NEET UG 2025 Round 2 Counselling Strategy for AIQ/Central/Deemed Seats

NEET UG 2025 Round 2 Counselling is a golden opportunity for MBBS and BDS aspirants who could not secure a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade. With thousands of seats in All India Quota (AIQ), Central Universities, and Deemed Universities, making smart decisions in Round 2 is critical.

It is expected that MCC NEET UG Counselling 2025 Round 2 registration will start from 21 August. It will fill the remaining seats in All India Quota (AIQ) seats.

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has introduced strict rules to curb seat blocking, synchronise counselling timelines, and mandatory reporting. To succeed, you need a clear strategy for choice filling and understanding the concept of AIQ vs. Central vs. Deemed seats.

NEET UG 2025 Round 2 Counselling Seat Types

All India Quota (AIQ) – 15%

• Covers 15% of MBBS/BDS seats in government colleges across states (except J&K).
• Open to all India candidates irrespective of domicile.
• Includes reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) as per central norms.

Central Universities

• Includes institutions like Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, BHU, and Jamia Millia Islamia.
• Have institution-specific quotas such as the Muslim minority quota at AMU, internal quota for DU students, etc.
• Seats are filled only through MCC counselling.

Deemed Universities

• Privately run but come under MCC counselling.
• No state quota – open to all India students.
• Require higher security deposit (₹2 lakh) at registration.
• Fees are significantly higher (₹12–25 lakh/year MBBS).

Read Also: MCC NEET UG 2025 Counselling Round 2: Registration, Eligibility, Seat Allotment, Rules

MCC Updates for NEET UG 2025 Round 2

• Mandatory Reporting: Candidates allotted in Round 2 must physically/online report, else they face seat forfeiture and loss of security deposit.
• Stricter Exit Rules: No free exit after Round 1. If you don’t join after allotment, you lose your deposit.
• Seat Upgradation: If you join in Round 1, you can still opt for upgradation in Round 2.
• Transparency in Fees: Deemed universities must display their exact fee structure on MCC portal before choice filling.
• Synchronised Counselling: AIQ and state counselling rounds now run in parallel to prevent seat blocking.

Also Read: MCC NEET UG Round 2 Counselling 2025: 10 Tips & Strategy of Choice Filling

Choice-Filling Tips for MCC Round 2 Counselling

• Fill Maximum Choices: Don’t leave options blank; more choices = higher chances.
• Mix Aspirational + Realistic Choices: Put top colleges first, but also include safe options.
• Check Fees Beforehand: Especially for deemed universities; know your affordability.
• Use Last Year’s Cut-Offs as Reference: But keep in mind, 2025 cut-offs may fluctuate.
• Don’t Skip Reporting: Even if you’re waiting for an upgrade, report to secure eligibility.

Sample Choice-Filling Strategy Table

Priority	Type of Seat	Example College	Why to Include
1–5 (Aspirational)	AIQ Govt. Colleges	Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi	Top AIQ govt. colleges, high competition
6–10 (High Value)	Central Universities	BHU, AMU, DU	Benefit from internal/minority quotas
11–20 (Balanced)	Deemed Universities	Kasturba Medical College, Manipal	High fees but strong academics & recognition
21–30 (Safe)	AIQ Peripheral Govt. Colleges	Govt. colleges in NE/remote states	Higher chance of allotment, affordable fees
31–40 (Backup)	Deemed Lower Preference	Less popular deemed colleges	Last resort if nothing else works

Mistakes to Avoid

• Limiting choices to only a few colleges.
• Ignoring fee structures and refund policies.
• Not preparing documents (EWS/OBC certificate validity, PwD verification).
• Waiting only for Round 3/Stray Vacancy (less predictable).

The NEET UG 2025 Round 2 counselling is your best chance to secure an MBBS or BDS seat if Round 1 didn’t work out. By understanding the differences between AIQ, Central Universities, and Deemed Universities, filling maximum choices, and planning finances, you can maximize your chances.