The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the full counselling timeline for NEET PG 2026, covering 50 percent All India Quota (AIQ) seats, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, DNB, AFMS, and ESIC institutions. The schedule spans four rounds—three main counselling rounds plus a stray vacancy round—running from October through December 2026. For an MBBS graduate aiming for an MD, MS, or PG Diploma seat, this timeline is critical: missing even one deadline can cost you your seat. The PG academic session is set to begin on November 20, 2026, so the entire counselling process must conclude by early December.
Round 1 registration opens October 12 and closes October 21; choice filling runs October 13–22; seat allotment results come October 24; reporting window is October 26 to November 2—mark these dates now to avoid missing your window.
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Unlock My College ListWhen Does NEET PG 2026 Counselling Begin? Key Dates for Round 1
Round 1 is your first and most critical opportunity to secure a postgraduate seat. The process begins with verification of the tentative seat matrix from October 10–12, 2026. This step allows you to see how many seats are available in each specialty and college before you register.
Registration and payment open on October 12 and close on October 21. During this 10-day window, you must create your account on the MCC portal, enter your NEET PG 2026 roll number and credentials, and pay the non-refundable registration fee plus a refundable security deposit. Delaying registration increases the risk of portal congestion on the final days.
Choice filling—where you rank your preferred colleges and specialties—runs from October 13 to October 22. You can fill and modify your choices throughout this period, but you must lock them by October 22. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed. Seat allotment processing happens October 22–23, and results are declared on October 24. You then have until November 2 to report to your allotted college.
- Seat matrix verification: October 10–12
- Registration/payment: October 12–21
- Choice filling: October 13–22
- Choice locking: October 21–22
- Seat allotment result: October 24
- Reporting window: October 26 – November 2
What About Round 2 and Round 3? Timeline for Upgradation and Mop-Up
If you do not secure a seat in Round 1, or if you wish to upgrade to a better college or specialty, Round 2 offers a second chance. Round 2 registration opens November 6 and closes November 11. Choice filling runs November 7–12, with locking on November 11–12. Seat allotment results are declared on November 14, and reporting is November 16–23.
Round 3 is the final main counselling round. Registration opens November 26 and closes December 1. Choice filling is November 27 – December 2, with locking December 1–2. Results come December 4, and reporting is December 5–12. After Round 3, a stray vacancy round runs December 15–31 to fill any remaining unfilled seats.
The stray vacancy round is your last opportunity. Seat matrix verification is December 15; registration and choice filling are December 16–21; results are December 24; and reporting is December 24–31. Note that the PG academic session begins November 20, so candidates who join in Round 1 or 2 will start classes before the final rounds conclude.
- Round 2 registration: November 6–11
- Round 2 result: November 14
- Round 3 registration: November 26 – December 1
- Round 3 result: December 4
- Stray vacancy round result: December 24
- PG academic session begins: November 20
Which Seats and Colleges Are Covered Under MCC Counselling?
MCC counselling allocates 50 percent of postgraduate seats in government medical colleges across India. This is the All India Quota (AIQ), which means seats are filled on merit regardless of the candidate's home state. The remaining 50 percent of government college seats are managed by individual state counselling authorities and are reserved for state-domicile candidates.
In addition to government colleges, MCC counselling covers Deemed Universities, Central Universities, DNB (Diplomate of National Board) programmes, AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) institutions, and ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) medical colleges. These seats are also allocated on an all-India basis.
If you are seeking admission through state quota seats (the other 50 percent in government colleges), you must register separately with your state's counselling authority. MCC does not conduct counselling for state quota seats. Check your state medical counselling committee's website for separate timelines and procedures.
- 50% AIQ seats in government medical colleges
- Deemed Universities
- Central Universities
- DNB programmes
- AFMS institutions
- ESIC medical colleges
- State quota seats managed separately by state authorities
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Who Is Eligible to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling?
To register for MCC counselling, you must have qualified NEET PG 2026. Your merit position is determined solely by your NEET PG 2026 scorecard; no other exam or qualification affects your rank. You must hold a valid MBBS degree from a recognized medical institution and have permanent or provisional registration with your state medical council or the National Medical Commission.
A critical eligibility requirement is completion of the compulsory rotatory internship (CRI) by the prescribed cut-off date. The exact cut-off date will be specified in the official information bulletin, which MCC will release along with the seat matrix. If you have not completed your internship by this date, you will not be eligible to register, even if you have qualified NEET PG.
Candidates with disabilities (PwD) must complete medical assessment at designated centres. The PwD portal was activated on October 1, 2026. Primary medical assessment runs October 1–9 (until 5 PM), and appellate assessment is October 5–12. A valid disability certificate is mandatory to claim a PwD seat.
- Must have qualified NEET PG 2026
- Must hold valid MBBS degree
- Must have permanent or provisional medical council registration
- Must complete compulsory rotatory internship by cut-off date
- PwD candidates must complete medical assessment and hold valid disability certificate
What Documents Do You Need to Keep Ready Before Registration?
