The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 virtual vacancy list for Round 3. According to the available list, a total of 10,353 seats have been released, including 9,236 MBBS, 938 BDS, and 179 BSc Nursing seats.
The MCC Round 3 Virtual Seat list was published on mcc.nic.in on September 23, together with the Round 3 clear vacancy list and the newly added seats list. Candidates can register for Round 3 until September 27, and the result is due on September 30, 2026. Candidates should also consider their NEET UG 2026 rank, category, applicable quota, course preference, previous allotment and eligibility when preparing their Round 3 choices. The official MCC website and latest counselling notices should be treated as the primary sources for any changes to the vacancy positions or counselling process.
What Is a Virtual Vacancy?
A virtual vacancy is a seat that a candidate is holding right now but may give up. These seats are held by candidates who joined their Round 2 seat and chose to upgrade. If one of them gets a better seat in Round 3, their old seat goes to the next eligible candidate in the same round.
A clear vacancy is different. It is a seat that is empty right now and will definitely be on offer. That is why MCC publishes both lists before choice filling starts.
Who Can Participate in MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling?
The following candidates are eligible to participate in the MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 counselling, subject to the applicable MCC eligibility and seat allotment rules.
- Candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1 or Round 2.
- Candidates who registered but did not receive an allotment.
- Candidates seeking an upgrade.
- Candidates who are eligible for MCC counselling but did not participate earlier.
- Candidates interested in MBBS, BDS, or applicable BSc Nursing seats, as MCC has released clear, virtual, and newly added vacancy information for the round.
MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Schedule
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and fee payment | September 22 to 27, 2026 (payment till 6 PM) |
| Choice filling | September 23 to 28, 2026 (till 12 noon) |
| Choice locking | 7 PM, September 27 to 12 noon, September 28 |
| Seat allotment processing | September 28 to 29, 2026 |
| Round 3 result | September 30, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted college | October 1 to 9, 2026 |
| Online stray vacancy round registration | October 12 to 14, 2026 |
How Many Seats Are Up for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 in All?
MCC has released three lists for Round 3:
| Seat List | Seats |
|---|---|
| Clear vacancy | 6,703 |
| Virtual vacancy | 10,353 |
| Newly added seats | 183 |
Added up, these come to 17,239 seats. Only the clear vacancy seats and the newly added seats are certain to be on offer. The number of virtual seats that actually open up depends on how many upgrades go through in Round 3.
Course-wise Virtual Seats for NEET UG Round 3 Counselling 2026
| Course | Virtual Vacancy Seats |
|---|---|
| MBBS | 9,236 |
| BDS | 938 |
| BSc Nursing | 179 |
| Total | 10,353 |
Institute-wise Virtual Vacancy for NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling
More than half of the virtual seats are in government medical colleges under the All India Quota. This makes the list important for students hoping to move to a better government college in Round 3.
| Institute Type | Virtual Vacancy Seats |
|---|---|
| Government colleges (All India Quota) | 5,472 |
| Deemed Universities | 3,738 |
| AIIMS | 473 |
| ESIC Medical Colleges | 264 |
| Central Universities | 216 |
| JIPMER | 27 |
| Other BSc Nursing colleges | 163 |
Among government colleges under the All India Quota, 5,227 of the virtual seats are MBBS. In deemed universities, 3,185 are MBBS, and 553 are BDS.
Category-wise Virtual Vacancy for NEET UG 2026 Round 3
| Category | Virtual Vacancy Seats |
|---|---|
| Open (UR) | 6,389 |
| OBC | 1,964 |
| SC | 810 |
| EWS | 688 |
| ST | 502 |
Of these, 122 seats are reserved for persons with disabilities (PwD).
What Should Candidates Check Before Joining Round 3?
Candidates participating in the MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 counselling should check the MCC rules and available vacancies before seeking an allotment. All participants must check the specific Round 3 counselling rules governing their seat, resignation, upgradation, and reporting. Candidates should also check the latest MCC information bulletin and Round 3 notice because counselling rules and schedules can be revised.
How to Download the Round 3 Virtual Vacancy List
- Visit mcc.nic.in and open the UG Medical Counselling section.
- Go to Current Events or Notices.
- Click on “Virtual Vacancy Round 3 (MBBS BDS B.Sc Nursing) – UG Counselling 2026“.
- Download the PDF and check seats by state, college, course and category.
Also Read:
NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Counselling Schedule
Last-Minute NEET Counselling 2026 Tips for Sikar Students and Parents
Matrix Olympiad 2026: Benefits, Eligibility & Steps to Register
Conclusion
The release of the MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 3 Virtual Vacancy list gives candidates an additional opportunity to identify seats that may become available during the third round of counselling. Unlike clear vacancies, virtual vacancies are linked to seats currently occupied by candidates who may upgrade, meaning their availability can depend on the outcome of the Round 3 allotment process.
However, a virtual vacancy should not be considered a guaranteed vacant seat. Whether a seat actually becomes available depends on the candidate currently holding that seat and the subsequent upgradation process. Therefore, students should carefully check the latest MCC vacancy information before filling and locking their choices.
FAQs
No. A virtual vacancy is not a guaranteed vacant seat. It becomes available only if the existing candidate vacates the seat due to upgradation or another applicable counselling movement.
A clear vacancy represents a seat that is currently available for allotment, whereas a virtual vacancy represents a seat that may become available depending on the outcome of the counselling and upgradation process.
The Round 3 vacancy information covers MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats. MCC publishes separate vacancy documents to help candidates understand the different categories of available or potentially available seats.
Yes, eligible candidates can consider seats appearing in the Round 3 seat matrix while preparing their choices. However, candidates should understand that a virtual vacancy may not ultimately become available.
Candidates should make their choices according to their actual college and course preferences, while understanding the difference between clear and virtual vacancies. A virtual vacancy should not be treated as equivalent to a confirmed vacant seat.
Yes. The vacancy position can change as candidates upgrade, retain or vacate seats during the counselling process. Candidates should therefore refer to the latest MCC updates before finalising their choices.
Candidates can check the official MCC UG Counselling 2026 Current Events section, where MCC publishes its Round 3 vacancy-related documents and counselling updates.
Yes. It can help candidates identify potentially available seats and expand their choice options. However, candidates should combine virtual vacancy information with clear vacancies and newly added seats rather than relying on virtual vacancies alone.
Candidates should verify their NEET UG 2026 rank, category, eligibility, quota, course, college preference and latest seat status. They should also carefully review the complete preference order before locking their choices.
The current Round 3 schedule places the seat allotment result on September 30, 2026, following registration and choice filling. Candidates should verify the latest official MCC schedule in case of any revision.
