Uttarakhand NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling: Eligibility, Dates & Application Process

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Uttarakhand Medical Education University (HNBUMU) has released the official instructions for Round 3 counselling of NEET UG 2026 for MBBS and BDS seats in Uttarakhand state-run and private medical colleges. This is the third and final round of centralised counselling for the 2026-27 admission season. Round 3 is open to candidates who did not register in earlier rounds, those who registered but received no seat, those who chose FLOAT in earlier rounds and wish to upgrade, and those who chose FLOAT/FREEZE but did not secure a seat. All applications must be submitted online only; candidates must file fresh choice preferences even if they registered before. The seat surrender deadline is 05 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. This notice sets out eligibility, fees, the complete application process, choice-filling rules, seat upgrade provisions, and important restrictions.

Who Can Apply for Round 3 Counselling

Round 3 counselling is open to five categories of candidates. First, candidates who did not register in Round 1 or Round 2 and now wish to participate in Round 3 for the first time. Second, candidates who registered in Round 1 or Round 2 but did not receive any seat allocation in those rounds. Third, candidates who registered in earlier rounds, had a seat allocated, chose FLOAT (floating option), and now wish to seek an upgrade in Round 3. Fourth, candidates who registered in earlier rounds, had a seat allocated, but chose neither FLOAT nor FREEZE and now wish to participate in Round 3 for seat allocation. Fifth, candidates who chose FLOAT or FREEZE in earlier rounds, secured their seat by completing admission formalities, but later abandoned that seat and now wish to participate in Round 3.

The key distinction is that Round 3 is not just for new applicants—it also allows candidates from earlier rounds to re-enter if they did not secure a seat, or to upgrade if they chose FLOAT. However, candidates who chose FREEZE and completed admission in earlier rounds, or who were allotted a seat through MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) India's Round 3 and completed admission, are NOT eligible for this round.

• Did not register in Round 1 or 2; now registering for the first time
• Registered in Round 1 or 2 but received no seat
• Registered, received a seat, chose FLOAT, and wish to upgrade
• Registered, received a seat, chose neither FLOAT nor FREEZE, and wish to participate
• Chose FLOAT/FREEZE in earlier rounds, abandoned the seat, and wish to re-enter

Who Is NOT Eligible for Round 3

Two categories of candidates are explicitly barred from Round 3. First, candidates who chose FREEZE in Round 1 or Round 2, completed the full admission process at their allocated institution within the prescribed time, and secured their admission. These candidates have already locked in their seat and cannot participate further. Second, candidates who were allotted a seat through MCC India's Round 3 counselling (the national-level round), completed the admission process within the prescribed time, and secured their admission. These candidates are also ineligible.

The logic is clear: if you have already completed admission at an institution in any earlier round (whether state or national), you cannot re-enter state counselling. This prevents double admissions and ensures seats go to candidates who have not yet secured a place.

• Chose FREEZE in Round 1 or 2 and completed admission at that institution
• Were allotted a seat through MCC India Round 3 and completed admission

Important Dates and Deadlines

The notice specifies one critical deadline: candidates can surrender their seat (withdraw from a previously allocated seat) only until 05 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. This applies only to candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and wish to abandon it to participate in Round 3. After 5:00 PM on 05 October 2026, no seat surrender will be permitted. The detailed schedule for Round 3 registration, choice filling, and allotment is to be published separately on the university website.

Candidates must monitor the university website www.hnbumu.ac.in regularly for the exact dates of online registration opening, the deadline for choice filing, and the date of seat allotment. The notice does not provide these specific dates in this document; they will be announced separately. However, the 05 October 2026 deadline for seat surrender is fixed and non-negotiable.

• Seat surrender deadline: 05 October 2026, 5:00 PM (only for candidates with earlier allocated seats)
• Round 3 registration, choice filing, and allotment dates: to be announced separately on www.hnbumu.ac.in

Registration and Payment Process (Online Only)

All registration and fee payments for Round 3 must be completed online only. The university will not accept offline or manual payments. Candidates must use Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking to pay both the registration fee and the caution deposit (security deposit). Even candidates who paid registration and caution deposit fees in earlier rounds must pay again for Round 3—there is no exemption or carryover of fees from previous rounds.

