Tamil Nadu's third and final round of NEET UG counselling for MBBS and BDS admissions is now underway. Candidates who have registered and qualified must submit and lock their college and course preferences by 2 PM on October 9, 2026. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) will process these choices and announce seat allotment results on October 12. This round covers all remaining vacant seats across 36 state medical colleges, 3 state dental colleges, and multiple self-financing institutions under both the 92.5% State Quota and 7.5% Government School Preferential Quota. Missing the choice-locking deadline or the college reporting date will result in forfeiture of your seat and security deposit.
Lock your Round 3 choices by October 9, 2 PM on tnmedicalselection.net, and report to your allotted college by October 14, 5 PM, or lose your seat.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is Tamil Nadu Round 3 Counselling and Who Can Apply?
Round 3 is the final counselling phase for NEET UG candidates seeking MBBS or BDS seats in Tamil Nadu medical and dental colleges. This round is open to all registered and qualified NEET UG candidates who wish to participate in fresh choice filling for vacant seats that remain after Rounds 1 and 2.
The round covers admissions under two quota systems: the 92.5% State Quota (for Tamil Nadu domicile candidates) and the 7.5% Government School Preferential Quota (for students who studied in government schools). Seats are available across government medical colleges, government dental colleges, and self-financing private medical and dental institutions recognised by the state.
Complete Timeline for Round 3: Key Dates You Must Know
The entire Round 3 process follows a strict schedule. Choice filling and locking opened on October 1, 2026, and candidates have until October 9, 2026, at 2 PM to submit and lock their preferences. After the deadline, the DMER will process all submitted choices on October 10 and 11.
Seat allotment results will be released on October 12, 2026. Candidates can download their allotment orders between October 12 and 14. The most critical deadline is October 14, 2026, at 5 PM — this is the last moment to report to your allotted college. Any candidate who fails to report by this time will forfeit their seat and security deposit according to state exit rules.
- Seat matrix and vacancy list: Already released
- Choice filling window opens: October 1, 2026
- Choice locking deadline: October 9, 2026 (2 PM)
- Seat allotment processing: October 10–11, 2026
- Allotment result announcement: October 12, 2026
- Allotment order download window: October 12–14, 2026
- College reporting and joining deadline: October 14, 2026 (5 PM)
How to Fill and Lock Your Choices: Step-by-Step Process
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Begin by visiting the official Tamil Nadu medical selection portal at tnmedicalselection.net. Navigate to the UG Courses section and select the MBBS/BDS Round 3 Admission option. Log in using your Application Number (or Login ID) and password, then enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number or email address.
If you are a new user or returning after a previous round, you will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee: Rs. 500 for candidates applying under the Government Quota, or Rs. 1,000 for those applying under the Management Quota. After payment, download the official Round 3 seat matrix to see which colleges and courses have vacant seats.
In the choice-filling module, select the colleges and courses (MBBS or BDS) you wish to apply to from the provided list. Arrange your selections in strict order of preference — place your most preferred college and course at position 1, your second choice at position 2, and so on. You can add as many choices as you wish; the system will match you to a seat based on your NEET UG rank, category, and seat availability.
Save your changes frequently to avoid losing data. Once you are satisfied with your list, click the 'Lock Choices' button. The system will send an OTP to verify your preferences — enter this OTP to confirm the lock. Finally, print a copy of your locked choice summary sheet and keep it with you for college reporting.
Why Filling Multiple Choices Matters for Your Seat Allotment
Many candidates make the mistake of filling only one or two choices, thinking they will be allotted their top preference. In reality, seat allotment is a computerised process that depends on three factors: your NEET UG rank, your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges and courses.
If your rank and category do not qualify you for your first choice, the system will automatically check your second choice, then your third, and so on. By filling as many choices as possible in descending order of preference, you maximise your chances of receiving an allotment. Candidates who fill only one choice risk not being allotted any seat if that single college has no vacancy for their rank and category.
Important Guidelines Before You Submit Your Choices
Before finalising your choices, verify the latest Round 3 vacancy list on the official portal. This list shows exactly which colleges and courses have seats available under both the 92.5% State Quota and the 7.5% Government School Preferential Quota. Using outdated or incorrect vacancy information could lead to wasted choices.
