NEET PG Counselling 2026: Dates & Choice Filling
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages the counselling process for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 100% of seats in Central and Deemed Universities, while state counselling authorities oversee the remaining 50% of state quota seats. NEET PG 2026 counselling dates, which outline the official schedule for registration and round-wise seat allotment, are yet to be announced following the tentative NEET PG 2026 exam on August 30, 2026. Registration for AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB seats requires a non-refundable fee of Rs. 1000/- for UR/EWS candidates or Rs. 5000/- for Deemed University applicants.
Counselling 2026: Expected Dates & Timeline
Stay informed about the NEET PG 2026 counselling date and key events with this comprehensive timeline. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) officially announced the exam schedule on 22 January 2026, outlining crucial dates for registration, the exam, and subsequent counsell
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NBEMS official announcement | 22 January 2026 | Confirmed |
| Internship completion cutoff | 30 September 2026 | Confirmed |
| Registration start | June 2026 | Expected |
| Application form deadline | Last week of May 2026 | Expected |
| Correction window | ~1 week after form deadline | Expected |
| Admit card release | Mid-August 2026 (~2 weeks before exam) | Expected |
| Exam date | 30 August 2026 (Sunday) | Confirmed |
| Exam timing | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (single shift) | Expected |
| Result declaration | September–October 2026 (~4–5 weeks post-exam) | Expected |
| Counselling commencement | Late October / November 2026 | Expected |
This timeline outlines essential dates for the NEET PG 2026 examination, from past announcements and registration periods to upcoming exam and counselling phases. Candidates should note the confirmed exam date of 30 August 2026 and the expected counselling commencement in late October or November 2026.
Registration Dates & Process Steps
Registration for NEET PG 2026 counselling is tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2026, marking the start of the admission process for postgraduate medical courses. Candidates must visit mcc.nic.in for official updates and to navigate the multi-round counselling process, which concludes by Febr
- Official Website: mcc.nic.in for all official updates.
- Registration Start: MCC counselling registration is expected in October 2026.
- Counselling Fee: Pay non-refundable registration and refundable security deposit online.
- Dual Registration: Register for both MCC (AIQ) and state counselling simultaneously.
- Disqualification Risk: Avoid registering more than once with valid credentials.
- Choice Filling: Complete and lock choices to secure a seat allotment.
The entire counselling process, including the Stray Vacancy Round, is tentatively set to conclude by February 2027. Understanding the detailed timeline is crucial for successful participation in the admission rounds.
| Event | Month (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Exam | August 30, 2026 |
| Result Notification | September 2026 |
| MCC Counselling Registration | October 2026 |
| Round I Choice Filling | October / November 2026 |
| Round I Allotment | November 2026 |
| Round II Registration and Choice Filling | November / December 2026 |
| Round II Allotment | December 2026 |
| Round III / Mop-up Round | January 2027 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | February 2027 |
This tentative timeline outlines key events from the exam to the final stray vacancy round, providing a clear roadmap for candidates to follow throughout the admission cycle.
- State Quota: Register separately via your state’s medical counselling authority website.
- Admission Confirmation: Physically appear at the designated college within the allotted time.
- Document Safekeeping: Photocopy all submitted documents for future use.
Preparing all necessary paperwork in advance is vital for a smooth counselling experience. You must ensure you have the following documents ready for submission.
| Document Required |
|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Scorecard/Rank Letter |
| MBBS Degree Certificate/Provisional Certificate |
| Internship Completion Certificate or Bond |
| Medical Registration Certificate |
| Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, etc.) |
| Passport-size Photographs |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
| Disability Certificate (if applicable) |
Having these documents readily available will streamline your registration and verification process, preventing any last-minute complications during the counselling rounds.
Round-wise Schedule: AIQ & State Quota
The official notification for NEET PG 2026 counselling was released earlier this year. You can expect registration for the process to tentatively begin in October 2026, with completion by November. This section outlines the round-wise schedule and compares the AIQ and State Quota counselling process
| Factor | AIQ (50%) — MCC | State Quota (50%) — State Body |
|---|---|---|
| Open To | All states — no domicile | Usually requires state domicile |
| Portal | mcc.nic.in | State-specific portal |
| Competition | Pan-India competition | Within-state competition only |
| Seat Types | Govt + Deemed + Central | Govt + Aided colleges |
| Branch Choice | Branch + College combination | Branch + College combination |
| Rounds | Round 1, 2, Mop-up, Stray | State rounds (varies) |
| Karnataka Exception | All states eligible | All states eligible (Open State) |
This table highlights the distinct characteristics of the All India Quota and State Quota counselling, showing differences in domicile requirements, portals, and competition levels. Understanding these variations is crucial for your application strategy.
