The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Chhattisgarh, has started Round 3 Mop-Up Counselling for NEET MDS 2026 admissions. The official notice, issued on 28 October 2026, allows fresh eligible candidates to apply online and requires previously registered candidates to submit fresh choices. The application window opened on 29 October at 11 am.
Key deadlines
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Online applications: 29 October, 11 am, to 3 November, 11:59 pm
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Choice filling and locking: 29 October, 11 am, to 4 November, 11:59 pm
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Application fee: ₹2,000, non-refundable
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All timings are as per DME server time.
93 seats available
As per the clear vacancy matrix dated 26 October, 93 MDS seats are available across six dental colleges. This includes 39 state-quota seats and 54 management seats. College-wise vacancies are: Government Dental College, Raipur (2); Maitri College, Durg (27); New Horizon, Bilaspur (17); Rungta College, Bhilai (29); Triveni Institute, Bilaspur (13); and Chhattisgarh Dental College, Rajnandgaon (5). Candidates should verify the latest matrix before selecting options.
Lower cut-off widens the pool
The central government has reduced the NEET-MDS 2026 qualifying percentile by 20.576 points. The revised cut-offs are as follows: General/UR/EWS, 29.424 percentile (234 marks); Unreserved PwBD, 24.424 percentile (218 marks); and SC/ST/OBC, including PwBD candidates within these categories, 19.424 percentile (200 marks). This gives more candidates a chance to participate. However, qualifying alone does not guarantee admission; state eligibility, merit, category, quota and choices will matter.
Fresh choice filling is mandatory
A crucial point: Candidates who registered in earlier rounds must once again select their preferred colleges and specialities for Round 3. Previous choices will not be considered. Without fresh choice filling and locking, no seat can be allotted. Such candidates should log in, check eligibility, fill choices, lock them before the deadline and save the confirmation.
Allocation priority
Seats will be allotted in three priority groups: first, previously registered eligible candidates who were not allotted seats; second, new eligible applicants; and third, candidates who were allotted seats earlier but did not join, only if vacancies remain after the first two groups.
What aspirants should do now
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Complete your application and choice filling well in advance to steer clear of last-minute technical glitches.
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Go through the state eligibility criteria carefully and keep all your documents ready.
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Check the latest seat matrix rather than relying only on the 26 October list.
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Preserve fee receipts and choice-locking confirmation.
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Watch the official DME portal for allotment, scrutiny and reporting updates, as these dates are not yet specified in the notice.