The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is preparing to launch NEET PG 2026 counselling in the third week of October 2026, marking the formal start of seat allocation for over 40,000 postgraduate medical positions across India. This counselling round will determine which MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB seats you secure based on your NEET PG score and preferences. Understanding the registration timeline, fee structure, choice-filling mechanics, and document requirements now will help you prepare smoothly and avoid last-minute confusion when counselling opens.
NEET PG 2026 counselling registration is expected to begin in the third week of October 2026, with choice filling in the last week of October and provisional seat allotment in the first week of November 2026.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListWhen Does NEET PG 2026 Counselling Begin? Key Dates You Need to Know
The MCC will verify the seat matrix in the second week of October 2026, followed by the opening of counselling registration in the third week of October. This verification step ensures that all available seats across government medical colleges, private institutions, and deemed universities are accurately documented before candidates begin registering.
Choice filling and locking will occur in the last week of October 2026, giving you approximately one to two weeks to research colleges, compare specialities, and rank your preferences. The provisional seat allotment result is expected in the first week of November 2026. These are tentative dates; MCC typically releases a formal notification with exact dates and times closer to October, so monitor mcc.nic.in regularly.
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Seat matrix verification | Second week of October 2026 |
| Counselling registration opens | Third week of October 2026 |
| Choice filling and locking | Last week of October 2026 |
| Provisional seat allotment result | First week of November 2026 |
How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Step-by-Step Process
Registration for NEET PG 2026 counselling is entirely online through the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in. You will need your NEET PG registration number, score, and personal details. The process begins by visiting the MCC website, locating the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration link, and entering your name, date of birth, NEET PG score, and other required information.
After submitting your details, the system will generate login credentials that you must save securely. You will then log in again to complete your full registration by providing additional personal and academic information. Once registration is complete, you must pay the application fee online (the amount depends on your category) and upload any required supporting documents. Finally, print and retain your registration receipt for future reference and document verification.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration link
- Enter name, date of birth, NEET PG score, and personal details
- Generate and save your login credentials
- Log in again and complete full registration with academic details
- Pay the application fee online according to your category
- Upload required documents and print your receipt
NEET PG 2026 Counselling Registration Fee: What You Will Pay by Category
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
The registration fee for NEET PG 2026 counselling varies based on your category and the type of institution you are applying to. General and OBC candidates applying for All India Quota (AIQ) seats or central university positions pay INR 1,000, while SC, ST, and PwD (persons with disability) candidates pay a reduced fee of INR 500. If you are applying to deemed universities, the fee is significantly higher at INR 5,000.
These fees are non-refundable and must be paid online during the registration process. Ensure you have the correct fee amount ready before you begin registration, as payment is mandatory to complete your registration and proceed to the choice-filling stage. If you belong to multiple categories (for example, SC and PwD), you will be charged according to the category that offers the lower fee.
| Category / Institution Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| AIQ and Central Universities (Unreserved) | INR 1,000 |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD | INR 500 |
| Deemed University | INR 5,000 |
Understanding Choice Filling and Locking in NEET PG 2026 Counselling
Choice filling is the process by which you rank your preferred colleges and specialities in order of preference. During the last week of October 2026, you will log into your MCC account using your registration number and password, then browse the available seats based on the seat matrix. You should select your preferred course (MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB) and college combinations, ranking them from most preferred to least preferred.
Once you have filled all your choices, you must click 'Save' to lock them into the system. Locking your choices is a critical step—it finalizes your preference list and prevents accidental changes. After locking, you can print a copy of your filled choices for your records. It is essential to research colleges, specialities, and cutoff scores thoroughly before the choice-filling window opens, as you will have limited time to make these decisions. Many candidates prepare a ranked list in advance to avoid rushing during the actual filling period.
- Log in to mcc.nic.in using your registration number and password
- Browse available seats and select your preferred course and college
- Rank choices from most to least preferred
- Click 'Save' to lock your choices into the system
- Print a copy of your locked choices for future reference
- Prepare your preference list in advance to avoid last-minute errors
How Many Seats Are Available in NEET PG 2026 Counselling?
NEET PG 2026 counselling will allocate seats across four main postgraduate qualifications. The largest number of seats are for MD (Doctor of Medicine) programmes, with 26,168 positions available across medical colleges and hospitals nationwide. MS (Master of Surgery) programmes offer 13,649 seats, while PG Diploma positions number 922. Additionally, 1,338 DNB CET (Diplomate of National Board Common Entrance Test) seats are available through this counselling process.
These seats are distributed across more than 6,100 medical colleges and 649 hospitals in India. The MCC conducts four rounds of counselling to fill these positions, meaning if you do not secure a seat in Round 1, you will have additional opportunities in subsequent rounds. The exact number of seats available in your state or for your category will be detailed in the seat matrix, which MCC releases before counselling begins.
- MD seats: 26,168
- MS seats: 13,649
- PG Diploma seats: 922
- DNB CET seats: 1,338
- Total seats across 6,100+ medical colleges and 649 hospitals
- Four rounds of counselling conducted to fill all positions
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
Essential Documents Required for NEET PG 2026 Counselling and Verification
You must carry both original and photocopied versions of all required documents to your document verification appointment after seat allotment. The MCC will verify these documents to confirm your eligibility and finalize your admission. The most critical documents are your NEET PG admit card and scorecard, which prove you appeared for and qualified in the examination. You will also need a valid photo ID such as your Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, or PAN Card.
