That NEET UG "percentile cut" notice is fake, MCC warns — as the all-India stray vacancy round opens
The Medical Counselling Committee says a notice circulating online about lowering the NEET UG 2026 qualifying percentile is fake: no such decision has been taken. MCC reminded candidates that mcc.nic.in is its only website. Registration for the all-India stray vacancy round opened on 13 October, and the published schedule puts the result on 17 October.
Update, 14 October 2026: MCC has extended the stray vacancy round (notice dated 14.10.2026). Registration is now open until 4 pm on 16 October (payment until 6 pm, RESET registration until 3 pm). Choice filling runs until 11:55 pm on 16 October, with choice locking from 7 pm that day. Seats are processed on 17–18 October, the result is declared on 19 October, and reporting runs from 19 to 26 October. The schedule further down this story is the earlier one and has been superseded.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has issued an advisory dated 13 October 2026 about a "notice" circulating online that claims the qualifying percentile for NEET UG Counselling 2026 has been reduced. MCC's answer is short: no such decision has been taken by the competent authority, and the notice is fake.
What MCC said
- MCC runs no website other than mcc.nic.in. Only information posted there should be treated as genuine.
- Candidates should beware of fake websites and agents, and report any fraudulent site or agent to MCC straight away.
- MCC's PG bulletin carries the same warning: there is no direct entry or "nomination" into any college through NEET counselling, and anyone promising a seat for money is lying.
Why this one matters
A percentile cut would make thousands more candidates eligible just before the last all-India round. A believable-looking fake can push students into paying "agents" for a stray-round seat or making plans on a rule change that does not exist. If a notice reaches you on a messaging app and is not on mcc.nic.in, treat it as fake.
The stray vacancy round, as scheduled
MCC's notice board says registration for the all-India stray vacancy round opened on 13 October, a day later than the 12 October date in its 14 September schedule. That schedule sets these steps:
| Step | Published schedule (server time) |
|---|---|
| Registration | Until 3 pm on 14 October (payment until 6 pm) |
| Choice filling | Until 10 am on 15 October |
| Choice locking | 4 pm on 14 October to 10 am on 15 October |
| Seat allotment processing | 15–16 October |
| Result | 17 October |
| Reporting | 19 to 26 October |
Because the start slipped by a day, check the MCC site for any revised closing times before you rely on these.
What to do now
If you are in the stray round, finish registration and payment within today's window and lock only seats you will actually join. Check the rules in the counselling bulletin on forfeiture and eligibility first. Ignore percentile rumours unless MCC posts them on mcc.nic.in. For counselling questions, MCC's helpline is 7824848020 and its email is [email protected].
CareerBox News Desk — reporting on the Medical Counselling Committee’s advisory of 13 October 2026 on a fake notice regarding percentile reduction in NEET UG Counselling 2026, read with its UG counselling schedule of 14 September 2026 and the notice board on its UG counselling page. Official portal: mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.