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Navigating the security deposit and refund rules is one of the most critical parts of the NEET UG counselling process. A single mistake in understanding the “Free Exit” or “Forfeiture” rules can lead to a loss of lakhs of rupees or even disqualification from future exams.
The security deposit is a mandatory amount paid during the registration for choice filling. It acts as a guarantee that the candidate will join the college if a seat is allotted.
| Authority / State | Security Deposit Amount |
|---|---|
| MCC, UK, UP, Bihar | ₹2 Lakh (From Round 1) |
| Rajasthan | ₹5 Lakh (From Round 1) |
| TN, Haryana | ₹1 Lakh (From Round 1) |
| KA, Puducherry, Punjab | Applicable After Round 1 |
| Gujarat | ₹10,000 |
| Kerala | ₹5,000 |
| Maharashtra | No Security Deposit |
A “Free Exit” allows a candidate to opt-out of an allotted seat without losing their security deposit.
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Discontinuing a course after the allowed rounds carries heavy financial and academic penalties:
Forfeiture Warning:
Candidates who fail to join an allotted college after the “Free Exit” period will have their security deposit forfeited immediately.
Round 3 Penalty (R3):
Withdrawing from an allotted seat during Round 3 will attract a specific financial penalty as per the state or authority guidelines.
Post-Round 3 Penalty:
Resigning from a seat after the commencement of Round 3 will require the candidate to pay the full course fee as a penalty and will lead to debarment from the following year’s NEET exam.