The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the deadline for Round 1 choice-filling for NEET UG 2026. Candidates now have until August 18, 11:59 PM to submit their preferences.

  • Revised deadline for choice-filling is August 18, 11:59 PM.
  • Choice-locking facility became active on August 17 at 5:30 PM.
  • Candidates must ensure their preferences are locked before the portal closes.

New Delhi: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on Monday announced a critical extension for the choice-filling window of the NEET UG 2026 Round 1 counselling process. According to an official notification released on August 17, candidates are now permitted to submit and finalize their college preferences until 11:59 PM on August 18.

This extension serves as a vital cushion for candidates who may have faced technical glitches or required additional time to research medical and dental institutions. The choice-locking mechanism, which is essential to prevent further changes once a selection is made, was initiated on August 17 at 5:30 PM.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the first round of counselling is the most pivotal stage for securing high-demand government seats. By extending the deadline, the MCC is mitigating the risk of candidates making rushed or erroneous choices, which could otherwise lead to suboptimal seat allocation. This move reflects a candidate-centric approach to one of India's most competitive admission cycles.

"The precision of the choice-filling list is the single most important factor in determining whether a student lands in their dream medical college."

Operating under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the MCC has urged all registered candidates to maintain a constant vigil over the official website for real-time updates. This additional window allows students to strategically rank their preferred MBBS and BDS courses based on current seat matrices and previous years' cutoff trends.

The committee has emphasized that the portal will strictly close at the stipulated time on August 18, and no further requests for extensions or modifications will be entertained beyond this point.

Did You Know?: NEET UG is the single-window gateway for admissions to all medical colleges in India, including AIIMS and JIPMER, ensuring a standardized merit-based entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the new deadline for NEET UG 2026 choice-filling?
A: The extended deadline is August 18, 11:59 PM.

Q2: Is it necessary to lock the choices?
A: Yes, candidates are strongly advised to lock their choices to ensure their preferences are officially recorded and cannot be altered accidentally.