UP NEET SS Candidates Seek Deadline Extension Due to NOC Processing Delays
Doctors in Uttar Pradesh face delays in obtaining NOCs from UPDGME for NEET SS 2026. Aspirants seek an extension beyond the March 25 reporting deadline.
Super-specialty medical aspirants in Uttar Pradesh are currently appealing to authorities for an extension of the reporting deadline for NEET SS 2026 Round 1 counseling. The request comes as many candidates face significant administrative hurdles in obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) and relieving letters from the Directorate General of Medical Education and Training, Uttar Pradesh (UPDGME). While the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) had set the final date for reporting to allotted colleges as March 25, 2026, a large number of doctors have been unable to complete the process on time.
The delay is primarily attributed to a technical backlog at the UPDGME office in Lucknow. Candidates who have been allotted seats in institutes outside of Uttar Pradesh are required to submit an NOC from their home state's directorate before they can join their new positions. According to reports from affected doctors, the processing time for these documents has extended to nearly a week, making it physically impossible to meet the national reporting schedule.
NEET SS 2026 Round 1: Counseling and Reporting Status
The first round of the super-specialty counseling concluded its seat allotment phase on March 18. Under the current guidelines, failing to report by the specified deadline can lead to the forfeiture of the allotted seat and a security deposit of approximately ₹2 lakh.
| Event | Original Schedule (Round 1) | Status |
| Seat Allotment Result | March 18, 2026 | Completed |
| Reporting to Allotted College | March 19 – March 25, 2026 | Expired |
| UPDGME NOC Processing | 5 – 7 Business Days | Ongoing Delay |
| Round 2 Registration Start | March 28, 2026 | Upcoming |
Impact on Super-Specialty Aspirants
The situation has created a state of urgency among the medical community, with many taking to social media to highlight the "administrative stalemate." Since the reporting window included a weekend, the actual working days available for document collection were limited. Candidates argue that they should not be penalized for delays occurring at the directorate level.
- Financial Risk: Candidates risk losing their security deposit if the admission is canceled due to non-reporting.
- Seat Vacancy: If a large number of UP candidates fail to report, it could lead to an unusually high number of vacant seats moving into Round 2.
- Travel Constraints: Doctors allotted seats in southern or northeastern states require at least 48 hours for travel once the NOC is secured.
Potential for Round 2 Schedule Adjustments
As of March 26, 2026, the MCC has not issued an official notification regarding a blanket extension for reporting. However, the registration for NEET SS Round 2 is scheduled to begin on March 28, 2026. If the UPDGME or the Ministry of Health intervenes, there may be a slight shift in the upcoming schedule to accommodate the delayed candidates.
Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the official MCC notice board for any "Urgent Notices" regarding the extension of the joining period. Meanwhile, candidates still waiting for their relieving letters are encouraged to maintain a record of their communications with the state directorate as proof of their attempt to comply with the timeline.
Conclusion
The tension surrounding the UP NEET SS 2026 reporting deadline highlights the need for better synchronization between state-level NOC issuance and national counseling schedules. As the March 25 deadline has passed, the fate of hundreds of super-specialty seats remains uncertain. Whether the MCC will grant a retrospective extension or allow these candidates special consideration in Round 2 remains to be seen. For now, doctors in Uttar Pradesh continue to push for an immediate resolution at dgme.up.gov.in to protect their academic futures and hard-earned allotments.