If a candidate registered in Round 1 or Round 2 and paid both fees, but now wishes to participate in Round 3, they must visit the university website www.hnbumu.ac.in, log in with their registered ID, and submit a fresh online application form with new choice filing. They will NOT be charged registration and caution deposit fees again for this fresh filing—only the new choice filing is required. However, if a candidate wishes to change their previously selected quota (State Quota to All India Open Quota, or vice versa), they must fill a new online application form selecting the new quota, and they must pay the full caution deposit amount again for the new quota. If the new caution deposit is higher than what was paid before, they must pay the difference. If it is lower, no refund is given at that time.

Any candidate wishing to make corrections or amendments to their application form during the registration period must pay a correction fee of ₹500 (five hundred rupees) online for each amendment. This includes corrections to choice filing and document uploads. Each amendment requires a fresh ₹500 payment. After each amendment, the previous application is automatically cancelled. Amendments via email or phone are not accepted. Candidates must print and securely retain a copy of their completed application form for future reference; all clarifications and case resolutions will be based on this printed copy.

• Payment method: Online only (Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking)
• Registration fee and caution deposit: must be paid online
• Candidates from earlier rounds: must file fresh choice form; no repeat fee for same quota
• Quota change: must pay full caution deposit for new quota; pay difference if higher, no refund if lower
• Amendments: ₹500 per amendment, paid online; previous application auto-cancelled after each amendment
• No email or phone amendments accepted

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Register and pay fees. Visit www.hnbumu.ac.in, complete the online registration form, and pay the registration fee and caution deposit online using your card or net banking. Step 2: Log in with your registered ID and fill the online application form with all required information. Step 3: Fill your choice preferences (seat choices) in order of priority. You can select as many seats as you wish from the available seats in your chosen quota (State Quota or All India Open Quota) and category. The seat matrix showing available seats by category and sub-category is available on the university website. Step 4: After filling all choices, click SAVE. Your choices are now saved but not yet submitted. Step 5: If you wish to make changes during the registration period, you can edit your saved choices. Step 6: Once you are satisfied with your choices, click SUBMIT. After submission, you can only make changes by paying the ₹500 amendment fee. Step 7: Print your completed application form and keep it safely.

Important: If you save your choices but do NOT submit them, the system will automatically submit them at the end of the registration period. However, if you do not even save your choices, you will be considered ineligible for Round 3 seat allotment. The notice strongly advises all candidates to save and submit their choices within the prescribed registration period. After submission, your previous choices from earlier rounds are automatically cancelled and will not be considered.

Candidates must understand that every eligible candidate participating in Round 3 must file fresh choices—there is no option to carry forward choices from earlier rounds. This is mandatory. If a candidate does not file fresh choices, they will not be eligible for seat allotment in Round 3.

• Visit www.hnbumu.ac.in and complete online registration
• Pay registration fee and caution deposit online
• Log in and fill the online application form
• Fill choice preferences in order of priority (as many as you wish)
• Click SAVE to save your choices
• Make edits if needed during registration period
• Click SUBMIT to finalize your choices
• Print and retain your application form
• If you save but don't submit, system auto-submits at deadline
• If you don't save at all, you are ineligible for Round 3

Choice Filling: Selecting Your Seats

When filling your choices, you can select from all available seats in your chosen quota (State Quota or All India Open Quota) and your category/sub-category. The seat matrix on the university website shows exactly how many seats are available in each category and sub-category at each institution. You are free to rank these seats in any order of preference. The counselling board will allot you a seat based on your merit rank, your eligibility, and your choice preferences in order of priority.

Important: The seat matrix may change as candidates from earlier rounds abandon seats or complete admissions. The matrix is updated regularly as seats become vacant. Therefore, the number of available seats shown in the matrix at the time you fill your choices may differ from the final number when allotment happens. Candidates are advised to check the seat matrix carefully, contact the relevant college for details on fees, bond requirements, seat recognition status, and other terms before finalizing their choices. The candidate alone is responsible for their choice of institution, seat, and course; the university and counselling board have no responsibility if a candidate is unhappy with their choice later.

Candidates must also note: if you are eligible for a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or other state-specific categories), you can select seats in that category. However, the number of available seats in each category is limited. If no eligible candidate applies for a reserved category seat, that seat may be converted to an unreserved seat as per rules. Therefore, candidates should select a reasonable range of seats across categories to maximize their chances of allotment.

