MBBS AdmissionNEET UG 2026NEET UG Counselling

NEET Counselling Security Deposit, Registration Fee and Refund Rules 2026

Saikat Ghosh07 August 2026

The NEET counselling security deposit is one of the most important financial components of the MBBS and BDS admission process. While registering for MCC counselling, candidates must pay a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit.

However, the word “refundable” often creates confusion. The security deposit is not returned immediately after a counselling round, and it may be forfeited if a candidate does not join a seat allotted in Round 2 or a subsequent round.

For Deemed University candidates, the financial risk is even higher because the refundable security deposit is ₹2 lakh. Therefore, every candidate must understand the MCC registration fee, round-wise exit rules, forfeiture conditions and refund timeline before filling college choices.

The Medical Counselling Committee has released the NEET UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated August 1, 2026, which contains the applicable registration-fee and refund provisions.

Quick Answer: Is the NEET Counselling Security Deposit Refundable?

Yes, the NEET counselling security deposit is refundable, provided the candidate does not trigger a forfeiture condition.

The deposit is generally refunded after all MCC counselling rounds are completed. However, it may be forfeited when a candidate:

Receives a seat in Round 2 or a subsequent round but does not join;
Resigns from a seat under a forfeiture provision;
Fails to report after Round 3 allotment;
Provides incorrect registration information;
Fails to produce mandatory admission documents;
Has the allotted admission cancelled.

MCC states that the security deposit will be forfeited if a candidate is allotted a seat in the second or a subsequent round and does not join the institution. It may also be forfeited if admission is cancelled because of incorrect information or failure to produce required documents.

What Is the NEET Counselling Security Deposit?

The NEET counselling security deposit is an amount collected during MCC registration to ensure that candidates participate responsibly in the seat-allotment process.

It helps discourage candidates from:

Blocking medical or dental seats without intending to join;
Filling unwanted colleges casually;
Leaving allotted seats after later counselling rounds;
Creating avoidable vacancies after seat allotment.

The amount is called refundable because eligible candidates can receive it back after counselling. Nevertheless, the refund depends on the candidate’s actions during the various counselling rounds.

The deposit is different from the registration fee, college tuition fee, hostel fee, university fee or institutional caution money.

NEET Counselling Registration Fee vs Security Deposit

Candidates must pay two separate components while completing MCC counselling registration.

Payment component	Nature	Is it refundable?
Registration fee	Counselling participation and administrative fee	No
Security deposit	Deposit linked to responsible participation and joining rules	Yes, subject to refund eligibility
College tuition fee	Fee charged by the allotted institution	Governed by the college
Hostel and other charges	Institutional expenses	Governed by the college

1. Non-refundable registration fee

The registration fee is charged for participating in MCC NEET UG counselling.

Once a candidate successfully completes registration, the fee is treated as payment for the counselling service. It is not returned even if:

No seat is allotted;
The candidate does not fill choices;
The candidate stops participating;
The candidate receives the security-deposit refund;
The candidate chooses another admission route.

The MCC bulletin identifies the registration component as a non-refundable registration fee.

2. Refundable security deposit

The security deposit can be refunded when the candidate remains eligible under the MCC refund policy.

It is not normally refunded immediately after Round 1, Round 2 or Round 3. MCC processes eligible refunds only after all counselling rounds are completed and the refund list is published.

MCC NEET Counselling Fees 2026

The MCC fee depends on whether a candidate is applying for:

AIQ, Central institutions, AIIMS, JIPMER and other applicable government-sector seats; or
Deemed University seats.

MCC registration fee for AIQ and government-sector seats

The following fee structure applies to counselling for categories including:

15% All India Quota;
Central universities;
AIIMS;
JIPMER;
AFMC registration;
ESIC seats;
Applicable B.Sc. Nursing seats.

Candidate category	Non-refundable registration fee	Refundable security deposit	Total payable
UR/General	₹1,000	₹10,000	₹11,000
EWS	₹1,000	₹10,000	₹11,000
SC	₹500	₹5,000	₹5,500
ST	₹500	₹5,000	₹5,500
OBC	₹500	₹5,000	₹5,500
PwD	₹500	₹5,000	₹5,500

Therefore:

A UR or EWS candidate pays a total of ₹11,000;
An SC, ST, OBC or PwD candidate pays a total of ₹5,500.

