The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is preparing to launch the NEET PG 2026 counselling process for 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) postgraduate medical seats across government, private, deemed and central institutions. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has already released the seat matrix showing 58,468 NEET PG seats available for MD, MS and diploma programmes. For MBBS graduates who have qualified NEET PG 2026, understanding the counselling timeline, registration steps and seat availability is critical to securing your preferred postgraduate specialty and institution.
MCC will soon announce the NEET PG 2026 counselling schedule; 58,468 NEET PG seats are available across MD, MS and diploma programmes, with Karnataka leading at 8,323 seats.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the NEET PG 2026 counselling structure?
The NEET PG 2026 counselling process is divided into two main pathways: 50% of postgraduate medical seats are managed by the MCC for All India Quota (AIQ) allocation, while the remaining 50% are handled by individual state counselling authorities under state quota rules. The MCC counselling covers seats in government medical colleges, private institutions, deemed universities, ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) hospitals and other centrally regulated institutions.
The counselling process itself consists of four sequential stages: registration on the MCC portal, payment of the counselling and security fee, choice filling and locking (where you rank your preferred colleges and specialties), and finally seat allotment based on your rank and choices. After allotment, you must report to your assigned institution within the specified deadline to secure your seat.
When will MCC release the NEET PG 2026 counselling schedule?
As of early October 2026, the MCC has not yet announced the official counselling dates, though the announcement is expected soon on the MCC website (mcc.nic.in). The delay in releasing the schedule is typical in the NEET PG counselling cycle, as the MCC coordinates with multiple stakeholders including the NMC, state authorities and institutions before finalizing the timeline.
Once the schedule is released, it will specify the exact dates for registration opening, the choice-filling window, the allotment result announcement and the reporting deadline. Qualified candidates should monitor mcc.nic.in regularly and enable notifications to avoid missing the registration window, as late registration may result in forfeiture of your counselling opportunity.
How many NEET PG seats are available in 2026?
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The NMC seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 shows a total of 63,177 postgraduate medical seats across all programmes (MD, MS, diploma, DM and MCh). Of these, 58,468 seats are specifically for NEET PG candidates pursuing MD, MS, diploma and six-year courses. The remaining seats are allocated to other pathways such as DNB (Diplomate of National Board) and central internal quotas.
The seat distribution varies significantly by state. Karnataka leads with 8,323 NEET PG seats, followed by Maharashtra (6,992 seats), Tamil Nadu (6,306 seats) and Uttar Pradesh (6,082 seats). This variation reflects differences in the number of medical colleges, their capacity and the population served by each state. Understanding the seat availability in your preferred state and specialty is essential for realistic college prediction and choice filling strategy.
What are the steps to register for MCC NEET PG 2026 counselling?
Registration is the first mandatory step in the MCC counselling process. Once the MCC opens the counselling portal, you must visit mcc.nic.in and navigate to the PG Medical Counselling section. Click on the 'New Registration' link and enter your NEET PG 2026 scorecard details, roll number and personal information such as name, date of birth and contact details.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and go to the PG Medical Counselling section
- Click 'New Registration' and enter NEET PG scorecard and personal details
- Create login credentials (username and password) to access your counselling account
- Complete the full registration form with academic qualifications and other required information
- Pay the prescribed counselling registration fee and security deposit (amount to be announced by MCC)
- Submit the form and save the confirmation page for your records and future reference
What documents do you need for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
The MCC requires a comprehensive set of documents during the counselling process, both at registration and at the time of reporting to your allotted institution. Having these documents ready before registration opens will streamline your process and prevent delays. Some documents are mandatory for all candidates, while others are conditional based on your category or circumstances.
- NEET PG 2026 scorecard and rank details
- NEET PG admit card
- MBBS degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
- MBBS marksheets from all years
- Internship completion certificate
- Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate from the NMC
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence)
- Date of birth proof (birth certificate or 10th standard marksheet)
- Recent passport-size photographs (typically 4–6 copies)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) if applicable
- PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) certificate if applicable
- NRI-related documents if you are an NRI candidate
- Any other documents specified by MCC or your allotted institution
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How does choice filling and locking work in NEET PG counselling?
After registration and fee payment, you enter the choice-filling phase. During this window, you will log into the MCC portal and view the list of available colleges, specialties and seats. You must rank these options in order of your preference—for example, you might rank a government medical college offering MD Medicine as your first choice, followed by a private deemed university offering MS Surgery, and so on.
The ranking you create is called your 'choice list' or 'preference list'. Once you have ranked all your preferred options, you must 'lock' your choices by clicking the lock button. After locking, you cannot modify your choices unless the MCC reopens the choice-filling window (which happens in some rounds). The allotment algorithm then matches your rank with your locked choices to assign you a seat. The higher your NEET PG rank and the earlier your choices in the list, the better your chances of securing a seat in a preferred college or specialty.
