The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is closing NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration today, October 21, 2026. This round allocates 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats across central universities, deemed universities, and other MCC-covered institutions. If you have qualified NEET PG 2026 and have not yet registered, you must act immediately—the registration window is closing at noon today. Missing this deadline means waiting for Round 2 counselling, which delays your admission by weeks.
Complete your NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration and fee payment by October 21, 12 noon; then fill and lock your college and course choices by October 22, 10 am, to be eligible for the first seat allotment on October 24.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListWhy NEET PG Round 1 Registration Matters for Your Admission
Round 1 of NEET PG counselling is the first and largest allocation window for postgraduate medical seats in India. The MCC processes 50% of All India Quota seats in this round, which means a significant portion of MD, MS, and DNB seats across the country are filled here. If you do not register in Round 1, you will automatically move to Round 2, which begins only after Round 1 candidates have reported to their colleges and completed verification.
Delaying to Round 2 has real consequences: fewer seats remain available, competition intensifies, and your choice of college and speciality narrows. Many aspirants who miss Round 1 end up with less preferred branches or colleges in Round 2. For an MBBS graduate aiming for a specific speciality or institution, Round 1 is your best opportunity.
Critical Deadlines You Must Know for Round 1
The MCC has set multiple, separate deadlines within a single day—this is where many candidates slip up. Registration and fee payment both close at different times on October 21. You cannot assume one deadline covers both; you must complete each step within its own window. After October 21, the registration portal will close, and no late registrations will be accepted.
Once you register and pay the fee, the next critical window is choice filling and locking. This begins on October 22 at 10 am and runs until the same day at 10 am (a 24-hour window). You must log in, select your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference, and lock your choices before the deadline. After locking, you cannot change your choices, so think carefully about your ranking.
- Registration and fee payment deadline: October 21, 12 noon
- Last time to pay counselling fee: October 21, 3 pm
- Choice filling opens: October 22, 10 am
- Choice locking window: October 21, 4 pm to October 22, 10 am
- Seat allotment processing: October 22–23
- Round 1 result announcement: October 24
- Reporting to allotted institute: October 26 to November 2
- Verification of joined candidates: November 3
How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling in 5 Steps
Registration is straightforward if you follow the process carefully. Start by visiting the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in. Look for the PG Medical Counselling section and locate the NEET PG 2026 registration link. Enter your NEET PG roll number, password, and other required details. The system will verify your eligibility based on your NEET PG score and rank.
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
After registration is confirmed, you must pay the counselling fee immediately. The fee payment window closes at 3 pm on October 21, which is later than the registration deadline but still on the same day. Do not assume you have time after 12 noon; pay the fee as soon as registration is complete. Once the fee is paid, you will receive a confirmation, and your registration is locked in.
After fee payment, wait for October 22, 10 am, when the choice-filling portal opens. Log in with your credentials, and you will see a list of all available MD, MS, and DNB seats across colleges. Rank them in order of your preference—this ranking is crucial because the allotment algorithm assigns seats based on your merit rank and your choice order. Lock your choices before 10 am on October 22, and do not attempt to change them after locking.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and open the PG Medical Counselling section
- Click the NEET PG 2026 registration link
- Enter your NEET PG roll number and password
- Complete registration and note your confirmation number
- Pay the counselling fee before 3 pm on October 21
- Log in on October 22 to fill and lock your college and course choices
- Verify all details before final submission
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices
Once you lock your choices on October 22, the MCC begins processing seat allotments. This is an automated process that runs on October 22 and 23. The algorithm considers your NEET PG rank, your choice order, and the number of seats available in each college and course. You cannot influence this process—it is entirely merit-based and rule-driven.
On October 24, the Round 1 result will be announced. You will log in to the MCC portal and see whether you have been allotted a seat. If you receive an allotment, the result will show your college name, course (MD/MS/DNB), and speciality. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 1, you will be eligible for Round 2 counselling, which follows a similar process.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your college between October 26 and November 2. Bring all original documents—your MBBS degree, NEET PG admit card, score card, identity proof, and any other documents specified by your college. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat. On November 3, the MCC will verify which candidates have actually joined, and Round 2 counselling will begin for remaining seats.
Understanding the 50% AIQ Seats Covered in Round 1
NEET PG counselling allocates seats in two categories: All India Quota (AIQ) and state quota. Round 1 covers 50% of AIQ seats, which are distributed across central universities, deemed universities, and other institutions under MCC jurisdiction. These are the most competitive seats because they are open to candidates from all states, and merit is the only criterion.
