Tamil Nadu NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling: Key Dates and Portal
The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Tamil Nadu, has officially released the schedule for Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling 2026 Round 2. This crucial phase for medical admissions is now active, with registration having commenced. Aspirants aiming for MBBS, BDS, and allied medical courses under the state quota should note that the entire Round 2 process, including registration, choice filling, and locking, runs from September 7 to September 18, 2026. All steps must be completed online via the official portal, tnmedicalselection.net. Candidates are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the stage-wise dates published in the official Round 2 schedule to avoid missing any deadlines, as counselling dates are subject to revision by the authority.
Tip
Ensure all registration and choice locking steps are completed before their respective deadlines.
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Scope of Round 2: Seats and Courses Covered
DMER Tamil Nadu conducts this counselling specifically for 85% of seats under the state quota and 100% of seats available in private medical colleges within Tamil Nadu. Admission is determined based on NEET UG 2026 scores and the state merit list. This round covers admissions to MBBS, BDS, and other allied medical courses. It is important for candidates to understand that the remaining 15% All India Quota seats, along with seats in central or deemed universities, are handled separately by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and are not part of the DMER Tamil Nadu counselling process.
Who Qualifies for Tamil Nadu NEET Round 2?
Round 2 counselling is open to several categories of eligible candidates featured on the Tamil Nadu NEET merit list. This typically includes aspirants who did not secure a seat in Round 1. It also extends to candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 1 but chose not to join. Furthermore, candidates seeking an upgrade from their Round 1 allotment are also eligible to participate. If you intend to upgrade, you must register afresh for Round 2. Be aware that when you register for an upgrade, your previously allotted Round 1 seat is treated as a virtual vacancy, making it available for other candidates to opt for. This Round 1 seat is only officially released if you successfully upgrade to a new seat or explicitly vacate your original one.
Round 2 Registration Fees and Vacancy Insight
To successfully complete your registration for Round 2, a non-refundable fee of ₹500 is required for all categories. Candidates applying under special categories, such as children of ex-servicemen, eminent sportspersons, and persons with benchmark disabilities, must pay an additional fee of ₹100. The payment can be conveniently made online or through a demand draft. If opting for a demand draft, it must be drawn in favour of "The Secretary, Selection Committee, Kilpauk, Chennai-10," payable at Chennai. For insight into the available seat pool, the Round 1 seat matrix included 8,063 MBBS seats and 1,859 BDS seats across Tamil Nadu. The specific vacancy position for Round 2, detailing seats remaining after the Round 1 reporting concluded on September 5, will be published on the official portal. Candidates must consult this vacancy list thoroughly before proceeding with choice filling to make informed decisions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Round 2 Registration and Choice Filling
- ▸Visit the official Tamil Nadu medical counselling website, tnmedicalselection.net.
- ▸Register or log in using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and complete the required personal details.
- ▸Finish the online application and ensure the non-refundable registration fee is paid within the stipulated window.
- ▸Log in again during the choice-filling period and select your preferred colleges and courses, arranging them strictly in order of your preference.
- ▸Crucially, lock your choices before the deadline. Unlocked choices may not be considered for the seat allotment process.
- ▸Once the seat allotment result is declared, check it promptly and download your provisional allotment order.
- ▸Report to your allotted institute within the specified joining window to complete document verification and formal admission.
Crucial Rules for Round 2 Participation
Understanding and adhering to the specific rules of Round 2 counselling is paramount for a smooth admission process. Firstly, your filled choices must be locked before the deadline. Failure to do so carries the significant risk of your choices not being considered for allotment, potentially leading to no seat being allocated. Once choices are locked, they cannot be modified. This emphasizes the need for careful consideration during choice filling. Furthermore, candidates seeking an upgrade must follow the fresh registration process for Round 2, understanding the implications for their Round 1 seat. Staying updated with any revisions to the counselling schedule by consistently checking tnmedicalselection.net is also vital. To reinforce your decision-making and ensure you're making the most strategic choices during this critical phase, practicing with mock counselling scenarios on Aspirant Arcade can provide valuable insights into seat distribution trends and help you refine your preferences based on past data. This can greatly reduce anxiety and improve your chances of securing your desired seat.