How to Upgrade from Allotted Seat to Vacant Seat in MCC Counselling

The NEET UG counselling process is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee for the allocation of the seats according to the NEET score.  If a candidate has already been allotted a seat through MCC counselling but wants to upgrade to a better or preferred vacant seat, the MCC does allow this, but only under certain conditions.

Many students opt for an upgraded seat even after getting a seat in Round 1. The upgradation from an allotted seat to a vacant seat means you are shifting to a better choice if it becomes available in the next round, based on your rank and preference. The medical counselling committee gives numerous chances to secure your seat through multiple counselling rounds. In this blog, we will explain to you how to upgrade your allotted seats to vacant seats in MCC counselling. 

NEET UG counselling 2025 overview

The overview or the highlights of the NEET counselling are in the table below.

The central and state counselling processes of NEET are conducted by 15 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) seats for admission to MBBS, BDS, and BSc nursing courses at central and deemed universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, and AFMC institutes. On the other hand, the 85 per cent state quota seats for medical admission are conducted by the state authorities for admission to state medical colleges.

What are MCC counselling rounds?

The MCC NEET UG counselling rounds are conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee for the allocation of the seats after the NEET exam. Here we will know how the medical counselling committee conducts its counselling process.

MCC NEET UG counselling rounds

1. Round 1- Initial allotment, which is based on your NEET rank, category, and filled preferences.
2. Round 2- Upgrade round in which you can change preferences.
3. Mop-Up Round - For unfilled seats from the previous rounds.
4. Stray Vacancy Round - For vacant seats left after the mop-up round (No fresh registration)
5. Special stray vacancy round (Only for deemed universities)- For deemed universities (Final attempt to fill seats).

After the mop-up round, the seats remaining vacant are shifted to the stray vacancy round. Even after the stray vacancy round, if seats remain unfilled, a special stray vacancy round is conducted. However, these rounds are not open for everyone, which comes with the understanding of eligibility criteria for vacant seats.

Read More :How to Register for MCC Counselling 2025

What does upgrade mean in MCC counselling?

The upgradation means the process of moving from an allotted seat to a higher or better preference seat in the subsequent round of NEET UG counselling. For example, if a candidate were allotted a private college in round 1, but had filled a government college in round 2, and his/her NEET rank allows, he/she may be upgraded.

Who is eligible for upgrading from allotted seats to vacant seats?

In the NEET UG counselling, some eligibility criteria should be fulfilled to get an upgrade from allotted seats to vacant seats. The student can only get an upgrade under specific conditions. Here is the list who are eligible: 

• Round 1 allottees: If anyone has been allotted a seat in round 1 and joined the college, he/she is eligible for upgradation in round 2.
• Not allotted candidates: If anyone has participated in round 1 and did not get a seat, he/she is eligible for round 2 and can get a fresh allotment.
• Mop-up round candidates: If anyone has not been allotted in round 1 and round 2, he/she is eligible for upgradation.

Step-by-step process to upgrade the seat

The process to upgrade seats in the MCC counselling requires some steps through which a candidate can upgrade to a better choice. The option for upgradation is typically available up to the mop-up round. Here is the step-by-step process for the upgradation of the seat:

1. Register and participate in subsequent rounds -If a candidate wants to upgrade, he/she must register for subsequent rounds of counseling (round 2, round 3, or the mop-up round).
2. Fill choices with higher preferences - During the choice filling process for the next round, a candidate must prioritize the colleges or seats he/she would prefer to be upgraded to. This is where you indicate your desire for a higher preference.
3. Upgradation based on availability - If a vacant seat becomes available in a higher reference college/seat during the allotment process, a candidate will be upgraded.
4. Upgradation confirmation - If a candidate has been upgraded, his/her original seat will be vacated, and he/she will be allotted the upgraded seat.
5. No upgradation after mop-up round - Once the mop-up round is over, seat upgradation is not usually possible.

How to upgrade from allotted seat to vacant seat (round-wise guide)

In the MCC NEET UG counselling, a student prefers to upgrade from the allotted seat to a vacant seat for betterment. Here is the detailed breakdown of how to upgrade for a better choice/preferences: 

Upgrading from round 1 to round 2

If a candidate has been allotted a seat in round 1, he/she have two options:

1- Join the allotted Seat

• Candidates must report online/offline and confirm admission.
• He/She is eligible for the upgrade in round 2.
• His/her seat is kept on hold, and he/she may get upgraded automatically if a better option becomes available based on merit and preferences.

2- Do not join the allotted seat

• The candidate would be considered as exited from counselling.
• He/she can register fresh in mop-pp, but he/she may lose the round 1 seat.

Upgrading from round 2 to the mop-up round

In this process, many students get confused about whether they/are eligible to upgrade.

After joining a seat in round 2, a candidate cannot upgrade in the mop-up round, their admission is considered final for the MCC All India Quota.

If a candidate wants to participate in the mop-up round:

• He/she must not join the round 2 allotted seat.
• But remember, if he/she doesn't join, they can lose the round 2 seat.
• He/she has to register again for mop-up as a fresh candidate.

Read More :What to Expect in MCC Counselling Round 2 : Key Tips & Tricks

 Upgrading in mop-up and stray vacancy round

This is important to know that there is no upgrade system in mop-up rounds and stray rounds.

• A candidate can only participate in the mop-up if:
• Didn't get a seat in previous rounds.
• Did not join the round 2 seat.
• Once he/she is allotted and joined in the mop-up, they cannot upgrade further.
• The Stray Vacancy round is conducted by colleges directly, only for vacant seats.

Documents required for upgraded seat admission

During the upgraded seat admission, having your documents ready is important to avoid last-minute mistakes. You won’t get a second chance to submit missing documents, so keep these documents ready for the counselling. Here is the list of the documents required for NEET counselling: 

• Class X & XII mark sheet
• NEET UG 2025 admit card & scorecard
• Round 1 and Round 2 allotment letters
• Passport-size photo
• Valid ID proof (Adhar, PAN, Passport, etc.)
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Transfer certificate (if applicable)
• Migration certificate (for some universities)
• Demand draft or proof of online payment (as required by the college)

Counselling schedule

The MCC counselling process will begin shortly after the announcement of the NEET 2025 result. Here is the expected timeline for the counselling in 2025:

Important tips to maximise upgrade chances

Here are some important tips through which students can maximise their chances of upgradation from allotted seats to vacant seats.

• A candidate must fill maximum choices in preference order.
• A candidate should always opt for an upgrade during reporting.
• A candidate should keep tracking vacant seats.
• A candidate must make a logical preference list.
• A candidate must keep an eye on the refund rules.

FAQs

1- Can I upgrade to a better college in MCC Counselling if I already have an allotted seat?

Yes, you can upgrade to a better college after allotting a seat from round 1 to round 2, it depends on the merit and availability of the seat.

2- Do I have to register again for round 2 of MCC counselling?

No, you have not allotted a seat in round 1 of counselling, you are automatically eligible for round 2, and no need to register again; you can fill and lock new choices for round 2.

3- Can I get a vacant seat after getting a seat in round 2?

No, you can not get a vacant seat after getting a seat in round 2 if you have been allotted a seat and did not resign.

4- How can I upgrade to a vacant seat?

You can upgrade by participating in the next round and filling in better preference choices.

5- Does a candidate need to pay the fee again after upgrading?

Yes, a candidate needs to pay at the new college after upgrading from an allotted seat to a vacant seat; fees need to be paid according to the new college.