NEET UG Counselling 2026: Dates, Registration & Seat Allotment
For NEET UG 2026, eligibility for the approximately 26,500 All India Quota (AIQ) seats, which encompass 15% of government MBBS/BDS seats and 100% of central institution seats, first requires candidates to clear the qualifying percentile established by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This crucial benchmark determines entry into the NEET UG 2026 counselling process. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) then manages the intricate seat allotment for these AIQ seats, while state authorities oversee the remaining 85% state quota.
Registering and Filling Choices for NEET UG 2026
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of DGHS manages the admission process for NEET UG 2026, a completely online procedure following a strict schedule. Registration and choice filling for Round 1 are expected in July 2026 on the official website, mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/. Only qualified candidates
- Counselling Authority: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) manages the process.
- Official Website: Access counselling details at mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/.
- Registration Timeline: Round 1 registration is expected in July 2026.
- Choice Filling Timeline: Choice filling and locking are also expected in July 2026.
- Process Nature: The entire counselling procedure is completely online.
- Eligibility: Only NEET 2026 qualified candidates can register.
The counselling involves critical steps like online registration and choice filling. You must register using your NEET Roll and Application Numbers, paying both non-refundable registration and refundable security fees.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Steps | Visit portal, enter NEET credentials, fill personal details, upload documents, pay fees. |
| Fee Types | Registration Fee (Non-refundable) and Security Deposit (Refundable). |
| Choice Filling Advice | Check previous ranks; include dream, realistic, and safe colleges. |
| Choice Locking Advice | Always lock choices manually; auto-lock may disrupt strategy. |
| Mandatory Documents | NEET Admit Card, Scorecard, Class 10/12 Marksheets, Photo ID, Domicile, Category (if applicable), Passport photos. |
| Registration Fee (General) | ₹1000 |
| Registration Fee (SC/ST/OBC) | ₹500 |
| Security Deposit (Govt Colleges) | ₹10,000 |
| Security Deposit (Deemed Universities) | ₹2,00,000 |
This table outlines the essential steps, fees, and documents required for the counselling process. Pay close attention to choice locking and fee structures, especially for deemed universities.
MCC All India Quota Schedule for NEET UG 2026
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), on behalf of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), manages the allocation of various medical and dental seats for NEET UG 2026. The counselling process for MBBS and BDS courses commenced in the second week of June 2026, with registration expected t
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| NEET UG Entrance Exam | 3 May 2026 |
| NEET UG Result | 14 June 2026 |
| Seat Matrix of First Round | To be announced later on the website |
| Registration & Payment for Round 1 | To be announced later on the website |
| Choice Filling/locking of Round 1 | To be announced later on the website |
| Processing of Seat Allotment of Round 1 | To be announced later on the website |
| Result of Round 1 | To be announced later on the website |
| Reporting to the allotted college of Round 1 | To be announced later on the website |
| 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 |
| MOP-UP ROUND FOR ALL INDIA QUOTA/ DEEMED AND CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SEATS/AIIMS/ JIPMER SEATS | To be announced later on the website |
The table outlines the key dates for the counselling process, indicating that while the exam and its results have passed, the detailed schedules for subsequent rounds are yet to be released. You should monitor the official MCC website for updates on registration and allotment phases for the exam.
All India vs. State Quota in NEET UG 2026 Admissions
Across India, approximately 1,29,026 MBBS seats are available, with a significant distinction between All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota seats in the NEET UG 2026 admission process. Understanding these quotas is crucial for your admission strategy, as they determine seat availability and compet
| 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 clearly illustrates the distinct characteristics of each quota, showing how AIQ offers national access but faces higher competition, while state quotas provide more seats within a specific region, often with a more relaxed cutoff.
NEET UG 2026 Counselling Rounds: AIQ and State Mop-Up
The NEET UG 2026 admission process involves distinct All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota rounds, each managed by specific authorities to allocate MBBS/BDS seats. Understanding these processes is crucial for candidates aiming for admission to medical and dental colleges.
| All India Quota (AIQ) counselling | State Quota Counselling |
|---|---|
| 1. The AIQ quota is for the central government medical institutes, which are officially regulated by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). | 1. State quota counselling is for the remaining 85% seats for government and private medical college seats. |
| 2. The AIQ quota covers 15% of total MBBS/BDS seats, along with 100% seats in deemed universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, and central universities. | 2. The state-wise counselling seats for the exam are managed by the state medical authorities. |
| 3. The allocation of seats in the exam counselling process is mainly based on merit, where anyone who appeared in the same year‘s exam can participate under this category | 3. Only candidates fulfilling the domicile or eligibility conditions of that state can apply under this counselling category. |
| 4. Each state’s medical committee has its own counselling and seat allocation process as per the state’s reservation policies. |
This table highlights the fundamental differences in scope and eligibility between the All India Quota and State Quota counselling, emphasizing the distinct authorities and seat percentages each covers.