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AIQ vs State Quota: Key Date Differences
Understanding the distinct processes for AIQ and State NEET PG counselling is crucial for aspiring candidates. While the Medical Counselling Committee manages All India Quota seats, state authorities handle their respective quotas, impacting your registration strategy and seat options.
| Aspect | All India Quota (AIQ) | State Quota |
|---|---|---|
| Counselling Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) directly under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) | Relevant state authorities (each state does its own counselling) |
| Seat Allocation | 50% of AIQ seats at all government medical schools, plus 100% of deemed and central universities (AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, BHU, AMU, ESIC, and DNB seats) | Remaining 50% of state quota seats |
| NEET PG 2026 Exam Date (Tentative) | August 30, 2026 | August 30, 2026 |
| Counselling Registration | Register with MCC | Requires separate registration with each state through its respective official website |
| Registration Recommendation | Register for both MCC (AIQ) and your respective state’s counselling simultaneously to increase seat options. | Register for both MCC (AIQ) and your respective state’s counselling simultaneously to increase seat options. |
This table highlights the distinct administrative bodies and seat distribution for AIQ and state quota admissions, emphasizing the need for separate registrations to maximize your chances in the upcoming counselling process.
MCC Counselling: Official Website & Latest Updates
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts NEET PG counselling. While the neet pg 2026 counselling date has not been announced, candidates should note that the tentative window for the official notification release (February-March) has passed. Stay informed by regularly checking www.mcc.in or
| Stage | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Yet to be released. |
| Online Counselling Registration | Date yet to be announced. |
| Counselling Fee Payment | Date yet to be announced. |
| Choice Filling & Locking | Date yet to be announced. |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | Date yet to be announced. |
| Round 1 Reporting to Colleges | Date yet to be announced. |
| Round 2 Registration | Date yet to be announced. |
| Mop-up Round Registration | Date yet to be announced. |
| Mop-up Round Seat Allotment | Date yet to be announced. |
The table above outlines the tentative schedule for the counselling process, though all specific dates are still pending official release. You should regularly check the MCC’s official website for confirmed announcements.
Counselling Dates 2025: Detailed Overview
This section provides a detailed overview of the NEET PG 2025 counselling schedule, which saw its start pushed to late October 2025 due to exam delays. You will find comprehensive timelines for each round, while the neet pg 2026 counselling date is expected in October 2026, following the exam on Aug
| Round | Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix by Institutes | Registration / Payment | Choice Filling / Locking | Processing of Seat Allotment | Result | Reporting / Joining | Verification of Joined Candidates & Data Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 23rd Oct., 2025 | 17th Oct. to 5th Nov., 2025 (up to 12:00 NOON) Payment till 3:00 PM, 5th Nov., 2025 | 28th Oct. to 5th Nov., 2025 Locking: 5th Nov. (04:00 PM to 11:55 PM) | 6th – 7th Nov., 2025 | 8th Nov., 2025 | 9th – 15th Nov., 2025 | 16th – 18th Nov., 2025 |
| Round 2 | 18th Nov., 2025 | 19th – 24th Nov., 2025 (up to 12:00 NOON) Payment till 3:00 PM, 24th Nov., 2025 | 19th – 24th Nov., 2025 Locking: 24th Nov. (04:00 PM to 11:55 PM) | 25th – 26th Nov., 2025 | 26th Nov., 2025 | 27th Nov. – 4th Dec., 2025 | 5th – 6th Dec., 2025 |
| Round 3 | 8th Dec., 2025 | 8th – 14th Dec., 2025 (up to 12:00 NOON) Payment till 3:00 PM, 14th Dec., 2025 | 9th – 14th Dec., 2025 Locking: 14th Dec. (04:00 PM to 11:55 PM) | 15th – 16th Dec., 2025 | 17th Dec., 2025 | 18th – 26th Dec., 2025 | 27th – 28th Dec., 2025 |
| Online Stray Vacancy Round | 29th Dec., 2025 | 30th Dec., 2025 – 4th Jan., 2026 (up to 12:00 NOON) Payment till 3:00 PM, 4th Jan., 2026 | 30th Dec., 2025 – 4th Jan., 2026 Locking: 4th Jan. (04:00 PM to 11:55 PM) | 5th – 6th Jan., 2026 | 7th Jan., 2026 | 8th – 15th Jan., 2026 | — |
The table above outlines the complete NEET PG 2025 counselling timeline, detailing each round from seat matrix verification and registration to choice filling, allotment, and final reporting, concluding with the Online Stray Vacancy Round in January 2026.
