NEET UG Counselling 2026: Around 2,000 MBBS Seats Vacant, States Seek Another Round

Around 2,000 MBBS seats are reportedly vacant across India following multiple rounds of medical admissions counselling. Several state governments and medical colleges have reportedly approached the National Medical Commission (NMC), seeking permission to conduct another counselling round to fill the remaining seats. However, the NMC has not been confirmed to have approved an additional round. Candidates awaiting MBBS admission should not assume that fresh registration has started. The eligibility conditions, registration schedule and seat availability will become clear only after an official notification from the competent counselling authority.

Why Are States Seeking Another NEET UG Counselling Round?

The reported vacancies have prompted requests for another opportunity to fill unallotted MBBS seats. Most of the vacancies are reportedly in private and deemed medical colleges, although some government-quota seats also remain unfilled. The proposed additional round is intended to provide another opportunity for eligible candidates and help medical colleges fill their remaining seats. However, the requests submitted by states and colleges do not automatically authorise another round. The relevant authorities must issue formal approval and counselling instructions before candidates can participate.

Karnataka Reports 191 Vacant MBBS Seats After Seven Rounds

1. Karnataka has reportedly recorded 191 vacant MBBS seats after conducting seven rounds of counselling for the 2026 admission session.
2. According to reports dated October 26, the state had 273 medical seats remaining after its second stray vacancy round. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) subsequently conducted two additional allotment exercises, filling 84 MBBS seats.
3. Despite these efforts, 191 MBBS seats remained vacant. All BDS seats in the state were reportedly filled.
4. The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Karnataka, has also approached the National Medical Commission, requesting a reduction in the NEET UG qualifying percentile to make more candidates eligible for admission.

Important: The request for a cutoff reduction does not mean that the NMC has approved any change. Candidates should continue to follow the officially notified NEET UG 2026 qualifying criteria.

Tamil Nadu Reports 16 Vacant MBBS Seats

Tamil Nadu has reportedly recorded 16 vacant MBBS seats in private medical institutions after candidates allotted those seats did not join. The Tamil Nadu Selection Committee secretary reportedly explained that the vacant seats could not be allotted to other candidates without fresh counselling. This highlights a key issue in the admission process: seats becoming vacant after candidates fail to report or join do not automatically become available for fresh allotment. Any further allotment will depend on the applicable counselling rules and approval from the competent authority.

Will NMC Approve Another NEET UG 2026 Counselling Round?

Candidates are waiting for clarity on whether the National Medical Commission will permit another MBBS counselling round. At present, the reported requests from state authorities and medical colleges should not be interpreted as official approval. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has published the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedules and notices relating to Round 3 and the Stray Vacancy Round. Its official website should be monitored for any subsequent All India Quota counselling announcement. State-level candidates should also monitor their respective counselling authorities because state quota admissions and All India Quota admissions may follow different instructions.

The following details should be checked before any additional round is announced:

• Whether the NMC or other competent authority has granted permission.
• Whether MCC or the relevant state authority will conduct the round.
• Whether fresh registration will be permitted.
• Which candidates will be eligible.
• Whether previously allotted candidates can participate.
• Which colleges and vacant seats will be included.
• The registration, choice-filling and allotment dates.

What Should NEET UG 2026 Candidates Do Now?

Candidates who have not secured an MBBS seat should regularly check official counselling websites for updates. They should also keep their NEET scorecard, admit card, identity documents, academic certificates and applicable category certificates ready. Candidates should not pay registration fees through unofficial websites or rely on social media messages claiming that an additional round has been confirmed.

Official websites to check:

• MCC: https://mcc.nic.in/ 
• National Medical Commission: https://www.nmc.org.in/ 
• Karnataka Examinations Authority: https://cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ 
• Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee: https://tnmedicalselection.net/

NEET UG 2026 Additional Counselling Round: Latest Status

As of October 30, 2026, reports indicate that states and medical colleges are seeking another opportunity to fill vacant MBBS seats. However, an official approval confirming a fresh nationwide counselling round, along with its registration dates and eligibility conditions, has not been established. Candidates should wait for formal notifications from MCC or their respective state counselling authorities before taking any admission-related action.