Short answer
MCC runs four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and a Stray Vacancy Round. In each round you fill and lock choices, MCC allots seats by merit and choice, and you then join or, in Rounds 1 and 2, opt to upgrade. Leaving gets costlier each round: Round 1 has a free exit, leaving in Round 2 forfeits your security deposit, and a Round 3 seat cannot be resigned.
These are the rules for MCC's NEET-PG 2026 counselling, which is running now (from MCC's 2026 Information Bulletin). MCC sets the rules again each year.
Who this applies to
Candidates in MCC counselling for All India Quota, Deemed University, Central University/Institute and DNB PG seats
The rule, explained
Every round is a separate round with its own rules. Once a round starts, its rules apply to all candidates, including those allotted or admitted in an earlier round.
Round 1: only clear-cut (unallotted) vacancies are shown. After allotment you choose to be a 'Freeze' candidate (keep the seat and report to the college in person) or a 'Float' candidate (keep the seat but give willingness online to upgrade in the next round). Not joining a Round 1 seat is a free exit.
Round 2: you see clear-cut vacancies and 'virtual vacancies', which are Round 1 seats of candidates who opted to upgrade. These are allotted only if the Round 1 holder vacates or upgrades. Exiting a Round 2 seat is allowed, but with forfeiture of the security deposit.
Round 3: vacant reserved seats are converted in this round (for example, unfilled PwD seats go to the matching category). If you are upgraded, you must take relieving from your Round 2 seat and join the Round 3 seat; once joined, you cannot upgrade or resign. If you do not join a Round 3 seat, you lose your security deposit and cannot take part in further MCC rounds.
Stray Vacancy Round: you register and fill choices afresh; Round 3 choices are not used. Candidates who are not holding a seat can take part, but candidates freshly allotted a Round 3 seat who did not join cannot.
What the official document says
Each round of counselling is a separate round and the rules of each round are different. Once any round commences, the rules of that round will apply to all the candidates even if they were allotted/admitted in the previous round(s) of counselling.
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · NEET-PG (MD/MS/DNB) Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin & Counselling Scheme (cover: “PG Bulletin DRAFT – V10 05102026”), PDF page 8 (opens the official site)
Round 1 - Free exit Round 2 - With Forfeiture
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · NEET-PG (MD/MS/DNB) Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin & Counselling Scheme (cover: “PG Bulletin DRAFT – V10 05102026”), PDF page 15 (opens the official site)
If any candidate does not join Round 3 seat, he may exit with forfeiture ofsecurity deposit and elimination (cannot participate in further rounds of counselling conducted by MCC, DGHS).
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · NEET-PG (MD/MS/DNB) Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin & Counselling Scheme (cover: “PG Bulletin DRAFT – V10 05102026”), PDF page 45 (opens the official site)
Candidates who were freshly allotted seats in round 3 and did not join cannot participate in Stray Vacancy Round.
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · NEET-PG (MD/MS/DNB) Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin & Counselling Scheme (cover: “PG Bulletin DRAFT – V10 05102026”), PDF page 46 (opens the official site)