NEET 2nd Round Counselling 2026: Dates, Registration & Seat Allotment
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) governs NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling, a 100% online process for allocating medical and dental seats. Eligibility requires candidates to qualify NEET UG 2026 with an All India Rank and the minimum percentile determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for various categories. Originally expected in August 2026, the counselling schedule, including tentative registration in the 1st week of September 2026, was revised after the NTA cancelled the 3 May 2
Round 2 Counselling Dates: Registration, Allotment, Reporting
The expected timeline for the second round of counselling is August, with tentative registration scheduled for the 1st week of September. This section details the key events and their corresponding dates for NEET UG 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Registration & Payment for Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Choice Filling/locking of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Processing of Seat Allotment of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Result of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Reporting to the allotted college of round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
While the overall timeline for the second round of counselling is set for August and September 2026, specific dates for individual events like registration, choice filling, and results will be announced on the official website.
Rescheduled Dates & Official Updates for Round 2
The second round of counselling is expected in August 2026. This timeline follows the re-examination for NEET UG 2026, which was held on 21 June 2026. The initial exam on 3 May 2026 was cancelled due to paper leak allegations, and official dates will be released by MCC soon.
| Particulars | 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 table outlines the expected timeline for the NEET UG 2026 counselling process, showing that the second round is anticipated in August. You can see the entire schedule from result declaration through the final stray vacancy round.
How to Participate in Round 2 Counselling: Step-by-Step
Participating in the second counselling round is crucial for candidates seeking a seat or an upgrade. This round, managed by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats, offers another chance to secure your desired medical college.
- AIQ & Central/Deemed Counselling: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) via DGHS.
- State Quota & Private Colleges: Respective State Counselling Authorities manage this.
- MCC Official Website: mcc.nic.in
- Round 2 Purpose: For candidates without a Round 1 seat or seeking an upgrade.
- Eligibility: Qualify NEET UG 2026 with minimum percentile and an All India Rank.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Round 2 Counselling (General Timeline) | August 2026 |
| Seat Matrix of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Registration & Payment for Round 2 | To be announced later on the website / Mid-August 2026 |
| Choice Filling/locking of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website / Mid-August 2026 |
| Processing of Seat Allotment of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
| Result of Round 2 | To be announced later on the website / Late August 2026 |
| Reporting to the allotted college of round 2 | To be announced later on the website |
The counselling process for this round is tentatively scheduled throughout August 2026, with specific dates for registration, choice filling, and results to be announced on the official MCC website.
Round 2 Eligibility & Seat Upgradation Rules
The second counselling round is designed for candidates who did not secure a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade their previously allotted seat. The tentative registration date for this round is the 1st week of September 2026. The entire process is 100% online.
- Purpose: For candidates without a Round 1 seat or seeking an upgrade.
- Seat Upgradation: Available if you accepted a Round 1 seat and wish to upgrade.
- Counselling Body (AIQ/Central/Deemed): Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages these seats.
- Counselling Mode: The entire counselling process is conducted 100% online.
- Registration: Fresh registration is required for participation in this round.
- Choice Filling: You must fill and lock your choices before the specified deadline.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) handles 15% All India Quota and 100% Central/Deemed University seats, while State Counselling Authorities manage 85% State Quota seats. Your seat allotment depends on your NEET UG 2026 Rank, preferences, reservation norms, and seat availability. Online document verification precedes physical reporting to your college.
- NEET UG 2026 Qualification: You must qualify the exam.
- All India Rank: You must be allotted an All India Rank.
- Minimum Age: 17 years on December 31, 2026 (no upper limit).
- Academic Qualification: Completed Class 12 with PCB/Biotechnology and English.
- Minimum PCB Marks (General): 50% in Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
- Citizenship: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals are eligible.
For SC/ST/OBC categories, the minimum marks in PCB are 40%, while for Inter General, it is 45%. Jammu and Kashmir residents are not eligible for 15% AIQ unless they opt in. State Domicile is necessary for State Quota seats, and providing valid documents is essential.
| 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 qualifying percentiles for various categories in the exam, with the Unreserved category requiring the 50th percentile and most reserved categories set at the 40th percentile.
Round 2: AIQ vs State Quota Counselling Dates & Process
The specific dates for events like registration and seat allotment in the second round will be announced later, though the overall process is expected in August 2026. This round involves distinct procedures and rules for All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota seats, which differ significantly.
| Feature | All India Quota (AIQ) | State Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | MCC (mcc.nic.in) | Respective State DME portals |
| Seat Share (Govt) | 15% of total seats | 85% of total seats |
| Domicile Requirement | Not Required | Strictly Required |
| Private Colleges | Does not cover private colleges | Controls 100% private college seats |
| Reservation Policy | Central Government Rules | State Government Rules |
The table above illustrates the critical differences between AIQ and State Quota counselling, emphasizing variations in conducting authority, seat share, and eligibility. For AIQ, specific dates for events like registration and choice filling will be announced later, with the overall second round of counselling for the exam expected in August 2026.
Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy Round Dates
This section covers NEET UG 2026 Counselling: Mop-Up and Stray Vacancy Round Dates with the key figures and details from the latest verified sources.
| Particulars | Dates (2025) |
|---|---|
| Registration & Payment | 18 Dec to 20 Dec |
| Choice Filling & Locking | 18 Dec to 21 Dec |
| Seat Allotment Processing | 22 Dec |
| Result Publication | 23 Dec |
| Reporting to the Allotted College | 24 Dec to 31 Dec |
| State Counselling Window | 20 Dec to 25 Dec |
| Last Date of Joining (State-side) | 31 Dec |
The 2025 AIQ Special Stray Round schedule showed registration and payment occurred from 18 Dec to 20 Dec, with reporting to colleges concluding by 31 Dec. State-side counselling windows also closed by the end of December last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for managing the NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling process?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) governs NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling for All India Quota seats, while respective State Counselling Authorities manage State Quota and Private Colleges.
What are the eligibility requirements for participating in NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling?
To be eligible, candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026 with an All India Rank and achieved the minimum percentile determined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for their respective categories.
When is the general timeline for NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling?
The second round of counselling is expected in August 2026, with tentative registration scheduled for the 1st week of September 2026.
Where will the specific dates for Round 2 events like registration and seat allotment be announced?
Specific dates for individual events such as registration, choice filling, and results will be announced later on the official MCC website, mcc.nic.in.
What is the purpose of NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Counselling?
Round 2 Counselling is for candidates who did not secure a seat in Round 1 or are seeking to upgrade their previously allotted seat.
