All India NEET UG Counselling 2026: Dates & Choice Filling
All India Quota (AIQ) counselling represents the centralized admission process for a substantial share of medical and dental seats nationwide. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), operating under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), conducts the NEET UG 2026 All India Counselling, managing admissions for 15% of MBBS and BDS seats in government medical colleges. This comprehensive process also allocates 100% of seats in central institutions such as AIIMS, JIPMER, and BHU entirely through the AIQ.
All India Quota Counselling: Step-by-Step Process
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts the All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 on behalf of the DGHS, managing admissions to various medical and dental courses. This online, multi-stage process is crucial for securing your MBBS/BDS seat, with registrations expected to open in July 2026.
- Conducting Authority: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)
- Official Website: https://mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/
- Process Type: Online, multi-stage, structured
- Expected Start: July 2026
- Eligibility: Qualify NEET UG 2026, 17 years old by 31 December 2026
- Rounds (General): 4 major rounds
This counselling process covers 15% of total MBBS/BDS seats in Government Medical Colleges, 100% seats in Deemed Universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, and Central Universities. You must provide valid documents and can be an Indian National, NRI, OCI, PIO, or foreign national to participate.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| AIQ Seats Rounds | Two rounds |
| Central/Deemed Universities Rounds | Three rounds: First, Second, Mop-Up |
| Mop-Up Round | MCC will conduct this in September 2026, mainly for deemed and private colleges. |
| Stray Vacancy Round | Final round at college level for leftover seats; no exit once allotted. |
| NEET 2026 Re-exam | The re-exam was held on 21 June 2026 (Sunday). |
| NEET UG 2026 Result | Results are expected in July 2026. |
These details highlight the structured nature of the counselling process, from initial rounds to the final college-level allotments, alongside key dates for the exam and results.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Online Registration and Fee Payment | Visit the official MCC website (https://mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/), open the ‘UG Medical Counselling’ section, and register using your NEET exam roll number, personal details, and application number. Create a password and pay the non-refundable Registration Fee and refundable Security Deposit. |
| Step 2: Choice Filling and Locking | Select and arrange colleges in order of preference. You should check previous years’ opening and closing ranks, include dream, realistic, and safe colleges, and manually lock your choices. If choices are not locked, the system may auto-lock them. |
| Step 3: Seat Allotment Result | The counselling authority releases the seat allotment result based on your NEET All India Rank (AIR), reservation category, seat availability, and choices filled. You can either accept the allotted seat or participate in the next round for upgradation. |
| Step 4: Reporting to the Allotted College | Once a seat is allotted, you must report to the college for document verification, admission confirmation, and fee payment. If you wish to upgrade your seat in Round 2, you must select ‘Willingness for Upgradation’ during reporting. |
This step-by-step guide outlines the essential actions you must take, from initial registration and choice filling to accepting your seat or seeking an upgrade in subsequent rounds.
| Document |
|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Admit Card |
| NEET Scorecard |
| Class 10 Marksheet |
| Class 12 Marksheet |
| Photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport) |
| Domicile Certificate |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
| Passport-size photographs |
Ensure you have all these mandatory documents ready for verification during the admission process to avoid any last-minute complications.
| Fee Type | Category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | General | ₹1000 |
| Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | SC / ST / OBC | ₹500 |
| Security Deposit (Refundable) | Government Colleges | ₹10,000 |
| Security Deposit (Refundable) | Deemed Universities | ₹2,00,000 |
The fee structure includes a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit, which varies significantly based on your category and the type of institution you prefer.
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Result Declaration | July 2026 |
| Counselling Registration (Round 1) | July 2026 |
| Choice Filling & Locking | July 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | July 2026 |
| Reporting to Allotted College | July–August 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | August 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | September 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
This schedule provides an overview of the key counselling events, with most initial stages, including registration and first-round allotments, anticipated to occur in July 2026.
Counselling Dates: MCC Registration & Allotment Schedule
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will tentatively begin NEET UG Counselling 2026 registrations on July 21, 2026, for admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs. This online process, managed by the MCC, is expected to conclude by October 2026, offering four rounds of seat allotment.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) |
| Purpose | Admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper-based) |
| NEET 2026 Exam Date | 21 June 2026 (NTA Re-NEET) |
| NEET 2026 Result | 20 July 2026 |
| Counselling Process Start Date | July 21, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Counselling Mode | Online registration and choice filling |
| Number of Counselling Rounds | Four rounds |
| Counselling Conclusion Timeline | by October 2026 |
| Courses Offered | MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing |
| Total No. of Seats (MBBS) | 1,09,015 |
| Total No. of Seats (BDS) | 27,868 |
| Total No. of Seats (BSc Nursing) | ~1,000 |
Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Percentile & Rank
To participate in the All India NEET UG Counselling 2026, candidates must first qualify the NEET UG 2026 exam. This section details the minimum percentile and expected rank criteria necessary for eligibility and admission to various medical colleges.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 50th Percentile |
| Unreserved Physically Handicapped (UR-PH) | 45th Percentile |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 40th Percentile |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 40th Percentile |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 40th Percentile |
| SC-PH | 40th Percentile |
| ST-PH | 40th Percentile |
| OBC-PH | 40th Percentile |
This table outlines the minimum percentile required for different categories to qualify for the counselling process, with unreserved candidates needing a 50th percentile.
