In this article, candidates will understand the seat upgradation procedure in the NEET counselling process. Seat upgradation is one of the crucial aspects in the NEET counselling 2025 process that helps candidates with new seats at preferred. Fully understanding the seat upgradation process helps candidates make informed decisions during NEET counselling 2025.
What is Seat Upgradation in NEET Counselling?
Candidates allotted seats in one of the NEET counselling rounds can choose to opt for a better college in the next round. If a preferred seat gets allotted in the next round, then the previously allotted seat will become vacant and available for the others. The process of getting a new seat after having an allotted seat is called seat upgradation.
Understanding Seat Upgradation in NEET Counselling 2025
Candidates are allotted seats in NEET counselling based on various factors including their NEET All India Ranks (AIR), scores, categories, and online option entries. Medical seats across prestigious colleges are usually filled by the top scorers in the NEET exam. The seats are allotted to candidates based on the order of names appearing on the merit list. Knowing how to upgrade seats in NEET counselling 2025 boosts the confidence of candidates and helps them make informed decisions.
- Opt for Seat Upgradation: If a candidate is not satisfied with the allotted medical seat, they may choose to upgrade their seats. They must follow the similar procedures of applying and choice filling to participate in the subsequent counselling round.
- Choice Filling: While registering for the subsequent rounds, candidates will be given some time to fill in their choices. This stage is called online option entry or the choice filling stage, one of the most vital stages in NEET counselling. Candidates must enter the college and course names in the order of their preference during the choice filling stage.
- No Going Back after Upgrade: Candidates must know that once they get a new seat in the subsequent round, the seat allotted in the previous round will no longer be available. The seat will eventually be available for other candidates on the merit list. Candidates must strategize and plan well before opting for seat upgradation.
- Seat Upgradation only till Round 3: Candidates must understand that the option to upgrade seats in NEET counselling 2025 will only be available till round 3 or the mop up round. They cannot upgrade seats after the mop up round. This means that the seats allotted in the mop-up and stray vacancy rounds are final. Candidates must accept and join their allotted seats in the mop-up and stray vacancy rounds.
What are the Options After Seat Allotment?
Here are the options for candidates after they are allotted seats:
- Report to the Allotted College: Once a seat is allotted in round 1 or 2 in NEET counselling 2025, candidates can choose to accept the allotted seat and join the allotted college within the specified timeline.
- Seat Upgradation: If they are unsatisfied with the allotted seats, candidates must opt for seat upgradation and participate in the subsequent NEET counselling rounds. If they do not get any seats allotted in the subsequent, then the previously allotted seat will be available to them.
Note: For the mop-up round and the other rounds following it, candidates will not have the option to upgrade seats. Candidates allotted seats in these rounds must report to their allotted colleges before the specified deadline.
Also Read No Hike in Karnataka Private Medical College Fee Structures in 2025-26
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about seat upgradation:
- What is a seat upgrade in NEET counselling 2025?
Seat upgradation refers to getting better or preferred seats in the subsequent rounds during the NEET counselling process.
- Is seat upgrade possible in all rounds of NEET counselling 2025?
Candidates can upgrade seats only in round 1 and 2. There is no option for seat upgradation in the mop up or the stray vacancy rounds.
- What happens if I get upgraded?
If candidates get a seat upgrade, then the previously allotted seat will no longer be available. Candidates will be able to join the newly allotted seat. The previously allotted seat will be made available to other candidates on the merit list.
- Can I retain my Round 1 seat if I don’t like the upgraded one?
No, once a seat is upgraded, there’s no going back. Candidates must join the newly allotted seat or opt for another upgrade.
- What happens if I do not join the allotted seat in the mop up round?
Not reporting to the allotted college in the mop up round will result in the forfeiture of the allotted seat, security deposit, and ineligibility to participate in NEET for up to 3 years.
- How to upgrade seats in NEET counselling 2025?
Candidates who are allotted seats in round 1 must simple register for round 2 of NEET counselling 2025 to opt for seat upgradation.
Also Read State-Wise NEET 2025 Cut Off for MBBS at Government Medical Colleges
