NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Registration Open: Key Dates and Steps

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened registration for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling on its official portal. Every MBBS graduate who qualified NEET PG and wishes to secure an MD, MS, or PG Diploma seat must register and fill their college and course preferences within the announced window. The registration window closes on October 21, 2026, and choice-filling runs until October 22. Understanding the exact timeline and document requirements is critical to avoid missing this crucial step toward your postgraduate medical career.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling Registration Timeline

The MCC has released a structured schedule for Round 1 counselling to ensure smooth processing of applications and seat allocation. Registration and fee payment are now live and will remain open until October 21, 2026. This is a hard deadline—applications submitted after 11:59 PM on that date will not be accepted.

Parallel to registration, candidates must fill and lock their course and college preferences between October 13 and October 22, 2026. This overlapping window gives you flexibility to register first and then carefully select your choices, or to complete both simultaneously. The allotment process will run on October 22–23, with results declared on October 24. Reporting to your allotted college begins October 26 and extends until November 2, 2026.

• Registration and fee payment: October 12–21, 2026
• Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026
• Seat allotment process: October 22–23, 2026
• Allotment result announcement: October 24, 2026
• College reporting window: October 26 – November 2, 2026

How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling at mcc.nic.in

Registration is conducted entirely online through the MCC portal. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Begin by visiting mcc.nic.in and locating the Round 1 registration link. You will log in using your NEET PG credentials (your roll number and password from the exam portal).

After login, you will fill out the counselling registration form with your personal and academic details. Once the form is complete, you must submit the registration fee using a credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Fee payment is mandatory to proceed to the choice-filling stage. After fee submission, upload all required documents as scanned PDFs, verify your information, and submit the application. Save your confirmation receipt for future reference.

• Visit mcc.nic.in and click the Round 1 Registration link
• Log in with your NEET PG exam credentials
• Complete the registration form with accurate personal and academic information
• Pay the registration fee online (credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI)
• Upload scanned copies of all required documents
• Review and submit your application
• Download and save your confirmation receipt

Essential Documents You Must Upload During Registration

The MCC requires a comprehensive set of documents to verify your eligibility and identity. All documents must be uploaded as scanned PDFs in the specified format. Missing or incomplete documentation can delay processing or result in rejection of your application, so prepare these well in advance.

Your NEET PG admit card and scorecard (or rank letter) are the primary proof of your exam qualification. Your MBBS degree certificate or provisional certificate confirms your undergraduate qualification, and your MBBS mark sheets provide academic records. The internship completion certificate is essential—many candidates overlook this, but it is mandatory for PG eligibility. Your Medical Registration Certificate (MRC) from the Medical Council of India or your state medical council is also required. Additionally, you must provide proof of date of birth, a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence), and passport-size photographs. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC), upload your caste certificate. If you are a person with disability (PwBD), include your disability certificate. Domicile certificates are required if applicable, and NRI candidates must upload relevant documentation.

• NEET PG 2026 Admit Card
• NEET PG Scorecard or Rank Letter
• MBBS Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate
• MBBS Mark Sheets (all semesters)
• Internship Completion Certificate
• Medical Registration Certificate (MRC)
• Date of Birth Proof (birth certificate or school leaving certificate)
• Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence)
• Passport-size Photographs (digital format)
• Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
• NRI Documentation (if applicable)

NEET PG 2026 Cutoff Scores by Category

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced the minimum qualifying marks and percentiles required to participate in counselling. These cutoffs determine your eligibility to apply for NEET PG seats. Candidates must have scored at or above the cutoff for their category to be considered for allotment.

General and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates must achieve the 50th percentile, which corresponds to a minimum score of 262 out of 720. General category candidates with disability (PwBD) have a lower threshold of the 45th percentile (244 marks). Candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories, including those with disability within these categories, must reach the 40th percentile (226 marks). These cutoffs apply uniformly across all NEET PG counselling rounds and are non-negotiable for eligibility.

Understanding NEET PG Counselling Eligibility and Seat Distribution

To participate in NEET PG counselling, you must have qualified the NEET PG entrance exam with a score at or above the cutoff for your category. Qualification alone does not guarantee a seat; it only makes you eligible to participate in the counselling process. Your rank, category, and choice preferences determine your final allotment.

The MCC conducts All-India Quota (AIQ) counselling for 50% of postgraduate seats in medical colleges and institutions across India. The remaining 50% of seats are filled through state-level counselling conducted by individual state medical authorities. If you are participating in the AIQ round, you are competing nationally for these seats. State counselling follows its own schedule and process, so check your state medical authority's website for parallel timelines if you are also eligible for state-level counselling.