These amounts consist of both the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable security deposit.

Deemed University NEET counselling fee 2026

Candidates planning to include Deemed University MBBS, BDS or other eligible seats must pay the higher Deemed University amount.

Payment component	Amount
Non-refundable registration fee	₹5,000
Refundable security deposit	₹2,00,000
Total payable	₹2,05,000

The ₹5,000 registration fee applies to all candidates registering for Deemed University counselling, irrespective of category. The refundable security amount is ₹2 lakh.

Is the ₹2 lakh Deemed University deposit refundable?

Yes. The ₹2 lakh deposit is refundable when the candidate:

Does not trigger a forfeiture condition;
Remains eligible under the MCC refund policy;
Is included in the eligible-refund list;
Keeps the original payment account active.

However, the entire ₹2 lakh may be forfeited if a candidate receives a Deemed University seat in Round 2 or a subsequent round and does not join it.

Is the ₹2 lakh security deposit the Deemed University tuition fee?

No. The ₹2 lakh MCC security deposit should not be confused with the college’s annual MBBS or BDS fee.

After seat allotment, the candidate may separately have to pay:

Annual tuition fee;
Hostel and mess charges;
University registration fee;
Examination fee;
Institutional caution money;
Miscellaneous charges;
NRI fee, where applicable.

MCC advises candidates to verify the fee structure, bond, stipend and other institutional conditions directly with the concerned college before filling choices. The committee does not accept responsibility for college-specific fee disputes or errors in information supplied by institutions.

Do candidates pay separate fees for government and Deemed University choices?

No. A candidate who wants to fill both government-sector and Deemed University choices pays only the higher applicable amount.

The candidate must pay:

₹5,000 as the non-refundable registration fee;
₹2,00,000 as the refundable security deposit;
₹2,05,000 as the total payment.

After paying the higher amount, the candidate can fill eligible government, AIQ, Central institution and Deemed University choices.

NEET Counselling Security Deposit Refund Rules: Round-Wise Guide

The most important factor affecting the refund is the counselling round in which the seat is allotted.

MCC conducts four AIQ counselling rounds:

Round 1;
Round 2;
Round 3;
Stray Vacancy Round.

Upgradation is available up to Round 3, but candidates cannot resign after joining a Round 3 seat.

Round-wise security deposit refund table

Candidate’s situation	Security-deposit result
Registered but no seat allotted	Normally refundable, subject to MCC eligibility
Round 1 seat allotted but not joined	Refundable under free exit
Round 1 seat retained for upgradation	Deposit continues in counselling
Round 2 seat allotted but not joined	Forfeited
Round 2 seat resigned under forfeiture rules	Forfeited
Round 3 seat allotted but not reported	Forfeited
Round 3 seat joined	Resignation not permitted
Stray Vacancy seat allotted but not joined	Forfeited
Admission cancelled because of incorrect information	Forfeited
Mandatory documents not produced	May result in cancellation and forfeiture
Counselling completed without forfeiture	Refundable, subject to the eligible list

Round 1: Free exit without forfeiture

Round 1 provides a free-exit facility.

This means that if a candidate receives a seat in Round 1 but does not wish to join it, the candidate can leave the seat without losing the security deposit.

The Round 1 free-exit provision gives candidates an opportunity to:

Participate in the next MCC round;
Consider a state-counselling seat;
Reassess college preferences;
Seek a better seat in Round 2.

The official MCC 2026 counselling flow chart identifies Round 1 as a free-exit round.

Round 1 refund example

A General-category candidate pays:

Registration fee: ₹1,000;
Security deposit: ₹10,000;
Total: ₹11,000.

The candidate receives a BDS seat in Round 1 but does not join it.

In this situation:

The ₹1,000 registration fee remains non-refundable;
The ₹10,000 security deposit remains eligible for refund, provided no later forfeiture event occurs.

Round 2: Non-joining results in forfeiture

The Round 2 rules are significantly stricter.

When a candidate is allotted a seat in Round 2 and does not join the respective institution, the security deposit is forfeited.

