NEET PG 2026 Round 2: Clear Vacancies Rise to 15,533 Before 15 November Choice Locking Deadline
Published 14 Nov 20266 min read
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has revised the NEET PG 2026 Round 2 seat matrix, with clear vacancies increasing to 15,533 from the earlier count of 15,408—a gain of 125 seats. The virtual vacancy count has also risen, from 18,189 to 18,235, adding 46 conditional entries. The newly added seats list remains unchanged at 3,678.
Candidates preparing their Round 2 preferences must verify their shortlists against the revised institution-wise, speciality-wise, quota-wise, and category-wise entries before choice locking closes at 11:55 PM on 15 November 2026.
What Changed in the Revised Seat Lists
The revised data presents three distinct categories that candidates must not conflate:
| List Type | Previous Count | Revised Count | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Vacancies | 15,408 | 15,533 | +125 |
| Virtual Vacancies | 18,189 | 18,235 | +46 |
| Newly Added Seats | 3,678 | 3,678 | No change |
Clear vacancies are seats genuinely available for Round 2 allotment. Virtual vacancies are conditional—they represent seats currently held by candidates who have opted for upgradation. A virtual seat becomes available only if the holding candidate vacates it by receiving an upgrade elsewhere . The 46 additional virtual entries do not automatically translate into 46 more allotment opportunities for every candidate.
The distinction matters for preference ordering. A candidate who lists a virtual vacancy seat above a clear vacancy seat of equal preference may receive no allotment if the virtual seat does not materialise. MCC processes allotments based on actual availability at the time of seat processing.
For speciality-specific planning, the revised lists show 1,014 clear vacancies in MD General Medicine and 1,386 virtual vacancies in the same speciality. Candidates targeting General Medicine should check both lists carefully—the clear vacancy figure represents seats available now, while the virtual figure represents potential upgrades.
Clear vs Virtual Vacancy: A Direct Answer
Question: Can a candidate be allotted a virtual vacancy seat in Round 2?
Answer: Yes, but only conditionally. Virtual vacancies are seats occupied by Round 1 candidates who have opted to participate in Round 2 upgradation. If such a candidate receives a higher-preference seat in Round 2, the original seat is vacated and may be allotted to another candidate. If the holding candidate does not receive an upgrade, the virtual seat remains occupied and is not available for fresh allotment .
Practical implication: Build your preference list with clear vacancies at the top. Place virtual vacancy seats below them as potential upgrades. Do not treat virtual vacancy counts as guaranteed availability.
Critical Deadlines: Registration and Choice Locking
| Activity | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New registration | 3:00 PM, 14 November 2026 | For first-time Round 2 entrants |
| Fee payment | 6:00 PM, 14 November 2026 | Payment window closes three hours after registration |
| Choice filling | 11:55 PM, 15 November 2026 | Modify, add, or delete preferences until this time |
| Choice locking | Opens 4:00 PM, 14 November; closes 11:55 PM, 15 November 2026 | Explicit locking recommended before deadline |
Candidates who registered in Round 1 but received no allotment can use their existing registration. They must still submit and lock a fresh set of choices for Round 2—Round 1 preferences do not carry forward automatically.
What Candidates Should Do Now
Scenario 1: You prepared preferences before the revision.
Open the revised Clear Vacancy and Virtual Vacancy PDFs from the MCC portal. Check every institution-specialty-quota-category combination on your list. If a seat count changed, adjust your preference order accordingly. You have until 11:55 PM on 15 November to modify and lock.
Scenario 2: You are registering for Round 2 for the first time.
Complete registration by 3 PM on 14 November and payment by 6 PM. Begin filling choices immediately—the window is open. Do not wait until the final hours, as server load near deadlines can cause access issues.
Scenario 3: You joined a Round 1 seat and opted for upgradation.
If you are allotted a Round 2 seat from your fresh choices, your Round 1 seat will be automatically cancelled . You must obtain an online relieving letter from your current institution before joining the upgraded seat. If you receive no Round 2 allotment, your Round 1 seat remains secure.
Scenario 4: You are satisfied with your Round 1 seat and do not want to upgrade.
Do not submit fresh choices for Round 2. Candidates who do not participate in Round 2 choice filling retain their existing allotted seat .
Results and Reporting Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Seat processing and provisional result | 16 November 2026 |
| Final Round 2 result | 17 November 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted institutions | 18–24 November 2026 |
| MCC verification of joined candidates | 25 November 2026 |
Candidates allotted seats in Round 2 must report to their institutions with original documents and fees within the 18–24 November window. Failure to report within the stipulated period results in forfeiture of the allotted seat .
Where to Check the Revised Lists
The three seat matrices—Clear Vacancy, Virtual Vacancy, and Newly Added Seats—are available on the official MCC PG counselling portal:
Official website: https://mcc.nic.in/pg-medical-counselling/
Candidates should download all three PDFs and filter by their applicable quota (All India Quota, Deemed University, Armed Forces Medical, etc.), state, speciality, and category before finalising preferences. The MCC portal remains the sole authoritative source for seat data and schedule updates.