- Total MCC Rounds: The MCC counselling process generally has 4 major rounds.
- Round 1 Purpose: Allocates 15% AIQ, 100% deemed/central seats; open to all.
- Round 2 Purpose: Fills unfilled seats from Round 1; allows new candidates or upgrades.
- Mop-Up Round: Handles vacancies post-Round 2, mainly deemed/private AIQ colleges. MCC conducts it September 2026.
- Stray Vacancy Round: Final college-level round for leftover seats; no exit. MCC and state authorities run it.
The exam’s re-examination was held on 21 June 2026. MCC counselling typically opened late June to early July, and most state quota counselling authorities are opening their processes around July, often concurrently with MCC’s Round 2.
Eligibility and Minimum Percentile for NEET UG 2026
To participate in the NEET UG 2026 counselling, candidates must first qualify the NEET UG exam. This section details the eligibility criteria, minimum percentile requirements, and expected cut-off scores for various categories, helping you understand the path to medical school admission.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | NEET 2026 Cut-Off (Expected) | Safe Score for Govt MBBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 50th | 686 – 144 | 620 – 650+ |
| EWS | 50th | 686 – 130 | 600 – 630 |
| OBC-NCL | 40th | 143 – 113 | 580 – 610 |
| SC | 40th | 143 – 113 | 500 – 530 |
| ST | 40th | 143 – 113 | 480 – 510 |
| General-PwD | 45th | 143 – 127 | — |
| OBC/SC/ST-PwD | 40th | 126 – 113 | — |
This overview shows the expected qualifying percentiles and corresponding score ranges for various categories in 2026, along with safe scores for securing a Government MBBS seat. You can see the distinct cut-offs and target scores for different groups.
- Counselling Eligibility: Candidates must qualify NEET UG 2026 to participate in the counselling.
- Qualifying Requirement: Candidates will be required to secure the minimum required percentile category-wise to qualify the exam.
- All India Rank Eligibility: All candidates allotted an All India Rank are eligible for the counselling process.
- Jammu and Kashmir Eligibility (15% AIQ): J&K candidates are not eligible for 15% All India Quota counselling till further notice.
- Qualifying Cut-off Definition: The NEET cut-off is the minimum score required for medical school admission, usually expressed in percentiles.
- Percentile to Score Conversion: Absolute scores for qualifying percentiles change yearly based on paper difficulty and candidate performance.
While focusing on 2026, it is helpful to review the qualifying scores from the previous year. The NEET UG 2025 exam had specific minimum qualifying scores for different categories.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 137 |
| Unreserved Physically Handicapped (UR-PH) | 121 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 107 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 107 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 107 |
| SC-PH | 108 |
| ST-PH | 108 |
| OBC-PH | 108 |
These scores from 2025 demonstrate how the absolute cut-off marks vary by category. This historical data provides context for understanding the expected ranges for the current year.
NEET UG 2026 Registration and Security Fees
This section covers the NEET UG 2026 Registration and Security Fees Structure with the key figures and details from the latest verified sources.
- Registration & Payment for Round 1: To be announced later on the website.
- Registration & Payment for Round 2: To be announced later on the website.
- Registration and Security Fee: Candidates must pay the applicable registration fee and refundable security deposit as per authority rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the NEET UG 2026 entrance exam and result declaration occur?
The NEET UG 2026 entrance exam was held on 3 May 2026, and its results were declared on 14 June 2026.
Who is the authority responsible for managing the NEET UG 2026 counselling process?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of DGHS is the authority that manages the completely online admission process for NEET UG 2026.
What is the expected timeline for Round 1 registration and choice filling for NEET UG 2026 counselling?
Round 1 registration and choice filling for NEET UG 2026 counselling are both expected in July 2026 on the official website, mcc.nic.in/ug-medical-counselling/.
What are the two types of fees required during the NEET UG 2026 counselling registration?
During registration, candidates must pay a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit.
What are the security deposit amounts for government colleges and deemed universities?
The security deposit for government colleges is ₹10,000, while for deemed universities it is ₹2,00,000.
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