MCC has published the revised NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule covering Round 3 and the online stray vacancy round. Round 3 registration is scheduled from September 22 to September 27, choice filling from September 23 to September 28, and the Round 3 allotment result for September 30. MCC has also set a separate Round 1 and Round 2 seat-resignation window ending at 6 PM on September 18 for eligible Freeze and Float candidates.
Eligible Freeze/Float candidates: deadline September 18 at 6 PM.
September 22–27, 2026.
September 23–28, 2026.
Scheduled for September 30, 2026.
What should NEET UG candidates do now?
If you hold a joined Round 1 or Round 2 seat and want to leave it, first check whether MCC’s September 18 resignation facility applies to your status. MCC’s current notice covers eligible Freeze and Float candidates and sets a 6 PM September 18 deadline with forfeiture of the security deposit.
If you are continuing in counselling instead, prepare for Round 3 registration from September 22 and choice filling from September 23. Candidate-specific eligibility depends on your current MCC allotment and admission status.
Round 1 and Round 2 resignation deadline: September 18 at 6 PM
MCC’s UG News & Events page now lists a notice for resignation of Freeze and Float candidates of Round 1 and Round 2. Current reporting on that notice says the resignation or seat-withdrawal facility runs from 3:30 PM on September 17 until 6 PM on September 18, 2026, with forfeiture of the security deposit.
The facility is not a general cancellation route for every candidate. It applies to the candidate states specified by MCC, including Freeze candidates and Float candidates who were not upgraded.
- Freeze candidates: current reporting on the MCC notice says they must physically report to the allotted institute to resign.
- Float candidates who were not upgraded: current reporting says they should use their MCC account to complete the withdrawal and generate the Seat Withdrawal slip online.
- Proof matters: the MCC-linked instructions say the resignation letter or withdrawal slip must be generated through the prescribed process; otherwise the resignation can be treated as invalid.
- Security deposit: resignation during this window is with forfeiture of the security deposit.
- Seat claim: once the seat is validly resigned or withdrawn, the candidate should not assume any continuing claim over that seat.
Because this is an irreversible admission action, candidates should verify the live MCC account state and the official notice before resigning.
NEET UG 2026 Round 3 schedule
| Round 3 stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Verification of tentative seat matrix | September 21, 2026 |
| Registration and fee payment | September 22–27, 2026 |
| Registration closes | September 27, 3 PM |
| Payment facility closes | September 27, 6 PM |
| Choice filling | September 23–28, 2026 |
| Choice locking | September 27, 7 PM to September 28, 12 noon |
| Processing of seat allotment | September 28–29, 2026 |
| Round 3 allotment result | September 30, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted institute | October 1–9, 2026 |
| Verification of joined-candidate data | October 10, 2026 |
NEET UG 2026 stray vacancy round schedule
| Stray vacancy stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and fee payment | October 12–14, 2026 |
| Choice filling | October 12–15, 2026 |
| Choice locking | October 14, 4 PM to October 15, 10 AM |
| Processing of seat allotment | October 15–16, 2026 |
| Stray vacancy result | October 17, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted institute | October 19–26, 2026 |
Round 2 reporting ends on September 18
MCC’s UG counselling portal lists the Round 2 final result and the Round 2 reporting stage. The published schedule places the reporting and joining window through September 18, with verification of joined-candidate data scheduled for September 19.
Candidates who are joining an allotted Round 2 seat should follow their allotment letter, institute instructions and current MCC account state rather than waiting for Round 3.
Who should watch Round 3?
Round 3 is the next scheduled MCC counselling stage after Round 2. Whether a particular candidate can participate, retain an existing seat, seek upgradation or take another counselling action depends on the candidate’s current allotment and admission status under MCC rules.
Do not infer your eligibility from another candidate’s case. Use your MCC account, the revised Information Bulletin and the current counselling notices for your exact status.
When does Round 3 registration start?
Registration and fee payment are scheduled to open on September 22. Registration is scheduled to close at 3 PM on September 27, while the payment facility remains available until 6 PM on September 27.
Candidates should complete registration and payment sufficiently before the deadline rather than relying on last-minute portal access.
When does Round 3 choice filling start?
Round 3 choice filling is scheduled from September 23 to September 28. Choice locking is scheduled from 7 PM on September 27 until 12 noon on September 28.
Choice filling and choice locking are separate stages. Candidates should verify that the final preference list shown in their MCC account matches the choices they intend to submit.
For the distinction between filled, saved, manually locked and system-locked choices, see the existing ThePulseSignal guide: MCC choice filling and locking.
When will the Round 3 result be released?
MCC’s revised schedule places processing of Round 3 seat allotment on September 28 and 29, followed by the Round 3 allotment result on September 30.
Candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 are scheduled to report to their allotted institute from October 1 through October 9. Verification of joined candidates is scheduled for October 10.
What is the online stray vacancy round?
MCC has also published dates for the online stray vacancy round after Round 3. Registration and payment are scheduled from October 12 to October 14, with choice filling available through October 15.
The stray vacancy allotment result is scheduled for October 17, followed by institute reporting from October 19 to October 26.
Do Round 2 choices automatically carry into Round 3?
Candidates should not assume that an earlier-round preference list automatically controls Round 3. MCC has scheduled a separate Round 3 choice-filling and locking period, so participating candidates should follow the current Round 3 workflow shown in their MCC account.
What if you already hold an MCC seat?
Your next step depends on your current seat, reporting status and the applicable upgradation, retention, resignation or later-round participation rules. Do not surrender or ignore an existing allotment based only on a future Round 3 date.
If you are considering the September 17–18 resignation facility, confirm that your Freeze or Float status is within the MCC notice and complete the required withdrawal process before the stated deadline. Use the current MCC candidate account, allotment letter and counselling rules before taking an irreversible admission action.
State NEET UG counselling is separate
This article tracks the national MCC UG counselling lifecycle. State counselling authorities maintain separate schedules, portals, seat matrices and candidate actions.
Maharashtra candidates can use the existing Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2026 guide.
Karnataka candidates dealing with the KEA process can use the existing KEA NEET counselling guide.
Official MCC sources
- MCC UG Medical Counselling portal
- MCC UG Current Events
- MCC UG counselling schedules
- MCC UG News & Events
Verification method
ThePulseSignal checked MCC’s UG Medical Counselling portal, Current Events page, schedule index and UG News & Events page on September 18, 2026. MCC lists the UG AIQ Counselling Schedule 2026 Round 2, 3 and 4 dated September 14 and a current notice for resignation of Freeze and Float candidates of Round 1 and Round 2.
The resignation notice is corroborated by current reporting that places the window from September 17 at 3:30 PM through September 18 at 6 PM, with security-deposit forfeiture and separate completion steps for Freeze and Float candidates.
Last verified: September 18, 2026.
Limitations & unresolved facts
- Candidate eligibility for Round 3, the stray vacancy round or the resignation facility depends on individual counselling and admission status.
- The MCC candidate account and current official notices control candidate-specific actions.
- State counselling schedules remain separate from MCC’s All India counselling process.
- MCC can issue revised schedules or notices that supersede the dates listed here.
- The resignation action is irreversible for the surrendered seat and should be completed only after checking the candidate’s current status and MCC instructions.
Bottom line
MCC’s next major AIQ stage is Round 3 beginning September 22, but candidates holding a joined Round 1 or Round 2 seat should first check whether the September 18 resignation deadline affects them. Round 3 choice filling starts September 23, the allotment result is scheduled for September 30, and the online stray vacancy round follows in October.
