According to the latest NTRUHS notifications dated September 29, 2026, eligible candidates have been given time to submit their Free Exit requests up to 5:00 PM on September 30, 2026. The facility covers specific categories and counselling phases of MBBS and BDS admissions.

The latest notifications are particularly important for candidates who have joined a seat but now wish to reconsider their admission decision, explore another counselling opportunity or withdraw from the allotted institution.

NTRUHS has also clarified that the Free Exit facility is subject to different rules depending on the course, quota and counselling phase from which the candidate is exiting.

AP NEET UG 2026 Free Exit: Key Highlights

The university's latest notification list confirms the release of separate Free Exit notifications for MBBS Management Quota Phase-I, MBBS Competent Authority Quota Phase-II and BDS Competent Authority Quota Phase-I candidates.

Which AP NEET UG Candidates Can Use the Free Exit Facility?

The latest Free Exit opportunity applies to specific groups of candidates who have already reported to and joined their allotted seats.

MBBS Management Quota – Phase I

Candidates who joined an MBBS seat allotted under Management Quota Category B1/B2 in Phase-I can use the Free Exit facility within the prescribed deadline.

Candidates opting for Free Exit from this category may participate in the subsequent Management Quota Phase-II counselling, subject to the applicable rules.

However, candidates do not retain any claim over the seat they have surrendered or over a seat that they previously failed to report to or resigned from.

MBBS Competent Authority Quota – Phase II

Candidates who have joined an MBBS seat allotted under the Competent Authority Quota (CAQ) in Phase-II are also covered by the latest Free Exit notification.

However, the consequences are different from those applicable to Management Quota candidates. Candidates who use Free Exit from this category will not remain eligible for subsequent Competent Authority Quota counselling rounds for the 2026-27 academic year.

The university has indicated that such candidates may still participate in Management Quota counselling if they meet the relevant eligibility conditions and are allotted a seat.

BDS Competent Authority Quota – Phase I

The Free Exit facility also covers candidates who joined BDS seats under the Competent Authority Quota during Phase-I.

Candidates in this category should carefully review the consequences of opting for Free Exit before submitting their request, particularly because the facility affects their eligibility for subsequent CAQ counselling rounds.

AP NEET UG Free Exit Deadline 2026

The most important deadline for candidates is:

September 30, 2026 – 5:00 PM

Candidates wishing to use the Free Exit facility must submit their request to the Principal of the concerned medical or dental college by the prescribed deadline.

NTRUHS has instructed colleges to process the requests and return the relevant documents and fees as applicable under the notification.

The university has also directed colleges to freeze the latest admission data by 9:00 PM on September 30, 2026.

Candidates should therefore avoid waiting until the final minutes of the deadline because the request has to be submitted through the prescribed institutional process.

What Is Free Exit in AP NEET UG Counselling?

Free Exit is a facility that allows an eligible candidate who has already joined an allotted seat to withdraw from that seat within a specified period, subject to the conditions laid down by the counselling authority.

The purpose of the facility is to provide candidates with an opportunity to reconsider their admission decision during the counselling process.

However, Free Exit does not have the same consequences for every category. The effect depends on whether the candidate is exiting from Management Quota or Competent Authority Quota and which counselling phase is involved.

Therefore, candidates should not assume that using Free Exit automatically preserves their eligibility for all future counselling rounds.

How to Apply for AP NEET UG 2026 Free Exit?

Eligible candidates who wish to withdraw should follow the procedure prescribed by NTRUHS and the concerned college.

The general process includes:

1.    Confirm that you belong to one of the categories covered by the latest Free Exit notification.

2.    Check that you have already reported to and joined the concerned allotted seat.

3.    Submit the Free Exit request in the prescribed format.

4.    Submit the request to the Principal of the concerned college.

5.    Ensure that the request reaches the college before 5:00 PM on September 30, 2026.

6.    Obtain confirmation that the request has been accepted.

7.    Collect your original certificates and applicable fee refund as per the notification.

8.    Keep copies of the submitted request and acknowledgement for future reference.

The final procedure should be followed according to the notification and instructions issued by NTRUHS and the concerned institution.

Refund of Fees and Return of Certificates

One of the significant aspects of the Free Exit facility is the direction to colleges regarding the return of candidates' documents and fees.

Principals have been instructed to accept eligible Free Exit requests in the prescribed format and return the candidate's original certificates and applicable fees, including tuition and other fees where specified under the notification.

Candidates should verify that they receive all documents that were deposited at the time of admission and retain documentary proof of the withdrawal.

What Happens to Vacated Seats?

Seats vacated through the Free Exit process do not simply remain vacant for the rest of the admission cycle.

The university has specified that candidates who exit within the permitted period will be treated as not reported/not joined for the relevant counselling process. Such seats can subsequently be included in the next phase of counselling in accordance with the applicable rules.