What is the difference between AIQ and state quota seats?
All India Quota (AIQ) seats account for 50% of postgraduate medical seats in government colleges and are allocated by the MCC to candidates across India based on their NEET PG rank, regardless of their home state. This means a candidate from Kerala can be allotted an AIQ seat in a medical college in Punjab if their rank and choices permit. AIQ counselling is centralized and follows a single national merit list.
State quota seats, which make up the remaining 50%, are reserved for candidates who are domiciled in or have studied in that particular state. These seats are managed by individual state counselling authorities using their own rules and timelines. For example, Maharashtra's state quota seats are counselled by Maharashtra's state authority, not the MCC. As a NEET PG aspirant, you are eligible for both AIQ (through MCC) and state quota (through your state authority) counselling, and you can participate in both processes simultaneously or sequentially depending on state rules.
What should you do now to prepare for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
Begin by gathering all required documents and organizing them in a folder (physical or digital). Verify that your MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate and NMC registration are in order; any delays in obtaining these can jeopardize your counselling participation. If you have a disability or belong to a reserved category, ensure your certificates are valid and ready.
Next, familiarize yourself with the NMC seat matrix and identify colleges and specialties that align with your NEET PG rank and career goals. Use college predictor tools to estimate your likely allotment based on your rank. Monitor mcc.nic.in daily for the counselling schedule announcement and set reminders on your phone or email. Join NEET PG counselling forums or groups to stay updated on timelines and peer experiences. Finally, plan your choice-filling strategy in advance—decide which colleges and specialties matter most to you, and rank them thoughtfully rather than impulsively during the actual choice-filling window.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When will MCC announce the NEET PG 2026 counselling dates?
As of early October 2026, the MCC has not yet released the official counselling schedule, but an announcement is expected soon on mcc.nic.in. The exact dates for registration, choice filling, allotment and reporting will be published on the MCC website once finalized. Candidates should check mcc.nic.in regularly and enable notifications to avoid missing the registration window.
How many NEET PG seats are available in 2026?
The NMC seat matrix shows 58,468 NEET PG seats available for MD, MS and diploma programmes in 2026. Of these, 50% (approximately 29,234 seats) are AIQ seats managed by the MCC, and 50% are state quota seats managed by individual state authorities. Karnataka has the highest number of seats (8,323), followed by Maharashtra (6,992), Tamil Nadu (6,306) and Uttar Pradesh (6,082).
What is the difference between AIQ and state quota in NEET PG counselling?
AIQ (All India Quota) seats are 50% of government medical college seats and are allocated nationally by the MCC based on NEET PG rank, without state restrictions. State quota seats are 50% of seats reserved for candidates domiciled in or studied in that state, and are counselled by state authorities. You can participate in both AIQ (MCC) and state quota (state authority) counselling.
What documents do I need for NEET PG 2026 counselling registration?
Essential documents include your NEET PG scorecard and rank, admit card, MBBS degree or provisional certificate, MBBS marksheets, internship completion certificate, NMC registration certificate, valid photo ID, date of birth proof, passport-size photographs, and category/disability certificates if applicable. Have these ready before registration opens to avoid delays.
How does the choice-filling and locking process work?
During choice filling, you log into the MCC portal and rank available colleges and specialties in order of preference. After ranking all your choices, you must 'lock' them by clicking the lock button. The allotment algorithm then matches your NEET PG rank with your locked choices to assign you a seat. Once locked, you cannot modify choices unless the MCC reopens the window.
Can I participate in both MCC AIQ and state quota counselling?
Yes, you can participate in both. MCC counsels 50% AIQ seats nationally, while state authorities counsel 50% state quota seats. You can register for both processes simultaneously or sequentially depending on state rules. Participating in both increases your chances of securing a postgraduate seat.
What is the registration fee for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
The MCC will announce the counselling registration fee and security deposit amount when it releases the official counselling schedule. The fee is typically modest (a few hundred rupees) and is paid online during registration. The security deposit is refundable after you report to your allotted institution.
What should I do if I miss the registration deadline?
Missing the registration deadline means you cannot participate in that counselling round. The MCC may conduct multiple rounds of counselling, so you may get another opportunity in a subsequent round if seats remain unfilled. However, it is best to register during the first round to maximize your chances. Monitor mcc.nic.in closely to avoid missing the deadline.
The NEET PG 2026 counselling process is imminent, and preparation now will ensure a smooth registration and choice-filling experience. Gather your documents, understand the seat matrix, and monitor mcc.nic.in for the official schedule announcement—your postgraduate medical career depends on timely action.
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