NEET UG 2025 Choice Filling & Locking (Round 3 Extended): How to fill Course and College Choices
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )
Counselling - 11 Oct '25
The NEET UG choice filling 2025 is a crucial part of the counselling process. The choice filling and locking processes must be done on time. Check the round-wise NEET UG 2025 choice filling and locking dates, direct link and processes here.
NEET UG Choice Filling Process
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the revised schedule for the NEET 2025 Counselling Choice Filling for each round. The NEET 2025 Counselling Round 3 choice filling and locking dates have been extended by MCC till October 13, 2025, 11.59 PM from October 10, 2025, on account of the change in the MBBS seats by NMC, ongoing court cases, and other reasons.
The NEET 2025 Counselling Round 3 choice locking window will be opened on October 13, 2025, 4 PM to 11.59 PM. The seat allotment result of the second round was scheduled for October 11, 2025, but has been delayed until further notice.
Also Read: NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 3 Choice Filling Extended Till October 13; Result Delayed Further
The NEET 2025 counselling choice filling and locking comprise the most crucial steps of the counselling process. As the term suggests, choice filling refers to choosing the preferred course and colleges from the seat matrix released by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the NEET Counselling authority.
In case candidates are not allotted any seat in the second round of the NEET UG counselling, the earlier allotted seat in Round 1 will be retained. However, on up-gradation of a seat in the second round, the earlier allotted seat in Round 1 will automatically be cancelled and allotted to another candidate. Therefore, candidates are advised to fill in only higher choices or any other choice which they prefer over the earlier allotted seat, for second round.
Once a candidate joins second round seat allotted in the NEET UG counselling, he/she will not be allowed to vacate from the allotted second round seat. However if candidates are allotted a seat in Second Round and have not joined the college, then he/she can Exit with Forfeiture of security amount. Moreover, the candidates who have joined up to round 2 of AIQ or state quota will not be eligible to participate in the further rounds of AIQ or state quota.
NEET UG counselling 2025 dates were announced by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on July 13, 2025. A lot of students raise queries regarding the NEET choice filling process. Unless the NEET 2025 counselling choice filling is done correctly, the seat allotment won't be done accurately. This article of Shiksha.com brings you detailed information regarding the NEET UG choice filling and locking processes.
There will be four rounds of MCC NEET counselling, which are as follows:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Stray Vacancy Round
The number of rounds of counselling will vary according to the vacant seats. In the context of the NEET Counselling Process, choice filling is the initial phase where candidates have to select the seats and order it according to their preference. Choice locking is the final confirmation stage where students have to submit the pre-selected choices, and MCC would allot a seat only based on the list of choices and preferences.
Till 2022, in the four rounds of NEET UG counselling, the choice-filling process was applicable for the first three rounds only. However, from last year onwards, the choice-filling process is applicable till the last and final round.
- NEET UG Counselling 2025 Choice Filling and Locking Dates
- NEET 2025 Counselling Seat Matrix
- How to Fill Choices For NEET UG Counselling 2025?
- Factors to Check for NEET UG 2025 Choice Filling
NEET UG Counselling 2025 Choice Filling and Locking Dates
MCC has announced the NEET UG counselling 2025 choice filling and locking dates. The following table brings the round-wise dates of the NEET UG 2025 choice filling and locking.
