Medical Candidates Advised to Finalise Preferences Before Counselling Deadlines

NEET PG 2026 candidates are advised to finalize preferences as UP and Gujarat Round 3 deadlines approach on January 9. Ensure seat selection before the cutoff.

As the third round of postgraduate medical admissions reaches a critical Juncture, authorities have issued a fresh Alert for candidates to finalize their choice-filling processes. With the academic session for 2025-26 already in progress, the current Window for state-level seat allocation is the last significant opportunity for many to secure a Preference in their desired medical specialty. Major states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are leading the national Schedule, with deadlines set for tomorrow, January 9.

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of the Round 3 Choice Filling

The transition from Round 2 to Round 3 has introduced a dynamic seat matrix that includes "Seat Against Cancellation" (SAC) or virtual vacancies. Experts suggest that this Juncture requires a more calculated approach than earlier rounds to avoid being left without a seat.

• UP NEET PG Update: The Directorate General of Medical Education and Training (UPDGME) has confirmed that the choice-locking facility will remain active only until 2:00 PM on January 9.
• Mandatory Locking: Unlike some automated systems, candidates in many states must manually lock their Preference list. Failure to do so may lead to the system disregarding the entry for the current Window.
• Virtual Vacancies: Candidates are encouraged to fill choices even for seats currently marked as "occupied" by others, as these may become available if the current occupant is upgraded elsewhere in the Schedule.
• Merit List Reliance: All allocations at this Juncture are strictly governed by the state merit lists released between January 5 and January 7.

Gujarat and Other State Counselling Deadlines

While Uttar Pradesh has a strict afternoon cutoff, Gujarat's ACPPGMEC is also winding down its third-round operations. The state-specific Window for document verification and initial preference entry has seen a high volume of traffic, prompting an Alert from technical teams.

• Gujarat Seat Matrix: Approximately 357 seats across various MD and MS branches were reported vacant at the start of this round, making it highly competitive for those on the waitlist.
• National Alignment: To ensure that the national medical academic Schedule is not further delayed, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has directed all state DMEs to conclude their Round 3 joining formalities by mid-January.
• Document Readiness: Candidates must ensure that their OBC/EWS certificates are updated as per the current financial year guidelines to avoid rejection during the final Preference check.

Comparative Summary of Round 3 Deadlines

The following table summarizes the crucial timings for medical aspirants as of January 8:

Conclusion

As the Window for active participation narrows, the margin for error for medical graduates has virtually disappeared. This specific Juncture in the admission cycle is the final hurdle before the more unpredictable stray vacancy rounds. Candidates are urged to treat every Preference with caution and verify their saved lists against the official state Schedule tonight. A final Alert is issued to check internet stability and portal login credentials well ahead of tomorrow’s deadlines to ensure a smooth transition into the final stages of the 2025-26 medical admission cycle.