The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has made three changes to how NEET UG 2026 counselling will run, and all three cut down on college visits and paperwork. The Ministry of Health wrote to every state on 28 July 2026 to spell them out, with counselling due to start shortly.
Upgrade your seat online, without visiting the college
Until now, if you were allotted a seat and wanted to try for a better one in the next round, you first had to physically report to your allotted college to retain your seat and apply for upgradation. In 2026, you can do this online. If you opt for upgradation, your admission stays valid in the counselling system while you take part in later rounds. You no longer report merely to complete formalities.
Resign your seat online
You can now give up an allotted seat through the MCC counselling portal. Earlier this meant going to the college and submitting it in person. From this year, you can do it online, wherever the counselling rules allow it and within the given deadlines.
Submit NRI documents online for deemed universities
Candidates claiming NRI seats in deemed universities can upload their documents on the portal instead of submitting them for physical verification.
What stays the same
These changes make the process easier, not looser. Round 1 is still a free exit, the security deposit is still at risk from Round 2, and a joined Round 3 seat still cannot be resigned. Online resignation works only “wherever permissible under the counselling rules,” so the deadlines and forfeiture rules you planned around still hold. Only the way you complete each step has gotten simpler.
Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare D.O. letter dated 28 July 2026. Read the current MCC bulletin at mcc.nic.in before you file choices.