In short
Two separate sets of rules govern leaving a seat: the counselling authority’s security deposit rules, which decide whether your ₹2,00,000 comes back, and the college’s own fee refund policy, which decides what happens to tuition already paid. They are independent, and families routinely discover both only after committing.
The counselling security deposit
This is money you place with the authority, not the college, and it is the more predictable of the two.
| Authority | Non-domicile candidates | Official portal |
|---|---|---|
| UP DGME (Uttar Pradesh State Counselling) | Eligible | upneet.gov.in |
| Bihar BCECEB (State Counselling) | Eligible | bceceboard.bihar.gov.in |
| Haryana DMER / UHSR (State Counselling) | Eligible | uhsrugcounselling.com |
| MCC — Deemed University Counselling | Eligible | mcc.nic.in |
| Karnataka KEA (State Counselling) | Largely restricted | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
Broadly: exit within the permitted window and the deposit is returned; be allotted a seat, accept it and then fail to report, and it is forfeited. The forfeiture exists to stop seats being blocked, not to penalise indecision — but the effect on the family is the same either way.
UP DGME is the strictest case commonly encountered. There is no free exit from Round 1: decline a Round 1 allotment and the ₹2,00,000 is forfeited outright, and entering Round 2 requires a fresh ₹2,00,000. Accept the seat and opt for upgradation instead, and both the seat and the deposit carry forward.
College fee refunds
Once you have reported and paid the first-year fee, refunds are governed by the institution’s policy within the regulator’s framework. Generally, the earlier you withdraw the more you recover, and refunds diminish sharply once the academic session has begun.
Because policies vary by college and by state, this is a question to ask before reporting rather than a rule to assume:
- What proportion of the first-year fee is refundable if I withdraw before the session begins? After it begins?
- Are original documents retained, and under what circumstances are they released?
- Is a bank guarantee or service bond required, and what triggers it?
- How long does a refund take, and to whose account?
Ask by email and keep the reply. Withholding original certificates to prevent a student leaving has been the subject of regulatory direction, and a college’s written answer is worth having if a dispute arises.
Upgrading rather than resigning
If your intention is to move to a better college in a later round, upgrading is almost always cheaper than resigning and re-entering. Accept the allotted seat and opt for upgradation: the seat is held, the deposit carries forward, and you remain in the process. Resigning to re-enter usually means forfeiting and re-depositing.
Leaving mid-course
The hardest case. Most colleges require the remaining course fees or a bond amount when a student leaves after the session has started, on the argument that the seat cannot be refilled. Whether that is enforceable in a given case depends on the terms signed and the state’s regulation — which is exactly why the bond terms are worth reading before signing rather than after.
If you are weighing a repeat NEET attempt against holding a seat, decide it before reporting. The financial difference between deciding in August and deciding in November is usually several lakhs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get my ₹2,00,000 security deposit back?
Yes, if you take up the allotted seat or exit within the permitted window. It is forfeited if you are allotted a seat, accept it and then fail to report. In UP DGME there is no free exit from Round 1 at all — declining a Round 1 allotment forfeits the deposit outright.
Can I get an MBBS fee refund if I leave after joining?
Partially, and it depends on the college policy and how far into the session you are. Refunds diminish sharply once teaching has begun, and many colleges require remaining fees or a bond amount for a mid-course exit. Ask for the refund policy in writing before reporting.
Is it better to upgrade or resign a seat?
Upgrade, in almost every case. Accepting the seat and opting for upgradation holds your place and carries the deposit forward. Resigning to re-enter a later round usually means forfeiting the deposit and placing a fresh one.
NEET 2026 counselling support
Understand the exit rules before you lock a choice
Get a personalised list of NMC-approved private and deemed medical colleges matching your NEET score and budget.
Sources and how to verify this page
Cutoffs and fees on this page are compiled estimates for the 2026 cycle, not official figures. Every claim about eligibility, counselling process and legality can be checked against the primary sources below, and you should check them before acting.
- National Medical Commission — recognised colleges and seat matrix
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) — deemed and all-India quota
- National Testing Agency — NEET-UG results and percentiles
- UP DGME — Uttar Pradesh private MBBS counselling
- BCECEB — Bihar private MBBS counselling
Found something wrong? Report a correction — we publish what changed and when.