The remaining 50% of AIQ seats are filled in subsequent rounds (Round 2, Round 3, and so on). State quota seats are managed separately by individual state counselling authorities and are not part of MCC Round 1. If you are aiming for a central university or a well-known deemed university, Round 1 is where most of those seats are allocated. Missing Round 1 means competing for fewer seats in Round 2.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration and Choice Filling
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
The most common mistake is waiting until the last hour to register. The MCC portal often experiences traffic congestion near deadlines, and you may face login delays or payment failures. Register and pay your fee by mid-morning on October 21 to avoid this risk. Do not assume you have until noon; aim to complete it by 11 am.
Another frequent error is not ranking your choices carefully. Many candidates fill choices randomly or in alphabetical order, not realizing that the allotment algorithm respects your ranking strictly. If you rank a less preferred college first, you may be allotted there even if a better college was available lower in your list. Spend time researching colleges, their reputation, location, and speciality strength before filling choices.
A third mistake is not locking choices on time. Some candidates fill their choices but forget to click the 'lock' button. Without locking, your choices are not submitted, and you will not be considered for allotment. After filling, always verify that your choices are locked by logging out and logging back in to confirm.
What to Do If You Miss the October 21 Registration Deadline
If you miss the October 21 deadline, you will not be able to register for Round 1. However, you will be automatically eligible for Round 2 counselling, which will begin after Round 1 candidates have reported and been verified. Round 2 typically starts in early November, and the process is identical to Round 1—registration, fee payment, choice filling, and allotment.
The downside of Round 2 is that fewer seats remain available. Many candidates who were allotted seats in Round 1 will have reported and joined their colleges, reducing the pool of seats for Round 2. Additionally, if you are not allotted in Round 2, you may have to wait for Round 3, which further delays your admission. For this reason, it is critical to register in Round 1 if you are eligible.
Preparing Your Documents for Reporting After Allotment
If you are allotted a seat on October 24, you will have only two days (October 25 and 26) to prepare before reporting begins on October 26. Start gathering your documents now, even before the result is announced. You will need your original MBBS degree certificate, NEET PG admit card, NEET PG score card, passport-size photographs, identity proof (Aadhaar or passport), and any other documents specified by your college.
Contact your allotted college on October 24 itself to confirm the exact reporting date, time, and location. Some colleges may have specific reporting slots, and you need to know yours in advance. Arrange travel and accommodation if your college is in a different city. Keep all documents in a folder and do not misplace anything—colleges will not admit you without complete documentation.
Why the MCC Schedule May Change—Stay Alert
The MCC has noted that the Round 1 schedule is tentative and subject to revision. In the past, counselling schedules have been delayed due to legal challenges, technical issues, or administrative reasons. You must regularly check the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) for any revised notices or updates. Do not rely solely on the dates mentioned here; verify them on the official portal before taking any action.
Set reminders on your phone for each deadline, and check the MCC website at least once a day during the counselling period. If there is any change in dates, the MCC will announce it on the website. Missing an updated deadline because you did not check the portal is your responsibility, not the MCC's.
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling?
The registration deadline for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 is October 21, 2026, at 12 noon. After this time, the registration portal will close, and no further registrations will be accepted. You must complete your registration and fee payment before this deadline to be eligible for Round 1 seat allotment.
When do I fill and lock my college and course choices?
Choice filling opens on October 22, 2026, at 10 am. You have until October 22, 10 am, to fill and lock your choices (a 24-hour window). Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them. It is important to rank your preferred colleges and courses carefully before locking.
When will the Round 1 seat allotment result be announced?
The Round 1 seat allotment result will be announced on October 24, 2026. You can log in to the MCC portal on this date to check whether you have been allotted a seat, and if so, which college and course you have been assigned.
What should I do if I am allotted a seat in Round 1?
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Bring all original documents including your MBBS degree, NEET PG score card, admit card, identity proof, and passport-size photographs. Failure to report within this window may result in forfeiture of your seat.
What happens if I miss the Round 1 registration deadline?
If you miss the October 21 deadline, you will not be able to register for Round 1. However, you will be eligible for Round 2 counselling, which will begin after Round 1 candidates have reported and been verified. Round 2 typically starts in early November, but fewer seats will be available by then.
How much is the NEET PG counselling registration fee?
The source does not specify the exact amount of the counselling fee. You should check the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) for the current fee structure. The fee must be paid by October 21, 3 pm, to complete your registration.
What percentage of seats are allocated in NEET PG Round 1?
Round 1 allocates 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats across central universities, deemed universities, and other MCC-covered institutions. The remaining 50% of AIQ seats are filled in subsequent rounds. State quota seats are managed separately by individual state counselling authorities.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No, once you lock your choices on October 22, you cannot change them. The allotment algorithm will process your choices in the order you have ranked them. For this reason, it is important to carefully research and rank your preferred colleges and courses before locking.
Register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 today before the October 21 noon deadline—do not wait until the last hour. After registration and fee payment, prepare your college and course preferences carefully, lock them by October 22, 10 am, and monitor the MCC portal for the October 24 result. Check mcc.nic.in regularly for any schedule changes or updates.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.