All candidates receiving an All India Rank qualify for the counselling process. However, candidates from Jammu and Kashmir are not eligible for 15% All India Quota seats until further notice. The Re NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on June 21, 2026, following the cancellation of the initial exam.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Marks |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 540 – 550 |
| EWS | 535 – 545 |
| OBC | 530 – 540 |
| SC | 440 – 470 |
| ST | 400 – 430 |
| General-PwD | 460 – 490 |
| OBC-PwD | 440 – 470 |
| SC-PwD | 350 – 390 |
| ST-PwD | 320 – 360 |
These expected cutoff marks from the Re NEET UG 2026 exam indicate the minimum scores candidates needed to qualify across various categories.
Achieving a strong score is crucial for securing a seat. For instance, a score of 690+ marks is required for AIIMS Delhi, while 650+ marks are needed for other top government medical colleges.
| Category / College Type | Expected Safe Score Range |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 580+ |
| OBC | 560+ |
| SC | 500+ |
| ST | 470+ |
| Top Government Medical Colleges | 650+ |
| AIIMS Delhi | 690+ |
This table illustrates the expected safe scores for securing government MBBS seats, with higher scores naturally increasing your chances for top institutions like AIIMS Delhi.
All India Quota vs. State Quota Explained
Understanding the difference between All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota is crucial for your NEET UG Counselling 2026 strategy. AIQ allocates 15% of government MBBS and BDS seats, while State Quota covers the remaining 85%, significantly impacting your admission chances based on domicile.
| Feature | All India Quota (AIQ) | State Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Share | 15% of government seats + all central/deemed institutions | 85% of government seats + all private college seats |
| Conducted by | MCC — Medical Counselling Committee | State DMER / State Counselling Authority |
| Domicile requirement | No — open to all states | Yes — typically requires state domicile |
| Portal | mcc.nic.in | State-specific portal |
| Competition level | National — highest competition | State-level — less competition generally |
| Cutoff rank | Stricter — national competition | Generally more relaxed than AIQ |
| Number of rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, Stray Vacancy | Varies by state — typically 2–3 rounds |
| Covers private colleges? | Deemed universities only | Yes — all private colleges in the state |
This comparison highlights the distinct rules and competition levels for AIQ and State Quota, showing that AIQ generally has stricter cutoffs due to national competition, with an AIQ closing rank for General category at 8,000 compared to a state quota closing rank of 12,000–15,000 for the same college.
| State | Approx. Government MBBS Seats | State Quota Seats (85%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | ~5,000 | ~4,250 |
| Rajasthan | ~4,000 | ~3,400 |
| Maharashtra | ~4,500 | ~3,825 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ~5,500 | ~4,675 |
| Karnataka | ~5,000 | ~4,250 |
| Gujarat | ~3,000 | ~2,550 |
| Andhra Pradesh | ~3,500 | ~2,975 |
| Madhya Pradesh | ~3,000 | ~2,550 |
These figures demonstrate the substantial number of State Quota seats available in major states, offering a significant advantage to candidates with domicile in these regions as 85% of government MBBS/BDS seats are reserved under this quota.
How to Register: Step-by-Step Guide
The NEET UG 2026 counselling procedure is completely online and follows a strict schedule. This guide outlines the essential steps you must complete, from initial registration and fee payment to choice filling, seat allotment, and final reporting to your allotted college, ensuring a smooth admission.
- Procedure: The counselling process for NEET UG 2026 is entirely online and adheres to a strict schedule.
- Eligibility: Only candidates who qualify NEET 2026 can register for the counselling procedure.
- Step 1 Registration: Register online using your NEET Roll Number and Application Number, then pay the required fees.
- Step 2 Choice Filling: Select and arrange colleges by preference; always manually lock your choices.
- Step 3 Seat Allotment: The authority releases results based on AIR, reservation, availability, and your choices.
- Step 4 Reporting: Report to your allotted college for document verification, admission confirmation, and fee payment.