• Select from all available seats in your quota and category
• Rank seats in order of preference
• Seat matrix updates as seats become vacant
• Check college fees, bonds, and recognition before finalizing choices
• You are solely responsible for your choice
• Reserved category seats may be converted if no eligible candidate applies

Seat Upgrade and FLOAT/FREEZE Options

Candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and chose FLOAT (floating option) can now seek an upgrade in Round 3 by filing fresh choices. If you chose FLOAT, your previous seat remains with you, but you can now apply for a better seat in Round 3. If you are allotted a new seat in Round 3, your old seat is vacated and given to the next eligible candidate. However, if you do not get a new seat in Round 3, your old FLOAT seat remains yours, and you must accept it.

Candidates who chose FLOAT but do not file fresh choices in Round 3 will keep their old seat. Candidates who chose FLOAT and file fresh choices but are not allotted a new seat in Round 3 must either freeze their old seat or surrender it. If you do not take action, your old seat will be frozen automatically.

Candidates who chose FREEZE in Round 1 or Round 2 and completed admission are NOT eligible for Round 3. Candidates who chose FREEZE but did NOT complete admission within the prescribed time will have their seat cancelled, but they can participate in Round 3 as a fresh applicant.

• FLOAT in earlier round + file fresh choices in Round 3 = eligible for upgrade
• If upgraded, old seat is vacated; if not upgraded, old seat remains
• FLOAT + no fresh choices in Round 3 = keep old seat
• FREEZE + completed admission = NOT eligible for Round 3
• FREEZE + did not complete admission = seat cancelled; can apply as fresh candidate in Round 3

Seat Surrender: How and When to Abandon Your Seat

If you were allotted a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and wish to abandon it to participate in Round 3, you must surrender your seat by 05 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. After this deadline, no seat surrender is permitted. The detailed procedure for seat surrender is available on the university website. Candidates must follow the prescribed process only; informal requests or phone calls will not be accepted.

Once you surrender your seat, your caution deposit (security deposit) will be forfeited and retained by the university as per rules. Your seat will be vacated and offered to the next eligible candidate in the waiting list. You will then be eligible to participate in Round 3 as a fresh applicant. However, if you do not complete the admission process at your new allotted seat in Round 3 within the prescribed time, your caution deposit will be forfeited entirely, and you will be barred from participating in any further counselling rounds (unless you register afresh with a new caution deposit).

Important: If you are allotted a seat in Round 3 but do not take admission, you cannot surrender it and re-enter later rounds. Once you are allotted a seat in Round 3, you must either accept it and complete admission, or abandon it permanently. The notice strongly advises candidates to carefully consider their choices before filing, as abandoning a seat after allotment has serious consequences.

• Deadline to surrender: 05 October 2026, 5:00 PM
• Procedure: follow prescribed process on university website only
• Caution deposit: forfeited upon surrender
• After surrender: eligible to participate in Round 3 as fresh applicant
• If you don't complete admission in Round 3: caution deposit forfeited, barred from further rounds
• No seat surrender permitted after 05 October 2026, 5:00 PM

Reservation and Category Eligibility

Candidates eligible for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or other state-specific categories) can claim these benefits in Round 3, subject to Uttarakhand state rules and the counselling date. Reservation is available only to candidates who are permanent residents of Uttarakhand state. Candidates from other states cannot claim Uttarakhand state-level reservations. To claim any reserved category benefit, candidates must upload a valid certificate issued by a competent authority of Uttarakhand state before the final date of Round 3 online application. Certificates issued after the application deadline will not be accepted.

OBC (Other Backward Class) certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue. As per Government Order No. 310/XVII-2/16-02 (OBC)/2012 dated 21-02-2016, an OBC certificate issued on a particular date remains valid only until three years from that date. Candidates are advised to check the validity of their OBC certificate carefully. Invalid or expired OBC certificates will not be accepted. SC/ST certificates do not have a validity period and remain valid indefinitely, provided they are issued by a competent authority.

Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates are issued as per Government Order No. 123/XXX(2)/2020-30(1)/2020 dated 29 April 2020 and the notification issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department. Only the most recent EWS certificate issued by a competent authority of Uttarakhand state will be accepted. Candidates claiming EWS benefit must ensure their certificate is current and valid.