This mechanism allows the counselling authority to reuse the seats during subsequent rounds and provide opportunities to other eligible candidates.

What Happens If Candidates Do Not Use Free Exit?

Candidates who have joined a seat and decide not to use the Free Exit opportunity within the specified deadline should carefully consider the consequences.

For the categories covered by the latest notification, candidates who remain in their seats will continue into the applicable subsequent counselling process under the relevant rules.

However, after the Free Exit window closes, candidates covered by the notification may not be permitted to withdraw their joined seat later in the admission process.

NTRUHS has specifically advised candidates to take an informed and calculated decision before using or declining the Free Exit facility.

Free Exit Rules for MBBS Management Quota Candidates

For MBBS candidates who joined a Management Quota Phase-I B1/B2 seat, the Free Exit facility provides an opportunity to leave the seat and participate in Management Quota Phase-II counselling.

Candidates should remember that:

• The exit request must be submitted by the prescribed deadline.

• The request has to be made through the concerned college.

• The candidate cannot claim the seat after surrendering it.

• Previously not-reported or resigned seats cannot automatically be claimed again.

• Participation in Phase-II will be subject to the rules applicable to that counselling phase.

Free Exit Rules for Competent Authority Quota Candidates

The rules are different for candidates exiting from Competent Authority Quota seats.

Candidates using Free Exit from the applicable MBBS Phase-II or BDS Phase-I CAQ seats will not be eligible for further Competent Authority Quota rounds during the 2026-27 admission cycle.

However, NTRUHS has indicated that such candidates may be able to participate in Management Quota counselling, provided they satisfy the applicable conditions.

This distinction is important because candidates should consider their future counselling options before submitting a Free Exit request.

Public Holidays Will Not Extend the Deadline

Candidates should also take note of the university's instruction regarding public holidays.

The counselling process treats all public holidays as working days for the purpose of the relevant schedule. Therefore, candidates should not assume that a holiday will automatically extend the Free Exit deadline.

The September 30, 2026, 5:00 PM deadline should therefore be treated as the final time specified by NTRUHS unless the university issues a subsequent extension or revised notification.

What Candidates Should Check Before Opting for Free Exit

Before surrendering a joined seat, candidates should consider the following:

Check Your Counselling Category

Confirm whether your seat belongs to:

• MBBS Management Quota Phase-I

• MBBS Competent Authority Quota Phase-II

• BDS Competent Authority Quota Phase-I

Check the Future Counselling Eligibility

Free Exit can affect eligibility for subsequent counselling rounds. This is particularly important for candidates under the Competent Authority Quota.

Confirm the Deadline

The current deadline is 5:00 PM on September 30, 2026.

Submit the Request to the Correct Authority

The request must be submitted to the Principal of the concerned college in the prescribed manner.

Collect Your Documents

Candidates should ensure that their original certificates and applicable fee refund are returned after the Free Exit process is completed.

Keep Proof of Withdrawal

Candidates should retain a copy of the Free Exit request, acknowledgement and any documents issued by the college confirming the withdrawal.

AP NEET UG Counselling 2026: What Comes Next?

The Free Exit process is closely linked to the subsequent phases of Andhra Pradesh NEET UG counselling.

Candidates who vacate eligible seats within the prescribed period will have their seats considered for subsequent counselling as per the applicable rules. Candidates who remain in their allotted seats will continue according to the counselling process applicable to their category.

NTRUHS has already been conducting multiple stages of MBBS and BDS counselling for the 2026-27 academic year, including Phase-I and Phase-II allotments, web options and vacancy-related processes. The university's notification portal continues to publish updated admission notices and allotment information.

AP NEET UG 2026 Free Exit: Important Dates at a Glance

Final Takeaway

The AP NEET UG 2026 Free Exit Window gives eligible MBBS and BDS candidates a limited opportunity to withdraw from their joined seats during the ongoing Andhra Pradesh counselling process.

The latest NTRUHS notifications cover MBBS Management Quota Phase-I, MBBS Competent Authority Quota Phase-II and BDS Competent Authority Quota Phase-I candidates. The deadline for submitting the Free Exit request is 5:00 PM on September 30, 2026, while colleges have been instructed to freeze the relevant data by 9:00 PM the same day.

Candidates should carefully understand the consequences before exercising the option. In particular, candidates exiting from applicable Competent Authority Quota seats will not be eligible for subsequent CAQ counselling rounds, although Management Quota opportunities may remain available subject to the applicable rules.

Candidates who intend to use the facility should submit their request to the Principal of the concerned college within the prescribed deadline and retain proof of the completed withdrawal process. Those who choose to retain their seats should continue following the subsequent counselling schedule and instructions issued by NTRUHS.