The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the official timeline for NEET PG 2026 counselling, with registration opening on October 12, 2026. This is a critical milestone for MBBS graduates seeking admission to MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes across India's 6,102 medical colleges and 649 hospitals. The counselling process will manage over 42,000 seats across four rounds, with the first seat allotment result expected on October 24. Understanding the exact dates, registration process, choice-filling window, and required documents is essential to avoid missing deadlines and securing your preferred specialty and college.
NEET PG 2026 counselling registration opens October 12 and closes October 21; choice filling runs October 13–22; first round seat allotment releases October 24—mark these dates to avoid missing your admission window.
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Unlock My College ListNEET PG 2026 Counselling Timeline: What You Need to Know
The MCC has released a structured counselling schedule spanning from early October through late October 2026. The scorecard and answer key became available on October 1, allowing candidates to verify their performance before the counselling process begins. Seat matrix verification—a critical step where candidates can review available positions in each specialty and college—runs from October 10 to October 12.
Registration for Round 1 counselling opens on October 12 and remains open until October 21, giving candidates a 10-day window to complete their registration on the official MCC portal (mcc.nic.in). Simultaneously, choice filling and locking occur between October 13 and October 22, meaning you can begin selecting your preferred colleges and specialties even as registration continues. The provisional seat allotment result for Round 1 will be released on October 24, after which document verification and reporting to allotted colleges follows.
- Scorecard and answer key: October 1, 2026
- Seat matrix verification: October 10–12, 2026
- Registration window: October 12–21, 2026
- Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026
- Round 1 seat allotment result: October 24, 2026
How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Step-by-Step Process
Registration is the first mandatory step and must be completed within the October 12–21 window. Visit the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and locate the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration link. You will be asked to enter personal details including your name, date of birth, NEET PG score, and other academic information. After submitting these details, the system will generate login credentials (typically a registration number and password) that you must save securely.
Once you have generated your credentials, log in again to complete the full registration. This second login allows you to upload required documents, provide additional academic and personal details, and proceed to fee payment. The registration fee varies by category: unreserved candidates and those from central universities pay ₹1,000, SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates pay ₹500, and deemed university candidates pay ₹5,000. After paying the fee online, print and retain your registration receipt—you will need it during document verification and reporting.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration link
- Enter name, date of birth, NEET PG score, and academic details
- Generate and save login credentials
- Log in again to upload documents and complete registration
- Pay the category-specific registration fee online
- Print and save the registration receipt
NEET PG 2026 Registration Fees by Category
The counselling registration fee structure is designed to be inclusive, with reduced fees for reserved categories and persons with disabilities. Understanding your applicable fee category is important to avoid payment errors during registration.
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| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| AIQ and Central Universities (Unreserved) | ₹1,000 |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD | ₹500 |
| Deemed University | ₹5,000 |
Choice Filling and Locking: Securing Your Specialty and College Preference
After registration, you enter the choice-filling phase (October 13–22), which is arguably the most important step in the counselling process. This is when you rank your preferred colleges and specialties in order of preference. Log into your MCC account using your registration number and password, then browse the available seats based on the seat matrix. The seat matrix shows how many MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB positions are available in each specialty at each college.
Fill your choices from most preferred to least preferred. You can add as many choices as you wish—there is no upper limit—but the order matters: the algorithm will attempt to allocate your highest-ranked choice first. After filling all your choices, click 'Save' to store them. You can modify your choices at any time until the locking deadline (October 22). Once you lock your choices, they become final and cannot be changed. Print a copy of your locked choices for your records and as proof during document verification.
- Log in with your registration number and password
- Review the seat matrix to understand available positions
- Rank colleges and specialties in order of preference (most to least preferred)
- Add as many choices as you wish—no upper limit
- Click 'Save' after filling choices
- Modify choices anytime before the October 22 deadline
- Lock your choices by October 22—this is final
- Print a copy of your locked choices for reference
NEET PG 2026 Qualifying Cutoff Marks by Category
To be eligible for counselling, you must have scored at or above the qualifying cutoff for your category. These cutoffs are based on percentile ranks and are set by NBEMS (National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences). The qualifying marks differ significantly across categories to ensure equitable access to postgraduate medical education.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Cutoff Score (out of 720) |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50th Percentile | 262 |
| General PwBD | 45th Percentile | 244 |
| SC / ST / OBC (including PwBD) | 40th Percentile | 226 |
Total Seats Available Across MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB Programmes
The MCC counselling process allocates a substantial number of seats across four postgraduate qualifications. Understanding the seat distribution helps you gauge competition and plan your choice strategy. The majority of seats are in MD programmes, followed by MS, with smaller allocations for PG Diploma and DNB CET (Common Entrance Test for DNB).
These figures represent the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats managed by MCC. The remaining 50% are state quota seats, which are counselled by individual state authorities according to their own timelines and rules. Your eligibility for AIQ or state quota depends on your domicile and the rules of the state in which you studied MBBS.
- MD seats: 26,168
- MS seats: 13,649
- PG Diploma seats: 922
- DNB CET seats: 1,338
- Total: 42,177 seats across all four rounds
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Essential Documents for NEET PG 2026 Counselling and Reporting
Once you receive a seat allotment, you must report to your allotted college with original and photocopied versions of specific documents. Missing or incomplete documentation can result in forfeiture of your seat. Prepare these documents well in advance and organize them in a folder to avoid last-minute stress.
