NEET PG 2025 Counseling: Round 3 Choice Locking Begins Tonight Amid Cut-off Row and Legal Delays NEW DELHI, Feb 1, 2026 – The Medical Cou...
NEET PG 2025 Counseling: Round 3 Choice Locking Begins Tonight Amid Cut-off Row and Legal Delays
NEW DELHI, Feb 1, 2026 – The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is set to activate the Choice Locking facility for NEET PG 2025 Round 3 counseling tonight at 8:00 PM. This comes after a week of significant turbulence, including a temporary suspension of the process due to pending matters in the Supreme Court.
Revised Schedule and Allotment Timeline
Following the recent resumption of the counseling process, the MCC has issued a revised schedule. Aspirants who have participated in the Round 3 registrations must finalize their preferences before the deadline tomorrow.
Choice Locking Starts: February 1, 2026 (8:00 PM)
Choice Filling Ends: February 2, 2026 (11:55 PM)
Seat Allotment Result: February 3, 2026
College Reporting: February 4 to February 11, 2026
The Round 3 seat matrix has also been updated to include additional seats, notably 49 seats at the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), following specific judicial directions.
The 'Zero Percentile' Controversy
A major point of contention this year is the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) decision to drastically lower the qualifying cut-offs to fill over 18,000 vacant seats.
| Category | Original Cut-off | Revised Cut-off | Revised Score (out of 800) |
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile | 7th Percentile | ~103 |
| General – PwBD | 45th Percentile | 5th Percentile | ~90 |
| SC / ST / OBC | 40th Percentile | 0th Percentile | -40 |
Medical bodies such as FAIMA and FORDA have strongly criticized the move, labeling it "unprecedented and illogical." Critics argue that allowing candidates with negative scores to qualify for specialist training undermines meritocracy and could impact future patient safety.
Judicial Standpoint
While multiple Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were filed in the Allahabad and Delhi High Courts challenging the cut-off reduction, both courts have declined to interfere, citing it as a policy decision intended to prevent the wastage of valuable medical seats. A final clarification from the Supreme Court is still awaited, which initially led to the pausing of Round 3 activities last week.
Budget 2026: A Boost for Medical Education
Parallel to the counseling updates, the Union Budget 2026-27 presented today has earmarked medical education as a priority. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced:
5 Regional Medical Hubs to be established in partnership with the private sector.
1.5 Lakh caregivers to be trained in allied healthcare skills.
A dedicated scheme for Girls' Hostels in every district to support female STEM and medical students.
Advice for Candidates: Aspirants are advised to complete their choice locking as soon as the window opens at 8:00 PM tonight. Failure to lock choices manually may lead to automatic locking of the last saved preferences.
For more details and official notifications, candidates should visit the MCC portal at
