NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule: MCC Dates, Registration & Seat Matrix

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the official schedule for NEET PG 2026 counselling, marking the start of the admission process for postgraduate medical programmes across India. Qualified NEET PG candidates can now prepare for registration, choice filling, and seat allotment for MD, MS, DNB, and PG diploma courses in the 2026–27 academic year. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has also published the seat matrix showing over 58,000 NEET PG seats available across government, private, and deemed institutions. This is a critical milestone for every MBBS graduate seeking a postgraduate medical seat through the all-India quota and central institutions.

When does NEET PG 2026 counselling registration begin?

The MCC has announced that round 1 registration for NEET PG 2026 counselling will begin on October 12, 2026. All candidates who have qualified the NEET PG entrance examination are eligible to register on the official MCC portal at mcc.nic.in. The registration window will remain open for a specified period, during which candidates must complete their registration, pay the counselling fee, and proceed to choice filling.

Candidates are advised to keep their NEET PG scorecard, admit card, and other required documents ready before the registration window opens. Early registration is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues or server congestion on the portal.

How many NEET PG seats are available in 2026?

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 designated as NEET PG seats, which include MD, MS, diploma, and six-year courses. These seats are distributed across government, private, and deemed institutions nationwide.

The MCC conducts counselling for 50% of the all-India quota (AIQ) seats, central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) institutions. The remaining 50% state quota seats are managed by individual state counselling authorities through their respective portals. This dual-track system ensures that candidates have access to both national and state-level seat allocation.

Which states have the most NEET PG seats?

Karnataka leads all states with 8,323 postgraduate medical seats, followed by Maharashtra with 6,992 seats, Tamil Nadu with 6,306 seats, and Uttar Pradesh with 6,082 seats. These four states account for a significant portion of the total NEET PG seats available nationally. Candidates from these states or those seeking admission in these regions should note the higher competition and corresponding cutoff ranks.

The distribution of seats across states reflects the number of medical colleges, their capacity, and the availability of postgraduate programmes in each region. Candidates should use this data when planning their choice filling strategy and setting realistic expectations for their preferred colleges and specialities.

• Karnataka: 8,323 seats
• Maharashtra: 6,992 seats
• Tamil Nadu: 6,306 seats
• Uttar Pradesh: 6,082 seats

What documents do I need for NEET PG 2026 counselling?

Candidates must gather and keep ready a comprehensive set of documents before registering for MCC counselling. These documents will be required during registration, choice filling, and at the time of reporting to the allotted institution. Missing or incomplete documentation can delay admission or result in forfeiture of the allotted seat.

Original documents should be carried to the allotted college for verification. Some documents, such as the MBBS degree or provisional certificate, internship completion certificate, and medical registration certificate, are mandatory for all candidates. Category certificates and PwBD (Person with Benchmark Disability) certificates are required only if applicable to the candidate.

• NEET PG scorecard and rank details
• NEET PG admit card
• MBBS degree or provisional degree certificate
• MBBS marksheets (all professional examinations)
• Internship completion certificate
• Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate
• Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence)
• Date of birth proof
• Recent passport-size photographs (typically 4–6 copies)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC), if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• NRI-related documents, if applicable
• Any other documents specified by MCC or the allotted institution

What is the MCC counselling registration fee for NEET PG 2026?

The MCC charges a counselling registration fee to process applications and conduct the allotment process. The fee structure varies based on the candidate's category and the type of institution they are applying to. Based on the previous year's fee structure, general category candidates applying for AIQ or central university seats pay Rs. 1,000, while SC/ST/OBC and PwD candidates pay a reduced fee of Rs. 500.

Candidates applying to deemed universities may have a different fee structure. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online during the registration process. Candidates should verify the exact fee amount on the MCC website at the time of registration, as fees may be revised annually.

• General category (AIQ/Central University): Rs. 1,000
• SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates: Rs. 500
• Deemed University candidates: Rs. 500

How does the NEET PG counselling process work?

The NEET PG counselling process consists of several sequential steps: registration, fee payment, choice filling and locking, seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted institution. Each step has a defined timeline, and candidates must complete them within the specified windows to remain eligible for seat allotment.

During choice filling, candidates rank their preferred colleges and specialities in order of preference. Once the choice-filling window closes, candidates must lock their choices, after which they cannot be modified. The MCC then runs an allotment algorithm based on candidates' ranks, choices, and seat availability. Candidates are allotted seats based on merit and their locked preferences. After allotment, candidates must report to their allotted college within the stipulated time to confirm admission.

• Step 1: Register on mcc.nic.in with NEET PG details and personal information
• Step 2: Pay the counselling registration and security fee
• Step 3: Complete choice filling by ranking colleges and specialities
• Step 4: Lock choices (no changes allowed after locking)
• Step 5: Await seat allotment result
• Step 6: Report to the allotted college with original documents

What are the typical NEET PG cutoff ranks for top colleges?

Cutoff ranks vary significantly based on the college, speciality, and category. For example, in the previous year's MCC round 1 counselling for MD general medicine under the 50% AIQ quota, ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi had opening and closing ranks of 1 and 15, respectively, indicating extremely high competition. NIMS Hyderabad had a closing rank of 16, while MAMC Delhi closed at rank 62.

Cutoff ranks are lower for colleges outside major metropolitan areas and for less competitive specialities. For instance, GMC Thrissur in Kerala had a closing rank of 114 for MD general medicine. Candidates should review previous year's cutoff data for their target colleges and specialities to set realistic expectations. However, cutoffs can change year to year based on the number of candidates, their performance, and the total number of seats available.

• ABVIMS, Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 15
• NIMS, Hyderabad (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 16
• MAMC, Delhi (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 62
• VMMC, New Delhi (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 74
• LHMC, Delhi (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 83
• GMCH, Chandigarh (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 107
• GMC Thrissur, Kerala (MD General Medicine): Closing rank 114

How are tie-breaking rules applied in NEET PG 2026?

When two or more candidates have the same NEET PG rank, tie-breaking rules are applied to determine their order of merit. According to MCC guidelines, MBBS marks or FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) marks, wherever applicable, are used as the tie-breaking criterion. These marks are verified against original documents during the counselling or admission process at the allotted institution.

Candidates should ensure that their MBBS marksheets and any FMGE documentation are accurate and readily available. The verification process is conducted to prevent fraud and ensure that only eligible candidates are admitted. Any discrepancy in marks can delay admission or result in cancellation of the allotted seat.

What special provisions exist for PwD candidates in NEET PG 2026?

The MCC has established a dedicated portal for PwD (Person with Benchmark Disability) candidates, which opened on October 1, 2026. PwD candidates are required to complete a primary medical assessment at designated Primary Medical Assessment Centres within a specified timeframe (October 1–9 in 2026). This assessment determines their fitness for the chosen speciality and is a mandatory step before they can participate in counselling.

PwD candidates receive a fee concession (Rs. 500 instead of Rs. 1,000 for general category) and may be eligible for additional benefits such as reserved seats or relaxation in certain criteria, depending on the nature and severity of their disability. Candidates should visit the designated assessment centre within the stipulated window to avoid missing the counselling process.

Frequently asked questions

Qualified NEET PG candidates should mark October 12, 2026, as the registration start date and begin gathering required documents immediately. Review previous year's cutoff data for your target colleges and specialities, and plan your choice-filling strategy carefully—this is your opportunity to secure a postgraduate medical seat in your preferred institution and speciality.