According to the latest notification, the NEET UG 2026 Round 1 choice locking process, which was originally scheduled to begin at 10 AM on August 17, will now start at 4 PM on the same day.

Candidates participating in the counselling process should note that choice locking will be conducted exclusively through the official MCC counselling portal. Students who fail to complete the choice-filling process before the prescribed deadline will not be able to lock their preferences for admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes.

The revised schedule is applicable to candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS courses through the 15% All India Quota counselling process.

MCC Issues Urgent Notice Regarding NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Choice Locking

The Medical Counselling Committee revised the schedule after citing an unforeseen situation.

As per the original counselling timetable, the choice-locking window was expected to open at 10 AM on August 17, 2026. However, the MCC later updated the counselling portal with a fresh alert informing candidates that the process would instead begin at 4 PM.

The revision is significant because choice locking is one of the most crucial stages of the counselling process. Once the choices are locked, the selected colleges and courses become the basis for seat allotment.

Candidates are therefore advised to review their list carefully before confirming their final preferences.

NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Choice Locking: Important Details

Who Is Eligible to Lock Choices?

Only candidates who have already completed the choice-filling process before the specified deadline will be eligible to participate in the choice-locking stage.

Students who have not filled in their preferred colleges and courses within the stipulated time will not be allowed to lock their options.

The choice-locking facility is available only to candidates registered for NEET UG 2026 counselling under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ).

How to Lock the NEET UG 2026 Round 1 Preference List

Candidates can follow these steps to lock their preferred colleges for MBBS and BDS admissions:

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Open the official MCC counselling website.

Step 2: Access the UG Medical Counselling Section

Click on the active link labeled 'UG Medical Counselling.'

Step 3: Log In

Enter the following credentials:

• NEET UG Roll Number

• Password

Step 4: Open the Choice-Filling Dashboard

Access the saved preference list from the dashboard.

Step 5: Review the Selected Colleges

Carefully verify the order and sequence of all selected medical and dental colleges.

Step 6: Lock the Choices

Once the choice-locking window becomes active at 4 PM, click on the 'Lock Choices' option to finalize the preferences.

Why Choice Locking Is Important

Choice locking plays a decisive role in the NEET UG counselling process because the seat allotment result is generated based on the final list of locked preferences.

Before locking their choices, students should carefully evaluate factors such as:

• College rankings

• Course availability

• Previous years' cut-offs

• Institutional infrastructure

• Geographical location

• Tuition fees

• Academic reputation

Once the choices are locked, candidates may not be able to modify them. Therefore, experts recommend reviewing every selected option carefully before final submission.

Students Advised to Complete the Process Early

Candidates should avoid waiting until the final hours to lock their preferences. Heavy traffic on the counselling portal can sometimes result in:

• Slow website response

• Login failures

• Technical interruptions

• Delayed submissions

Students are encouraged to complete the process as soon as the choice-locking window opens to avoid unnecessary complications.

Applicants should continue monitoring the official counselling portal for any additional updates related to Round 1 seat allotment, document verification, and admission schedules.