NEET Choice Filling & Choice Locking 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

NEET Choice Filling & Choice Locking 2026: NEET Choice Filling 2026 is one of the most important steps in the counselling process. After completing registration on the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) portal, candidates must select and arrange colleges and courses in the correct order. The order of choices plays an important role in seat allotment.

After selecting colleges, candidates must complete NEET Choice Locking 2026 before the deadline. Only the locked choices are considered for seat allotment.

Therefore, every choice should be checked carefully before locking. The counselling has been started from August 4 to October 3, 2026, with multiple counselling rounds to fill the seats for admission. 

What is NEET Choice Filling 2026?

NEET Choice Filling 2026 is the process of selecting medical, dental, and nursing colleges during MCC counselling. Candidates can choose colleges and courses according to their rank, category, eligibility, and personal preference.

During MCC Choice Filling, candidates can add multiple colleges and arrange them in the order they prefer. The college placed at the top of the list is treated as the first preference.

Choice filling is available after successful registration, payment of the counselling fee, and deposit of the required security amount.

What is NEET Choice Locking 2026?

NEET Choice Locking 2026 is the final step after filling college preferences. Once candidates finish arranging their choices, they must lock them before the deadline.

After choices are locked, they cannot be changed for that counselling round. If choices are not reviewed carefully before locking, unwanted colleges may remain in the preference list.

A high-security password and OTP verification may be required while completing MCC Choice Locking. Follow the MCC portal and video to complete the process on time. 

Source: MCC Portal For Registration & Choice Filling Videos

Registration Before NEET College Choice Filling

Before starting NEET College Choice Filling, candidates must complete the online registration process on the official MCC portal.

The registration process includes:

• Register on the official MCC website.

• Enter personal details carefully.

• Verify eligibility.

• Pay the counselling registration fee.

• Deposit the refundable security amount.

• Complete all required information before accessing the choice filling page.

While registering, candidates should use the same mobile number and email ID that were used during NEET registration. All information should match the original documents to avoid problems during verification.

Candidates should complete the counselling process themselves instead of depending on agents or third parties.

Documents Required Before NEET College Choice Filling

Keep all original documents ready before starting the counselling process.

• NEET UG Admit Card

• NEET UG Score Card or Rank Letter

• Class 10 Certificate and Mark Sheet (Age Proof)

• Class 12 Certificate and Mark Sheet

• Valid Government Identity Proof

• Passport-size photographs used during NEET registration

• Reserved Category Certificate, if applicable

• PwBD Certificate issued by a designated centre, if applicable

• NRI or OCI documents, if applicable

How to Fill Choices in NEET Counselling 2026?

Follow the steps to fill choices in NEET Counselling 2026. 

Step 1: Log in to the MCC Portal.

Step 2: Open the Choice Filling Section.

Step 3: Verify Identity. OTP is required to verify the content. 

Step 4: Search Available Colleges.

Step 5: Add College Preferences.

Step 6: Arrange the NEET Preference Order.

Step 7: Save choices to complete the process. 

Step 8: Complete NEET Choice Locking 2026.

Freeze and Float Option Explained

During counselling, candidates may need to choose between the Freeze and Float options after seat allotment.

Freeze Option

The Freeze option is for candidates who are satisfied with the allotted seat.

After selecting Freeze:

• Accept the allotted seat.

• Visit the allotted college physically.

• Complete document verification.

• Finish admission formalities.

No further seat upgradation will be considered.

Float Option

The Float option is for candidates who want to participate in seat upgradation in the next counselling round.

Under this option:

• Physical reporting is not required at this stage.

• Documents are uploaded online.

• The allotted college verifies the uploaded documents.

• Candidates remain eligible for seat upgradation in later rounds.

Online Resignation and Seat Surrender

MCC also provides an online resignation or seat surrender facility during Round 1 and Round 2 through the candidate portal.

Before resigning, candidates should carefully understand the counselling rules because security deposits may be affected depending on the counselling round.

Counselling Fees and Security Deposit

Candidates must pay a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit during registration.

AIQ, Central Universities, AIIMS, JIPMER and B.Sc. Nursing

General/EWS

• Registration Fee: ₹1,000

• Security Deposit: ₹10,000

SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD

• Registration Fee: ₹500

• Security Deposit: ₹5,000

Deemed Universities

• Registration Fee: ₹5,000

• Refundable Security Deposit: ₹2,00,000

Exit Rules

• Round 1: Free exit is available without losing the security deposit.

• Round 2 and Round 3: If a candidate resigns or does not join the allotted seat, the refundable security deposit is forfeited.

• Round 3 Joining: Candidates who join a seat in Round 3 cannot resign or participate in later counselling rounds.

Common Mistakes During MCC Choice Filling

• Selecting Freeze instead of Float without understanding the difference.

• Uploading unclear or incorrect documents.

• Filling very few college choices.

• Arranging colleges in the wrong preference order.

• Ignoring tuition fees, hostel fees, or bond conditions.

• Missing the choice locking deadline.

• Making payment from another person's bank account, which may delay the security deposit refund.

• Resigning after Round 2 or Round 3 without understanding the deposit forfeiture rules.

Important Tips for NEET Choice Filling 2026

• Register only on the official MCC portal.

• Use the same mobile number and email used during NEET registration.

• Enter every detail exactly as mentioned in official documents.

• Create a strong password and keep it safe.

• Upload clear documents.

• Check every detail in the Preview section before payment.

• Download and save the payment receipt.

• Fill as many genuine college choices as possible.

• Arrange colleges according to the actual preference order.

• Lock the choices before the deadline.

NEET Choice Filling 2026 and choice locking are the important stages for any candidate who has qualified in the NEET UG exam 2026. Candidates need to ensure that all the details in the counselling application and choice filling process are carefully added. Follow the schedule and fill out the form properly with the fee payment to avoid any mistakes. It can cause rejection in the counselling process.