State Counselling for NEET UG 2026: Schedule, Merit List & Choice Filling
Respective State Counselling Authorities, such as the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) or Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), release the official schedules and conduct state counselling for NEET UG 2026. This process specifically manages admissions for 85% of government medical/dental college seats and 100% of private medical college seats (non-deemed) within each state, a significant portion compared to the All India Quota. For instance, the Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Merit List is tentatively expected in the first week of August 2026, marking a key date in the NEET UG 2026 State Quota Counselling timeline.
State Medical Admission Process for NEET UG 2026
The state-level admission process for NEET UG 2026 manages a significant portion of medical and dental college admissions, covering 85% of government seats and all private college seats (non-deemed). This completely online process follows a strict schedule, requiring separate registration on respective state po
- Authority: Respective State Counselling Authorities (e.g., KEA, DMER, DME).
- Seats Covered: 85% government, 100% private (non-deemed) medical/dental colleges.
- Eligibility: Candidates must hold a valid state domicile certificate.
- Registration: Register separately on the state’s portal and pay a fee.
- Reservation Policies: State-level reservation policies apply to these seats.
- Counselling Format: The entire procedure is completely online.
The counselling procedure involves several critical online stages you must complete carefully. These steps ensure your application progresses correctly from registration to final admission.
- Step
NEET UG 2026: State vs. All India Quota Admissions
This section compares the key differences between All India Quota (AIQ) and state quota counselling for medical admissions. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for candidates planning their strategy for NEET UG 2026, as they impact seat availability, reservation policies, and participation r
| 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 |
This table clearly illustrates the fundamental differences in how AIQ and state quota counselling operate, from the managing authority to seat distribution and eligibility. Your domicile plays a critical role in accessing state-specific opportunities.
NEET UG 2026 State Quota Rounds: Allotment and Upgrades
The state-level admission process for NEET UG 2026 is crucial for securing 85% State Quota, Management Quota, and NRI Quota seats in various government, semi-government, private, and minority medical colleges. This process, managed by state authorities, requires separate registration on each state’s official po
| S.No. | State / Authority | Counselling Authority | Quota Covered | Official Website | 2026 Dates (Status) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All India Quota | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) | 15% AIQ + Deemed + Central | Website Link | June–July 2026 (Expected) |
| 2 | AFMC Pune | Armed Forces Medical College | Central / Defence | Website Link | June–July 2026 (Expected) |
| 3 | Andaman & Nicobar | ANIMS / CCAP | UT Quota | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | Dr NTR University of Health Sciences | State + Management | Website Link | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| 5 | Arunachal Pradesh | DHTE Arunachal Pradesh | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 6 | Assam | Directorate of Medical Education, Assam | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 7 | Bihar | BCECE Board | State | Website Link | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| 8 | Chandigarh | GMCH Chandigarh | UT Quota | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 9 | Chhattisgarh | Directorate of Medical Education, CG | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 10 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | DNH Medical & Health Services | UT | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 11 | Delhi (GGSIPU) | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | State + Management | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 12 | Goa | Directorate of Technical Education, Goa | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 13 | Gujarat | ACPUGMEC | State | Website Link | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| 14 | Haryana | DMER Haryana | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 15 | Himachal Pradesh | Atal Medical & Research University | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 16 | Jammu & Kashmir | JKBOPEE | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 17 | Jharkhand | JCECE Board | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 18 | Karnataka | Karnataka Examinations Authority | State + Management | Website Link | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| 19 | Kerala | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 20 | Madhya Pradesh | DME Madhya Pradesh | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 21 | Maharashtra | State CET Cell | State + Management | Website Link | July–August 2026 (Expected) |
| 22 | Manipur | Directorate of Health Services | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 23 | Meghalaya | NEIGRIHMS | Central | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 24 | Mizoram | DHTE Mizoram | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 25 | Nagaland | Directorate of Medical Education | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 26 | Odisha | DMET Odisha | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 27 | Puducherry | CENTAC | UT | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 28 | Punjab | BFUHS | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
| 29 | Punjab (CMC) | CMC Ludhiana | Institutional | Website Link | June 2026 (Held) |
| 30 | Rajasthan | Medical Education Dept., Rajasthan | State | Website Link | July 2026 (Expected) |
This comprehensive table details the specific counselling authorities, quotas, and expected timelines for each state and union territory, helping you navigate the diverse processes for admission.