| Choice Filling & Locking Events |
Dates |
|---|---|
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 1 Choice Filling |
July 22, 2025, to July 28, 2025, July 31, 2025 (11.55 PM), August 3, 2025 (11.59 PM) August 4, 2025 (11.59 PM) August 7, 2025 (8 AM) August 9, 2025 (11.59 PM) August 11, 2025 (11.59 PM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 1 Choice Locking |
July 28, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) July 31, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) August 3, 2025 (6 PM to 11.55 PM) August 4, 2025 (4 PM to 11.59 PM) August 6, 2025 (8 PM) to August 7, 2025 (7 AM) August 9, 2025 (6 PM to 11.59 PM) August 11, 2025 (till 11.59 PM |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 2 Choice Filling |
August 13, 2025, to August 18, 2025 August 22, 2025, to August 26, 2025 (11.55 PM) September 5, 2025, to September 9, 2025 (11.55 PM), September 15, 2025 (8 AM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 2 Choice Locking |
August 18, 2025 August 26, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) September 9, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) September 14, 2025 (1 PM) to September 15, 2025 (8 AM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 3 Choice Filling |
September 2, 2025, to September 8, 2025 September 10, 2025, to September 14, 2025 (11.55 PM) September 24, 2025, to September 29, 2025 (11.55 PM) September 30, 2025, to October 5, 2025 (11.55 PM), October 9, 2025 (11.55 PM), October 13, 2025 (11.55 PM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 3 Choice Locking |
September 8, 2025 September 14, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) September 29, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) October 5, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) October 9, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) October 13, 2025 (4 PM to 11.59 PM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Stray Vacancy Round Choice Filling |
September 22, 2025, to September 25, 2025 September 30, 2025, to October 3, 2025 (11.55 PM) October 14, 2025, to October 17, 2025 (11.55 PM) October 22, 2025, to October 26, 2025 (11.55 PM) October 24, 2025, to October 28, 2025 (11.55 PM) |
| NEET UG Counselling 2025 Stray Vacancy Round Choice Locking |
September 24, 2025 (8 AM) to September 25, 2025 (11.55 PM) October 2, 2025 (8 PM) to October 3, 2025 (8 AM) October 16, 2025 (8 PM) to October 17, 2025 (8 AM) October 26, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) October 28, 2025 (4 PM to 11.55 PM) |
NEET 2025 Counselling Seat Matrix
The responses marked on the OMR Sheet of NEET are scanned and uploaded on the official website of NTA. The responses marked are read and captured by the machines, which can sometimes lead to smudging of the responses. Therefore, there can be errors in the scanned copy of NEET OMR sheet. If a student finds any such error in their OMR sheet, they have the provision to challenge them. Candidates have to pay a processing fee of INR 200 per response challenged. The steps for challenging the OMR sheet of NEET are given below:
- Go to the official website of NTA NEET
- Login using the NEET application number and password or date of birth
- Click on “OMR Challenge”
- You will see the questions in sequential order
- Select Question (s) for which you wish to challenge the Recorded Response.
- Once you select any Question for Challenge, you will see three options under the column ‘Candidate’s Claim’.
- If you wish to challenge this option, you may use the Options given in the ‘Candidate’s Claim’ column.
- After clicking your desired option, for Physics / Chemistry / Botany / Zoology for NEET (UG) - 2023, scroll down, ‘Submit’, and move to the next screen.
- You will see a screen displaying your challenges.
- Click on ‘Submit' and Pay Fee Finally’.
- Select Mode of Payment and Pay a processing fee of INR 200 for each question/grade challenged. Make payment through Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking/Paytm.
- After successful payment, download/print the Answer Key challenge receipt
Till last year, candidates were provided N95 masks at the NEET exam centre which was mandatory to be used by candidates. They had to dispose of their own masks before entering the exam centre at the designated bin. However, since the intensity of Covid has reduced as compared to the last two years, this year candidates may not be provided masks at the centre. The information will be confirmed after the release of the NEET admit card. However, it is recommended that they wear face masks for the entire duration. This should be done to ensure their and other test-takers' safety.
Candidates must reach the NEET exam centre at least an hour in advance to be able to complete the security check process on time. For instance, the exam will commence at 2 PM and candidates should reach the centre by 1 PM. The last entry to the NEET exam centre will be at 1.30 PM. The entry process will start from 12.30 pm onwards. In case candidates reach the centre later than 1.30 PM, they will not be allowed entry despite multiple requests. Hence, candidates must plan the commute and estimate the duration of commute in advance to avoid last minute hassles.
The table below brings the seat matrix PDF along with the number of seats for the NEET 2025 Counselling Round 1.
| Institute Type | Number of Seats | Download PDF |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS, BHU and JIPMER | 2,179 | Download Now |
| All India Quota | 8,651 | Download Now |
| Central Universities (DU, IP, BHU, Jamia, AMU) | 1,272 | Download Now |
| Deemed Universities | 13,939 | Download Now |
| ESIC | 474 | Download Now |
| BSc Nursing | 504 | Download Now |
The following table brings the seat vacancies and seat matrix for the MCC NEET UG Counselling Round 2.
| NEET 2025 Counselling Round 2 Seat Matrix |
Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| 1,134 |
|
| 7,088 |
|
| 13,501 |
The following table brings the type-wise seats along with the number available for NEET Counselling 2025 Round 3.
| Seat Type |
Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| 138 |
|
| 4,921 |
|
| 10,737 |
|
| 8 |
|
| 50 |
|
| 67 |
How to Fill Choices For NEET UG Counselling 2025?
Candidates have to follow the steps below to complete the NEET 2025 choice filling and locking process. Prior to that, candidates must complete the registration process and pay the requisite fee for registration as per their category.
