The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has confirmed in its NEET UG Information Bulletin 2026, dated August 1, 2026, that candidates get a penalty-free exit only in Round 1 of All India Quota counselling. From Round 2 onwards, leaving an allotted seat costs the candidate the entire refundable security deposit
Key Highlights
- Free exit is available only in Round 1. The security deposit stays safe, and the candidate remains eligible for Round 2.
- Exit with forfeiture applies from Round 2 onwards; a candidate allotted a seat in the second or a subsequent round who does not join loses the security deposit.
- Candidates who do not join a Round 2 seat, or who join and then resign, can take part in Round 3 only after paying the registration fee and security deposit afresh.
- Round 3 seats cannot be resigned. A candidate allotted in Round 3 who fails to report exits with forfeiture and is removed from all further rounds.
- Stray Vacancy Round allottees must join. Non-joining leads to forfeiture and ineligibility for any subsequent round.
- Refunds begin only after all counselling rounds are complete and are credited only to the same card or bank account used for payment.
What Free Exit Means in Round 1?
Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 can choose not to join without losing their refundable security deposit. No separate withdrawal request is required; simply not reporting within the joining period is treated as a free exit. Candidates remain eligible for Round 2 without registering again, but they must submit fresh choices. Those who join a Round 1 seat may also resign within the permitted period and still participate in Round 2.
Exit With Forfeiture From Round 2 Onwards
From Round 2 onwards, exiting an allotted seat results in forfeiture of the refundable security deposit. Candidates who do not report to their Round 2 seat or resign after joining lose the deposit and can participate in Round 3 only by paying the registration fee and security deposit again. If a candidate is upgraded to a new seat, the previously allotted seat is automatically surrendered.
Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round: No Way Out
The rules become stricter in the final rounds. A candidate allotted a seat in Round 3 must report and join. Failure to do so results in loss of the security deposit and removal from all further counselling rounds. Once a Round 3 seat is joined, resignation is not allowed.
Similarly, candidates allotted seats in the Stray Vacancy Round must join. Non-reporting results in forfeiture of the security deposit and renders the candidate ineligible for any further counselling.
Registration Fee and Security Deposit Amounts
| Category of seats | Non-refundable registration fee | Refundable security deposit |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ / Central Universities / AIIMS / JIPMER / ESIC / AFMC / B.Sc Nursing — UR & EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| AIQ / Central Universities / AIIMS / JIPMER / ESIC / AFMC / B.Sc Nursing — SC, ST, OBC, PwD | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Deemed Universities (all categories) | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
When is the Security Deposit Refunded?
Refunds begin only after all counselling rounds are completed. MCC publishes the list of eligible candidates, after which the Financial Custodian processes refunds within 15–30 days. The amount is credited only to the same bank account or card used for payment, so candidates should keep that account active. Payments made by NRIs must be through an NRO account, where refunds are also credited.
Other Situations Where the Deposit Is Forfeited
The security deposit is also forfeited if admission is cancelled due to incorrect information, ineligibility, or failure to produce required documents within the prescribed time. Providing false eligibility details for Central Universities’ state quota seats can also lead to cancellation and forfeiture.
Important Dates
| Round | Registration | Result | Reporting / Joining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | August 5 to 12, 2026 (3 PM) | August 17, 2026 | August 18 to 22, 2026 |
| Round 2 | August 25 to 29, 2026 (3 PM) | September 2, 2026 | September 3 to 8, 2026 |
| Round 3 | September 11 to 15, 2026 (3 PM) | September 18, 2026 | September 19 to 26, 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | September 28 to 30, 2026 (3 PM) | October 3, 2026 | October 4 to 10, 2026 |
How the Freeze and Float Options Affect Exit
MCC has introduced Freeze and Float options. Freeze candidates, who do not want an upgrade, must report physically to the allotted institute. Float candidates, willing to be considered for an upgrade, complete document verification online. Resignation from Round 1 and Round 2 seats follows the same distinction: Freeze candidates resign in person, while Float candidates can withdraw online. No offline resignations are accepted.
Official Website and Helpline
- Official portal: mcc.nic.in
- MCC toll-free call centre: 1800 102 7637, operational from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Refund and finance queries: financemcc@lifecarehll.com, handled by HLL Lifecare Ltd, the Financial Custodian appointed by MCC
- General counselling queries: mcc2026@gov.in, along with the 24×7 toll-free helpline.
