The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), under the Directorate General of Health Services, has officially activated the NEET UG refund window for candidates who participated in the previous counseling rounds. This facility allows aspirants who were either not allotted a seat or who opted out according to the counseling rules to claim their security deposit. As of March 26, 2026, the portal remains open for eligible candidates to verify their bank details and initiate the repayment process. The refund is a critical step in concluding the 2025-26 admission cycle before the next national entrance exam takes place in May.
The refund process is automated and directed toward the same bank account or credit/debit card used during the initial registration. However, the MCC has issued a notice on its official website, mcc.nic.in, urging candidates to ensure that their linked bank accounts remain active. In cases where accounts have been closed or cards have expired, candidates must follow the specified "Change of Account" procedure provided in the candidate login section to avoid transaction failures.
NEET UG Refund Eligibility and Fee Structure
The security deposit amount varies depending on the type of college the candidate applied for during the choice-filling stage. Only those who strictly followed the "Free Exit" or "Exit with Forfeiture" rules defined in the 2025-26 Information Bulletin are eligible for these payments.
| Candidate Category | Type of Institution | Security Deposit Amount |
| General/EWS | Government Medical Colleges (15% AIQ) | ₹10,000 |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD | Government Medical Colleges (15% AIQ) | ₹5,000 |
| All Categories | Deemed Universities | ₹2,00,000 |
| All Categories | Central Universities/AFMC | ₹10,000 |
Important Instructions for Claiming Refunds
Candidates do not need to submit a separate physical application to the MCC office. The refund is processed based on the eligibility list published by the HLL Lifecare Limited, which is the financial custodian for the MCC. Aspirants should keep the following points in mind to ensure a successful credit:
- Check the Eligibility List: Before expecting a refund, candidates should check the "Refund List" PDF published on the MCC portal. If your roll number is not on the list, you may have forfeited your fees due to non-joining after a Round 2 allotment.
- Account Activity: Ensure the bank account is not dormant. Large sums, especially the ₹2 lakh deposit for Deemed Universities, may be blocked by banks if the account lacks updated KYC.
- Transaction Timeline: Once the MCC initiates the bulk refund, it typically takes 15 to 30 business days for the amount to reflect in the candidate's statement, depending on the internal processing speed of the various participating banks.
- Avoid Third-Party Portals: All refund-related activities must be tracked only via the official mcc.nic.in domain to prevent phishing and financial fraud.
Status of Pending Forfeited Fees
It is a standard rule that candidates who were allotted a seat in Round 2, Mop-up Round, or Stray Vacancy Round but failed to join the institution will not be eligible for a refund. The security deposit in such cases is forfeited by the MCC. For the 2026 session, the MCC has clarified that the forfeited amount is utilized for administrative expenses and the development of the national counseling infrastructure.
If a candidate believes their refund has been wrongfully withheld, they can raise a query through the MCC Grievance Cell by providing their transaction ID and allotment details. The committee has designated a specific email, finance-mcc@lifecarehll.com, to handle all payment-related discrepancies.
Conclusion
The opening of the NEET UG refund window on mcc.nic.in provides much-needed financial relief to thousands of students as they prepare for the 2026-27 academic session. With significant amounts like ₹2,00,000 at stake for Deemed University applicants, ensuring bank account accuracy is the most important task for candidates this week. As the MCC prepares to close the 2025-26 financial books, all eligible aspirants must finalize their claims before the portal transitions to the upcoming May 3 entrance exam cycle. Staying updated with the official MCC notices ensures that no candidate loses their rightful security deposit due to minor technical oversights.