The official bulletin defines “exit with forfeiture” as leaving a seat allotted in Round 2 or a subsequent round while losing the security deposit.

Round 2 AIQ example

A UR candidate pays ₹11,000 and is allotted an MBBS seat in Round 2 but fails to join.

The likely financial effect is:

₹1,000 registration fee: non-refundable;
₹10,000 security deposit: forfeited.

Round 2 Deemed University example

A candidate pays ₹2,05,000 and receives an MBBS seat in a Deemed University during Round 2. After allotment, the family discovers that the annual tuition fee is unaffordable and decides not to join.

The likely financial effect is:

₹5,000 registration fee: non-refundable;
₹2,00,000 security deposit: forfeited.

This is why candidates must never include an unaffordable Deemed University merely to determine whether they can secure a seat.

Round 2 resignation and security-deposit forfeiture

Candidates who resign from a Round 2 seat must carefully follow the notified MCC resignation window and online procedure.

The 2026 counselling bulletin allows resignation or surrender from Round 1 and Round 2 seats within the period prescribed by MCC. However, Round 2 exit is linked to forfeiture under the counselling scheme. Refund processing takes place only after all rounds are completed.

Candidates should never leave a college informally or assume that non-attendance automatically completes the resignation process. Admissions and permitted resignations must be recorded through the prescribed online system.

Round 3: Mandatory joining and no resignation

Round 3 carries strict joining conditions.

Candidates receiving a fresh allotment or an upgraded seat in Round 3 must physically report to the allotted institution.

If a candidate does not join:

The security deposit is forfeited;
The candidate cannot participate in further MCC rounds;
The allotted seat is lost.

After a candidate joins the Round 3 seat, resignation or surrender is not permitted.

What happens to the previous Round 2 seat after upgradation?

When a candidate receives an upgraded seat in Round 3, the earlier seat is no longer available to the candidate.

Therefore, the Round 3 choice list must include only those colleges that the candidate genuinely prefers over the existing allotment.

Stray Vacancy Round refund rules

The Stray Vacancy Round is intended to fill seats that remain vacant after the earlier counselling rounds.

Candidates should treat every Stray Vacancy choice as a firm willingness to join.

When a candidate receives a seat in the Stray Vacancy Round but fails to join:

The security deposit is forfeited;
The candidate loses the allotted seat;
Further participation may be restricted under the counselling scheme.

The MCC rule stating that non-joining after a second or subsequent round leads to forfeiture also applies to later rounds.

What Does Exit with Forfeiture Mean?

Exit with forfeiture means leaving an allotted seat while losing the security deposit paid during counselling registration.

It applies when a candidate receives a seat in Round 2 or a later round but chooses not to join it.

The possible financial loss is:

Counselling category	Security amount that may be forfeited
UR/EWS government-sector counselling	₹10,000
SC/ST/OBC/PwD government-sector counselling	₹5,000
Deemed University counselling	₹2,00,000

The registration fee is already non-refundable. Therefore, a Deemed University candidate may lose the entire ₹2,05,000 paid during registration if the seat is allotted under a forfeiture round and the candidate fails to join.

When Is the MCC Security Deposit Refunded?

The MCC security deposit refund is processed only after all counselling rounds are completed.

MCC first publishes a notice confirming the completion of counselling and identifies candidates eligible for refund.

The refund process generally follows this sequence:

MCC completes all counselling rounds.
MCC publishes the eligible-refund list.
The Financial Custodian initiates eligible refunds.
MCC publishes refund details and transaction information.
The candidate’s bank credits the amount to the original account.

According to the 2026 bulletin, the Financial Custodian initiates the refund within 15 working days and completes the security-deposit refund within 30 days of publication of the eligible list. The candidate’s bank may take an additional 2 to 15 days to reflect the credit.

MCC security deposit refund timeline

Refund stage	Expected process
Completion of counselling	MCC announces completion
Eligible-refund list	Published on the MCC portal
Refund initiation	Within 15 working days
Refund completion by Financial Custodian	Within 30 days
Bank-credit period	Approximately 2–15 additional days

Candidates should not expect the security deposit to be refunded immediately after Round 1 or immediately after deciding to stop participating.

