The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the official schedule for online counselling and seat allotment for NEET PG 2026. This schedule covers the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and AFMS institutions. The counselling will be conducted in four rounds—three main rounds plus a stray vacancy round—running from October to December 2026. Every candidate who has qualified NEET PG and wishes to secure a postgraduate medical seat through the national quota must follow these exact dates and deadlines. Missing even one deadline can result in forfeiture of your seat.
Round 1 registration opens 12 October 2026 at noon; choice filling runs 13–22 October; result declared 24 October; reporting and joining 26 October–2 November.
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Unlock My College ListWhat This Schedule Covers
This is the official counselling timetable for NEET PG 2026 issued by MCC (Medical Counselling Committee), the national body that conducts postgraduate medical admissions. It applies to all candidates competing for seats in the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) and 100% seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) institutions across India.
The schedule is divided into four phases: three main counselling rounds and one stray vacancy round. Each round follows the same sequence: registration and payment, choice filling and locking, seat allotment processing, result declaration, and reporting/joining. The entire process runs on server time (IST), so all deadlines are strictly as per the MCC server clock, not your local time or device time.
Important Dates: Round 1 (Main Counselling)
Round 1 is the first and most critical phase. Institutes will verify their seat matrices from 10–12 October. Candidates must register and pay the counselling fee between 12 and 21 October 2026. Registration closes at 12:00 noon on 21 October (server time), but the payment gateway remains open until 3:00 PM on the same day. If you miss this window, you cannot participate in Round 1.
Choice filling (selecting your preferred colleges and specialties) opens on 13 October and closes on 22 October at 10:00 AM (server time). Choice locking—the final step where you confirm your choices and cannot change them—begins at 4:00 PM on 21 October and runs until 10:00 AM on 22 October. The allotment is processed on 22–23 October, and results are declared on 24 October. Reporting and joining runs from 26 October to 2 November 2026.
- Seat matrix verification by institutes: 10–12 October 2026
- Registration & payment: 12–21 October 2026 (registration closes 12:00 noon; payment until 3:00 PM on 21 Oct)
- Choice filling: 13–22 October 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 22 Oct)
- Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 21 October to 10:00 AM on 22 October 2026
- Seat allotment processing: 22–23 October 2026
- Result declaration: 24 October 2026
- Reporting & joining: 26 October to 2 November 2026
- Institutes verify joined candidates & share data: 3 November 2026
Important Dates: Round 2 (Main Counselling)
Round 2 is held for candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1 or who wish to upgrade to a better college or specialty. Institutes verify seat matrices from 6–7 November (until 1:00 PM on 7 Nov). Registration and payment open on 6 November and close on 11 November at 12:00 noon (server time); payment facility remains open until 3:00 PM on 11 November.
Choice filling runs from 7–12 November (until 10:00 AM on 12 Nov). Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on 11 November and ends at 10:00 AM on 12 November. Allotment is processed on 12–13 November, results are declared on 14 November, and reporting/joining runs from 16–23 November 2026.
- Seat matrix verification: 6–7 November 2026 (until 1:00 PM on 7 Nov)
- Registration & payment: 6–11 November 2026 (registration closes 12:00 noon; payment until 3:00 PM on 11 Nov)
- Choice filling: 7–12 November 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 12 Nov)
- Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 11 November to 10:00 AM on 12 November 2026
- Seat allotment processing: 12–13 November 2026
- Result declaration: 14 November 2026
- Reporting & joining: 16–23 November 2026
- Institutes verify joined candidates & share data: 24 November 2026
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Important Dates: Round 3 (Main Counselling)
Round 3 is the final main counselling round. Institutes verify seat matrices from 25–26 November. Registration and payment open on 26 November and close on 1 December at 12:00 noon (server time); payment facility remains open until 3:00 PM on 1 December.
Choice filling runs from 27 November to 2 December (until 10:00 AM on 2 Dec). Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on 1 December and ends at 10:00 AM on 2 December. Allotment is processed on 2–3 December, results are declared on 4 December, and reporting/joining runs from 5–12 December 2026.