Document readiness is non-negotiable. Missing or incomplete documents at the reporting stage can result in cancellation of your allotted seat. Begin gathering and scanning these documents now, even before Round 1 registration opens.
You will need your NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard, your MBBS degree certificate and marksheets from all professional years, an internship completion certificate, and proof of permanent or provisional medical council registration. You will also need your date of birth proof (typically your Class 10 certificate), a government-issued photo identity (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence), and passport-size photographs.
If you belong to a reserved category, keep your caste certificate, EWS certificate, or PwD certificate ready. These must be in the prescribed format and issued by the competent authority. Scanned copies should be high-resolution and clearly legible. Some colleges may also ask for originals at the time of reporting, so keep physical copies as well.
- NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- MBBS degree certificate and marksheets (all years)
- Internship completion certificate
- Medical council registration (permanent or provisional)
- Date of birth proof (Class 10 certificate)
- Government photo identity
- Caste, EWS, or PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
How to Register on the MCC Portal: Step-by-Step Process
Registration is entirely online through mcc.nic.in. Visit the official website and look for the PG Medical Counselling link on the homepage. Click on it to access the registration portal. You will be asked to enter your NEET PG 2026 roll number and your credentials (typically your date of birth or a password you create).
Once logged in, fill in your personal details (name, date of birth, contact information), academic details (MBBS college, year of passing, internship completion date), and category information (general, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD). Review every field carefully before submitting, as errors can lead to rejection or complications later.
After completing your profile, you will be prompted to pay the registration fee and security deposit. The registration fee is non-refundable; the security deposit is refundable if you complete the counselling process. Payment is typically via online banking, debit card, or credit card. Once payment is confirmed, download and save your registration confirmation page. This is your proof of registration and will be needed at the reporting stage.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click PG Medical Counselling link
- Log in with NEET PG roll number and credentials
- Fill personal, academic, and category details carefully
- Pay non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit
- Download and save confirmation page
- Proceed to choice filling within the scheduled window
Choice Filling and Locking: How to Rank Your Preferences
Choice filling is where you rank your preferred colleges and specialties in order of preference. The MCC algorithm will match your rank with your choices to allocate a seat. You can fill hundreds of choices if you wish, and you can modify them as many times as you want during the choice-filling window. However, once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed.
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Before choice filling opens, research your options thoroughly. Understand the cutoff scores for each specialty at each college based on previous years' data. Consider factors such as college reputation, location, specialty interest, and future career prospects. Many candidates make the mistake of locking choices hastily and then regret their decision. Take time to think through your ranking.
Lock your choices only after you are completely satisfied with your ranking. Once locked, the MCC algorithm processes your choices and generates the seat allotment. If you are unhappy with your allotted seat, you can participate in the next round to try for an upgrade. However, if you accept and report to a seat, you are committed to that college and specialty for the duration of your course.
- Research college cutoffs and specialties before choice filling opens
- Fill choices in order of preference; you can modify them anytime before locking
- Lock choices only after careful review
- Once locked, choices cannot be changed
- Participate in subsequent rounds if you wish to upgrade
- Accepting and reporting to a seat commits you to that college and specialty
Special Provisions for Persons with Disability (PwD) Candidates
PwD candidates have a dedicated portal and timeline for medical assessment. The portal was activated on October 1, 2026. Primary medical assessment runs from October 1 to October 9, 2026 (until 5 PM). If you are not satisfied with the primary assessment outcome, you can appeal during the appellate assessment window, which is October 5 to October 12, 2026.
Medical assessment must be completed at designated centres notified by MCC. You cannot skip this step or complete it elsewhere. A valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority is mandatory to claim a PwD seat. Without this certificate, you will not be eligible for PwD reservation, even if you have a disability.
After completing medical assessment, PwD candidates follow the same registration and choice-filling process as other candidates. However, you will have access to additional seats reserved for PwD candidates in the seat matrix. Ensure you complete your medical assessment well before the Round 1 registration deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.
- PwD portal activated October 1, 2026
- Primary medical assessment: October 1–9 (until 5 PM)
- Appellate medical assessment: October 5–12
- Assessment must be completed at designated centres
- Valid disability certificate is mandatory
- PwD candidates follow same registration and choice-filling process
Why Missing a Deadline Can Cost You Your Seat
The MCC counselling process is rigid by design. Each round has fixed opening and closing dates, and the portal closes automatically at the specified time. If you miss the registration deadline, you cannot register in that round. If you miss the choice-locking deadline, your choices are not locked, and you are not eligible for seat allotment in that round. There is no provision for reopening deadlines on individual request.
Missing Round 1 does not mean you are out of the race—you can still participate in Round 2 and Round 3. However, your chances of securing a seat diminish with each round because the pool of available seats shrinks. Candidates who did not get seats in earlier rounds also participate in later rounds, increasing competition. Additionally, if you miss all three main rounds, you are left with only the stray vacancy round, which typically has very few seats.
