Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Choice Filling portal has been officially opened by the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Tamil Nadu on its official website at tnmedicalselection.net. Candidates who completed their online registration and fee payment can now log in to the counselling dashboard to select, rearrange, and lock their preferred medical and dental college choices. The choice filling window remains active from October 1, 2026 (02:00 PM) until October 9, 2026 (05:00 PM), with the official seat allotment result scheduled for release on October 12, 2026.
Latest status — verified on October 1, 2026: DMER Tamil Nadu has activated the Round 3 online choice filling and locking portal on tnmedicalselection.net. Eligible candidates can enter and prioritize college choices across Government Quota, 7.5% Government School Quota, and Management/NRI Quotas until October 9, 2026 (05:00 PM).
Round 3 is the most critical stage for medical admissions in Tamil Nadu. It offers the final major opportunity to secure MBBS and BDS seats in Government Medical Colleges, Self-Financing Medical Colleges, and private universities before the stray vacancy round. Aspirants can evaluate cutoff trends and closing ranks across Tamil Nadu colleges using our All India College Predictor Hub or seek personalized guidance from expert mentors.
Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling Schedule
The Selection Committee DMER Tamil Nadu oversees the centralized online admission process for 85% State Quota seats and 100% Management Quota seats. Below is the confirmed official schedule for Round 3:
| Counselling Event / Milestone | Official Schedule / Timestamp | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 3 Online Registration and Payment | September 28 to September 30, 2026 (05:00 PM) | Completed / Historical |
| Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Choice Filling Start | October 1, 2026 (02:00 PM) | Active (Open Now) |
| Last Date for Choice Filling and Locking | October 9, 2026 (05:00 PM) | Active Window |
| Processing of Seat Allotment | October 10 to October 11, 2026 | Scheduled |
| Declaration of Provisional Seat Allotment Result | October 12, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Download of Provisional Allotment Order | October 13, 2026 onwards | Scheduled |
| Last Date for Physical College Reporting | October 14, 2026 (05:00 PM) | Scheduled |
| Last Content Revision / Verification Date | October 1, 2026 | Confirmed Official |
Step-by-Step Guide for Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 3 Choice Filling
Entering and ordering your college choices correctly is essential to maximize your admission chances. Follow this step-by-step procedure on the official portal:
- Visit the Official Portal: Open your browser and go to tnmedicalselection.net or tnhealth.tn.gov.in.
- Access the Choice Filling Link: Click on the link titled Online Choice Filling for MBBS/BDS Degree Courses 2026-2027 Session (Round 3).
- Login with Credentials: Enter your registered AR Number / Application Number, Password, and Captcha code.
- Review the Vacant Seat Matrix: Inspect the live seat matrix showing available seats across Government Medical Colleges, Self-Financing Medical Colleges, and private dental colleges.
- Add and Rearrange Choices: Add colleges to your preference list. Use the move-up and move-down buttons to arrange colleges strictly in order of your actual preference.
- Lock Your Choices: After reviewing your list carefully, click on Lock Choices. Enter the One Time Password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number to confirm choice locking.
- Download Choice Slip: Print and save a copy of your locked choice slip for your records.
Quota-Wise Seat Distribution and Security Deposit Rules
Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling covers four distinct seat categories, each governed by specific reservation guidelines and financial requirements:
| Quota Category | Participating Colleges / Seats | Security Deposit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Government Quota (GMC Seats) | 85% State Quota in Government Medical and Dental Colleges | No security deposit for GMCs (Registration fee only) |
| Government Quota (Self-Financing) | Government Quota seats in Private Self-Financing Medical Colleges | ₹30,000 (Exempted for SC, SCA, ST, and low-income candidates) |
| 7.5% Preferential Government School Quota | Reserved seats for students from Tamil Nadu State Government Schools | 100% Fee Waiver (Full government tuition and hostel support) |
| Management / Minority / NRI Quota | Management and NRI seats in Private Self-Financing Medical Colleges | ₹1,00,000 refundable security deposit |
Important Choice Filling Rules for Upgradation and Fresh Candidates
The Selection Committee enforces specific guidelines for Round 3 to maintain transparency and prevent seat hoarding:
- Upgrade Rules for Round 2 Joined Candidates: Candidates who joined their Round 2 allotted college and submitted their willingness for upgradation during Round 3 registration are eligible to fill higher-preference choices. If a higher choice is allotted in Round 3, the Round 2 seat is automatically cancelled. If no upgrade occurs, the Round 2 seat is retained safely.
