The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in Chennai has released the seat matrix for Tamil Nadu's third and final state-quota counselling round for NEET UG 2026. This matrix shows all vacant MBBS and BDS positions across government and private medical and dental colleges in the state after the second round of allotments. If you are a NEET aspirant with a rank between GR 001 and GR 3625 (or NEET marks between 599 and 177), this is your last opportunity to secure a state-quota seat before the mop-up stage begins. Missing the registration deadline of September 30, 2026 at 5 PM will exclude you from this round entirely.
Register for Tamil Nadu Round 3 NEET UG counselling by September 30, 2026 at 5 PM on tnmedicalselection.net if your rank falls within GR 001–GR 3625; choice filling runs October 1–9, and seat allotment is October 12.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the Tamil Nadu Round 3 Seat Matrix and why does it matter?
The seat matrix is a detailed breakdown of all vacant MBBS and BDS positions remaining after Round 2 counselling across all four categories of colleges: government medical, government dental, self-financing medical, and self-financing dental institutions. It shows college-wise and category-wise vacancy counts, including special category reserves and the 7.5% horizontal reservation for Tamil Nadu government school students.
Round 3 is critical because it is the final state-quota counselling phase. Any seats not filled in this round typically move to the mop-up (stray vacancy) stage, where competition and choice flexibility are often reduced. For candidates in the eligible rank band, this round represents the last realistic chance to secure a seat under state quota before the process shifts to all-India quota or mop-up filling.
Who is eligible to register for Tamil Nadu Round 3 counselling?
Eligibility for Round 3 is strictly defined by rank and marks range. Candidates must fall within the general rank (GR) band of GR 001 to GR 3625, or have scored between 599 and 177 marks in NEET UG 2026. Only candidates within this notified window can register; those outside this band will not be permitted to participate, regardless of their overall NEET performance.
The Selection Committee has confirmed that the eligibility window applies uniformly across both MBBS and BDS courses. If you are unsure whether your rank or marks fall within the eligible range, check the official notification on tnmedicalselection.net before attempting to register.
Key dates and deadlines for Round 3 counselling
The counselling timeline is compressed and non-negotiable. Registration closes on September 30, 2026 at 5 PM—this is a hard deadline, and late submissions will not be accepted. The Selection Committee has explicitly advised candidates not to wait until the final hours, as the portal typically experiences heavy traffic near the deadline, which can cause login delays and submission failures.
After registration, choice filling (the process of ranking and selecting your preferred colleges and courses) runs from October 1 to October 9, 2026. You must lock in your choices within this window. The final seat allotment result will be published on October 12, 2026. Plan your college research and preference list well in advance so you can complete choice filling without rushing.
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- Registration deadline: September 30, 2026, 5 PM
- Choice filling window: October 1–9, 2026
- Seat allotment result: October 12, 2026
Documents you must have ready before registering
Before you begin the registration process, gather all required documents and ensure they are in good condition and match the details in your NEET application. Any mismatch or missing document can delay or block your verification during the allotment stage, potentially costing you a seat.
Keep the following documents accessible: your NEET UG 2026 admit card and rank letter (essential for verification), Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a recent passport-size photograph, a valid identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, or driving licence), a community certificate if you belong to a reserved category, and a nativity certificate if you are claiming Tamil Nadu domicile. Scan or photograph these documents in advance so you can upload them quickly during registration.
- NEET UG 2026 admit card and rank letter
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Recent passport-size photograph and identity proof
- Community certificate (if applicable)
- Nativity certificate for Tamil Nadu domicile claim
Step-by-step guide to registering for Round 3
Registration is conducted entirely online through the official portal. Start by visiting tnmedicalselection.net and logging in using the same credentials (username and password) you created during earlier counselling rounds. If you have forgotten your login details, use the 'Forgot Password' option to reset them.
Once logged in, the system will display your NEET rank and marks. Confirm that you fall within the eligible range for Round 3. Next, you will be prompted to pay the applicable counselling fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. After payment, upload any pending documents (such as your nativity certificate or community certificate if you have not already submitted them) and review your registration form carefully before submitting. Do not submit until you are certain all information is correct.
- Visit tnmedicalselection.net and log in with your counselling credentials
- Verify your Round 3 eligibility based on rank and marks
- Pay the Round 3 counselling fee online
- Upload any pending documents
- Review and submit your registration form
Understanding the seat matrix: how to find colleges and vacancies
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The seat matrix is published in the Notifications section of tnmedicalselection.net and is organized by college type and category. You can view vacancies for government medical colleges, government dental colleges, self-financing medical colleges, and self-financing dental colleges separately. Within each category, the matrix breaks down available seats by course (MBBS or BDS) and by reserved category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.).
