NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 choice filling has started today, September 23, 2026, giving eligible candidates another chance to secure a preferred medical or dental seat through the MCC counselling process. Candidates can now fill and arrange their college and course choices for Round 3.
As per the MCC schedule, choice filling will continue until September 28, 2026, at 12 noon. The Round 3 seat allotment result will be announced on September 30, followed by institute reporting from October 1 to October 9, 2026.
With the choice-filling window now open, candidates should check the deadlines carefully and arrange their preferences in the right order. A small mistake at this stage can create unnecessary confusion later, so it is better to complete the process carefully rather than wait for the last moment.
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NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3: What Is the Latest Update?
The MCC Round 3 counselling process is now underway, with registration having opened on September 22, 2026. Candidates who are eligible for this round can complete the required registration and fee payment before the respective deadlines.
The important point is that registration, choice filling and choice locking are separate stages. Completing registration does not automatically submit a candidate’s college and course preferences. Candidates must complete each stage separately within the applicable time.
For Round 3, choice filling is open from September 23 to September 28, 2026, until 12 noon. MCC will process the seat allotment on September 28 and 29, with the Round 3 allotment result scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Candidates should therefore keep track of each stage instead of treating the entire counselling process as a single step.
Official MCC UG Medical Counselling Portal
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 Important Dates
| Counselling Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification | September 21, 2026 |
| Registration & Fee Payment | September 22–27, 2026 |
| Registration Last Time | September 27, 3:00 PM |
| Fee Payment Last Time | September 27, 6:00 PM |
| Choice Filling | September 23–28, 2026 |
| Choice Locking | September 27, 7:00 PM – September 28, 12:00 Noon |
| Seat Allotment Processing | September 28–29, 2026 |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment Result | September 30, 2026 |
| Reporting at Allotted Institute | October 1–9, 2026 |
| Joined Candidates Data Verification | October 10, 2026 |
These dates are based on the MCC counselling schedule. Candidates should still check the official MCC portal before completing any counselling step in case a revised notice or schedule is issued.
Choice Filling and Locking: Last Date, Process & Important Points
Candidates can submit their college and course preferences until September 28, 2026, at 12 noon. Before submitting the choices, candidates should carefully check the college name, course, seat preference and the order in which they have arranged their options.
Choice filling and choice locking are two separate steps. After arranging the preferences, candidates should review the complete list and use the choice-locking facility available from September 27 at 7 PM until September 28 at 12 noon.
It is advisable not to wait until the last few minutes to complete the process. Heavy traffic on the counselling portal, slow internet or technical issues can cause unnecessary delays near the deadline.
Once the choices have been finalized and locked, candidates should keep a screenshot or copy of their submitted preference list for future reference. This can be useful if they need to check their choices later during the seat allotment process.
NEET UG Round 3 Seat Allotment Result: When Will It Be Released?
The Round 3 seat allotment process will be conducted on September 28 and 29, 2026, according to the MCC schedule. The allotment result is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2026.
Candidates will be able to check their allotment status by logging into the MCC counselling portal after the result is published.
Candidates who receive a seat will then have to complete the required admission and reporting formalities at the allotted institute. The reporting period for Round 3 is scheduled from October 1 to October 9, 2026.
Candidates should keep their required documents ready in advance so that the reporting process can be completed within the specified period.
What Courses Are Covered in Round 3 Counselling?
Under NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3, the MCC UG counselling framework covers applicable MBBS, BDS and B.Sc Nursing seats.
The counselling process includes eligible seats under the 15% All India Quota, along with participating AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities, Deemed Universities and AFMC, as applicable under the MCC framework.
However, the options available to a candidate can vary based on eligibility, category, participating institutes and the available seat matrix. Candidates should check the current seat matrix to understand which colleges and courses are actually available to them before finalizing their preferences.
How to Fill Choices for Round 3?
Candidates can complete their choices through the official MCC counselling portal. The basic process is:
- Visit the official MCC website.
- Open the UG Medical Counselling section.
- Log in using the registered credentials.
- Select the Round 3 choice-filling option.
- Check the available colleges and courses.
- Add the options you want to consider.
- Arrange the selected choices in your preferred order.
- Make sure all required options have been added.
- Lock the choices during the designated locking window.
- Save the confirmation or submitted choice list for future reference.
Candidates should avoid selecting colleges or courses randomly. The final list should reflect the options they would genuinely consider if allotted.
Official MCC UG Counselling Schedule
Important Things to Check Before Choice Filling
Before submitting choices in NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3, candidates should take a little time to review their preferences instead of adding colleges randomly. A few simple checks can help avoid mistakes later.
Check the latest seat matrix: Look at the seats available for the colleges and courses you are considering and make sure the options are relevant to your requirements.
Compare your preferred colleges: Consider factors such as the course, location, college facilities and other details that matter to you before deciding the order of your choices.
Remove unwanted options: Go through your list carefully and remove any college or course that you would not actually consider accepting.
Check the details carefully: Make sure there are no accidental selections, duplicate preferences or wrongly chosen courses before submitting the final list.
Keep a copy of your choices: Save the final preference list after submission. Having a personal record can make it easier to refer back to your selections during the later stages of counselling.
Do Previously Registered Candidates Need Fresh Registration?
Whether a candidate needs to register again depends on their previous participation and current counselling status.
Candidates who participated in earlier rounds but did not receive a seat generally need to follow the applicable Round 3 instructions and submit fresh choices. Candidates who did not participate earlier, or candidates whose previous allotment falls under specific MCC rules, may have different requirements.
Because individual situations can differ, candidates should check their own status through the MCC portal instead of relying on another candidate’s experience.
The safest approach is to follow the instructions displayed on the candidate dashboard and the latest MCC notice applicable to Round 3.
Final Thought
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 has now entered an important stage for candidates seeking a medical or dental seat through the MCC process. The key is to approach choice filling carefully rather than simply adding a large number of options.
Before finalizing the choices, candidates should consider their actual preferences, review the available options and keep their documents and counselling details ready for the next stage. Since counselling schedules can be revised through official notices, checking the MCC website regularly remains important.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 choice filling end?
The choice-filling window will remain open until September 28, 2026, at 12 noon. Candidates should complete and review their preferences before the deadline rather than waiting until the last moment.
2. When will the Round 3 seat allotment result be released?
The Round 3 seat allotment result is scheduled for September 30, 2026. Candidates should check the official MCC counselling portal for the result and further instructions.
3. Is choice filling different from choice locking?
Yes. Choice filling allows candidates to add and arrange their preferred colleges and courses. After reviewing the preference list, candidates must use the designated choice-locking window to finalize their selections.
4. What should candidates check before locking their choices?
Candidates should carefully verify the college name, course, order of preference and all selected options before locking. It is also advisable to save a screenshot or copy of the final preference list for future reference.
5. What happens after Round 3 seat allotment?
Candidates who are allotted a seat will need to follow the MCC instructions for reporting and complete the required admission formalities within the specified timeline. They should also keep their documents ready and regularly check the official counselling portal for updates.