Lucknow: UP NEET UG Counselling 2026 has now moved into Round 2, and today — 17 September 2026 — comes with several deadlines candidates need to track carefully. According to the current UPNEET portal schedule and DGME-UP's Round 2 notice, fresh registration closed at 11:00 AM, though the window for paying the registration and security fee stays open till 2:00 PM. Choice filling and locking will then open at 5:00 PM today.

This Round 2 timetable comes from DGME-UP's Notice No. ME-3/2026/1644, dated 11 September 2026, and continues the overall NEET UG counselling process. It applies specifically to Uttar Pradesh's state counselling seats (MBBS and BDS) through the official portal, upneet.gov.in. It's a separate process from MCC's All India Quota (AIQ) counselling, which follows its own schedule and seat pool — so candidates shouldn't mix the two up.

Round 2 schedule: key dates to remember

  • Online Registration: 14 Sept (5:00 PM) to 17 Sept (11:00 AM)
  • Registration Fee + Security Fee Payment: 14 Sept (5:00 PM) to 17 Sept (2:00 PM)
  • Round 2 Merit List: 17 Sept 2026 (scheduled)
  • Choice Filling & Locking: 17 Sept (5:00 PM) to 19 Sept (5:00 PM)
  • Seat Allotment Result: 21 Sept 2026
  • Download Allotment Letter + Admission/Reporting: 22 to 25 Sept 2026

It helps to keep today's three checkpoints straight: registration closes at 11 AM, fee payment closes at 2 PM, and choice filling opens at 5 PM. And registering alone isn't enough — to actually be eligible for allotment, candidates generally also need to complete the fee/security payment and any other required portal formalities.

Who can participate in Round 2?

According to DGME's instructions, Round 2 is open to a few different kinds of candidates:

  • Those who didn't get a seat in Round 1 and are eligible for Round 2 as per the rules.
  • Those who got a Round 1 seat but didn't take admission in time, or used the permitted exit/resignation options.
  • Those who already took admission in Round 1 but are now trying for an upgrade through Round 2 choice filling.

If you've already taken admission, fill your preferences carefully — if you're allotted a higher-preference seat in Round 2, your current seat could go back into the pool for other candidates.

Security deposit and registration fee

Based on the counselling fee details reported for 2026, the registration fee stands at ₹2,000, and it's non-refundable. The security deposit, however, depends on the type of institution:

  • Government Medical/Dental: ₹30,000
  • Private Medical: ₹2,00,000
  • Private Dental: ₹1,00,000

DGME's guidance also notes that, in certain Round 1 situations, candidates may not have to pay the security deposit again, subject to the prescribed conditions.

Choice filling: what candidates must do

There's no cap on how many choices you can fill, but DGME advises picking only the colleges and courses you're genuinely willing to join. And remember — choices need to be locked before the deadline. Once locked, they can't be changed, and forgetting to lock them at all could hurt your chances of getting an allotment.

After allotment: admission becomes mandatory

One rule DGME is firm about: if you're allotted a seat in Round 2, admission/reporting is mandatory. Not reporting can cost you your security deposit and may also affect your chances in later rounds.

It's worth keeping an eye on upneet.gov.in for the merit list, vacancy updates (including "clear-cut vacancies" and "SAC/virtual vacancies"), and reporting instructions for both government and private colleges.