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Counselling Rounds

MCC AIQ counselling runs in four phases. Each round has its own registration window, choice-filling period, allotment result, and reporting deadline.

LiveVerified Apr 2026Per SC direction SLA(C) No. 10487/2021

Round 3 lock-in rule — read before you decide

Joining in Round 3 means no further participation in any round of counselling — including the Stray Vacancy round. If you join a seat in Round 3, that is your final seat. You cannot use the Stray Vacancy round to upgrade.

Source: MCC Information Bulletin 2026 · SC direction SLA(C) No. 10487/2021

Round-by-round flow

1

Round 1

First seat allotment based on NEET UG merit, choices filled, and category.

  1. 1Register and pay registration fee on MCC portal
  2. 2Fill and lock college and course choices
  3. 3MCC processes allotment — seat allotment result published
  4. 4Report to allotted college within deadline OR retain seat for Round 2 (if option available)

Candidates can: (a) join allotted seat, (b) retain seat and participate in Round 2 for upgrade.

Round 1 is open to all eligible NEET UG 2026 qualifiers.

2

Round 2

Upgrade round. Candidates who retained their Round 1 seat can get a better allotment. Fresh candidates can also participate.

  1. 1Candidates who retained Round 1 seat re-fill choices
  2. 2New registrations may be allowed (check MCC bulletin)
  3. 3Seat allotment published — candidates may get same or better seat
  4. 4Join allotted college OR retain for Round 3 (if allowed)

Candidates can upgrade to a better seat or retain previous seat.

Runs typically 2–3 weeks after Round 1 results.

3

Round 3 — Mop-up

Final regular round. Seats left vacant after Round 1 and Round 2 are filled here.

  1. 1Candidates who did not join any seat in previous rounds can participate
  2. 2Candidates from Round 2 who retained seat can upgrade here
  3. 3Fill and lock choices — allotment result published
  4. 4Joining in Round 3 is FINAL — no further participation in any round

JOINING IN ROUND 3 MEANS NO FURTHER PARTICIPATION IN ANY ROUND OF COUNSELLING — INCLUDING STRAY VACANCY ROUND. This is a binding lock-in per MCC Information Bulletin and SC direction SLA(C) No. 10487/2021.

Candidates must report to allotted college within the deadline.

SV

Stray Vacancy Round

Seats left vacant after all three regular rounds are filled in a single-day stray vacancy process.

  1. 1Only candidates who did NOT join any seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 are eligible
  2. 2Physical reporting at designated centre on a fixed date
  3. 3Seats allotted on the spot based on merit and availability
  4. 4Joining is compulsory — no further rounds after this

Last opportunity to fill remaining seats. Very limited seats available.

Candidates who joined a seat in Round 3 are NOT eligible for the Stray Vacancy round.

Date and venue announced by MCC after Round 3.

Upgrade rules

  • Round 1 → Round 2: Candidates who retain their Round 1 seat can participate in Round 2 for a better allotment. If they get a better seat they can join it; if not, their Round 1 seat may be retained (check current bulletin).
  • Round 2 → Round 3: Candidates who retain their Round 2 seat can participate in Round 3 mop-up for an upgrade.
  • Round 3 → Stray Vacancy: NOT allowed. Joining in Round 3 is a lock-in — no further upgrade.
  • Stray Vacancy is the last stage — no upgrades after this.

Exact upgrade rules may vary year to year — always refer to the MCC Information Bulletin for the current year.

MCC Information Bulletin 2026 — Round Schedule & Rules

Source: Medical Counselling Committee, MoHFW · Published Apr 2026 · EduPath verified Jun 2026

Visit official source

Round dates are announced by MCC each year. This page describes the structure based on MCC Information Bulletin 2026 and Supreme Court direction SLA(C) No. 10487/2021. Always check mcc.nic.in for current-year schedules.