- Mandatory Choice Locking: Candidates must lock their choices before 05:00 PM on October 9, 2026. If choices are not locked, the system will not consider them for seat allocation.
- No Free Exit in Round 3: If a candidate is allotted a seat in Round 3 and fails to join the allotted college by October 14, 2026, their security deposit will be forfeited, and they will be barred from participating in subsequent rounds.
- Choice Limit: Candidates can fill as many choices as they wish from the available matrix. Filling more choices improves your chances of securing a seat.
Top Tamil Nadu Government and Private Medical Colleges Overview
Candidates can refer to the leading medical colleges in Tamil Nadu when ordering their preference lists:
| Medical College Name | Location / District | Annual Tuition Fee (Govt Quota) |
|---|---|---|
| Madras Medical College (MMC) | Chennai | ₹13,610 per annum |
| Stanley Medical College (SMC) | Chennai | ₹13,610 per annum |
| Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) | Chennai | ₹13,610 per annum |
| Coimbatore Medical College | Coimbatore | ₹13,610 per annum |
| Madurai Medical College | Madurai | ₹13,610 per annum |
| Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College | Salem | ₹13,610 per annum |
| PSG Institute of Medical Sciences (Self-Financing) | Coimbatore | ₹4,50,000 per annum (Govt Quota) |
| KMCH Institute of Health Sciences (Self-Financing) | Coimbatore | ₹4,50,000 per annum (Govt Quota) |
Strategic Tips for Locking Your Round 3 Preference List
To avoid common mistakes during choice filling, follow these practical recommendations:
- Put Dream Colleges on Top: Always place your most preferred colleges at the top of your list, regardless of previous round cutoffs. The allotment algorithm checks choices from rank 1 downward.
- Verify College Fee Structures: Make sure you understand the difference between Government Quota fees (₹4.5 Lakh to ₹4.7 Lakh per year) and Management Quota fees (₹13.5 Lakh to ₹15 Lakh per year) in self-financing institutions before adding them.
- Do Not Add Unwanted Colleges: Because Round 3 does not offer a free exit, never add a college where you are not willing to join and pay fees.
- Seek Expert Admission Mentorship: For assistance with college preference ordering, cutoff estimation, and fee optimization, you can Book a Free Admission Counselling Session with our senior medical advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Choice Filling
Q1: When does the Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Choice Filling start?
Answer: Online choice filling opens on October 1, 2026, at 02:00 PM on the official portal tnmedicalselection.net.
Q2: What is the last date to fill and lock choices for Tamil Nadu Round 3?
Answer: The choice filling and locking window closes on October 9, 2026, at 05:00 PM.
Q3: When will the Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 3 seat allotment result be declared?
Answer: The Selection Committee will declare the Round 3 provisional seat allotment result on October 12, 2026.
Q4: Is choice locking mandatory for seat allocation?
Answer: Yes, candidates must lock their choices using the mobile OTP before the deadline. Unlocked choices will not be processed for allotment.
Q5: What happens if I get upgraded to a new college in Round 3?
Answer: Your previous Round 2 seat will be automatically cancelled and offered to another candidate. You must collect your original certificates from your Round 2 college and report to your newly allotted institute before October 14, 2026.
Q6: Is there a free exit option in Round 3 of Tamil Nadu medical counselling?
Answer: No, there is no free exit in Round 3. If a candidate is allotted a seat and fails to join, their security deposit will be forfeited.
Q7: What is the security deposit for Self-Financing Medical Colleges in Tamil Nadu?
Answer: The security deposit is ₹30,000 for Government Quota seats in Self-Financing colleges and ₹1,00,000 for Management Quota seats. SC, SCA, ST, and eligible low-income candidates are exempt from this deposit.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Tamil Nadu
- Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when the counselling authority publishes a new official notification or revised schedule. Last updated on October 1, 2026.