Remember that choices not explicitly locked by the October 9, 2 PM deadline will automatically freeze in their last saved state. This means if you have unsaved changes or have not clicked 'Lock Choices', your preferences may not be processed as you intended. Do not rely on automatic saving — always manually lock your choices before the deadline.
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If you are allotted a seat in Round 3, you must report to the college in person by October 14, 2026, at 5 PM. Failure to report will result in automatic forfeiture of your seat and any security deposit you have paid. There are no extensions or exceptions to this deadline.
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?
Once the choice-locking deadline passes on October 9 at 2 PM, the DMER will begin processing all submitted preferences. This processing takes place over October 10 and 11. During this time, the system runs an algorithm that matches each candidate to a seat based on their rank, category, and choice order.
On October 12, the allotment results will be published. You can log in to the portal and download your allotment order, which will specify the college, course (MBBS or BDS), and seat category you have been assigned. If you have been allotted a seat, you must download your allotment order between October 12 and 14, and then report to the college by October 14 at 5 PM with all required documents.
What Colleges and Seats Are Available in Round 3?
Round 3 covers all remaining vacant seats after Rounds 1 and 2. This includes seats in 36 state medical colleges, 3 state dental colleges, and several self-financing private medical and dental colleges recognised by Tamil Nadu. The seats are distributed across both the 92.5% State Quota (for Tamil Nadu residents) and the 7.5% Government School Preferential Quota.
The exact number and location of vacant seats vary depending on how many candidates accepted seats in earlier rounds. This is why the official vacancy matrix is released before choice filling — it gives you the most accurate picture of what is available. Always consult this matrix before deciding which colleges to include in your choice list.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Round 3 Choice Filling
One of the most common errors is filling choices in random order rather than in strict preference order. The allotment algorithm processes your choices sequentially from position 1 downward. If you place a less-preferred college at position 1 and a more-preferred college at position 5, you may be allotted the less-preferred college even if you would have qualified for the more-preferred one.
Another mistake is not saving changes frequently while editing your choice list. If your internet connection drops or the browser crashes before you save, you could lose all your work. Save after every few changes, and always lock your choices well before the deadline — do not wait until the last minute.
Candidates also sometimes fail to download and print their locked choice summary sheet. This document is proof of what you submitted and is useful during college reporting. Additionally, some candidates miss the college reporting deadline because they assume they have more time after the allotment result is announced. Remember: you have only 2 days (October 12–14) to report after the result is released.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to lock my choices for Tamil Nadu Round 3 NEET UG counselling?
The last date to lock your choices is October 9, 2026, at 2 PM. After this deadline, no further changes will be accepted. Choices that are not explicitly locked will automatically freeze in their last saved state.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment results be announced?
The seat allotment results will be released on October 12, 2026. You can download your allotment order from the official portal (tnmedicalselection.net) between October 12 and 14, 2026.
What is the deadline to report to my allotted college?
You must report to your allotted college by October 14, 2026, at 5 PM. If you fail to report by this deadline, you will forfeit your seat and any security deposit you have paid. There are no extensions.
How many choices can I fill in Round 3?
You can fill as many choices as you wish. There is no upper limit. It is recommended to fill as many choices as possible in descending order of preference to maximise your chances of receiving an allotment.
Do I need to pay a registration fee to participate in Round 3?
Yes, if you are a new user or returning user, you must pay a non-refundable registration fee: Rs. 500 for candidates applying under the Government Quota, or Rs. 1,000 for those applying under the Management Quota.
What should I do if I am not allotted a seat in Round 3?
If you are not allotted a seat in Round 3, you will not be eligible for further counselling rounds in Tamil Nadu. Round 3 is the final round. You may explore options in other states or consider private medical colleges outside Tamil Nadu.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No, once you lock your choices by clicking the 'Lock Choices' button and verifying with the OTP, you cannot make any changes. Ensure your choices are in the correct order of preference before locking.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to the college?
While the source does not specify all required documents, you should bring your allotment order printout, NEET UG admit card, mark sheet, identity proof, and any other documents mentioned in the allotment order or college notification. Contact your allotted college for a complete list.
If you are eligible for Tamil Nadu Round 3 counselling, act now: log in to tnmedicalselection.net, fill your choices in strict preference order, and lock them before October 9 at 2 PM. Download your allotment order on October 12 and report to your college by October 14 at 5 PM to secure your MBBS or BDS seat.
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