The document list includes proof of your NEET PG qualification (admit card and scorecard), identity proof, category certificate if applicable, proof of birth, the MCC seat allotment letter, your MBBS degree certificate and year-wise marksheets, internship completion certificate, and any PwD certificate if you are a person with disability. Some colleges may request additional documents such as character certificates or proof of address, so contact your allotted college in advance to confirm their specific requirements.
- NEET PG admit card 2026
- NEET PG 2026 scorecard
- Valid photo ID (Aadhar, Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, or PAN Card)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Birth proof (birth certificate or equivalent)
- MCC issued seat allotment letter
- MBBS degree certificate and year-wise marksheets
- Certificate of internship completion
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
What Happens After Round 1: Subsequent Rounds and Mop-Up Counselling
The NEET PG 2026 counselling process consists of four rounds. After Round 1 seat allotment on October 24, candidates who are allotted seats must report to their colleges. Those who do not receive an allotment or wish to upgrade to a better choice can participate in Round 2 counselling. The MCC typically conducts Rounds 2, 3, and 4 at intervals of approximately one week, with each round following the same registration, choice-filling, and allotment cycle.
After all four rounds, a mop-up counselling round is usually conducted to fill any remaining vacant seats. This is your final opportunity to secure a seat if you have not been allotted one in the main rounds. Stay alert to MCC announcements regarding the dates and eligibility criteria for mop-up counselling, as these are often released with short notice.
- Round 1 allotment: October 24, 2026
- Rounds 2, 3, and 4 follow at approximately weekly intervals
- Each round includes registration, choice filling, and allotment
- Mop-up counselling fills remaining vacant seats after Round 4
- Monitor mcc.nic.in regularly for updates on subsequent rounds
Practical Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Securing Your Preferred Specialty
Your NEET PG score determines which specialties and colleges are realistically within your reach. Before choice filling begins, download the seat matrix and analyze the opening and closing ranks for each specialty at colleges you are interested in. Compare these ranks with your own rank to identify which combinations are feasible. This analysis prevents you from wasting high-ranked choices on seats that are unlikely to be allotted to you.
Fill your choices strategically: place your dream specialty and college at the top, but also include realistic backup options lower in your list. The algorithm works sequentially through your ranked choices, so if your top choice is not available, it moves to your second choice, and so on. Avoid leaving gaps in your choice list; fill as many choices as possible to increase your chances of receiving an allotment. Finally, ensure all your documents are ready and verified before the allotment result is announced, so you can report promptly if you receive a seat.
- Download and analyze the seat matrix before choice filling
- Compare opening and closing ranks with your own rank
- Identify realistic specialty and college combinations
- Place your top preference first, but include backup options
- Fill as many choices as possible to maximize allotment chances
- Prepare and verify all documents in advance
- Report to your allotted college immediately after allotment
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET PG 2026 counselling registration open and close?
Registration for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling opens on October 12, 2026, and closes on October 21, 2026. This is a 10-day window during which you must complete your registration on mcc.nic.in. Do not delay, as late registrations are not accepted.
What is the difference between choice filling and choice locking?
Choice filling is the process of entering your preferred colleges and specialties in order of preference between October 13 and October 22. During this period, you can add, modify, or delete choices as many times as you wish. Choice locking means finalizing your choices by the October 22 deadline—once locked, your choices cannot be changed. The algorithm then uses your locked choices to determine your seat allotment.
How much is the NEET PG 2026 counselling registration fee, and does it vary by category?
Yes, the registration fee varies by category. Unreserved candidates and those from central universities pay ₹1,000. SC/ST/OBC and PwD candidates pay ₹500. Deemed university candidates pay ₹5,000. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online during registration.
What is the minimum NEET PG score required to be eligible for counselling?
The minimum qualifying score depends on your category. General and EWS candidates must score at least 262 marks (50th percentile). General PwBD candidates must score at least 244 marks (45th percentile). SC/ST/OBC and PwBD candidates from these categories must score at least 226 marks (40th percentile). These are the qualifying cutoffs; actual allotment depends on your rank and the availability of seats.
When will the Round 1 seat allotment result be announced?
The provisional Round 1 seat allotment result will be released on October 24, 2026. After this date, candidates who are allotted seats must report to their colleges with the required documents. Those not allotted can participate in Round 2 counselling.
What documents do I need to carry when reporting to my allotted college?
You must carry original and photocopied versions of: NEET PG admit card and scorecard, valid photo ID, category certificate (if applicable), birth proof, MCC seat allotment letter, MBBS degree certificate and year-wise marksheets, internship completion certificate, and PwD certificate (if applicable). Contact your allotted college in advance to confirm if they require any additional documents.
How many choices can I fill during the choice-filling phase?
There is no upper limit on the number of choices you can fill. You can add as many college-specialty combinations as you wish. The more choices you fill, the higher your chances of receiving an allotment, as the algorithm will work through your ranked list sequentially.
What happens if I do not receive a seat in Round 1?
If you do not receive a seat in Round 1, you can participate in Round 2 counselling, which typically begins about a week after Round 1 allotment. You can re-register, fill new choices, and compete for remaining seats. This process repeats for Rounds 3 and 4. After all four rounds, mop-up counselling is conducted to fill any remaining vacant seats.
Mark the key dates on your calendar now: registration closes October 21, choice locking closes October 22, and the first allotment result arrives October 24. Begin analyzing the seat matrix and planning your choice strategy immediately after your scorecard is released, so you can make informed decisions during the choice-filling window. Stay updated on mcc.nic.in for any announcements regarding subsequent rounds and mop-up counselling.
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