MCC revises 2025 AIQ NEET PG counselling calendar, extending the process through to 31 January 2026

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially announced a revised schedule for the NEET PG 2025 All India Quota (AIQ) counselling, extending the final date for admission and joining to January 31, 2026. This significant extension comes as a direct consequence of initial delays caused by pending seat matrix approvals from the National Medical Commission (NMC). Aspirants now have an adjusted timeline for the remaining rounds, including the crucial Online Stray Vacancy Round, which is scheduled from January 15 to January 21, 2026. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized breakdown of the updated schedule, the reasons behind the delay, and what medical aspirants need to know to navigate the revised timeline effectively.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has delivered a crucial update for thousands of postgraduate medical aspirants by officially announcing a revised schedule for the NEET PG 2025 All India Quota (AIQ) Counselling. In a major relief, the final date for all candidate joining and admission across all rounds, including the Online Stray Vacancy Round, has been extended to January 31, 2026. This decision ensures that no eligible seat remains vacant and provides a structured conclusion to the complex admission process, despite the numerous mid-cycle adjustments that have characterized the 2025 counselling cycle.

​This extension, pushing the process well into the new year, directly addresses the disruptions caused by earlier, unexpected delays. These delays were primarily attributed to the protracted process of receiving and verifying the final seat matrix approvals from the National Medical Commission (NMC), which is essential for conducting fair and accurate seat allotments in each round. For aspirants, understanding this revised timeline is paramount for planning their participation, documentation, and final institutional reporting.

​ Understanding the Revised NEET PG 2025 Counselling Timeline

​The new schedule, as released by the MCC, clearly outlines the dates for the remaining and final phases of the AIQ NEET PG 2025 counselling. The entire process, which encompasses Rounds 1, 2, 3, and the conclusive Online Stray Vacancy Round, will now terminate on January 31, 2026. This comprehensive calendar is essential for candidates to manage their registration, choice filling, and reporting deadlines accurately.

• ​Round 3 (Mop-Up Round) Key Dates (Tentative): 
  • ​Registration/Payment and Choice Filling/Locking: Around late December 2025.
  • ​Seat Allotment Result: Typically, the first week of January 2026.
  • ​Reporting/Joining at Allotted Institutes: Until approximately mid-January 2026. This round is vital as it allows candidates to register fresh or participate with upgraded choices for seats remaining vacant after Round 2.
• ​Final Online Stray Vacancy Round Schedule: 
  • ​This is the terminal phase, conducted exclusively online by the MCC/DGHS.
  • ​Registration/Payment & Choice Filling/Locking: January 15 to January 18, 2026.
  • ​Processing of Seat Allotment: January 19 to January 20, 2026.
  • ​Result of Seat Allotment: January 21, 2026.
  • ​Reporting/Joining at Allotted Institutes: January 22 to January 31, 2026.
• ​Final Admission Cut-off: The last date for all admission formalities to be completed, including the joining of candidates from the Stray Vacancy Round, is January 31, 2026. No admission will be valid after this stipulated date.

​Critical Reasons Behind the Prolonged Schedule

​The extension of the counselling timeline, while beneficial for clearing up all available seats, is a direct result of administrative hurdles faced by the MCC and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Aspirants need to recognize the root cause of these delays, which is a common feature in complex, multi-quota admission processes.

• ​Delayed NMC Seat Matrix Approvals: The primary factor contributing to the initial hold-ups was the National Medical Commission's (NMC) delay in finalising and approving the verified seat matrix. The seat matrix includes details of new PG seats, additions, withdrawals, and subject-wise distribution across institutions. Without the final, approved matrix, the MCC cannot initiate seat allotment processing reliably.
• ​Incorporation of New Seats and Withdrawals: The extended time allows the MCC to seamlessly integrate any last-minute additions of new MD/MS/DNB seats or formal withdrawals from various medical colleges. This ensures that the counselling process offers the most accurate and up-to-date availability of seats to all eligible candidates.
• ​Ensuring Full Utilisation of Seats: A prolonged process, specifically the inclusion of an Online Stray Vacancy Round (Round 4), is designed to fulfil the mandate of ensuring that all available postgraduate medical seats are filled on merit. The extension to January 31, 2026, guarantees sufficient time for reporting, verification, and admission, thereby preventing any wastage of critical medical training slots.

​ Action Plan for NEET PG Aspirants: Maximising Your Opportunity

​For candidates still awaiting seat allotment or those planning to participate in the remaining rounds, the revised calendar presents a clear but tight window of opportunity. Strategic planning and prompt action are crucial to secure a coveted postgraduate medical seat.

• ​Document Readiness: Ensure all original documents, including the NEET PG Scorecard, MBBS certificate, Internship Completion Certificate, Category Certificate (if applicable), and identity proofs, are ready for immediate physical reporting. The window for reporting after the Stray Vacancy result is very limited.
• ​Stay Updated on the Official MCC Website: Candidates must strictly adhere to the official announcements on the MCC website, mcc.nic.in. Do not rely on unverified social media information. Cross-check dates for registration, choice filling, and locking for Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round.
• ​Strategic Choice Filling: Given that the Stray Vacancy Round is the final opportunity, aspirants should prepare an exhaustive list of choices encompassing all possible colleges and specialities they would be willing to join. Research the revised seat matrix (when released) meticulously for the maximum number of options.
• ​Reporting Discipline: For candidates allotted a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round (January 21, 2026, result), the reporting deadline of January 31, 2026, is non-negotiable. Travel and accommodation logistics must be planned in advance to ensure on-time physical joining at the allotted institution.

​Conclusion

​The MCC's extension of the NEET PG 2025 AIQ Counselling deadline to January 31, 2026, marks the final definitive timeline for this year's postgraduate medical admissions. While the process has faced administrative delays, the clear, revised schedule provides much-needed transparency and structure for aspirants. The focus now shifts entirely to meticulous preparation for the final rounds, particularly the high-stakes Online Stray Vacancy Round scheduled for the latter half of January. Aspirants are strongly advised to leverage this extended timeline for strategic choice-making and to ensure they meet the final reporting deadline to commence their academic session.

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