NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: MCC Schedule, Key Dates & Registration Steps

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the official counselling schedule for NEET PG 2026, covering the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes. Round 1 registration will open on October 12 and close on October 21, with seat allotment results expected on October 24. This timeline is critical for every MBBS graduate who qualified in NEET PG 2026 and is now preparing to secure an MD, MS, or PG Diploma seat. Understanding each milestone—from registration to choice filling to final joining—will help you navigate the counselling process smoothly and avoid missing deadlines.

When Does NEET PG 2026 Counselling Registration Begin?

Registration for round 1 of NEET PG 2026 counselling will commence on October 12, 2026, and remain open until October 21, 2026. This 10-day window is your opportunity to log in to the MCC portal, verify your eligibility, and formally enter the counselling process. Before registration opens, MCC will publish the seat matrix (the number and type of seats available across colleges and specialties) on October 1, and a verification period will run from October 10 to October 12 to allow candidates to check the accuracy of their data.

It is essential to complete your registration and payment of the counselling fee and security deposit during this window. Candidates who do not register by October 21 will not be able to participate in round 1 and may lose their chance at AIQ seats in that round. Plan ahead to ensure you have all required documents—your NEET PG scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, and identity proof—ready before the registration window opens.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Timeline: All Key Dates

The MCC has structured round 1 into seven distinct phases, each with a specific purpose and deadline. Understanding this timeline will help you plan your actions and avoid missing critical steps. Below is the complete schedule:

How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Step-by-Step Guide

Registration is conducted entirely online through the MCC website. Follow these steps to complete your registration without errors:

First, visit mcc.nic.in and navigate to the PG Medical Counselling section. Look for the NEET PG 2026 counselling registration link under the candidates activity section. Click on 'New Registration' to begin. You will then be asked to enter your personal and academic details, including your NEET PG roll number, scorecard information, and MBBS qualification details. Create your NEET PG login credentials (username and password) that you will use throughout the counselling process.

Next, complete the full counselling application form, carefully entering all information as it appears on your official documents. Upload the required documents—typically your NEET PG scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, and identity proof—in the specified format. Pay the counselling registration fee and security deposit as instructed. Finally, submit the form and save the confirmation page. Do not close your browser until you see the final confirmation message; take a screenshot or print the confirmation for your records.

• Visit mcc.nic.in
• Click PG Medical Counselling section
• Select NEET PG 2026 counselling registration link
• Click 'New Registration'
• Enter required personal and academic details
• Create NEET PG login credentials
• Complete the counselling application form
• Upload required documents (scorecard, degree, ID proof)
• Pay registration fee and security deposit
• Submit and save confirmation page

Choice Filling and Locking: Your Window to Select Colleges and Specialties

After registration closes on October 21, the choice filling window opens on October 13 and remains open until October 22. This is the most important phase of counselling for you. During this period, you will log in to your MCC account and view the list of available seats across all colleges and specialties. You must rank these seats in order of your preference—from your first choice (the seat you most want) to your last choice.

The MCC algorithm will use your rank list to allocate seats based on your merit rank and the preferences you have submitted. You can modify your choices at any time until October 22, but once you lock your choices on or before that date, they cannot be changed. Many candidates make the mistake of not locking their choices in time; if you do not lock by October 22, your choices may not be considered for allotment. Take time to research colleges, specialties, and locations before filling your choices, and lock them well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Seat Allotment: When and How You Will Know Your Result

After the choice filling window closes on October 22, MCC will process all registered candidates' choices and merit ranks to allocate seats. This processing will take place on October 22 and 23. The seat allotment result will be published on October 24, 2026. On this date, you will log in to your MCC account and check whether you have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college, specialty, and seat category you have been assigned.

If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college and complete the joining formalities between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat. If you are not allotted a seat in round 1, you may be eligible to participate in subsequent rounds (round 2, stray vacancy round, etc.), depending on MCC's announcement. Keep your login credentials safe and check the MCC website regularly for updates and further instructions.

What Happens After You Join: Data Verification and Next Steps

Once you have reported to your allotted college and completed the joining process, MCC will conduct a verification of joined candidate data on November 3, 2026. This verification ensures that all candidates who have joined are eligible and that there are no discrepancies in their records. During this time, the college will verify your original documents, confirm your MBBS qualification, and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria for postgraduate admission.

After this verification is complete, your admission to the postgraduate course (MD, MS, or PG Diploma) is confirmed. If you are not allotted a seat in round 1 or if you wish to explore other options, MCC will announce the schedule for round 2 and subsequent rounds. Some candidates may also be eligible for state quota seats or seats in private colleges, depending on their rank and the state counselling process. Stay in touch with your college and monitor the MCC website for any further announcements.

Important Reminders: Avoid Common Mistakes During Counselling

Many candidates lose their seats or face delays due to preventable errors. First, ensure that all information in your registration form—name, date of birth, NEET PG roll number, and MBBS details—matches your official documents exactly. Any mismatch can lead to rejection or disqualification. Second, do not miss any deadline. Mark all key dates on your calendar and set reminders at least one day before each deadline.

Third, keep your login credentials confidential and do not share them with anyone. Fourth, upload documents in the correct format and size as specified by MCC; incorrect uploads may not be accepted. Fifth, lock your choices well before the deadline; do not wait until the last moment, as technical issues or internet problems could prevent you from locking in time. Finally, after you are allotted a seat, report to the college on time and bring all original documents. Delays in reporting or missing documents can result in cancellation of your allotment.

State Quota Seats and Other Counselling Rounds

The schedule announced by MCC covers the 50% AIQ seats in central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes. The remaining 50% of seats are managed by individual state governments through state quota counselling. Each state has its own merit list, cutoff, and counselling schedule. If you are a resident of a particular state, you may be eligible to participate in state quota counselling in addition to AIQ counselling. Check your state's medical education authority website for state-specific counselling dates and procedures.

Additionally, if you are not allotted a seat in round 1 of AIQ counselling, MCC will conduct round 2 and possibly a stray vacancy round. The dates for these rounds will be announced separately. Some candidates may also choose to participate in state counselling instead of or in addition to AIQ counselling. Plan your strategy based on your rank, preferences, and eligibility for different quota categories.

Frequently asked questions

Mark all key dates on your calendar starting with registration on October 12 and choice locking by October 22. Visit mcc.nic.in regularly for updates, and ensure your documents are ready before registration opens. If you have any doubts about the process, contact MCC or your medical college well in advance.