The most common reason for missing deadlines is procrastination or underestimating portal congestion. On the final day of registration or choice locking, the portal often becomes slow or temporarily unavailable due to high traffic. Complete your registration and lock your choices at least 24 hours before the deadline to avoid this risk.
- Portal closes automatically at specified times; no extensions granted
- Missing registration deadline means missing that round entirely
- Missing choice-locking deadline means no seat allotment in that round
- Seats decrease in each subsequent round
- Complete registration and lock choices 24 hours before deadline to avoid portal congestion
What Happens After You Report to Your Allotted College?
Once you report to your allotted college within the specified reporting window, your seat is confirmed. You will be required to submit original documents, complete verification, and sign the necessary agreements. The college will issue you a joining letter and provide details about the start date of your PG course.
The PG academic session is scheduled to begin on November 20, 2026. Candidates who secure seats in Round 1 will join in November. Those who join in Round 2 or 3 will join later, but they will still be part of the same batch. The stray vacancy round typically concludes by December 31, so all seats should be filled by the end of the year.
After joining, you are bound by the terms and conditions of your college and the regulations of the Medical Council. You cannot change your college or specialty without following the prescribed procedure, which typically involves a formal request and approval from both the original and new college. Plan your choice carefully to avoid regrets later.
- Report to allotted college within specified window
- Submit original documents and complete verification
- Sign necessary agreements and receive joining letter
- PG academic session begins November 20, 2026
- Cannot change college or specialty without formal approval
- All seats should be filled by December 31, 2026
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET PG 2026 counselling registration open and close?
Round 1 registration opens on October 12, 2026 and closes on October 21, 2026. This is a 10-day window. If you miss this deadline, you cannot register in Round 1. Round 2 registration opens November 6 and closes November 11. Round 3 registration opens November 26 and closes December 1. The stray vacancy round registration is December 16–21.
What is the difference between choice filling and choice locking?
Choice filling is the period during which you can enter and modify your preferred colleges and specialties. You can change your choices as many times as you want during this window. Choice locking is when you finalize your choices. Once you lock, your choices cannot be changed, and the MCC algorithm uses your locked choices to allocate a seat. For Round 1, choice filling is October 13–22, and locking is October 21–22.
What happens if I do not get a seat in Round 1?
If you do not get a seat in Round 1, you can participate in Round 2. Your NEET PG rank remains the same, but the pool of available seats changes because some seats are now occupied by Round 1 candidates. You can also try to upgrade to a better college or specialty in Round 2. If you still do not get a seat, you can participate in Round 3 and then the stray vacancy round.
Is the registration fee refundable?
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, the security deposit is refundable if you complete the counselling process. If you withdraw or do not report to your allotted college, the security deposit may be forfeited depending on the terms and conditions.
What documents do I need to bring when I report to my allotted college?
You need to bring your NEET PG admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate and marksheets, internship completion certificate, medical council registration certificate, date of birth proof, government photo identity, caste/EWS/PwD certificate (if applicable), and passport-size photographs. Colleges may also ask for scanned copies of these documents. Missing any document can result in cancellation of your seat.
Can I participate in multiple rounds if I do not get a seat in Round 1?
Yes, you can participate in Round 2 and Round 3 if you do not get a seat in earlier rounds. However, once you accept and report to a seat in any round, you are committed to that college and specialty. You cannot then participate in subsequent rounds to try for an upgrade. If you wish to upgrade, you must not report to your current seat and instead participate in the next round.
What is the stray vacancy round, and when does it happen?
The stray vacancy round is the final counselling round conducted after Round 3. It is used to fill any seats that remain unfilled after the three main rounds. The stray vacancy round seat matrix is verified on December 15, registration is December 16–21, and results are declared on December 24. Reporting is December 24–31. This round typically has very few seats.
When does the PG academic session begin?
The PG academic session is scheduled to begin on November 20, 2026. Candidates who secure seats in Round 1 will join in November. Those who join in Round 2 or 3 will join later, but they will still be part of the same batch. All seats should be filled by December 31, 2026.
What if I have a disability? Are there special provisions?
Yes, PwD candidates have a dedicated portal and medical assessment timeline. The PwD portal was activated on October 1, 2026. Primary medical assessment runs October 1–9 (until 5 PM), and appellate assessment is October 5–12. You must complete medical assessment at designated centres and hold a valid disability certificate. After assessment, you follow the same registration and choice-filling process as other candidates but have access to additional PwD-reserved seats.
What if I miss the choice-locking deadline?
If you miss the choice-locking deadline, your choices are not locked, and you are not eligible for seat allotment in that round. You will have to wait for the next round to participate. This is why it is critical to lock your choices before the deadline. The portal closes automatically, and there is no provision for reopening it on individual request.
Mark the Round 1 registration dates (October 12–21) and choice-locking deadline (October 22) on your calendar now. Download the official notices from mcc.nic.in, gather all required documents, and research your college and specialty preferences before registration opens. Complete your registration and lock your choices at least 24 hours before the deadline to avoid portal congestion.
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