Short answer
MCC holds four online rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and a Stray Vacancy Round. In each round you fill and lock choices, MCC allots seats, and you either join the seat (a "Freeze" candidate) or ask to be considered for a better seat in the next round (a "Float" candidate). Round 1 seats can be left without losing your security deposit; from Round 2 onwards, not joining an allotted seat means losing it.
Based on MCC's UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin (revised 20.08.2026). The 2027 bulletin hasn't been published yet — rules can change, so check it when it is.
Who this applies to
Candidates in MCC counselling for AIQ, Deemed University, Central University/Institute, AIIMS, JIPMER, AMU, BHU and B.Sc. Nursing seats
The rule, explained
Round 1: you register, pay the fees, and fill and lock choices. After the result, Freeze candidates report physically with original documents at the allotted college. Float candidates give willingness for upgradation online and don't need to report physically. All candidates upload scanned copies of their documents once on the MCC portal. Round 1 seats have a free exit option.
Round 2: if you registered for Round 1 and got no seat, or didn't report, you don't register again; new candidates can register fresh with full payment of fees. Everyone must fill fresh choices. If you are upgraded in Round 2, you are automatically released from your Round 1 seat. If you are allotted a seat in Round 2 and don't join it, you lose your security deposit.
Round 3: you fill fresh choices again. After the result, all Round 3 allottees, and Float candidates from Round 1/Round 2 who weren't upgraded, must report physically. A Round 3 allottee who doesn't report exits with forfeiture of the security deposit and is removed from further rounds.
Stray Vacancy Round: fresh registration is needed. After Round 3, the Centre and states share data, and anyone already in an allotted list of the Centre or a state is removed from the All India Stray Vacancy Round.
What the official document says
There will be four rounds of AIQ online Counselling i.e. AIQ Round 1, AIQ Round 2, AIQ Round 3 and AIQ Stray Vacancy Round
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated 20.08.2026 (NEET-UG MBBS/BDS/B.Sc. Nursing), PDF page 24 (opens the official site)
If upgraded in Round 2, the candidate will get automatically relieved from Round 1 seat to join Round 2 seat.
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated 20.08.2026 (NEET-UG MBBS/BDS/B.Sc. Nursing), PDF page 49 (opens the official site)
If allotted a seat in Round 3, a candidate who does not report at the allotted institute will exit with forfeiture of security deposit and will get eliminated from further rounds of counselling.
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated 20.08.2026 (NEET-UG MBBS/BDS/B.Sc. Nursing), PDF page 50 (opens the official site)
Round-1 allotted candidates have FREE EXIT Option. Those who do not want to join the allotted seat can Exit without forfeiture of security deposit.
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS · Revised UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated 20.08.2026 (NEET-UG MBBS/BDS/B.Sc. Nursing), PDF page 58 (opens the official site)