Medical Candidates Prepare for Reporting Deadlines and Next Counselling Rounds

Medical aspirants face critical January deadlines for Round 3 reporting and INI CET seat acceptance. Stay updated on the upcoming stray vacancy schedules.

The postgraduate medical admission landscape is witnessing a surge in activity as January reaches its midpoint. Thousands of medical aspirants are currently navigating the final reporting windows for Round 3 of the All India Quota (AIQ) while simultaneously tracking the commencement of the stray vacancy stage. With the academic session already in its early phases for some, the pressure to complete counselling formalities is immense, especially for those holding upgraded seats in premier government institutions.

Critical Reporting Deadlines for Round 3

For candidates allotted seats in the AIQ Round 3, the clock is ticking. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has established January 11 as the final date for joining and completing admission formalities at the allotted colleges. This deadline is non-extendable, and failure to report with the necessary original documents will lead to the cancellation of the candidature. Simultaneously, state-quota counselling authorities are wrapping up their third-round processes, with most states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh requiring physical reporting by January 17.

The "Joining" phase is particularly rigorous this year, requiring a thorough verification of academic credentials and category certificates. Candidates must ensure that their Relieving Letters from previous institutes (in case of an upgrade) are generated online through the MCC portal. Any manual relieving letters will be treated as null and void, potentially jeopardizing the student's status in the current round.

• AIQ Round 3 Joining: Ends January 11, 2026.
• State Round 3 Joining: Ends January 17, 2026.
• Document Check: Original MBBS degree and Internship completion certificate are mandatory.
• Reporting Mode: Physical presence at the allotted college is required.

Transition to Stray Vacancy and INI CET Rounds

As the reporting for Round 3 concludes, the focus will shift toward the "Stray Vacancy" round, intended to fill the remaining empty seats in the matrix. The MCC is expected to release the list of vacant seats on January 14, with the choice-filling window opening the following day. This round is the last opportunity for those who have not secured any seat thus far in the 2025-26 admission cycle.

Parallelly, the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) January 2026 session has entered its second stage. Following the seat allotment declared today, January 9, candidates have a window from January 10 to January 15 to accept their seats online. This overlap between medical PG and INI CET schedules requires candidates to make swift decisions, as accepting an INI CET seat often involves withdrawing from the AIQ or State pools.

Conclusion

The second half of January marks the beginning of the end for the 2025-26 medical admission cycle. Candidates must remain vigilant about the specific reporting deadlines for their respective states and the AIQ, as the stray vacancy round will only consider those who are not currently holding a seat. The rigorous verification of documents at the college level ensures the integrity of the process, but it also means that students must have their paperwork in perfect order to avoid last-minute disqualification. As the final seats are filled, the focus will eventually move toward the commencement of the 2026-27 entrance exam preparations.

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