Beyond these core steps, you must understand the specific requirements for registration and the fees involved. The process demands careful attention to detail, especially during choice filling and document submission. Ensure you carry all original documents to avoid cancellation.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General (Registration Fee) | ₹1000 |
| SC / ST / OBC (Registration Fee) | ₹500 |
| Government Colleges (Security Deposit) | ₹10,000 |
| Deemed Universities (Security Deposit) | ₹2,00,000 |
This table illustrates the varying registration and security deposit fees for different categories and institution types. Note that the security deposit for deemed universities is significantly higher.
- 1. Visit Portal: Access the official counselling portal.
- 2. Enter Credentials: Input your NEET Roll Number and Application Number.
- 3. Fill Details: Complete all required personal information accurately.
- 4. Upload Documents: Submit scanned copies of necessary documents.
- 5. Pay Fees: Complete the payment for counselling fees.
During choice filling, consider previous years’ ranks and include dream, realistic, and safe colleges. Always manually lock your choices to prevent auto-locking. For reporting, ensure you have all original documents and photocopies, as missing items can lead to seat cancellation.
- Admit Card: NEET UG 2026 Admit Card.
- Scorecard: NEET Scorecard.
- Class 10 Marksheet: Proof of birth date and academic record.
- Class 12 Marksheet: Proof of qualifying examination.
- Photo ID: Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport.
- Domicile Certificate: Proof of residency.
Counselling Rounds: Round 1, 2, Mop-Up Explained
The All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 process is a multi-round system designed for admission to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH seats. This comprehensive process generally includes four major rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round, each with distinct rules and purposes for candidates.
| Round | Who Can Apply | Seat Upgradation | Exit Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | All registered candidates | Yes | Free exit (no penalty) |
| Round 2 | Eligible candidates* | Yes | Limited exit (forfeit fee if you leave) |
| Mop-Up Round | Fresh + leftover candidates | No free exit | Very strict |
| Stray Vacancy | Institute level | No | Final admission |
This table outlines the distinct characteristics of each counselling round, highlighting how eligibility and exit rules become progressively stricter as you move from Round 1 to the final Stray Vacancy Round.
| Particulars | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | July 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | August 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | September 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
The expected timeline shows that while Round 1 results are anticipated this July 2026, subsequent rounds, including the Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy rounds, will extend through October 2026.
- MCC Authority: MCC conducts counselling for 15% AIQ, 100% Central, AIIMS, JIPMER, and Deemed University seats.
- Mop-Up Round: This round handles vacancies after Round 2, primarily for deemed and private colleges.
- Stray Vacancy: The Stray Vacancy Round is the final college-level process for leftover seats.
- Concurrent Participation: You can participate concurrently in AIQ, state, and deemed quota rounds if eligible.
- Seat Implications: Freezing a Round 1 seat commits you; floating in Round 2 forfeits it.
- Counselling Opening: MCC counselling opened for 2026 in late June to early July.
Seat Matrix: AIQ, Deemed, Central University Seats
The NEET UG 2026 seat matrix outlines the distribution of 1,29,026 expected MBBS seats across India. Understanding the various quotas, such as All India Quota, Deemed, and Central University seats, and their respective counselling authorities is vital for your application. The All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 process will be based on this matrix.
| Quota Type | Seat Share | Counselling Authority | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Quota | 15% seats in government medical colleges | MCC | Eligible candidates from across India |
| State Quota | 85% seats in government medical colleges | State counselling authority | Usually, state domicile candidates |
| Deemed Universities | 100% seats | MCC | Eligible candidates from across India |
| AIIMS | 100% seats | MCC | Eligible candidates from across India |
| JIPMER | 100% seats | MCC | Eligible candidates from across India |
| Central Universities | 100% or as per institute rules | MCC | Eligible candidates as per rules |
| ESIC Seats | As per ESIC rules | MCC / applicable authority | Eligible candidates as per ESIC norms |
This table clarifies the distribution of seats across different quotas and identifies the respective counselling bodies, with MCC handling a significant portion of the allocation process for various categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 expected to start?
Registrations for the All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 are expected to open in July 2026.
Which authority conducts the All India NEET UG Counselling 2026?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), operating under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), conducts the NEET UG 2026 All India Counselling.
What percentage of government medical college seats are allocated through AIQ counselling?
The All India NEET UG Counselling 2026 manages admissions for 15% of MBBS and BDS seats in government medical colleges.
What is the purpose of the Mop-Up Round in the counselling process?
The Mop-Up Round, conducted by MCC in September 2026, is mainly for deemed and private colleges.
What are the required steps for choice filling and locking during counselling?
Candidates must select and arrange colleges in order of preference, check previous years’ ranks, and manually lock their choices; if not locked, the system may auto-lock them.
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