New Delhi, October 15, 2026: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued Notice No. 26 concerning NEET UG 2026 candidates who did not physically report to their allotted colleges after Round 3 counselling. The notice, dated October 11, 2026, makes the position unequivocal: the reporting deadline ended on October 9, and listed candidates can no longer stake a claim to the concerned seats.

This update is crucial for medical aspirants tracking MBBS, BDS and other undergraduate admissions. It is not merely a list of absentees. It clarifies the consequences for seat retention, security deposits and eligibility in subsequent counselling rounds, including the Stray Vacancy Round.

What Does the Notice Say?

The multi-page official PDF contains candidate-wise records, including roll number, quota, All India Rank (AIR), institute code, institute name, subject, round number, status and willingness. Key directions include:

  • Physical reporting was mandatory for all candidates allotted seats in Round 3.
  • Candidates whose Round 1 or Round 2 seats were retained—because they did not receive an upgrade in Round 3—were also required to report to their institutes.
  • The prescribed reporting window closed on October 9, 2026. After this deadline, candidates lost their claim over the allotted or retained seat.

Why Non-Reporting Is a Serious Issue

According to the Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin, the ramifications are severe:

  • The candidate may forfeit the security deposit.
  • The candidate is eliminated from further MCC counselling rounds.
  • Candidates allotted an MCC Round 3 seat but who failed to report are specifically treated as ineligible for the Stray Vacancy Round.
  • A fresh registration window does not automatically restore eligibility.

Candidates must therefore not assume that a new registration facility makes them eligible for the Stray Vacancy Round. The bulletin’s conditions remain binding.

How Candidates Can Verify Their Status

Candidates should open the official MCC PDF and search for their NEET roll number using Ctrl + F. They must meticulously check the quota, AIR, institute code, institute name, subject, round number, status and willingness. A status such as “Retained” does not by itself prove that reporting formalities were completed. If any detail is unclear, candidates should contact MCC with their allotment record.

Stray Vacancy Round: Key Dates

As per the schedule PDF available on MCC:

  • Choice filling and locking: until October 15, 10 am
  • Seat allotment processing: October 15–16
  • Result: October 17
  • Reporting at allotted college: October 19–26

However, candidates should check the latest MCC portal updates for any revision. Some schedule notices have shown minor date variations, so the most recent official notification must be treated as final. State counselling eligibility is governed separately, and candidates must also follow their respective State Counselling Authority notifications.

A Final Word

For NEET UG aspirants, deadlines are not procedural formalities; they determine the course of a medical career. Notice No. 26 is a stern reminder that missing a mandatory reporting date can cost both a seat and future counselling chances. Candidates should rely only on official MCC communications and act with urgency and accuracy.

For assistance, MCC lists helpline 7824848020 and email mcc2026@gov.in.