NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling: Seat Matrix Released with 659 New Additions and Over 23,000 Vacancies

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially unveiled the seat matrix for Round 2 of the NEET UG Counselling 2026. For thousands of medical aspirants nationwide anticipating undergraduate admissions across MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc. Nursing programs, the announcement offers clear insights into seat availability under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ), Central Universities, Deemed Universities, and premier autonomous institutions.

The updated seat matrix reveals an expanded intake, introducing 659 newly added seats alongside thousands of existing vacancies. This breakdown helps candidates strategically refine their choice-filling preferences during this crucial phase.

Breakdown of Seats in Round 2

The MCC seat matrix classifies seat availability into three primary categories:

1. Newly Added Seats (659 Seats)

A total of 659 new seats across various medical, dental, and nursing institutes have been introduced into the counselling pool for Round 2. These seats stem from recent institute approvals, sanctioning of additional intakes, or newly affiliated colleges, creating valuable opportunities—particularly for candidates seeking entry across competitive score bands.

2. Clear Vacancies (11,302 Seats)

MCC has listed 11,302 seats as Clear Vacancies. These represent completely unoccupied seats following the conclusion of Round 1, arising from candidates who opted not to join their allotted institutes, resigned within the permissible window, or whose allotments were canceled during document verification.

Notably, this pool includes seats in top-tier national institutions, including premier AIIMS campuses such as AIIMS Patna, AIIMS Raipur, and AIIMS Guwahati.

3. Virtual Vacancies (12,283 Seats)

In addition to clear vacancies, the seat matrix features 12,283 Virtual Vacancies. These seats are currently held by candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 who have exercised the "Upgradation/Float" option for Round 2.

Mechanism: If a candidate holding a Round 1 seat successfully upgrades to a higher-preference college during Round 2, their original seat is vacated automatically and immediately offered to another applicant lower in the merit order.

Strategy: Candidates are strongly advised to include prospective virtual vacancies in their preference lists, as a significant volume of these seats opens up during the allotment algorithm run.

Category-Wise and Course-Wise Availability

The MCC has structured the seat matrix to allow candidates to view available seats broken down by category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD), institution type, and academic program. Aspirants can evaluate seat counts specifically for:

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

B.Sc. Nursing (in participating central and federal institutions)

Understanding category-specific seat distribution is essential for evaluating realistic chances of admission and crafting an effective choice-filling strategy.

NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 2 Schedule

The registration window for Round 2 officially opened on September 3, 2026. Candidates participating in Round 2 must adhere strictly to the key dates outlined below:

Key Takeaways for Candidates

Thorough Matrix Review: Candidates should download the official PDF matrix directly from the MCC portal (mcc.nic.in) to analyze vacancy patterns for their preferred institutions.

Include Virtual Vacancies: Do not restrict choice filling solely to clear vacancies; incorporating virtual vacancies significantly increases the probability of securing an optimal allotment.

Mind the Regulations: Unlike Round 1, Round 2 operates under stricter rules regarding seat acceptance and forfeiture of security deposits upon non-joining post-allotment. Candidates should lock choices carefully prior to the deadline.