After NEET PG 2025 Counselling Closure, Aspirants Look Ahead to Further Rounds and Seat Movements

As NEET PG 2025 Round 2 concludes, thousands of medical aspirants shift their focus toward Round 3 and the final Stray Vacancy rounds. With over 42,000 seats in the pool, understanding seat movement and eligibility is critical for securing a clinical seat. This comprehensive guide outlines the upcoming MCC schedule, registration protocols, and strategic planning for Round 3. Ensure you track the official portal to avoid missing the final window for your dream PG specialization.

The closure of Round 2 reporting on December 30, 2025, marks a pivotal transition in the NEET PG 2025 admission cycle. As of January 1, 2026, the focus has officially shifted to the remaining vacancies in All India Quota (AIQ) and State rounds. With high-stakes clinical branches still appearing in the seat matrix due to non-reporting and upgrades, aspirants must remain vigilant.

Strategic Roadmap for Round 3 and Seat Matrix Trends

Round 3, traditionally known as the Mop-Up round, serves as the final major opportunity for fresh registrations and seat upgrades.

• Fresh Registration: Candidates who did not register in previous rounds or those who resigned from Round 2 seats are eligible to participate.
• Virtual Vacancies: Many premium seats open up as candidates move to better-preferred choices, creating a ripple effect in seat movement.
• Specialization Priority: Data suggests that non-clinical branches and DNB seats often see significant rank shifts during this phase.

Upcoming MCC AIQ Counselling Schedule 2025-26

To assist candidates in planning their next steps, the following table summarizes the key dates for the final stages of the 2025 session.

Essential Guidelines for the Stray Vacancy Round

The Stray Vacancy round is a "cleanup" phase with strict eligibility criteria designed to fill every last available seat in the 42,177-seat pool.

• No Upgradation: Unlike earlier rounds, candidates allotted a seat in the Stray Vacancy round must join; there is no option to "float" or upgrade further.
• Security Forfeiture: Failure to join an allotted seat at this stage typically results in the forfeiture of the security deposit and potential debarment from the next exam cycle.
• Eligibility Check: Only candidates who do not hold any seat after Round 3—including State Quota seats—are permitted to participate.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the 2025 admission cycle enters its final month, the margin for error narrows. While Round 3 offers a chance for redemption, the Stray Vacancy round requires a high degree of flexibility regarding branch and location. Aspirants are strongly advised to keep their original documents ready for immediate physical reporting, as the turnaround time between allotment and joining is significantly shorter in these late stages. Candidates must strictly monitor the official MCC portal for real-time seat matrix updates and ensure all choices are locked before the designated deadlines.