The Round 3 counselling process will cover fresh seat allotments and re-allotment of seats in eligible medical and dental colleges across the state. The authorities have also opened a resignation portal for candidates who joined seats in the earlier counselling rounds.

Candidates are advised to carefully review the registration dates, choice-filling schedule, allotment process, reporting deadlines and resignation rules before participating in the next round.

Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Round 3 Counselling 2026: Overview

The following are the key highlights of the Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 3 counselling process for the 2026–27 academic session.

Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Round 3 Counselling Schedule 2026

The Round 3 counselling schedule has been announced for the 7.5% reservation category for students who studied in Tamil Nadu Government schools. Candidates must complete each stage within the specified deadline to remain eligible for the counselling process.

Round 3 Schedule for the 7.5% Government School Quota

Important: The above dates apply to the 7.5% Government School reservation category. Candidates participating in the Government and Management Quota counselling should check the separate Round 3 schedule applicable to their category.

What Is the 7.5% Government School Reservation?

Tamil Nadu provides a special reservation of 7.5% in medical and dental admissions for eligible students who have studied in Government schools in the state, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

This reservation is intended to improve access to medical and dental education for students from Government schools.

Under the 2026–27 admission process, the 7.5% reservation applies to eligible seats in Government Medical and Dental Colleges, Government Quota seats in Self-Financing Medical and Dental Colleges, ESIC Medical College at K.K. Nagar, Chennai, and other eligible institutions covered by the counselling notification.

Candidates seeking admission through this category must satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements and participate in the counselling process according to the notified schedule.

Who Is Eligible to Participate in Round 3 Counselling?

Candidates should carefully identify their eligibility status before registering for Round 3.

The following categories of candidates may participate, subject to the applicable counselling rules:

1. Candidates Who Did Not Receive a Seat in Earlier Rounds

Candidates who participated in Round 1 or Round 2 but did not receive a seat can register for Round 3, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

These candidates must complete the registration process within the notified window and submit their college and course preferences during choice filling.

2. Candidates Who Joined in Round 2 and Opted for Upgradation

Candidates who joined a college in Round 2 and selected the upgradation option through the college portal generally do not need to register again for Round 3.

Their existing seats will be treated as virtual vacancies during the counselling process.

If they receive an upgraded seat, they must follow the prescribed reporting procedure and join the newly allotted college.

3. Candidates Who Joined in Round 2 but Did Not Opt for Upgradation

Candidates who joined a Round 2 seat but selected “NO” for upgradation and now wish to participate in Round 3 must log in during the registration window and confirm their participation.

Failure to complete this step may make them ineligible for upgradation.

4. Candidates Who Joined in Round 1 and Were Retained in Round 2

Candidates who joined a Round 1 seat, opted for upgradation and were subsequently retained in Round 2 must also log in during the Round 3 registration window if they want to participate in further upgradation.

5. Candidates Who Wish to Retain Their Existing Seats

Candidates who are satisfied with their current allotment and do not wish to participate in upgradation need not take part in Round 3.

Those who previously opted for upgradation but now wish to retain their existing seat do not need to fill fresh choices. Their seat will be retained according to the applicable rules.

Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Round 3 Choice Filling and Locking

Choice filling is a crucial stage of the counselling process. Candidates must select colleges and courses according to their preferences and carefully review the order of their choices before locking them.

For the 7.5% Government School reservation category, choice filling and locking will begin on October 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM and close on October 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Important Choice-Filling Instructions

• Candidates can edit their selected choices any number of times before locking.

• Once choices are locked, they cannot be modified.

• Candidates who fail to lock their choices by the deadline will have their choices locked automatically.

• Candidates should select only those colleges and courses they are genuinely willing to join.

• The order of preferences should be reviewed carefully before final submission.

Candidates participating in upgradation should also understand that receiving a new seat may result in the cancellation of their earlier allotment.

Virtual Vacancies and Seat Re-Allotment Explained

The Round 3 counselling process includes virtual vacancies created when candidates who already hold seats opt for upgradation.

A virtual vacancy represents a seat that may become available if its current holder receives a new allotment and vacates the earlier seat.

How Virtual Vacancies Work

1.    A candidate who joined in Round 1 or Round 2 opts for upgradation.

2.    The existing seat is displayed as a virtual vacancy during Round 3.

3.    If the candidate receives a new allotment, the earlier seat becomes available for re-allotment.

4.    The vacant seat may then be allotted to another eligible candidate according to the applicable merit and counselling rules.

This process allows seats to be reallocated as candidates move between colleges during the counselling rounds.

Seat Allotment and Result Declaration

The seat allotment process for the 7.5% reservation category is scheduled to be conducted on October 10 and 11, 2026.

The Round 3 allotment result is scheduled for October 12, 2026.

Candidates should check the result carefully to determine whether they have received a fresh seat, an upgraded seat or no allotment.

Those who receive an allotment must download the provisional allotment order within the specified period and complete the admission process at the allotted institution.

The allotment order is an essential document for reporting to the college and completing admission formalities.

Reporting and Joining After Round 3 Allotment

Candidates who receive a seat in Round 3 must report to the allotted college within the prescribed deadline.

For the 7.5% reservation category, the last date for joining is October 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Documents and Reporting Requirements

Candidates should prepare the following documents, as applicable:

• NEET UG 2026 admit card and scorecard.

• Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS counselling application details.

• Provisional allotment order.

• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates.

• Transfer certificate and other educational records.