Use the matrix to identify which colleges have vacancies in your preferred course and category. Note that the matrix reflects the position after Round 2 allotments, so these are the seats actually available for Round 3. Cross-reference this with your rank to estimate your realistic chances at each college. Remember that the 7.5% horizontal reservation for Tamil Nadu government school students is already reflected in the matrix, so if you are eligible for this reservation, check the relevant column.
How to approach choice filling and preference ranking
Choice filling is your opportunity to rank colleges and courses in order of preference. The allotment algorithm will attempt to assign you the highest-ranked college on your list for which you are eligible based on your rank and category. Rank colleges strategically: place your safest options (colleges where your rank is well within the cutoff) at the top, followed by moderate options, and then aspirational choices at the bottom.
Research each college's infrastructure, faculty, placement record, and location before finalizing your list. You have from October 1 to October 9 to make changes to your choices, so do not rush. Many candidates benefit from consulting college rankings, speaking to current students, and reviewing previous year's cutoffs for each institution. Lock your final preference list only when you are confident in your ranking.
What happens after seat allotment on October 12?
On October 12, 2026, the Selection Committee will publish the Round 3 seat allotment result on tnmedicalselection.net. Log in to check whether you have been allotted a seat and, if so, which college and course. The result will also specify the joining date and any documents you must bring to the college for final admission.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college by the specified date to complete admission formalities (fee payment, hostel registration, etc.). If you are not allotted a seat in Round 3, you may be eligible for the mop-up round, depending on your rank and the availability of remaining vacancies. Watch the official portal for mop-up notifications after Round 3 allotment.
Why Round 3 is your last state-quota opportunity
Tamil Nadu's counselling process follows a three-round state-quota model. After Round 3, any remaining vacant seats typically move to the mop-up (stray vacancy) stage, where the selection process is often less transparent and candidates have fewer choices. Additionally, seats not filled in state quota may be reallocated to all-India quota or remain unfilled.
For candidates in the eligible rank band (GR 001–GR 3625), missing Round 3 means losing access to a large pool of state-quota seats. The mop-up round usually has far fewer vacancies and operates under different rules. Therefore, if you are eligible for Round 3, registering and participating is strongly advisable, even if you are uncertain about your chances at specific colleges.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 3 counselling?
The registration deadline is September 30, 2026 at 5 PM. This is a hard deadline; no registrations will be accepted after this time. The Selection Committee advises candidates to register well before the deadline to avoid portal congestion and technical issues.
What is the eligible rank range for Tamil Nadu Round 3 counselling?
Candidates with a general rank (GR) between GR 001 and GR 3625, or NEET marks between 599 and 177, are eligible for Round 3. Only candidates within this notified band can register. If your rank or marks fall outside this range, you will not be permitted to participate in this round.
How many MBBS and BDS seats are available in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu has a total of 8,063 MBBS seats and 1,859 BDS seats across all colleges (government and self-financing). The Round 3 seat matrix shows only the vacant positions remaining after Round 2 allotments, not the total seats.
When can I fill my choice of colleges and courses?
Choice filling runs from October 1 to October 9, 2026. You must rank your preferred colleges and courses within this window. After October 9, you will not be able to modify your choices, so finalize your preference list carefully before the deadline.
What documents do I need to upload during registration?
You must have your NEET UG 2026 admit card and rank letter, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a recent passport-size photograph, a valid identity proof, a community certificate (if applicable), and a nativity certificate for Tamil Nadu domicile claim. Ensure all documents match the details in your NEET application to avoid delays during verification.
When will the Round 3 seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result will be published on October 12, 2026 on tnmedicalselection.net. Log in to check whether you have been allotted a seat and the details of your allotted college and course.
What happens if I don't get a seat in Round 3?
If you are not allotted a seat in Round 3, you may be eligible for the mop-up (stray vacancy) round, depending on your rank and the availability of remaining vacancies. Watch tnmedicalselection.net for mop-up notifications after Round 3 allotment. Mop-up rounds typically have fewer seats and operate under different selection rules.
Is Round 3 the final counselling round in Tamil Nadu?
Yes, Round 3 is the final state-quota counselling round. After this, any remaining vacant seats move to the mop-up stage. This makes Round 3 your last opportunity to secure a state-quota seat with full choice and transparency. Missing this round significantly reduces your options.
If you are eligible for Tamil Nadu Round 3 counselling, register immediately on tnmedicalselection.net before September 30, 2026 at 5 PM. Study the seat matrix carefully, prepare your preference list, and lock your choices between October 1 and 9. Check the allotment result on October 12 and follow the college's joining instructions promptly.
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