MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling official schedule, eligibility guidelines, and seat matrix verification details have been published by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on its official portal at mcc.nic.in. With the reporting process for Round 2 concluded on September 18, 2026, participating medical colleges and dental institutes will verify the tentative vacant seat matrix on September 21, 2026. Online registration and fee payment for Round 3 will open on September 22, 2026, and remain active until September 27, 2026, up to 6:00 PM. Choice filling begins on September 23, 2026, with the final seat allotment result releasing on September 30, 2026.
Latest status — verified on September 20, 2026: MCC has concluded Round 2 joining and set September 21, 2026, for institute seat matrix verification. Fresh registration and fee payment for Round 3 start on September 22, 2026, on the official portal.
Quick Facts: MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling
The table below provides a quick overview of all verified dates and facts for MCC NEET UG Round 3 admissions.
| Counselling Stage | Official Verified Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS, Government of India |
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG 2026) |
| Courses Covered | MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing |
| Quotas Included | 15% All India Quota (AIQ), 100% Deemed/Central Universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, AFMC |
| Seat Matrix Verification by Institutes | September 21, 2026 |
| Round 3 Registration Window | September 22 to September 27, 2026 (Up to 6:00 PM) |
| Fee Payment Facility Deadline | September 27, 2026 (Up to 8:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling Window | September 23 to September 28, 2026 (Up to 12:00 Noon) |
| Choice Locking Timing | September 27 (7:00 PM) to September 28, 2026 (12:00 Noon) |
| Seat Allotment Result Date | September 30, 2026 |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted Colleges | October 1 to October 9, 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round Start Date | October 12, 2026 |
| Official Portal Link | mcc.nic.in |
| Last Verified Date | September 20, 2026 |
Source: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) Official Timetable 2026
Understanding MCC NEET UG Round 3: What Is It?
Round 3 of MCC counselling is the final regular centralized allotment round before the Stray Vacancy round. It fills remaining vacant MBBS and BDS seats across all government medical colleges under 15% All India Quota (AIQ), AIIMS institutes, JIPMER, Central Universities (BHU, AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia), ESIC medical colleges, and Deemed Universities.
Round 3 is crucial for students who did not get a seat in Round 1 or Round 2, as well as students who joined a Round 2 college and opted for seat upgradation. It is also open for fresh applicants who did not participate in earlier rounds.
Unlike earlier rounds, Round 3 carries strict exit and penalty rules. Candidates must make thoughtful choices because rejecting an allotted seat in Round 3 leads to forfeiture of your security deposit and disqualification from the subsequent Stray Vacancy round.
Who Is Eligible for MCC NEET UG Round 3 Counselling?
MCC has defined clear eligibility categories for Round 3 participation. Check your status below:
Eligible Candidates:
- Group A (Unallotted Registered Candidates): Candidates who registered in Round 1 or Round 2 but were not allotted any seat in either round. They do not need to pay any fresh registration fee.
- Group B (Upgradation Candidates): Candidates who joined their allotted seat in Round 2 and submitted their willingness for upgradation to Round 3 on the MCC portal.
- Group C (Free Exit or Forfeited Candidates): Candidates who opted for Free Exit in Round 1, or who were allotted a seat in Round 2 but did not join (forfeiting their security deposit). These candidates can participate by submitting fresh registration and paying the security deposit again.
- Group D (Fresh Candidates): Candidates who never registered in Round 1 or Round 2. They can complete fresh registration and pay the required fees during the Round 3 window.
Ineligible Candidates:
- Candidates who joined their allotted seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and did not opt for upgradation.
- Candidates who have already joined a seat in State Quota counselling and whose names are in the joined candidate database shared by state counselling authorities with MCC.
- Candidates who were debarred from counselling due to rule violations in previous years.
MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Seat Matrix and Vacancy Types
The tentative seat matrix is officially verified by participating institutions on September 21, 2026, and published on the MCC portal before choice filling begins. The vacant seats in Round 3 consist of two types of vacancies:
| Vacancy Type | What It Means | How It Works in Allotment |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Vacancy | Seats that have never been allotted, newly approved medical seats, or seats vacated due to candidate non-joining in Round 2. | These seats are 100% open for allotment to any eligible candidate based on merit rank and category. |
| Virtual Vacancy | Seats currently occupied by candidates who joined in Round 2 but applied for an upgrade in Round 3. | These seats only become available for allotment if the holding candidate gets upgraded to a higher preference seat in Round 3. |
Source: MCC Information Bulletin Guidelines
Candidates can also check seat matrix developments across state medical admissions, such as the West Bengal NEET UG Seat Allotment Guidelines and Haryana NEET UG Round 2 Allotment Rules. For AYUSH courses like BAMS and BHMS, review the AACCC AYUSH Counselling Seat Matrix.
Registration Fee and Security Deposit for Round 3
Candidates registering freshly in Round 3 or re-registering after seat forfeiture in Round 2 must pay the online counselling fees:
| Institution Type / Quota | Category | Non-Refundable Fee | Refundable Security Deposit | Total Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% AIQ / Central Universities / ESIC | UR / EWS | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 11,000 |
| 15% AIQ / Central Universities / ESIC | SC / ST / OBC / PwD | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 | Rs 5,500 |
| Deemed Universities | All Categories | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 | Rs 2,05,000 |
Source: MCC Official Fee Schedule
Step-by-Step Registration and Choice Filling Process for Round 3
Follow these steps to complete your Round 3 participation smoothly:
- Visit Official Website: Open mcc.nic.in and click on the UG Medical Counselling tab.
- Candidate Login / New Registration: If registering freshly, click on New Candidate Registration and enter your NEET UG Roll Number, Application Number, Name, and Date of Birth. If already registered, log in with your credentials.