Is a separate application required for the MCC refund?

Normally, no.

Candidates do not have to submit a separate refund request when they are eligible under the standard refund process.

MCC publishes the eligible-candidate list after all counselling rounds are completed, and the Financial Custodian processes the refunds automatically.

A candidate should contact the Financial Custodian when:

Their name appears in the eligible-refund list but the amount is not received;
MCC has published the refund details but the transaction fails;
A duplicate payment has been made;
The original payment account has become inactive;
There is a transaction-related discrepancy.

Where Will the Security Deposit Be Refunded?

The security deposit is returned only to the same bank account, debit card or credit card used to make the original payment.

For example:

A payment made through net banking is refunded to the same bank account;
A payment made through a debit card is returned to the card-linked account;
A payment made through a parent’s account is returned to that parent’s account;
A candidate cannot ordinarily request transfer to a different account.

MCC explicitly states that the security deposit is refunded only to the original payment source.

Can the refund be transferred to another account?

No. MCC does not ordinarily accept a request to transfer the refund to a different bank account or card.

Candidates should therefore avoid making payment through:

An agent’s account;
A counselling centre’s card;
An unrelated person’s account;
A temporary bank account;
An account likely to be closed soon.

The MCC bulletin advises candidates not to use an unrelated card or bank account for depositing the security amount.

Keep the original payment account active

Candidates must keep the original bank account or card active until the refund is completed.

If the account is closed:

The bank may reject the refund;
The failed amount may take time to return to the Financial Custodian;
A manual refund may require additional documentation;
The refund may be substantially delayed.

MCC and the Financial Custodian do not accept responsibility for delays caused by closure of the original payment account.

Duplicate NEET Counselling Payment Refund Rules

Some candidates accidentally pay the MCC registration fee more than once because of:

A delayed payment-gateway response;
Repeated transaction attempts;
Refreshing the payment page;
Payment confirmation not appearing immediately;
Using multiple payment methods.

When duplicate payment is made for the same NEET roll number, the candidate can approach the Financial Custodian after 10 days from the closure of the registration window.

The excess amount may be refunded within 30 days after the registration window closes. The Financial Custodian may deduct 50% of the registration fee or ₹500, whichever is lower, from each excess receipt as an administrative expense.

Candidates should preserve:

MCC registration number;
NEET roll number;
Payment receipt;
Bank transaction number;
Bank or card statement;
Screenshot of the transaction status;
Registered email address.

Should Candidates Raise a Bank Chargeback?

No. Candidates should not raise a chargeback through the card-issuing bank for a normal MCC security-deposit refund.

A chargeback can prevent MCC or the Financial Custodian from issuing the refund directly through the payment gateway.

The candidate may then have to:

Withdraw the chargeback;
Obtain a no-objection certificate from the issuing bank;
Submit additional supporting documents;
Wait for manual refund processing.

The MCC bulletin warns that this process may cause a substantial delay and advises candidates not to initiate a chargeback.

Can the Fee Be Paid from an NRI Account?

MCC states that the counselling registration fee and security deposit should not be remitted directly from an NRI account because the security deposit cannot be refunded to that account under the stated banking provisions.

A candidate intending to use NRI funds should:

Transfer the amount from the NRI account to an NRO account;
Make the MCC payment from the NRO account;
Keep the NRO account active for receiving the refund.

The refund will then be credited to the same NRO account used for the payment.

Are bank charges refundable?

No. Any bank or payment-gateway charges incurred while registering for MCC counselling must be paid by the candidate.

MCC notes that net-banking charges may be lower than card-payment charges.

Does MCC pay interest on the security deposit?

No. MCC does not pay interest on the refundable security deposit.

Eligible candidates receive only the applicable security amount, without interest.

Who Processes the MCC Security Deposit Refund?

HLL Lifecare Limited, a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, acts as the Financial Custodian for MCC.

Its responsibilities include:

Collecting the non-refundable registration fee;
Collecting the refundable security deposit;
Processing refunds for eligible candidates;
Handling applicable payment and refund queries.