Step-by-Step Procedure: Choice Filling & Allotment
Navigating the NEET PG 2026 counselling date and subsequent admission process requires careful attention to each stage. This detailed guide outlines the essential steps for choice filling and seat allotment, ensuring you understand the procedure from initial registration to final college reporting f
- Step 1: Visit Official Portal: Access the official MCC website (www.mcc.in) for AIQ and deemed universities, or your state’s medical counselling authority.
- Step 2: Register Online: Click ‘New Registration’ and provide your NEET PG Roll Number, Application Number, Date of Birth, Email, Mobile, personal details, rank, and category.
- Step 3: Upload Documents: Submit your MBBS degree, internship certificate, NEET PG rank card, and identity verification.
- Step 4: Pay Counselling Fees: Complete payment for the non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit online.
- Step 5: Fill Your Choices: Select your desired medical colleges and courses (MD/MS/Diploma), with no limit on the number of choices.
- Step 6: Finalize and Lock Choices: Lock your preferences by the specified deadline; choices automatically lock if not done manually.
After locking your choices, the counselling body proceeds with the seat allocation process, considering your NEET PG rank, category, preferences, and seat availability. Once a seat is allocated, you must download the allotment letter and report to the assigned institution for document verification and admission.
| Fee Type | Category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Refundable Registration Fee | AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB – UR/EWS | Rs. 1000/- |
| Non-Refundable Registration Fee | AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB – SC/ST/OBC/PwD | Rs. 500/- |
| Non-Refundable Registration Fee | Deemed University | Rs. 5000/- |
| Refundable Security Deposit | AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB – UR/EWS | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Refundable Security Deposit | AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB – SC/ST/OBC/PwD | Rs. 10,000/- |
| Refundable Security Deposit | Deemed Universities | Rs. 2,00,000/- |
The counselling fees vary significantly based on your category and the type of institution you are applying to, with a substantial refundable security deposit required for deemed universities. Ensure you have all necessary documents prepared for the final verification stage at your allocated college.
- NEET PG 2026 Scorecard/Rank Letter: Essential proof of your performance in the exam.
- MBBS Degree Certificate/Provisional Certificate: Confirms your medical qualification.
- Internship Completion Certificate or Bond: Verifies completion of mandatory internship.
- Medical Registration Certificate: Official registration with a medical council.
- Identity Proof: Valid identification like Aadhar Card or Passport.
- Passport-size Photographs: Recent photographs for admission records.
Additionally, candidates must provide their Category Certificate and Disability Certificate, if applicable, to avail of specific reservations during the admission process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NEET PG 2026 exam scheduled?
The NEET PG 2026 exam is confirmed for August 30, 2026, as officially announced by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on 22 January 2026.
When is the NEET PG 2026 counselling expected to begin?
NEET PG 2026 counselling is expected to commence in late October or November 2026, with MCC counselling registration tentatively scheduled for October 2026.
What is the fee for NEET PG 2026 counselling registration?
The non-refundable registration fee for AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB seats is Rs. 1000/- for UR/EWS candidates and Rs. 5000/- for Deemed University applicants.
Which authority manages the NEET PG counselling process?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 100% of seats in Central and Deemed Universities, while state counselling authorities handle the remaining 50% of state quota seats.
What is the deadline for internship completion for NEET PG 2026?
The internship completion cutoff date for NEET PG 2026 is confirmed as 30 September 2026.
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