Your MBBS degree certificate and year-wise marksheets are essential to prove you have completed your undergraduate medical qualification. You must also provide your internship completion certificate, which confirms you have finished the mandatory internship period required after MBBS. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC), bring your category certificate issued by the appropriate government authority. If you have a disability, bring your PwD certificate. Finally, bring the MCC-issued seat allotment letter that you receive after the provisional allotment result is announced.
- NEET PG admit card 2026
- NEET PG 2026 scorecard
- Valid photo ID (Aadhar, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, or PAN Card)
- Category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC)
- Birth proof document
- MCC-issued seat allotment letter
- MBBS degree certificate
- Year-wise MBBS marksheets
- Internship completion certificate
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Marks and Cutoff Scores by Category
To be eligible for NEET PG 2026 counselling, you must have achieved the minimum qualifying marks set by NBEMS (National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences). For the General and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) categories, the qualifying mark is the 50th percentile, which corresponds to approximately 262 marks out of 900. Candidates with disabilities in the General category must achieve the 45th percentile, equivalent to around 244 marks.
For SC, ST, and OBC categories (including persons with disability from these reserved categories), the qualifying mark is the 40th percentile, approximately 226 marks. These are the minimum thresholds you must cross to be eligible for counselling; your actual seat allocation will depend on your rank, the seats available in your preferred colleges and specialities, and the cutoff scores for those specific positions. Cutoff scores vary by college, speciality, and round of counselling, so your final placement depends on both your score and your choice preferences.
- General/EWS: 50th percentile (≈262 marks)
- General PwBD: 45th percentile (≈244 marks)
- SC/ST/OBC (including PwBD of SC/ST/OBC): 40th percentile (≈226 marks)
What Happens After Seat Allotment? Next Steps in Your NEET PG Journey
Once the provisional seat allotment result is announced in the first week of November 2026, you will receive an allotment letter from MCC. This letter will specify the college, speciality, and seat category you have been allotted. You must then report to your allotted college on the date specified in the letter with all original and photocopied documents for verification. During verification, the college will confirm your eligibility, check your documents, and finalize your admission.
If you are not satisfied with your allotment in Round 1, you can participate in subsequent rounds of counselling. In Round 2 and beyond, you can modify your choice list and attempt to secure a seat in a more preferred college or speciality. However, if you accept your Round 1 allotment and report to the college, you will typically not be eligible to participate in further rounds. Plan your choices carefully and understand the implications of accepting an allotment before making your decision.
- Receive MCC allotment letter specifying your college, speciality, and seat
- Report to your allotted college on the specified date with all documents
- Undergo document verification and finalize admission
- Participate in Round 2 or later if you wish to change your allotment
- Accepting an allotment typically makes you ineligible for further rounds
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When will NEET PG 2026 counselling registration begin?
NEET PG 2026 counselling registration is expected to begin in the third week of October 2026. The MCC will verify the seat matrix in the second week of October before opening registration. Exact dates and times will be announced by MCC closer to October, so monitor mcc.nic.in regularly for the official notification.
What is the registration fee for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
The registration fee depends on your category. General and OBC candidates applying for AIQ or central university seats pay INR 1,000. SC, ST, and PwD candidates pay INR 500. Candidates applying to deemed universities pay INR 5,000. These fees are non-refundable and must be paid online during registration.
How do I fill and lock my choices in NEET PG 2026 counselling?
During the last week of October 2026, log into mcc.nic.in using your registration number and password. Browse the available seats, select your preferred colleges and specialities, and rank them from most to least preferred. Click 'Save' to lock your choices. After locking, you can print a copy for your records. It is advisable to prepare your preference list in advance.
How many seats are available in NEET PG 2026 counselling?
NEET PG 2026 counselling will allocate 26,168 MD seats, 13,649 MS seats, 922 PG Diploma seats, and 1,338 DNB CET seats across more than 6,100 medical colleges and 649 hospitals in India. These seats are filled through four rounds of counselling.
What documents do I need for NEET PG 2026 counselling verification?
You must carry original and photocopied versions of: NEET PG admit card and scorecard, valid photo ID, category certificate (if applicable), birth proof, MCC allotment letter, MBBS degree certificate, year-wise MBBS marksheets, internship completion certificate, and PwD certificate (if applicable). Bring all documents to your document verification appointment after seat allotment.
What are the qualifying marks for NEET PG 2026?
General/EWS candidates must achieve the 50th percentile (approximately 262 marks). General PwBD candidates must achieve the 45th percentile (approximately 244 marks). SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates from reserved categories must achieve the 40th percentile (approximately 226 marks). These are minimum thresholds; your actual seat depends on your rank and choice preferences.
When will the NEET PG 2026 seat allotment result be announced?
The provisional seat allotment result is expected in the first week of November 2026. You will receive an allotment letter specifying your college, speciality, and seat category. You must then report to your allotted college on the specified date with all required documents for verification.
Can I participate in multiple rounds of NEET PG 2026 counselling?
Yes, MCC conducts four rounds of counselling. If you do not secure a seat in Round 1 or are not satisfied with your allotment, you can participate in Round 2 and subsequent rounds. However, if you accept an allotment and report to the college, you will typically not be eligible for further rounds. Plan your choices carefully before accepting an allotment.
Mark the third week of October 2026 on your calendar and begin researching colleges, specialities, and cutoff scores now. When counselling opens, you will have limited time to make critical decisions about your postgraduate medical career, so preparation in advance will help you navigate the process confidently and secure the best possible seat.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.