The 2026 bulletin provides the following contact information:

Refund-related email: financemcc@lifecarehll.com
Other payment issues: callcentremcc@lifecarehll.com
Helpline number: 1800 102 7637

The Financial Custodian responds to messages sent through the email address registered with MCC. Candidates should contact it only after the waiting period specified in the bulletin.

MCC Counselling Fee vs State Counselling Fee

MCC counselling and state NEET counselling are separate admission processes.

Paying the MCC registration fee does not automatically register a candidate for state counselling.

MCC counselling	State counselling
Conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee	Conducted by the respective state authority
Covers 15% AIQ and specified participating institutions	Primarily covers state-controlled seats
Requires MCC registration	Requires separate state registration
MCC fee and deposit rules apply	State-specific fees apply
MCC refund policy applies	State refund policy applies
MCC choice filling is separate	State choice filling is separate

MCC conducts counselling for 15% AIQ seats, Deemed Universities, participating Central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER and other specified institutions.

State registration fees, private-college deposits, management-quota deposits and refund conditions can vary. Candidates must read the official information bulletin issued by the relevant state authority.

Common Reasons Candidates Lose the Security Deposit

1. Filling unaffordable Deemed University choices

A candidate may receive a Deemed University seat and later discover that the annual tuition and hostel fees exceed the family’s budget.

When this happens after a Round 2 or later allotment, refusal to join may cost the candidate the ₹2 lakh security deposit.

2. Treating Round 2 like Round 1

Round 1 offers free exit. Round 2 does not offer the same protection.

Candidates must understand this difference before submitting fresh choices for Round 2.

3. Adding unwanted colleges to the choice list

Every choice should represent a college that the candidate is genuinely willing to join.

Adding unwanted colleges only to increase the number of choices can lead to an allotment the candidate does not want.

4. Missing the reporting deadline

Failure to complete reporting within the notified schedule can be treated as non-joining and may result in forfeiture.

5. Not arranging mandatory documents

A seat may be cancelled if the candidate cannot produce valid original documents or if the submitted details do not match the admission claim.

6. Providing incorrect category information

A mismatch in category, eligibility, nationality, domicile or certificate details may affect admission and refund eligibility.

7. Using an unrelated bank account

The refund returns to the original payment account. Using an agent’s or unrelated person’s account can create serious difficulties.

8. Closing the original account too early

An inactive account can cause refund failure and delay manual processing.

9. Raising a premature chargeback

A chargeback can block the normal refund process.

10. Ignoring MCC and state resignation deadlines

Candidates participating in both MCC and state counselling must compare the resignation, reporting and joining deadlines carefully.

How to Protect Your NEET Counselling Security Deposit

Before locking any choice in Round 2, Round 3 or the Stray Vacancy Round, verify:

Total annual tuition fee;
Full-course financial commitment;
Hostel and mess charges;
Bond and compulsory-service conditions;
College location;
NMC recognition and course status;
Availability of original documents;
Category and eligibility requirements;
Reporting dates;
Resignation rules;
Willingness to join if allotted.

Candidates should also save copies of:

MCC registration form;
Payment receipt;
Choice list;
Locked-choice confirmation;
Seat-allotment letter;
Admission or resignation acknowledgement;
Bank transaction statement.

NEET Counselling Security Deposit: Practical Examples

Example 1: No seat allotted

A General candidate pays ₹11,000 but receives no seat during counselling.

Provided no forfeiture condition applies and the candidate is included in the eligible-refund list:

₹1,000 registration fee is not refunded;
₹10,000 security deposit is refunded.

Example 2: Round 1 seat not joined

A reserved-category candidate pays ₹5,500 and receives a Round 1 seat but does not join.

Under Round 1 free exit:

₹500 registration fee remains non-refundable;
₹5,000 security deposit remains eligible for refund.

Example 3: Round 2 seat not joined

A General candidate receives a Round 2 seat but does not report.

The likely result is:

₹1,000 registration fee remains non-refundable;
₹10,000 security deposit is forfeited.

Example 4: Deemed University Round 2 seat not joined

A candidate pays ₹2,05,000 and receives a Deemed University MBBS seat in Round 2 but does not join.

