The National Medical Commission (NMC) has officially announced the NEET PG counselling round 3 schedule for the academic year 2025–2026. As per the notification, Round 3 counselling for All India Quota (AIQ), Deemed Universities, and Central Universities will commence from December 26, 2025, while State quota counselling will begin from January 2, 2026. This announcement brings clarity to thousands of postgraduate medical aspirants across India preparing for MD, MS, and PG Diploma admissions.
The NMC has also instructed all medical colleges to report any discrepancies related to seats or counselling data to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) and NMC within 15 days of the issued notice.
NEET PG Counselling 2025 Round 3 – Important Dates
According to the official schedule released for AIQ/Deemed & Central Universities, the following timelines will be followed:
| Round | Schedule |
| Round 3 Counselling (AIQ/Deemed/Central) | 26 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Last Date of Joining (Round 3) | 11 January 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | 15 January 2026 – 21 January 2026 |
| Last Date of Joining (Stray Vacancy) | 31 January 2026 |
Meanwhile, State quota counselling for Round 3 will start from January 2, 2026, as per the timelines issued by respective state counselling authorities.
NEET PG 2025 Counselling Round 3 – Registration Process
Candidates willing to participate in Round 3 of NEET PG counselling 2025 must complete the online registration process through the official portal. During registration, candidates must provide their personal details, contact information, category, and other required particulars, followed by payment of the counselling fee.
How to Register for NEET PG Counselling 2025 Round 3
Candidates can follow the steps given below to register successfully:
- Visit the official Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) website at mcc.nic.in.
- Click on the PG Medical Counselling tab.
- Under Candidate Activity, select the link for NEET PG Round 3 Counselling 2025 Registration.
- Log in using your NEET PG 2025 roll number and password.
- Fill in the registration form carefully and complete the counselling fee payment.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Key Instructions from NMC
- Medical colleges must verify seat matrices and inform MARB/NMC of any mismatch within 15 days.
- Candidates must strictly adhere to joining deadlines, as extensions are rarely granted.
- Participation in Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round is subject to eligibility as per MCC rules.
Quick Reference Summary
| Category | Details |
| Exam Name | NEET PG 2025 |
| Counselling Authority | NMC / MCC |
| Round 3 AIQ Start Date | 26 December 2025 |
| State Counselling Start | 2 January 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | 15–21 January 2026 |
| Official Website | mcc.nic.in |
Why Round 3 Counselling Is Important
The NEET PG Round 3 counselling plays a critical role in filling remaining postgraduate medical seats across government, deemed, and central universities. Candidates who did not secure seats in earlier rounds or wish to upgrade their allotment often rely heavily on this round. The Stray Vacancy Round further ensures optimal utilisation of available seats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will NEET PG Round 3 counselling begin for AIQ? |
| It will start on December 26, 2025. |
| When does state quota Round 3 counselling begin? |
| State counselling will start from January 2, 2026. |
| What is the last date to join after Round 3 allotment? |
| January 11, 2026. |
| When will the Stray Vacancy Round be conducted? |
| From January 15 to January 21, 2026. |
| What is the last date of joining for stray vacancy seats? |
| January 31, 2026. |
| Where can candidates register for NEET PG counselling Round 3? |
| On the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in. |
| Is counselling fee mandatory for Round 3? |
| Yes, candidates must pay the counselling fee to complete registration. |
| Who releases the NEET PG counselling schedule? |
| The National Medical Commission (NMC) through MCC. |
The announcement of the NEET PG counselling Round 3 schedule for 2025–26 is a crucial update for postgraduate medical aspirants. Candidates are advised to register on time, follow official instructions, and adhere to joining deadlines to avoid disqualification. For accurate and real-time updates, visit mcc.nic.in regularly and bookmark this page for future reference, for more details CLICK HERE
