If you are a NEET PG aspirant waiting to secure your postgraduate medical seat, the next 48 hours are critical. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is closing the choice-filling and choice-locking window for Round 1 of NEET PG Counselling 2026 today at 10 AM. Any candidate who has not yet locked their course and college preferences must act immediately—failure to do so means no seat allotment in this round. After locking closes, your choices will be processed, and provisional results will be announced on October 24, 2026.
Lock your NEET PG Round 1 choices by 10 AM today (October 22); after this deadline, you cannot change or rearrange your preferences, and provisional seat allotment results will be announced on October 24.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the NEET PG Round 1 choice-locking deadline?
The MCC has set a firm deadline of 10 AM on October 22, 2026, for all candidates to complete choice-filling and choice-locking for Round 1 of NEET PG Counselling 2026. This is a hard stop—once the clock strikes 10 AM, the portal will close and no further entries or modifications will be allowed.
Choice-locking began on October 21, 2026, giving candidates a window to finalize their preferences. During this period, you can log in, review your selected courses and colleges, rearrange them in order of preference, and then lock them. Once locked, your choices are submitted for processing and cannot be altered.
How to fill and lock your NEET PG Round 1 choices
The process is straightforward but requires careful attention. You must visit the official MCC counselling portal at mcc.nic.in, select 'PG Medical' from the menu, and click on 'Registration' to log in using your credentials. Once logged in, navigate to the 'Choice Filling' section to begin entering your preferences.
The order in which you list your course and college combinations matters significantly—the allotment algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked available option based on your merit rank, category, and seat availability. Take time to arrange your choices thoughtfully, placing your most preferred combinations at the top and progressively less preferred ones below.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and select 'PG Medical'
- Click 'Registration' and log in with your credentials
- Open the 'Choice Filling' section
- Select courses and colleges in order of preference
- Rearrange choices if needed before locking
- Lock your selected choices
- Save and submit your preferences
- Verify that all entries are correct before the 10 AM deadline
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What happens if you do not lock your choices by the deadline?
Candidates who fail to enter and lock their choices will not receive a seat allotment in Round 1. This is a critical consequence—you will miss the opportunity to secure a postgraduate medical seat in this round and will have to wait for subsequent rounds, which may have fewer available seats and potentially lower-ranked colleges or specialities.
Once the locking window closes at 10 AM, the system will auto-lock any choices you have already submitted. However, if you have not submitted any choices at all, you will have no preferences recorded, and the allotment algorithm will have nothing to work with. This effectively removes you from Round 1 consideration.
When will Round 1 provisional seat allotment results be announced?
The MCC will announce the Round 1 provisional seat allotment result on October 24, 2026. This provisional result is the first stage of allotment and is released to allow candidates an opportunity to review their allotted seat and raise any grievances or objections if they believe an error has occurred.
After the provisional result is published, there will be a grievance redressal period during which you can flag issues. Once grievances are addressed, the final allotment result will be issued. Only after the final result is released will college reporting and admission formalities begin. It is essential to check the official MCC website regularly for updates on the exact timing of the provisional result announcement and subsequent steps.
What factors determine your seat allotment in NEET PG Round 1?
Your seat allotment depends on three primary factors: your application category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or other reserved categories), the preferences you have submitted and locked, and the availability of seats in your chosen courses and colleges. The allotment algorithm processes all locked choices and matches candidates to seats based on merit rank within their category.
If you are allotted a seat, it will be in one of the courses and colleges you listed in your preferences. The system will attempt to match you to your highest-ranked available option. If that seat is already taken by a higher-ranked candidate, you will be considered for your next preference, and so on. This is why the order of your choices is so important—think strategically about which combinations are realistic for your rank and which are aspirational.
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What should you do after locking your choices?
After you have locked your choices, there is nothing more you can do until the provisional result is announced on October 24. Use this time to prepare mentally and logistically for the next steps. Ensure you have all required documents ready (degree certificate, mark sheets, identity proof, etc.) in case you are allotted a seat and need to report to your college.
Monitor the official MCC website closely from October 24 onwards for the provisional result announcement. Once results are published, log in immediately to check your allotment status. If you have been allotted a seat, note the college, course, and reporting date. If you have not been allotted a seat in Round 1, you will be eligible for subsequent rounds, and the MCC will announce the schedule for Round 2 counselling.
Can you change your choices after locking?
No. Once the choice-locking window closes at 10 AM on October 22, you will no longer be able to log in to change or rearrange your preferences. The system will not permit any modifications after the deadline. This is why it is critical to review your choices carefully before locking them.
If you realize after locking that you have made an error or want to change your preferences, you will have to wait for subsequent rounds (if applicable) or accept the allotment you receive in Round 1. There is no provision to unlock or re-enter choices once the deadline has passed. This underscores the importance of taking your time during the choice-filling period to ensure your preferences are accurate and well-ordered.
What is the timeline for college reporting and admission after Round 1?
College reporting and admission formalities will begin only after the final Round 1 allotment result is released by the MCC. The provisional result on October 24 is not the final result—it is a preliminary announcement that allows for grievance redressal. Once grievances are processed and resolved, the final result will be issued, and the MCC will announce the college reporting date and time.
Candidates who are allotted seats must adhere strictly to the reporting schedule set by the MCC. Failure to report on time may result in forfeiture of your seat. The MCC will provide detailed instructions on the official website regarding reporting procedures, document verification, and admission formalities. Stay alert to all communications from the MCC and your allotted college during this period.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the exact deadline for NEET PG Round 1 choice locking?
The deadline is 10 AM on October 22, 2026. After this time, the choice-filling and choice-locking portal will close, and no further entries or modifications will be allowed. You must complete the process before this deadline to be eligible for Round 1 seat allotment.
What happens if I do not lock my choices by 10 AM on October 22?
If you do not lock your choices by the deadline, you will not receive a seat allotment in Round 1. You will have to wait for subsequent rounds, which may have fewer available seats and potentially lower-ranked colleges or specialities. It is critical to act before the deadline.
When will the NEET PG Round 1 provisional seat allotment result be announced?
The provisional seat allotment result will be announced on October 24, 2026. This is a preliminary result that allows candidates to review their allotment and raise grievances if needed. The final result will be issued after the grievance redressal period.
Can I change my choices after I have locked them?
No. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change or rearrange them. The system will not permit any modifications after the locking window closes. This is why it is essential to review your preferences carefully before locking.
How do I access the choice-filling portal?
Visit the official MCC counselling website at mcc.nic.in, select 'PG Medical', click on 'Registration', and log in using your credentials. Then navigate to the 'Choice Filling' section to enter your preferences.
What factors determine which seat I will be allotted?
Your seat allotment depends on your application category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), your merit rank, the preferences you have submitted and locked, and the availability of seats in your chosen courses and colleges. The allotment algorithm will match you to the highest-ranked available option based on these factors.
When will college reporting begin after Round 1 allotment?
College reporting and admission formalities will begin only after the final Round 1 allotment result is released by the MCC. The provisional result on October 24 is not final—grievances must be addressed first. The MCC will announce the exact reporting date and time once the final result is issued.
What should I do if I am not allotted a seat in Round 1?
If you are not allotted a seat in Round 1, you will be eligible for subsequent rounds. The MCC will announce the schedule for Round 2 counselling. You can participate in future rounds with the same or modified preferences, depending on the rules set by the MCC.
Do not delay—lock your NEET PG Round 1 choices before 10 AM on October 22, 2026. After this deadline, no changes are possible. Check the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in on October 24 for your provisional seat allotment result, and prepare your documents for college reporting once the final result is announced.
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