MCC NEET UG Round 1 Choice Filling Delayed, Check Schedule

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the postponement of the NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 choice locking process, which was originally scheduled anyway at 11 AM on August 13, 2026. Candidates are advised to monitor the official portal, mcc.nic.in, for the revised schedule and further instructions. This delay impacts aspirants seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing seats across various institutions.

The decision to defer the choice locking comes in response to a notification from the National Medical Commission (NMC), specifically letter number U11021/24204/PwBD/2026/UGMEB, dated August 5, 2026. This NMC communication pertains to crucial seat data for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates, necessitating adjustments in the counselling timeline. The same NMC letter had previously caused the choice filling window to shift from its initial August 6 start to August 8, 2026.

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Revised Schedule

The postponement directly affects all candidates who have registered for NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 and have been actively filling their choices. The choice filling window opened at 12:00 Noon on August 8, 2026, with the locking sub-window initially set to run from 4:00 PM on August 12 to 11:00 AM on August 13, 2026. As of August 13, 2026, the official portal mcc.nic.in states, “Choice locking has yet not started,” confirming the delay.

This round of counselling encompasses many medical and allied health seats, including the 15 percent All India Quota, admissions to deemed universities, central universities, and all AIIMS institutes.

Event	Earlier Date	Revised Status
Choice Filling Start	August 5, 2026 (12:00 Noon)	Held as scheduled
Choice Locking Window	August 12 (4:00 PM) to August 13, 2026 (11:00 AM)	Delayed by MCC
Seat Allotment Processing	August 13 to August 16, 2026	To be rescheduled
Round 1 Seat Allotment Result	August 17, 2026	To be rescheduled
Reporting at Allotted Institute	August 18 to August 22, 2026	To be rescheduled

How to Check NEET UG Counselling 2026 Updates

Candidates must stay informed about the latest developments regarding NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1. The MCC will publish all official notifications and the revised schedule exclusively on its website. Following these steps will help candidates access the most current information:

Go to the official website of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), mcc.nic.in.
Navigate to the ‘UG Medical Counselling’ section on the homepage.
Look for the latest notifications or news updates related to NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1.
Click on the relevant link to view the revised schedule for choice locking and other counselling events.
Download and save the notification for future reference.

NEET UG Counselling 2026: What Next?

With the choice locking delayed, candidates should utilise this period to re-verify their filled choices, ensuring they align with their preferences and eligibility. While the system will auto-lock choices at the revised cut-off time if not manually locked, it is always prudent for candidates to manually lock their choices once the window reopens. The MCC’s prompt action in delaying the process due to the NMC notification highlights the dynamic nature of medical admissions and the need for candidates to remain vigilant and responsive to official communications.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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