NEET UG 2026 State Quotas: UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka Details
This section details the medical admission process for NEET UG 2026, focusing on Maharashtra’s quota specifics, eligibility, and key dates. It also outlines general rules for state quotas across India, including the 85% reservation in government medical colleges.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra |
| Courses Covered | MBBS and BDS |
| Participating Colleges | Over 70 medical and dental colleges in Maharashtra |
| Total Seats | Approximately 9,000 MBBS and 3,000 BDS seats |
| No. Of Medical Colleges in Maharashtra | 63 (41 Government + 22 Private) |
| No. Of Dental Colleges in Maharashtra | 29 (04 Government + 25 Private) |
| Total No. Of Medical Seats in Maharashtra | 9120 (5950 Government + 3170 Private) |
| Total No. Of Dental seats in Maharashtra | 2575 (225 Government + 2350 Private) |
| Counselling Rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round |
| Mode of Counselling | Online |
| Official Website | cetcell.mahacet.org |
The table above provides a comprehensive overview of Maharashtra’s counselling process, including the conducting authority, courses, participating colleges, and the total number of medical and dental seats available.
| Event | Tentative Dates (2026) |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Fee Payment | July 2026 |
| Document Verification | July 2026 |
| State Merit List Release | Late July 2026 |
| Round 1 Choice Filling & Allotment | Late July to August 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | August to September 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | September 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
This schedule outlines the key tentative dates for Maharashtra’s counselling, from registration and document verification in July 2026 to the final stray vacancy round in October 2026.
| Reservation Type | Category | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Reservation | SC (Scheduled Caste) | 13% |
| Vertical Reservation | ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7% |
| Vertical Reservation | OBC (Other Backwards Class) | 19% |
| Vertical Reservation | EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% |
| Horizontal Reservation | PwD (Persons with Disability) | 5% |
| Horizontal Reservation | Women | 30% |
| Horizontal Reservation | Defence Personnel | 1% |
| Horizontal Reservation | Orphan | 1% |
The reservation policy for Maharashtra’s counselling includes both vertical and horizontal reservations, ensuring equitable access for various categories of candidates.
- Domicile Requirement: For 85% state quota seats, candidates must be domiciled in Maharashtra.
- Age Limit: You must be at least 17 years old by 31 December 2026, with no upper age limit.
- Registration Fee: The non-refundable registration fee is ₹1,000.
- Private Medical College Fees: Fees for private medical colleges are ₹1,00,000.
- Private Dental College Fees: Fees for private dental colleges are ₹50,000.
State counselling authorities manage 85% of seats in government medical colleges. They prepare a merit list for candidates based on their NEET (UG) – 2026 scores and declared categories. Counselling for private medical colleges (except Deemed) falls under the respective State Governments, and domicile criteria are state-specific, with NTA having no role in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which authority conducts the state counselling for NEET UG 2026?
Respective State Counselling Authorities, such as the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) or Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), conduct the state counselling for NEET UG 2026.
What percentage of seats does state counselling cover for NEET UG 2026?
State counselling for NEET UG 2026 covers admissions for 85% of government medical/dental college seats and 100% of private medical college seats (non-deemed) within each state.
Is a state domicile certificate required for NEET UG 2026 state quota counselling?
Yes, candidates must hold a valid state domicile certificate to be eligible for NEET UG 2026 state quota counselling.
What is the format of the state counselling procedure for NEET UG 2026?
The entire state counselling procedure for NEET UG 2026 is completely online, requiring separate registration on respective state portals.
When was the Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Merit List tentatively expected?
The Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling Merit List was tentatively expected in the first week of August 2026.
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