- Seat matrix verification: 25–26 November 2026
- Registration & payment: 26 November to 1 December 2026 (registration closes 12:00 noon; payment until 3:00 PM on 1 Dec)
- Choice filling: 27 November to 2 December 2026 (until 10:00 AM on 2 Dec)
- Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 1 December to 10:00 AM on 2 December 2026
- Seat allotment processing: 2–3 December 2026
- Result declaration: 4 December 2026
- Reporting & joining: 5–12 December 2026
- Institutes verify joined candidates & share data: 14 December 2026
Important Dates: Stray Vacancy Round
The stray vacancy round is held after the three main rounds to fill any remaining empty seats. Institutes verify seat matrices on 15 December. Registration and payment open on 16 December and close on 21 December at 12:00 noon (server time); payment facility remains open until 3:00 PM on 21 December.
Choice filling runs from 16–21 December (until 11:55 PM on 21 Dec). Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on 21 December and ends at 11:55 PM on the same day. Allotment is processed on 22–23 December, results are declared on 24 December, and reporting/joining runs from 24–31 December 2026. Note that the stray round has slightly different timings (11:55 PM instead of 10:00 AM) for choice filling and locking.
- Seat matrix verification: 15 December 2026
- Registration & payment: 16–21 December 2026 (registration closes 12:00 noon; payment until 3:00 PM on 21 Dec)
- Choice filling: 16–21 December 2026 (until 11:55 PM on 21 Dec)
- Choice locking: 4:00 PM on 21 December to 11:55 PM on 21 December 2026
- Seat allotment processing: 22–23 December 2026
- Result declaration: 24 December 2026
- Reporting & joining: 24–31 December 2026
Academic Session Start Date
The PG academic session for 2026 will commence on 20 November 2026. This is important because it means candidates who secure seats in Round 1 and complete reporting by 2 November will need to join their institutions by this date. Even if you are still waiting for results from later rounds, the academic calendar has already begun.
Complete Counselling Schedule at a Glance
Below is a consolidated table showing all four rounds with their key milestones:
| Round | Registration Dates | Choice Filling Dates | Allotment Processing | Result Date | Reporting & Joining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 12–21 Oct (12:00 noon) | 13–22 Oct (10:00 AM) | 22–23 Oct | 24 Oct | 26 Oct–2 Nov |
| Round 2 | 6–11 Nov (12:00 noon) | 7–12 Nov (10:00 AM) | 12–13 Nov | 14 Nov | 16–23 Nov |
| Round 3 | 26 Nov–1 Dec (12:00 noon) | 27 Nov–2 Dec (10:00 AM) | 2–3 Dec | 4 Dec | 5–12 Dec |
| Stray Vacancy | 16–21 Dec (12:00 noon) | 16–21 Dec (11:55 PM) | 22–23 Dec | 24 Dec | 24–31 Dec |
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Payment Facility Timing — Critical Trap
⚠️ **This is a common mistake that costs candidates their seats.** In every round, the registration deadline and the payment deadline are DIFFERENT. Registration closes at 12:00 noon, but the payment gateway remains open until 3:00 PM on the same day. This means you can register after noon if you pay before 3:00 PM. However, if you do not pay by 3:00 PM, your registration is cancelled and you lose your chance in that round.
For example, in Round 1: if you register at 1:00 PM on 21 October, you must pay by 3:00 PM on 21 October. If you pay at 3:30 PM, your payment will be rejected. Always pay immediately after registration to avoid this trap.
Choice Filling and Locking — How It Works
After you register and pay, you enter the choice-filling phase. During this phase, you log into the MCC portal and select your preferred colleges and specialties in order of preference. You can change your choices as many times as you want during the choice-filling window.
Choice locking is the final step. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. In Rounds 1–3, choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on the day before the choice-filling deadline and runs until 10:00 AM on the deadline day. For example, in Round 1, locking runs from 4:00 PM on 21 October to 10:00 AM on 22 October. In the stray round, locking runs from 4:00 PM to 11:55 PM on the same day (21 December). You must lock your choices before the deadline, or the system will lock them automatically at the deadline time.
⚠️ **Trap:** If you do not lock your choices by the deadline, the system locks your last saved choices automatically. If you have not saved any choices, you may be locked with no preferences, which can result in no seat allotment.
Server Time — All Deadlines Are Strict
Every deadline in this schedule is in server time (IST — Indian Standard Time), as per the MCC server clock. This is not your local time or your device time. The MCC server is the official timekeeper. If the server shows 12:01 PM and you try to register, you will be locked out, even if your watch shows 11:59 AM.
To avoid confusion, log into the MCC portal at least 30 minutes before any deadline and check the server time displayed on the portal. Plan your registration, payment, and choice-locking activities well in advance. Do not wait until the last minute.