• You must qualify NEET PG with a score at or above your category's cutoff
• AIQ counselling covers 50% of PG seats in medical colleges nationwide
• State counselling covers the remaining 50% of seats (conducted separately by state authorities)
• Your rank, category, and choice preferences determine your seat allotment
• Participation in AIQ does not prevent you from also participating in state counselling

Registration Fee and Payment Methods

The MCC requires all candidates to pay a registration fee to complete their counselling application. This fee is non-refundable and must be submitted online during the registration window. The fee payment link is active alongside the registration portal, and payment is mandatory to proceed to the choice-filling stage.

You can pay the registration fee using multiple methods: credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Choose the payment method most convenient for you. Ensure you have a valid payment instrument ready before you begin registration. After successful payment, you will receive a transaction confirmation; save this for your records. If your payment fails, you can retry using the same or a different payment method within the registration deadline.

• Registration fee is mandatory and non-refundable
• Payment methods: Credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI
• Fee must be paid during the registration window (by October 21, 2026)
• Payment is required to unlock the choice-filling stage
• Keep your payment confirmation receipt for records

What Happens After You Register: Choice Filling and Allotment

Once you have registered and paid the fee, you will gain access to the choice-filling portal. Between October 13 and October 22, you must log back into mcc.nic.in and select your preferred courses (MD, MS, or PG Diploma) and colleges in order of preference. This is a critical step—your allotment will be based on your rank, category, and the choices you have locked. You can modify your choices until the deadline, but once October 22 ends, no further changes are allowed.

The MCC will process your choices and generate seat allotments on October 22–23 using a computerized merit-based algorithm. Your allotment result will be announced on October 24. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between October 26 and November 2 to complete admission formalities (document verification, fee payment, hostel registration, etc.). Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.

• Log in to mcc.nic.in between October 13–22 to fill and lock your course and college choices
• Rank your preferences in order of priority
• You can modify choices until October 22; no changes allowed after the deadline
• Allotment results will be declared on October 24, 2026
• Report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026
• Bring all original documents and complete admission formalities at the college

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration

Many candidates make preventable errors during counselling registration that can jeopardize their admission. The most common mistake is missing the registration deadline. October 21 is a hard cutoff—late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Plan to register at least 2–3 days before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues or internet problems.

Another frequent error is incomplete or incorrect document uploads. Ensure all documents are clear, legible, and in the correct format (usually PDF). Blurry or sideways scans may be rejected. Verify that your name, date of birth, and other details match across all documents. Discrepancies can lead to rejection or delays. Additionally, do not forget to pay the registration fee—many candidates complete the form but overlook fee payment, which prevents them from accessing the choice-filling stage. Finally, do not rush through choice filling. Spend time researching colleges, course availability, and your realistic rank-based chances before locking your preferences.

• Do not miss the October 21 registration deadline
• Upload clear, legible, correctly formatted documents
• Ensure all personal details (name, DOB, etc.) are consistent across documents
• Do not forget to pay the registration fee
• Do not rush through choice filling—research colleges and courses carefully
• Save your confirmation receipts and screenshots for reference
• Do not rely on last-minute registration; register early to avoid technical issues

What to Do If You Face Technical Issues or Have Questions

If you encounter technical problems while registering or filling choices, contact the MCC helpdesk immediately. The MCC website typically provides a contact number and email address for candidate support. Document your issue (take screenshots) and reach out as soon as possible, especially if the problem occurs close to a deadline. The MCC may grant a brief extension in cases of genuine technical failure, but this is not guaranteed, so do not rely on it.

For questions about eligibility, cutoffs, or the counselling process, refer to the official MCC website and the detailed information brochure released alongside the counselling notification. Many common questions are answered in the FAQ section. If you need clarification on state-specific rules or your state's counselling process, contact your state medical authority directly. Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media for critical information—always verify with official channels.

• Contact MCC helpdesk immediately if you face technical issues
• Document the problem with screenshots and note the time
• Refer to the official MCC website and information brochure for FAQs
• Contact your state medical authority for state-specific counselling questions
• Do not rely on unofficial sources or social media for critical information
• Register early to allow time for troubleshooting if issues arise

Frequently asked questions

Register immediately at mcc.nic.in to secure your spot in NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling. Gather all required documents now, pay the fee by October 21, and carefully select your course and college preferences by October 22 to maximize your chances of a favorable allotment on October 24. Mark your calendar for the college reporting window (October 26 – November 2) and prepare to complete admission formalities promptly.