- Pay Counselling Fees: Fresh applicants must complete online fee payment using net banking, credit card, debit card, or UPI.
- Review Seat Matrix: Study the official institute-wise vacant seat matrix published on the portal.
- Fill Choices: All participating candidates must fill fresh choices. Old choices from Round 1 and Round 2 do not carry forward. Select colleges in strict order of your preference.
- Lock Choices: Lock your choices between September 27 (7:00 PM) and September 28 (12:00 Noon). If you do not lock choices manually, the system auto-locks your last saved options at the deadline.
Strict Round 3 Rules You Must Know Before Locking Choices
MCC implements strict rules in Round 3 to prevent seat blocking. Understanding these rules is vital for every aspirant:
- Mandatory Fresh Choice Filling: Choices entered during Round 1 or Round 2 are completely wiped out. If you do not enter choices during the Round 3 window, no seat will be allotted to you.
- No Free Exit: There is no free exit in Round 3. If you are allotted a college in Round 3 and you choose not to join, your refundable security deposit will be forfeited.
- Debarment from Stray Vacancy Round: If a seat is allotted to you in Round 3 and you do not join, you will be disqualified from participating in the Stray Vacancy round.
- Automatic Cancellation of Previous Seat on Upgradation: If a candidate holding a Round 2 seat gets upgraded in Round 3, their Round 2 seat is automatically cancelled and allotted to another candidate. The candidate cannot claim their old seat back under any circumstances.
- Relieving Process: Upgraded candidates must physically obtain their original documents and relieving letter from their Round 2 college and report to their newly allotted Round 3 college within the reporting window (October 1 to October 9, 2026).
Complete Timetable: MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round
| Event / Stage | Official Schedule | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification by Participating Institutes | September 21, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 3 Fresh Registration and Payment Window | September 22 to September 27, 2026 (Registration till 6:00 PM, Payment till 8:00 PM) | Upcoming |
| Round 3 Choice Filling Window | September 23 to September 28, 2026 (Till 12:00 Noon) | Upcoming |
| Round 3 Choice Locking Facility | September 27 (7:00 PM) to September 28, 2026 (12:00 Noon) | Upcoming |
| Seat Allotment Processing | September 28 to September 29, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment Result Publication | September 30, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted Medical Colleges | October 1 to October 9, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Verification of Joined Data by Institutes & Sharing with MCC | October 10 to October 11, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Stray Vacancy Round Commencement | October 12, 2026 | Upcoming |
Source: MCC Official Revised Counselling Timetable 2026
Required Documents for Physical Reporting in Round 3
When reporting to the allotted medical or dental college between October 1 and October 9, 2026, candidates must carry the following original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies:
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card issued by NTA.
- NEET UG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Letter.
- MCC Round 3 Provisional Seat Allotment Letter.
- Class 10 Certificate and Marks Sheet (for Date of Birth verification).
- Class 12 Marks Sheet and Passing Certificate.
- Eight passport-size photographs (same as uploaded on NEET application).
- Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License).
- Category Certificate (SC / ST / OBC / EWS / PwD) in prescribed central format, if applicable.
- Relieving Letter and Fee Receipt from previous college (mandatory for upgraded candidates).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When does registration for MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 start?
Answer: Online registration and fee payment for MCC NEET UG Round 3 opens on September 22, 2026, on the official portal at mcc.nic.in. The registration window closes on September 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM, while the payment facility remains active until 8:00 PM.
Q2: Do I need to fill fresh choices in Round 3 if I participated in Round 2?
Answer: Yes, fresh choice filling is mandatory for all candidates in Round 3. Previous choices filled in Round 1 or Round 2 are automatically cleared and will not be considered. You must submit and lock a new choice list between September 23 and September 28, 2026.
Q3: Is there a Free Exit option in MCC Round 3 counselling?
Answer: No, there is no free exit in Round 3. If a seat is allotted to you in Round 3 and you do not join the allotted institute, your security deposit will be forfeited, and you will be barred from participating in the Stray Vacancy round.
Q4: Can candidates who joined a Round 2 seat apply for upgradation in Round 3?
Answer: Yes, candidates who joined their allotted seat in Round 2 and opted for willingness to upgrade on the MCC portal are eligible to participate in Round 3 fresh choice filling.
Q5: What happens to my Round 2 seat if I get upgraded in Round 3?
Answer: If you receive an upgraded seat in Round 3, your previous Round 2 seat is automatically cancelled and allotted to the next candidate. You must collect your documents and relieving letter from the Round 2 college and report to the Round 3 college.
Q6: When will the MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 seat allotment result be declared?
Answer: The official seat allotment result for Round 3 will be published on September 30, 2026, on mcc.nic.in. Shortlisted candidates can download their provisional allotment letters from the portal.
Q7: What is the reporting deadline for Round 3 allotted colleges?
Answer: Candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 must complete physical reporting, document verification, and admission formalities at their designated institutes between October 1, 2026, and October 9, 2026.
Q8: When is the tentative seat matrix verified by participating institutes?
Answer: Participating medical and dental colleges verify the tentative seat matrix on September 21, 2026, following which the clear and virtual vacancy list is released on the official portal.
Q9: How much is the security deposit for Deemed Universities in Round 3?
Answer: Candidates applying for Deemed University MBBS and BDS seats must pay a refundable security deposit of Rs 2,00,000 along with a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 5,00,000.
Q10: When will the MCC Stray Vacancy Round begin?
Answer: The Stray Vacancy Round is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026, to fill any remaining vacant seats after Round 3 joining is completed.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) Official Website (mcc.nic.in)
- MCC NEET UG 2026 Revised Online Counselling Schedule and Scheme
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when the counselling authority publishes a new official notification or revised schedule.