Weekends and Holidays Are Working Days
The notice explicitly states: "For ensuring faithful obedience of time schedule and also keeping in view the limited time available for conducting counselling, all participating institutes/colleges are advised to treat all Saturdays/Sundays and Gazetted Holidays as working days." This means the counselling process does not stop on weekends or national holidays. If a deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it still applies. You must be ready to register, fill choices, and report on any day of the week.
What Happens After You Report and Join
Once you report to your allotted college and join, the college verifies your documents and confirms your joining. The college then shares your data with MCC. This data-sharing step is the final confirmation that you have successfully secured your seat. Until this step is complete, your admission is not final. If you fail to report within the reporting window, your seat is forfeited and offered to the next candidate in the merit list.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does Round 1 registration open and close?
Round 1 registration opens on 12 October 2026 and closes on 21 October 2026 at 12:00 noon (server time). However, the payment gateway remains open until 3:00 PM on 21 October. You must register and pay by these deadlines to participate in Round 1.
What is the difference between registration closing and payment closing?
Registration closes at 12:00 noon, but payment closes at 3:00 PM on the same day. This means you can register after noon if you pay before 3:00 PM. However, if you do not pay by 3:00 PM, your registration is cancelled. Always pay immediately after registering to avoid losing your chance.
When can I fill and lock my choices in Round 1?
Choice filling opens on 13 October and closes on 22 October at 10:00 AM (server time). Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on 21 October and ends at 10:00 AM on 22 October. You can change your choices during the filling window, but once you lock them, you cannot change them. If you do not lock manually, the system locks your choices automatically at 10:00 AM on 22 October.
When will Round 1 results be declared?
Round 1 results will be declared on 24 October 2026. After the result is declared, you must report to your allotted college between 26 October and 2 November 2026.
What if I do not get a seat in Round 1? Can I participate in Round 2?
Yes. If you do not get a seat in Round 1, you can participate in Round 2. Round 2 registration opens on 6 November and closes on 11 November at 12:00 noon. You will need to register and pay again in Round 2. Candidates who got seats in Round 1 can also participate in Round 2 to upgrade to a better college or specialty.
Are there any deadlines on weekends or holidays?
Yes. The notice states that all Saturdays, Sundays, and gazetted holidays are treated as working days. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it still applies. You must be ready to register, fill choices, and report on any day of the week.
What is the stray vacancy round and when is it held?
The stray vacancy round is held after the three main rounds to fill any remaining empty seats. It is held in December 2026. Registration opens on 16 December and closes on 21 December at 12:00 noon. Choice filling runs until 11:55 PM on 21 December (note the different timing compared to main rounds). Results are declared on 24 December, and reporting/joining runs until 31 December 2026.
When does the PG academic session start?
The PG academic session for 2026 starts on 20 November 2026. Candidates who secure seats in Round 1 and complete reporting by 2 November will need to join their institutions by this date. Even if you are waiting for results from later rounds, the academic calendar has already begun.
What does 'server time' mean? Can I use my local time?
All deadlines are in server time (IST — Indian Standard Time), as per the MCC server clock, not your local time or device time. The MCC server is the official timekeeper. Log into the MCC portal at least 30 minutes before any deadline and check the server time displayed on the portal. Do not rely on your watch or device time.
What happens if I miss the reporting deadline?
If you do not report to your allotted college within the reporting window, your seat is forfeited. The seat is then offered to the next candidate in the merit list. You will not get another chance in that round. Always report on time.
Can I participate in all four rounds?
Yes, you can participate in all four rounds if you do not get a seat in earlier rounds or if you wish to upgrade. However, if you secure a seat and report in an earlier round, you can still participate in later rounds to upgrade to a better college or specialty. Once you report and join, your seat in that round is confirmed.
How many times can I change my choices during choice filling?
You can change your choices as many times as you want during the choice-filling window. However, once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. The system will automatically lock your choices at the deadline time if you do not lock them manually.
Round 1 registration opens on 12 October 2026 — just days away. Mark all four round dates on your calendar now, especially the registration, choice-filling, and reporting deadlines. Remember: all times are server time (IST), not your local time. Register and pay immediately after opening to avoid last-minute technical issues. Do not miss any deadline — missing even one can cost you your seat. For the latest updates and to register, visit the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in.
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