporting schedules, so do not assume a single date applies to all candidates.
What is the stray vacancy round and when does it begin?
After Round 3 counselling concludes and all candidates have reported to their colleges, some seats may remain vacant due to candidates not reporting or withdrawing. These vacant seats are filled through the stray vacancy round, which is the final opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat in any of the three main rounds.
Registration for the stray vacancy round will open on October 12, 2026. Before registering, candidates must check the seat matrix released by the MCC to see which colleges and courses have vacant seats available. The stray vacancy round typically has a shorter timeline and fewer seats, so candidates should be prepared to register and fill choices quickly if they wish to participate.
Important reminders for Round 3 counselling
Do not miss the registration deadline of September 27. Late registrations are not accepted, and you will be unable to participate in Round 3 if you miss this date. Set a reminder a few days before the deadline to ensure you complete registration on time.
When filling your choices, rank colleges strategically. Place colleges where you are confident of getting a seat higher in your preference list, and add colleges with lower cutoffs as backup options. Remember that your rank and category determine your eligibility for each seat, so be realistic in your rankings.
Keep your login credentials and confirmation receipts safe. You will need them to check your allotment result and for future reference. Do not share your password with anyone, and use a secure device when accessing the MCC website.
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
When does NEET UG Round 3 counselling registration close?
Registration for Round 3 counselling closes on September 27, 2026. You must complete your registration and fee payment by this date to be eligible for Round 3. No late registrations are accepted after the deadline.
Can I change my college choices after locking them on September 28?
No, once you lock your choices on September 28, 2026, you cannot modify them. You can change your choices as many times as you wish before the locking deadline, but after locking, your preferences are final and will be used for seat allotment.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result for Round 3 will be released on September 30, 2026. You can check your allotment status on the MCC website using your login credentials.
What is the last date to report to my allotted college?
The reporting period for Round 3 allotted candidates is October 1 to 9, 2026. You must report to your allotted college within this window. Failure to report may result in forfeiture of your seat.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to college?
Bring all original documents including your 10th and 12th mark sheets, NEET scorecard, admit card, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by your allotted college. Contact the college in advance to confirm the exact list of required documents.
If I don't get a seat in Round 3, can I participate in the stray vacancy round?
Yes, if you do not secure a seat in Round 3, you can register for the stray vacancy round, which opens on October 12, 2026. The stray vacancy round fills remaining vacant seats from colleges. Check the seat matrix released after Round 3 to see which seats are available.
Can I register for Round 3 if I already have a seat from Round 2?
Yes, you can register for Round 3 even if you have a seat from an earlier round. If you are allotted a better college or course in Round 3, you can upgrade. However, if you do not get allotted in Round 3, your earlier seat remains valid.
How do I know if I am eligible for Round 3 counselling?
You are eligible for Round 3 if you have a valid NEET score and have not been allotted a seat in earlier rounds, or if you wish to participate again to upgrade your college choice. Check the MCC website for the complete eligibility criteria and list of eligible candidates.
Mark your calendar: register by September 27, fill choices by September 28, and check your allotment result on September 30. Report to your college between October 1 and 9 to secure your MBBS or BDS seat. If you miss Round 3, the stray vacancy round opens on October 12 as your final opportunity.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.