UP NEET 2026 Round 3 Counselling: Key Dates & Registration Deadlines

The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (DGME) in Uttar Pradesh has announced the official timetable for the third round of online counselling under NEET UG 2026. This round will allocate state quota seats in MBBS and BDS programmes across government and private medical and dental colleges in the state. If you are a NEET aspirant awaiting a seat in UP, this schedule is critical — it sets firm deadlines for registration, fee payment, choice submission, and final seat allotment. Missing even one deadline can exclude you from this round.

What is Round 3 counselling and who should apply?

Round 3 is the third phase of seat allocation in the UP NEET UG 2026 counselling process. It is open to candidates who either did not secure a seat in earlier rounds or wish to upgrade to a better college or course. This round covers state quota seats — these are reserved for candidates within Uttar Pradesh and are distinct from all-India quota seats managed separately.

Both MBBS and BDS aspirants are eligible to participate. The counselling applies to seats in government medical colleges, government dental colleges, and private medical and dental institutions recognised by the state. If you have already been allotted a seat in Round 1 or 2 and are satisfied with it, you do not need to register for Round 3 unless you wish to attempt an upgrade.

Registration and fee payment deadlines for Round 3

Registration for Round 3 opened on October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM and will close on October 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM. This is a tight window — you have just over two days to complete your online registration on the official DGME portal. Ensure you have your NEET admit card, roll number, and other required documents ready before you begin.

Alongside registration, you must pay the registration fee and security deposit. The fee payment window also opened on October 26 at 5:00 PM but remains open one hour longer than registration — until 3:00 PM on October 28. This one-hour buffer is important: you can register by 2:00 PM and still have until 3:00 PM to pay. However, do not rely on this buffer; complete both steps as early as possible to avoid technical delays or server congestion.

• Registration opens: October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Registration closes: October 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
• Fee payment window: October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM to October 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM
• Both registration and fee payment must be completed to remain eligible

Merit list declaration and choice-filling window

The merit list for Round 3 will be declared on October 28, 2026. This list will show which candidates are eligible for seat allotment based on their NEET score, category, and other qualifying criteria. Once the merit list is published, eligible candidates will be invited to fill their preferences for MBBS and BDS seats.

The choice-filling window opens on October 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM (immediately after the merit list is declared) and remains open until October 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. During this period, you must rank the colleges and courses you wish to be considered for, in order of preference. The counselling algorithm will then match your preferences with available seats based on your merit rank and category. Submitting your choices on time is mandatory; candidates who do not fill choices will not be allotted a seat in this round.

• Merit list declared: October 28, 2026
• Choice-filling opens: October 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Choice-filling closes: October 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Choices are ranked in order of preference

Seat allotment result and admission process timeline

After the choice-filling window closes, the DGME will process all preferences and generate the seat allotment result. This result will be declared on November 2, 2026. On this date, you will be able to log in to the counselling portal and check whether you have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college and course you have been assigned.

Once the allotment result is published, the admission process begins. From November 3 to November 7, 2026, allotted candidates must download their allotment letter and complete the admission formalities at their assigned college. This typically includes document verification, fee payment to the college, and hostel registration if applicable. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.

• Seat allotment result declared: November 2, 2026
• Allotment letter download and admission: November 3–7, 2026
• Candidates must report to their assigned college within the deadline
• Late reporting may lead to seat cancellation

Complete Round 3 counselling schedule at a glance

Below is the full timetable for UP NEET 2026 Round 3 counselling. Keep this schedule saved on your phone or printed at home so you do not miss any deadline.

How to prepare for Round 3 registration

Before registration opens, gather all required documents. You will need your NEET UG 2026 admit card, roll number, date of birth, category certificate (if applicable), and valid contact details. Have your bank account or payment method ready for fee payment. Check that your mobile number and email address registered with NEET are current, as the DGME will send updates and allotment notifications to these addresses.

Visit the official DGME Uttar Pradesh website or the counselling portal well before October 26 to familiarise yourself with the registration interface. If you have any doubts about eligibility or the process, contact the DGME helpline or visit their office in person. Do not wait until the last day to register; server congestion and technical issues are common during final hours, and you risk missing the deadline.

• Gather NEET admit card, roll number, and category certificate
• Ensure your contact details (mobile, email) are up to date
• Arrange payment method in advance
• Familiarise yourself with the portal before registration opens
• Register early to avoid last-minute technical issues

What happens if you miss a deadline?

The DGME strictly enforces all deadlines. If you do not register by 2:00 PM on October 28, you will not be eligible for Round 3. Similarly, if you register but do not pay the fee by 3:00 PM on the same day, your registration will be cancelled. If you miss the choice-filling window (closes October 31 at 5:00 PM), you will not be considered for seat allotment in this round.

If you miss Round 3, you may be eligible for a subsequent round (Round 4 or later) if the DGME announces one. However, there is no guarantee that further rounds will be held, and the number of available seats decreases with each round. It is therefore critical to meet all deadlines in Round 3 if you wish to secure a seat in this counselling cycle.

• Missing registration deadline: ineligible for Round 3
• Missing fee payment deadline: registration cancelled
• Missing choice-filling deadline: no seat allotment in this round
• Future rounds may not be available or may have fewer seats

Understanding state quota seats and college options

Round 3 allocates state quota seats, which are reserved for candidates domiciled in Uttar Pradesh. If you are a UP resident, you are eligible for these seats. State quota seats are typically more abundant than all-India quota seats and may offer better chances of admission, especially in government colleges. However, competition remains high, and your final allotment depends on your NEET rank, category, and the preferences you submit.

During choice-filling, you will see a list of all participating government and private medical and dental colleges in UP with available seats in MBBS and BDS. Research each college's reputation, location, infrastructure, and placement record before ranking them. Remember that your rank and category determine which colleges you are eligible for; the algorithm will not allot you a seat in a college where your rank does not qualify, regardless of your preference.

• State quota seats are reserved for UP domiciled candidates
• Both government and private colleges participate
• Research colleges before filling choices
• Your rank and category determine eligibility for each college
• Preferences are matched by the counselling algorithm

Frequently asked questions

Mark all these dates on your calendar immediately and set phone reminders for each deadline. Registration and fee payment close on October 28 — do not delay. After the merit list is declared, you will have just three days to fill your choices, so research colleges and prepare your preference list in advance. Missing any deadline will exclude you from this round.