- Visit the official website of MCC – mcc.nic.in or directly enter https://mcc.admissions.nic.in/Counseling/Root/Home.aspx?enc=89xw0ctRCXfaXHy3CACizMGeESUPc92SoSpzB/gzd/wSY6DDua8cQKQ+HT29rjmuRXQG2NoF+WHOj6h2WBR++A==
-
Click on the ‘New Registration’ tab and click on ‘Sign in’
-
Enter the NEET UG 2025 Roll Number, Password and Security Pin
-
Click on the link ‘Available Choices’.
-
On clicking the “Choice Filling” icon, the choices as per individual criteria of eligibility would be displayed to the candidate on the left side basket and on clicking the button for the required choice, it will be selected. The seats chosen will be removed from the left basket and added to the right basket.
-
Candidates will have to click on the ‘Save & Continue’ tab.
-
Candidates may change the order of preference of choices by clicking on the Upper Arrow ./button to move up, the Down Arrow button to move down and the Delete button to delete the pre-selected choice of institutes.
-
The choice Interchange (Swapping) can be carried out by selecting appropriate choices as source and destination to enable their swapping and reordering all the choices.
-
If a candidate desires to delete a specific choice or a group of choices, the candidate can click the appropriate box for deletion of the choice. Further, if the candidate desires to delete multiple choices, in one go, he/she can click the appropriate boxes for deletion and confirm the same, so that all unwanted choices can be deleted by this operation.
NEET Counselling 2025 Choice Locking Process
Only the choice filling is not sufficient for getting seats allotted. Candidates need to lock in choices to complete the process. The NEET 2025 choice locking process is given in the steps below:
-
By clicking the Choice Lock Button and confirming the same, the choices could be locked.
-
Choices once locked can’t be unlocked. Therefore, the candidates are advised to exercise choice carefully, as the choices above the allotted choice will be processed in the second round.
-
In case candidates fail to lock choices, choices filled in by the candidate will be automatically locked at 5:00 PM of the last date of locking.
-
On clicking the “Lock Choice” button (active only on notified dates), the submitted choices will be displayed on the screen along with all restrictions, on the choices selected, if applicable.
-
During the locking process, candidates have to enter the password, and then only the system proceeds with the locking of choices.
-
After locking of choices, the following message will be displayed indicating no more choice submissions are possible: “Your Filled Choices have been Locked Successfully. Now you are not allowed to make any modifications to Filled Choices. After taking the printout, press the LOGOUT Button and close all Open Windows related to your session for Security Reasons. Click Below Link to Print Locked Choices.”
-
After locking, candidates can take a printout of locked choices, which includes the locking date and time, IP address of the computer and system-generated Unique Number.
-
After locking the choices, if a candidate logs in again, then the locked choices given by the candidate will be displayed, and the choices cannot be modified or altered.
There is no specific number of choices to enter. Hence, candidates are suggested to make as many choices as they wish. The final seat allotment will be based on the locked choices.
Factors to Check for NEET UG 2025 Choice Filling
Candidates will have to keep in mind the following factors while choosing the colleges and locking them:
-
Rank of the Colleges: Before choosing the colleges, candidates will have to check the rank of the medical colleges. It would not be worth selecting a low-rung college as not only do they not have adequate infrastructure, but also lack in terms of faculty and other intellectual resources.
Also Read: Top 20 Medical Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking
-
Courses: MCC conducts the NEET UG counselling for three courses, namely, MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing. Along with the institutes, candidates also need to select the course properly. They should also be careful while choosing the college and course. For example, a number of participating institutes offering BSc Nursing only admit female students. Hence, male candidates choosing such colleges will become invalid.
-
NEET UG Cutoff: While selecting colleges in the NEET choice filling and locking rounds, candidates must check the previous years’ NEET UG cutoff for those colleges to know their chances of getting a seat allotted at those institutes.
-
Order of Preference: The order of preference during choice filling should be based on factors such as old AIIMS colleges, Deemed Universities, State Universities, new AIIMS colleges, and other government colleges, followed by private colleges.
During the NEET 2025 choice filling and locking rounds, candidates must avoid selecting colleges with very high fees or bond amounts, or those which does not offer PG programmes. Moreover, candidates should prefer colleges with an attached hospital for better exposure.
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Category | Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|
NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign nationals | 5,500/- |
General/2A/2B/3A/3B | 2,500/- |
SC/ST/Cat-I/PWD | 500/- |
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NEET will be conducted in 13 languages. Till 2020, NEET was held in 11 languages. NTA increased the number of languages or medium to 13 from 2021 onwards. Malayalam and Punjabi are the latest additions. The list of languages are as follows: