Punjab NEET UG 2026 3rd Round Counselling: Schedule, Fees & Eligibility

Punjab's Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has released the complete schedule for the 3rd round of NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS counselling. This is the final opportunity for candidates who did not secure a seat in Rounds 1 and 2, or who wish to upgrade to a better college. The 3rd round opens on 28 September 2026 and concludes with final allotment on 11 October 2026. Candidates must register, pay fees, submit willingness, fill choices, and join their allotted college by strict deadlines—missing any date will result in disqualification.

What is the 3rd Round and Who Should Apply?

The 3rd round is the final counselling round for MBBS and BDS seats in Punjab under NEET UG 2026. It is open to candidates who did not receive a seat in Rounds 1 or 2, candidates whose allotment was cancelled during document verification, and candidates already holding a seat who wish to upgrade to a better college.

This round fills all remaining vacant seats across government and private medical and dental colleges in Punjab. If you did not get a seat in earlier rounds, this is your last chance. If you already have a seat and want to try for a better one, you can participate—but if you join in the 3rd round, you cannot surrender or participate in any further round.

Important Dates: Timeline You Must Follow

The 3rd round follows a strict schedule. Every date is a hard deadline—missing even one will exclude you from that step. Below is the complete timeline from registration to joining.

Who Must Register Afresh and Who Does Not

Not all candidates need to register again. The university has divided candidates into two groups based on their status in earlier rounds. Understanding which group you belong to is critical—registering when you should not, or failing to register when you must, will disqualify you.

**Candidates who MUST register afresh:** (1) Anyone applying to the 3rd round for the first time. (2) Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 2 but did not join it. (3) Candidates whose Round 2 allotment was cancelled during document verification due to a category change or other reason. (4) Candidates who surrendered a Round 1 seat after the free-exit deadline and now hold no seat.

**Candidates who do NOT need to register afresh:** (1) Candidates already registered who received no seat in Rounds 1 or 2. (2) Candidates already registered and currently holding a seat from Round 1 or 2. These candidates only need to submit willingness and pay the security deposit—they do not pay registration fees again.

Registration Fees: What You Must Pay to Apply

If you are registering afresh, you must pay a registration fee through the University Payment Gateway. The fee depends on your category and includes 18% GST. This fee is non-refundable and is separate from the security deposit.

General category candidates (including OBC and other categories) pay ₹5,000 + 18% GST = ₹5,900. SC category candidates pay ₹2,500 + 18% GST = ₹2,950. Payment must be completed online during the registration window (28 Sept to 2 Oct 2026). If you do not pay within this window, your registration will not be accepted and you cannot proceed to the next step.

• General/Other Candidates: ₹5,900 (including 18% GST)
• SC Candidates: ₹2,950 (including 18% GST)
• Payment method: University Payment Gateway only
• Deadline: 2 October 2026

Security Deposit: The Amount You Must Lock In

After registration, you must submit willingness to participate in the 3rd round and deposit a security amount. This security amount is held by the university and is refunded only if you do not join a seat or if you join and later resign (subject to rules). The amount depends on which colleges you choose to apply for.

If you choose only government colleges, deposit ₹10,000. If you choose only private colleges, or if you choose both government and private colleges, deposit ₹2,00,000. SC, BC, and PwD candidates applying for government colleges only pay a reduced amount of ₹5,000. This deposit must be paid through the University Payment Gateway by 2 October 2026. Failure to pay will exclude you from the 3rd round entirely.

**Important:** If you were allotted a seat in Round 2 but did not join, you must pay the security deposit again for the 3rd round—you cannot reuse the deposit from Round 2. If you already paid a deposit in Round 2 and received no seat, you do not pay again; you only submit willingness.

• Government colleges only: ₹10,000
• Government colleges (SC/BC/PwD): ₹5,000
• Private colleges only: ₹2,00,000
• Government + Private colleges: ₹2,00,000
• Payment method: University Payment Gateway
• Deadline: 2 October 2026

Step-by-Step: How to Apply in the 3rd Round

The application process has clear steps. Follow them in order and meet every deadline. If you skip a step or miss a date, you will be excluded.

**Step 1 – Register (if required):** If you must register afresh, log in to the university counselling portal and complete your online registration form. Upload all required documents (NEET admit card, scorecard, 10th and 12th certificates, category certificate if applicable, etc.). Pay the registration fee through the payment gateway. This must be done between 28 Sept and 2 Oct 2026.

**Step 2 – Submit Willingness and Security Deposit:** After registration (or if you are not required to register), submit your willingness to participate in the 3rd round and deposit the security amount by 2 Oct 2026. Willingness means you are confirming you want to participate in this round.

**Step 3 – Verify Minority Status (if applicable):** If you are applying under Sikh Minority or Christian Minority quota, you must report in person to the respective minority institution for verification by 3 Oct 2026, 3:00 PM. If your minority status was already verified in Rounds 1 or 2, you do not need to verify again.

**Step 4 – Check Merit List and File Objections:** The provisional merit list will be displayed on 4 Oct 2026. Review it carefully. If there is an error in your name, score, category, or other details, submit an objection by 5 Oct 2026, 4:00 PM. Objections received after this time will not be considered.

**Step 5 – Fill Your Choices:** Between 6–7 Oct 2026, log in to the counselling portal and fill your course (MBBS or BDS), college, quota, and category preferences in order of preference. You can list as many colleges as you wish. The system will allot you the highest-ranked college for which you are eligible based on your merit and choices.

**Step 6 – Check Allotment and File Objections:** On 10 Oct 2026, your provisional allotment will be displayed. Check which college and course you have been allotted. If there is an error, submit an objection in person at the Admission Branch, BFUHS, Faridkot, by 11 Oct 2026, 3:00 PM. Objections by email or post will not be accepted.

**Step 7 – Pay Balance Fee and Join:** After the final allotment is declared on 11 Oct 2026, you have until 14 Oct 2026 to pay the balance fee (six months' fees minus the security deposit already paid) through the University Payment Gateway and report to your allotted college to complete joining formalities. If you do not join by 14 Oct 2026, your seat will be cancelled and you will forfeit your security deposit.

Eligibility: Who Can Participate in the 3rd Round

Not every candidate is eligible for the 3rd round. The university has defined four groups of eligible candidates and three groups of ineligible candidates. You must fall into an eligible group to receive a seat.

**Eligible candidates (Group I):** Registered candidates who did not receive any seat allotment in Rounds 1 or 2. (Group II) Registered candidates whose Round 2 allotment was cancelled during document verification due to a category change or other reason, and who remain eligible after forfeiture of security. (Group III) Candidates who joined a seat in Round 2 and are now seeking upgradation by participating in the 3rd round. (Group IV) Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 2 but did not join and have surrendered it after forfeiture of security.

**Ineligible candidates:** (1) Candidates who have become ineligible due to non-fulfilment of eligibility criteria (e.g., NEET score below cutoff, missing required documents, invalid category certificate). (2) Candidates who have not registered in any round (Rounds 1, 2, or 3). (3) Candidates rendered ineligible under Government of Punjab notifications or university rules.

Critical Traps: What Gets Your Application Rejected

Several common mistakes will result in rejection or disqualification. Be aware of these traps:

**Trap 1 – Surrendering a joined seat after the deadline:** If you joined a seat in Round 1 or 2 and want to surrender it to participate in the 3rd round, you must submit your surrender application directly to the Principal of your college by 28 Sept 2026, 2:00 PM. Applications sent to the university by email, post, or any other mode will not be accepted. If you miss this deadline, you cannot participate in the 3rd round.

**Trap 2 – Not registering when required:** If you were allotted a seat in Round 2 but did not join, you must register afresh for the 3rd round and pay the registration fee again. If you try to participate without registering, you will be excluded.

**Trap 3 – Missing the willingness deadline:** Even if you register, you must submit willingness and pay the security deposit by 2 Oct 2026. If you do not, your candidature will not be considered for the 3rd round, regardless of your registration.

