As of January 25, 2026, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is conducting the Round 3 registration phase Eligible candidates must complete their online applications and fee payments before the fast-approaching deadline. This session follows a significant reduction in the qualifying percentile, broadening the eligibility for thousands of doctors. The choice filling window remains active for applicants aiming to secure MD, MS, and DNB seats.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially opened the registration window for the third round of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2025 counselling. As of January 25, 2026, the admission process has reached a critical juncture, particularly following the recent revision of the qualifying cut-off scores. This round is specifically designed to fill the remaining 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, as well as seats across deemed and central universities.

Updated Eligibility and Cut-off Revisions

The current round of counselling has seen a massive influx of participants due to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) lowering the minimum qualifying percentile. This move was intended to ensure that postgraduate medical seats in clinical and non-clinical branches do not remain vacant.

• Revised Percentile: The qualifying percentile for general category candidates has been significantly reduced, effectively allowing a much larger pool of doctors to participate in the choice filling process.
• Impact on Reserved Categories: For SC, ST, and OBC candidates, the cut-off has been lowered to the 0th percentile, meaning all candidates who appeared for the exam are now eligible for the current registration.
• New Seat Matrix: MCC has recently updated the seat matrix, adding several hundred new vacancies in government and private colleges to the clear vacancy pool for Round 3.
• Mandatory Fresh Registration: Candidates who did not register in previous rounds or those who opted for seat upgradation must ensure their current registration is completed before the server closes tomorrow.

Choice Filling and Locking Procedures

The technical window for selecting preferences is currently operational on the official portal. Applicants are currently evaluating the updated list of participating colleges to finalize their academic specializations.

• Sequence of Preference: Candidates are advised to list their choices in decreasing order of preference, as the seat allotment algorithm prioritizes the highest available choice based on the candidate's rank.
• Choice Locking Facility: The portal for locking the selected choices is expected to be activated on the final day of registration, ensuring that no further changes can be made once the choices are submitted.
• Virtual Vacancies: This round also includes "virtual vacancies," which are seats currently held by candidates who have opted for an upgrade. These seats only become available if the current holder is successfully allotted a higher preference.
• Documentation Readiness: Applicants must keep their NEET PG 2025 scorecard and internship completion certificates ready for the verification process that follows the allotment result.

Schedule for Seat Allotment and Reporting

The timeline for the conclusion of Round 3 is strictly defined to prevent delays in the commencement of the academic session.

• Reporting Protocol: Candidates who are successfully allotted a seat in this round must physically report to the designated medical college with original documents and the requisite tuition fee.
• Exit Options: It is important to note that failure to join a seat allotted in Round 3 may result in the forfeiture of the security deposit and exclusion from the subsequent stray vacancy round.

Conclusion

The Round 3 registration phase represents a vital opportunity for medical graduates to secure their preferred specializations. With the revised eligibility criteria and the addition of new seats, the competition remains high despite the lower cut-offs. The current activity on the MCC portal indicates a swift progression toward the final seat allotment result scheduled for the end of the month.