The likely result is:

₹5,000 registration fee remains non-refundable;
₹2,00,000 security deposit is forfeited.

Example 5: Refund account closed

A candidate is eligible for a refund but closes the bank account used for the MCC payment.

The refund may fail, and the candidate may face a long manual-refund process involving additional verification.

Frequently Asked Questions About NEET Counselling Refund Rules

Is the NEET counselling registration fee refundable?

No. The MCC registration fee is non-refundable. Only the security deposit can be returned to eligible candidates.

Is the NEET counselling security deposit refundable?

Yes. It is refundable when the candidate does not trigger a forfeiture condition and is included in the MCC eligible-refund list.

Will I get a refund if no seat is allotted?

Normally, the security deposit remains refundable when no seat is allotted, provided the candidate has not triggered any forfeiture condition. The registration fee is not refunded.

Will I lose the deposit if I do not join a Round 1 seat?

No. Round 1 provides free exit, allowing a candidate to leave the seat without security-deposit forfeiture.

Will I lose the deposit if I do not join a Round 2 seat?

Yes. Non-joining after Round 2 allotment leads to forfeiture of the security deposit.

Can I resign from a Round 2 seat?

Resignation may be allowed within the notified MCC period and prescribed process, but Round 2 exit is linked to forfeiture under the counselling scheme.

Can I resign after joining a Round 3 seat?

No. A candidate who joins a Round 3 seat cannot resign or surrender it under the MCC scheme.

Is the ₹2 lakh Deemed University security deposit refundable?

Yes, provided the candidate remains eligible and does not fail to join a seat allotted in a forfeiture round.

When will the MCC security deposit refund be credited?

Refunds begin after all counselling rounds are completed and MCC publishes the eligible list. The Financial Custodian initiates refunds within 15 working days and completes them within 30 days. The bank may take an additional 2 to 15 days to show the credit.

Is a separate refund form required?

Normally, no. MCC publishes the eligible list and the Financial Custodian processes refunds automatically.

Can the refund be sent to another bank account?

No. The refund is credited only to the original payment source.

Can I pay the MCC security deposit using my parent’s account?

Yes, but the refund will return to the same parent’s account. The account should remain active until the refund is completed.

Is the MCC security deposit adjusted against the college fee?

Candidates should not assume automatic adjustment. College tuition and admission charges must be paid according to the allotted institution’s instructions.

Does MCC pay interest on the refundable deposit?

No. No interest is paid on the security deposit.

Is the MCC registration fee valid for state counselling?

No. MCC and state counselling require separate registration. State-specific fees and deposits may apply.

Final Advice for NEET UG 2026 Candidates

Understanding the NEET counselling security deposit, registration fee and refund rules is essential before participating in MCC choice filling.

The most important points are:

The MCC registration fee is non-refundable;
The security deposit is refundable only for eligible candidates;
Round 1 offers free exit;
Round 2 non-joining leads to forfeiture;
Round 3 allotment requires mandatory reporting;
Resignation is not permitted after joining a Round 3 seat;
The refund goes only to the original payment account;
Eligible refunds are processed after all counselling rounds are completed;
The Deemed University security deposit is ₹2 lakh.

Candidates should treat every choice filled from Round 2 onwards as a genuine commitment to join the college if allotted.

Careful choice filling can protect both the candidate’s medical-admission opportunity and the family’s money.

EducationMESD NEET Counselling Guidance

NEET counselling involves multiple quotas, thousands of college options, strict reporting deadlines and major differences in tuition fees.

A single mistake in choice filling can affect:

MBBS or BDS seat allotment;
College affordability;
Eligibility for subsequent rounds;
The security-deposit refund;
Participation in MCC and state counselling.

EducationMESD assists NEET candidates and parents with:

MCC and state counselling guidance;
Government, private and Deemed University comparison;
MBBS and BDS college shortlisting;
Choice-filling strategy;
Fee and budget analysis;
Document verification;
Round-wise admission planning;
College preference-list preparation.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Information Bulletin dated August 1, 2026. MCC or other counselling authorities may amend schedules, procedures or rules through subsequent notices. Candidates must verify the latest official MCC and state notifications before payment, choice filling, reporting, resignation or admission.