• Government School study certificates and supporting documents for the 7.5% reservation category.

• Community certificate, if applicable.

• Government-issued identity proof.

• Other certificates required under the relevant admission prospectus.

Candidates must report in person with original certificates and the required scanned copies. Document verification will be conducted at the allotted college.

Failure to report within the specified deadline may lead to cancellation of the selection.

Selected candidates must also submit the prescribed self-declaration form at the time of reporting. Any suppression or misrepresentation of information may result in cancellation of the selection or admission.

Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Resignation Portal 2026 Opens on September 28

The Directorate of Medical Education and Research has announced the opening of the resignation portal for Tamil Nadu MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026–27 academic session.

The portal is scheduled to open on September 28, 2026.

The resignation facility is intended for candidates who have already joined a seat in the earlier counselling rounds and wish to relinquish their admission, subject to the applicable rules.

Who Can Use the Resignation Portal?

The resignation facility applies to:

• Candidates who joined in Round 1 and were retained in Round 2.

• Candidates who joined a seat in Round 2.

Candidates who have not joined their allotted seats are not covered by this particular resignation facility.

How to Resign From an Allotted Seat

Candidates seeking to resign should follow the prescribed procedure:

1.    Visit the official Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee website.

2.    Log in using the original counselling credentials.

3.    Access the resignation portal.

4.    Download the resignation letter after completing the required process.

5.    Submit the resignation letter to the concerned college.

6.    Collect the original certificates from the college after completing the necessary formalities.

Candidates should carefully review the applicable deadline before submitting a resignation request.

The last date for resignation is to be announced separately.

Free Exit and Resignation Rules for Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Counselling 2026

The resignation rules are particularly important for candidates who have already joined a college and are considering withdrawing from their admission.

Free Exit Provision

Candidates freshly allotted a seat in Round 2, or candidates retained from Round 1, may resign before the stipulated deadline under the applicable free-exit provision without forfeiture of the fees covered by that provision.

Candidates should confirm their individual eligibility and the applicable deadline before proceeding.

Resignation After the Prescribed Deadline

Candidates who resign or discontinue their studies after the stipulated resignation date may face financial consequences, including:

• Forfeiture of the security deposit.

• Forfeiture of tuition fees already paid.

• Payment of the applicable discontinuation fee under the relevant Government Quota or Management Quota prospectus.

The exact consequences depend on the candidate's admission category and the applicable counselling rules.

Important Warning About Resignation

Once a candidate submits a resignation through the portal, the seat is treated as vacant for the upcoming counselling round.

The candidate cannot claim the same seat again after relinquishing it.

Therefore, candidates should carefully evaluate their admission status and future plans before submitting a resignation request.

Important Rules Candidates Must Remember in Round 3

Candidates participating in Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Round 3 counselling should keep the following rules in mind:

1. Upgradation means relinquishing the earlier seat: Candidates who receive an upgraded seat must give up their previous Round 1 or Round 2 seat and join the newly allotted institution. They will not retain a right to the earlier seat.

2. No entitlement to further rounds after joining Round 3: Candidates allotted a seat in Round 3 must join the allotted college. They will not be eligible for the subsequent stray vacancy round or any additional rounds under the applicable rules.

3. Choice locking is final: Once candidates lock their preferences, they cannot modify them. Candidates should check their choices carefully before the deadline.

4. Missing the reporting deadline can cancel admission: Candidates must report to the allotted college within the notified deadline and complete the admission process.

5. Original certificates are required: Candidates should keep their original documents ready for verification at the allotted institution.

6. Protect login credentials: Candidates should not share their login ID, password or OTP with anyone.

Colleges Covered Under Round 3 Counselling

The Round 3 counselling process covers eligible seats in the following categories of institutions:

• Tamil Nadu Government Medical Colleges.

• Tamil Nadu Government Dental Colleges.

• ESIC Medical College, K.K. Nagar, Chennai.

• Government Quota seats in Self-Financing Medical Colleges.

• Government Quota seats in Self-Financing Dental Colleges.

• Eligible State Private Universities covered under the counselling notification.

The availability of seats will depend on the vacancy position, candidate eligibility, reservation rules and the allotment process.

How to Check Tamil Nadu MBBS/BDS Round 3 Counselling Updates

Candidates can follow these steps to access the latest counselling notifications, schedules and allotment information:

1.    Visit the official Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee website.

2.    Open the MBBS/BDS counselling section for the 2026–27 academic session.

3.    Look for the Round 3 counselling schedule applicable to the relevant quota.

4.    Check the registration and choice-filling instructions.

5.    Review the seat allotment result when it is published.

6.    Download the allotment order and follow the reporting instructions.

7.    Check the resignation portal notification for the latest withdrawal deadlines and rules.

Candidates should regularly monitor official notifications because tentative schedules and deadlines may be revised.

What Candidates Should Do Next

Candidates who wish to participate in Round 3 should first confirm whether they need to register again or whether their existing registration and upgradation status are sufficient.

Those seeking an upgraded seat should complete the required registration steps, review the available choices and lock their preferences before the deadline.

Candidates who have already joined a college and are considering resignation should check the official resignation deadline and understand the applicable fee and discontinuation rules before proceeding.

The Round 3 process is an important stage in Tamil Nadu's 2026–27 MBBS/BDS admission cycle. Careful attention to registration, choice filling, seat allotment and reporting requirements will help candidates complete the process without missing critical deadlines.