Persons with Disability (PwD) candidates must obtain a medical certificate from a medical board nominated by the National Medical Commission. Candidates can contact the nominated medical board for any clarification. If no eligible candidate is available for a reserved category seat, that seat may be converted to an unreserved seat as per rules. Candidates are advised to select a reasonable range of seats to maximize their chances.

• Reserved categories: SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and state-specific categories
• Eligibility: permanent resident of Uttarakhand state only
• Certificate requirement: valid certificate from competent authority, issued before application deadline
• OBC certificate: valid for 3 years from date of issue; check validity carefully
• SC/ST certificate: valid indefinitely; no expiry
• EWS certificate: must be current and issued by competent authority
• PwD certificate: must be from National Medical Commission nominated medical board
• Certificates issued after application deadline: NOT accepted

Admission Process After Seat Allotment

Once you are allotted a seat in Round 3, you must complete the admission process at the allotted institution within the prescribed time. The detailed admission procedure will be published on the university website after the seat allotment list is released. You must appear in person at the allotted institution with all original documents and submit them as required. If you do not complete admission within the prescribed time, your seat will be cancelled, your caution deposit will be forfeited, and you will be barred from further counselling rounds.

All candidates allotted a seat must upload their academic and original documents (certificates, mark sheets, etc.) on the counselling portal and get them verified by the institution before the final admission date. Verification must be completed one day before the final admission date. Failure to upload and verify documents on time will result in ineligibility for admission.

• Appear in person at allotted institution with all original documents
• Complete admission within prescribed time
• Upload academic and original documents on counselling portal
• Get documents verified by institution before final admission date
• Verification must be completed one day before final date
• Failure to complete admission: seat cancelled, caution deposit forfeited, barred from further rounds

Seat Matrix and Institution-Wise Seat Availability

The seat matrix showing institution-wise seat availability by quota (State Quota, All India Open Quota, and NRI Quota) and category/sub-category is available on the university website at a dedicated link. This matrix is updated regularly as candidates from earlier rounds abandon seats or complete admissions. The matrix shows the exact number of available seats in each category at each institution at the time of publication. However, this number may change as seats become vacant or are filled.

Candidates must check the seat matrix carefully before finalizing their choices. The matrix is the official source of information on seat availability. Candidates are advised to contact the relevant college directly for information on fees, bond requirements, seat recognition status, and other institutional details before selecting that college in their choices.

• Seat matrix available on university website at dedicated link
• Shows seats by quota (State, All India Open, NRI) and category
• Updated regularly as seats become vacant
• Check matrix before finalizing choices
• Contact college directly for fees, bonds, recognition status

Fee Structure and Caution Deposit

The detailed fee structure for each institution participating in Round 3 counselling is available on the university website at a dedicated link. Each college has uploaded its complete fee details, including tuition fees, hostel fees, bond requirements, and other charges. Candidates must review these details carefully before selecting an institution in their choices. The university and counselling board are not responsible if a candidate is unhappy with the fees or terms of an institution they have chosen.

The caution deposit (security deposit) amount varies by institution and is separate from tuition fees. Candidates must pay the full caution deposit amount as specified for their chosen quota and institution. If a candidate changes their quota selection, they must pay the full caution deposit for the new quota. If the new amount is higher, they must pay the difference; if lower, no refund is given at the time of change. The caution deposit is refunded after the entire counselling process is complete, as per rules, to the bank account provided in the online application form.

• Fee structure: available on university website for each institution
• Includes tuition, hostel, bonds, and other charges
• Caution deposit: separate from tuition fees; varies by institution
• Pay full caution deposit for your quota and institution
• Quota change: pay full new caution deposit; pay difference if higher, no refund if lower
• Caution deposit refund: after counselling complete, to bank account on file

Frequently asked questions

All eligible candidates must register online at www.hnbumu.ac.in during the prescribed registration period, pay fees online, and file fresh choice preferences. The deadline to surrender seats from earlier rounds is 05 October 2026 at 5:00 PM. Monitor the university website regularly for exact dates of registration opening, choice filing deadline, and seat allotment. Print and retain your application form for future reference. Do not delay—register and file your choices within the prescribed period, or you will be ineligible for Round 3.