**Trap 4 – Paying the wrong security deposit:** If you choose both government and private colleges, you must pay ₹2,00,000. If you pay only ₹10,000 (for government only), your willingness will not be valid for private colleges. Verify your choice and deposit amount carefully.

**Trap 5 – Submitting objections after the deadline:** Objections to the merit list must be filed by 5 Oct 2026, 4:00 PM. Objections to the allotment must be submitted in person at the Admission Branch by 11 Oct 2026, 3:00 PM. Any objection received after these times will be rejected.

**Trap 6 – Not joining by the deadline:** You must pay the balance fee and report to your allotted college by 14 Oct 2026. If you do not join by this date, your seat will be cancelled and your security deposit will be forfeited. There is no extension.

**Trap 7 – Joining and then trying to surrender:** Once you join a seat in the 3rd round, you cannot surrender it or participate in any further counselling round. This is final. Choose your college carefully before joining.

Special Quotas: NRI, Minority, and BDS Seats

The 3rd round includes seats under special quotas. If you are eligible for any of these, you must follow additional steps.

**NRI Quota:** If you are an NRI candidate, you must submit a separate Eligibility Certificate application form and an Admission Application Form for NRI candidates. Both forms are available on the university website. The deadline for NRI quota applications is 1 Oct 2026, 2:00 PM. Note that the Eligibility Certificate form and Admission Application Form are two separate documents—you must submit both.

**Sikh Minority and Christian Minority Quotas:** If you are applying under Sikh Minority quota, you must report to Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Amritsar, for minority status verification. If you are applying under Christian Minority quota, report to Christian Minority Medical College, Ludhiana. The verification deadline is 3 Oct 2026, 3:00 PM. If your minority status was already verified in Rounds 1 or 2, you do not need to verify again. If you registered under minority quota in earlier rounds but were not verified, you can now get verified for the 3rd round.

**BDS Leftover Seats:** If there are not enough candidates for BDS seats, the university may consider candidates who are not eligible for the 85% state quota. This is automatic—you do not need to apply separately.

Changing Your Willingness: Can You Switch from Government to Private?

Yes, you can change your willingness after submitting it, but only before the deadline and only by paying an additional security deposit if required. If you initially chose 'Government Colleges only' and later want to change to 'Government & Private Colleges' or 'Private Colleges only', you must pay the differential security amount through the University Payment Gateway. For example, if you paid ₹10,000 for government only and now want both government and private, you must pay an additional ₹1,90,000 (total ₹2,00,000). The revised willingness becomes effective only after successful payment and submission within the prescribed time. You cannot change your willingness after the deadline (2 Oct 2026).

What Happens After You Join: No Surrender, No Further Rounds

This is critical: once you join a seat allotted in the 3rd round, you are locked in. You cannot surrender the seat, resign, or participate in any further counselling round. This is different from Rounds 1 and 2, where you had the option to resign and participate in the next round. In the 3rd round, joining is final. Therefore, before you join, make sure you are satisfied with the college and course allotted to you. If you are unsure, do not join—let the seat go to the next candidate. But once you join, there is no going back.

Documents You Will Need

When you register, you will need to upload several documents. Have these ready before you start your application. The university will verify these documents during the counselling process. Missing or invalid documents can result in rejection or cancellation of your allotment.

Required documents include: NEET UG 2026 admit card, NEET scorecard (official), 10th standard certificate or mark sheet, 12th standard certificate or mark sheet, category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC/PwD), minority certificate (if applying under minority quota), NRI certificate (if applying under NRI quota), and any other document specified by the university. Ensure all documents are clear, legible, and in the format specified by the university. If a document is invalid or missing, your allotment can be cancelled during verification.

Frequently asked questions

The 3rd round is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat in Punjab. Start by checking whether you need to register afresh or only submit willingness. Register and pay fees by 2 October 2026 if required. Submit willingness and security deposit by the same date. Fill your college choices between 6–7 October. Check your allotment on 10 October and file any objections by 11 October, 3:00 PM. Finally, pay your balance fee and join your college by 14 October 2026. Missing any deadline will disqualify you. Act now.