NEET PG 2025 Round 3 State Counselling Enters Final Days in Several States

The ongoing NEET PG 2025 Round 3 state-level counselling is rapidly approaching its conclusion across various Indian states. As of today, several state medical directorates have entered the final window for choice locking and document verification. This round is critical as it represents one of the last opportunities for applicants to secure specialized medical seats before the commencement of the stray vacancy rounds. While the All India Quota (AIQ) process has largely set the pace, individual authorities in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab are now finalizing their respective merit-based placements to fill remaining vacancies.

Progress Across Key States and Merit List Status

The timeline for Round 3 has seen a flurry of activity over the past week. Most major states opened their registration portals in early January, and the focus has now shifted to the release of state-specific rank lists. These lists are vital as they dictate the priority for seat allocation in government and private medical institutions.

• Uttar Pradesh: The choice filling process concluded on January 9, and the data is currently being processed for the final seat award.
• Bihar and Punjab: In these states, the authorities have already published provisional merit lists, allowing students to raise objections before the final seat processing begins.
• Kerala: The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) recently wrapped up the choice-submission phase, and the state is expected to announce the result shortly to stay in line with the national calendar.

Comparative Schedule for State Round 3

To maintain a streamlined admission cycle, the National Medical Commission (NMC) had earlier directed all state bodies to adhere to a synchronized schedule. The following table highlights the current status of the NEET PG process in selected regions as of mid-January.

Conclusion

The culmination of Round 3 marks a decisive point in the 2025–26 medical admission cycle. With most applicants having already finalized their college preferences, the administrative focus is now on ensuring that the rank-based allocation is transparent and error-free.

• Finality of Round 3: This phase is generally considered the final round for seat upgrades, meaning that once a seat is accepted, the candidate is typically barred from further state or AIQ rounds.
• Administrative Vigilance: State authorities are working to ensure that all virtual and clear vacancies are filled to prevent seats from lapsing into the stray vacancy category.
• Next Steps for Applicants: Once the results are declared, the transition from being applicants to registered medical postgraduates will begin with the physical reporting and document submission phase at the allotted colleges.