The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has published the seat matrix for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling on its official portal. The matrix details all available MD, MS, and DNB seats across government medical colleges (50% All India Quota), deemed universities, central universities, and Armed Forces Medical Services institutions. With registration open from October 12 to 21 and allotment results due on October 24, this is the first concrete picture of where you can apply. Understanding the matrix structure and meeting the tight counselling deadlines is critical to securing your preferred specialty and college.
Download the Round 1 seat matrix from mcc.nic.in immediately, shortlist colleges and courses matching your rank and category, and complete registration and choice-locking by October 22 to qualify for 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 ListWhat the MCC NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Seat Matrix Contains
The seat matrix is a detailed reference document that lists every participating medical college, deemed university, central university, and AFMS institution alongside the number and type of seats they are offering in Round 1. Each entry specifies the name and state of the institute, the course or specialisation (MD, MS, or DNB), the total number of seats available, and a category-wise breakdown across General, EWS (Economically Weaker Section), OBC (Other Backward Class), SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), and PwD (Person with Disability) categories.
The matrix is released as separate PDF files grouped by institute type: one for the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges, one for deemed universities, one for central universities, one for AFMS institutions, and one for DNB seats. Candidates must download and cross-reference these files to identify colleges and specialities that align with their rank, category, and career goals before locking their preferences.
Understanding the Counselling Timeline: October 12 to November 2
The MCC has compressed the entire Round 1 process into a ten-day window, requiring candidates to act quickly and strategically. Registration and fee payment run from October 12 to 21, 2026, during which you must create your account on the MCC portal, verify your NEET PG qualification, and pay the non-refundable registration fee (which varies by category and institute group). Simultaneously, choice filling and locking occur from October 13 to 22, meaning you can begin entering your college and course preferences as soon as you register, but you must finalise and lock them by October 22 at the latest.
After choice-locking closes on October 22, the MCC processes seat allotments on October 22–23 and releases the Round 1 allotment result on October 24. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned institute between October 26 and November 2 to complete document verification and secure your admission. Missing the reporting deadline forfeits your seat and may affect your eligibility for subsequent rounds.
- Registration and fee payment: October 12–21, 2026
- Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026
- Seat allotment processing: October 22–23, 2026
- Round 1 allotment result: October 24, 2026
- Reporting at allotted institute: October 26–November 2, 2026
Who Is Eligible to Register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1?
Only candidates who scored at or above the NEET PG 2026 qualifying percentile set by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) are eligible to register for MCC counselling. Your NEET PG roll number, application number, and date of birth are required to create your account on the MCC portal. Even if you have already cleared NEET PG, you must register separately on the MCC counselling portal to participate in Round 1.
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
If you are a state quota candidate (eligible to compete for seats reserved for your state), you must register on your respective state counselling portal instead of the MCC portal. State counselling portals operate independently and have their own timelines, seat matrices, and allotment schedules. Verify whether you are an AIQ or state quota candidate based on your domicile and the state counselling rules before registering.
How to Access and Download the Seat Matrix from mcc.nic.in
The seat matrix is hosted as a set of downloadable PDF files on the MCC official website. To access the files, visit mcc.nic.in, locate the PG Medical Counselling tab on the homepage, and look for the Round 1 Seat Matrix link under the active notifications section. You will then select the relevant institute group—AIQ, Deemed, Central, or AFMS—depending on which seats you are eligible for and interested in.
Download each PDF file and open it in a PDF reader or spreadsheet application. The matrix is typically formatted as a table with columns for college name, state, course, total seats, and category-wise seat distribution. Cross-reference the files to compare seat availability across colleges and specialities. Save these PDFs locally so you can refer to them while filling your preferences on the MCC portal.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on the PG Medical Counselling tab
- Open the Round 1 Seat Matrix link under active notifications
- Select the institute group (AIQ, Deemed, Central, or AFMS)
- Download the PDF and review college, course, and category details
- Save the files for reference during preference-filling
Step-by-Step Registration and Choice-Filling Process
Begin by opening the MCC counselling portal and clicking on 'New Registration'. Enter your NEET PG 2026 roll number, application number, and date of birth to verify your eligibility. Complete the personal and academic details form with accurate information, as errors may delay allotment or cause rejection. Pay the non-refundable registration fee online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. The fee amount depends on your category and the institute group you are registering for.
After successful payment, log back into the portal to fill your college and course preferences. The MCC typically allows candidates to rank colleges and specialities in order of preference. You can enter as many preferences as you wish, but you must lock your final list before October 22, 2026. Once locked, you cannot modify your preferences, so review your choices carefully before confirming. The allotment algorithm will match your rank and category against your locked preferences to assign you a seat.
- Click 'New Registration' on the MCC portal
- Enter NEET PG roll number, application number, and date of birth
- Complete personal and academic details form
- Pay registration fee online (amount varies by category)
- Log back in to fill and rank college and course preferences
- Lock preferences before October 22, 2026
What Seats Are Included in Round 1?
Round 1 of MCC counselling covers 50% of the All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges across India. These are seats reserved for candidates from any state to compete on an all-India basis, regardless of domicile. Additionally, Round 1 includes 100% of the seats in deemed universities, central universities (such as Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, and others), and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions. These seats are also open to all-India candidates.
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
The remaining 50% of government medical college seats are reserved for state quota candidates and are allocated through separate state counselling processes. If you are competing for AIQ seats, you will register with MCC. If you are eligible for state quota seats, you will register with your state counselling authority. The seat matrix clearly indicates which seats fall under each quota, so verify your eligibility before choosing your preferences.
- 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges
- 100% seats in deemed universities
- 100% seats in central universities
- 100% seats in Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions
- Remaining 50% government seats are state quota (separate state counselling)
Why the Seat Matrix Matters for Your Admission Strategy
The Round 1 seat matrix is your first concrete view of the specialities and colleges available to you based on your NEET PG rank and category. By studying the matrix, you can identify realistic options—colleges where your rank is likely to secure a seat—and aspirational options where you might get in if fewer candidates compete. This information allows you to rank your preferences strategically, placing your most preferred realistic options higher in your list to maximise your chances of allotment.
The choices you lock in Round 1 directly influence your allotment outcome. If you do not get a seat in Round 1, you will have the opportunity to participate in subsequent rounds (typically Rounds 2, 3, and 4), where you can modify your preferences based on the previous round's allotment and the updated seat availability. However, locking strong preferences in Round 1 increases your chances of securing a seat early, avoiding the uncertainty and competition of later rounds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Registration and Choice-Filling
One frequent error is missing the registration deadline. October 21 is the last day to register and pay the fee; if you miss this date, you cannot participate in Round 1. Similarly, many candidates delay choice-filling until the last moment and then rush, leading to mistakes in preference order or incomplete submissions. Begin filling your preferences as soon as you register, and lock them well before October 22 to avoid technical glitches or last-minute confusion.
Another common mistake is not downloading and reviewing the seat matrix before registering. Candidates who register without studying the matrix often realise too late that their preferred college has very few seats in their category or that their rank is unlikely to secure a seat there. Spend time analysing the matrix, comparing seat availability across colleges, and consulting with mentors or seniors before finalising your preference list. Additionally, ensure you are registering on the correct portal: AIQ candidates use mcc.nic.in, while state quota candidates must use their state counselling portal.
What Happens After Round 1 Allotment?
On October 24, the MCC will release the Round 1 allotment result. You can log into the portal and check whether you have been allotted a seat. If you are allotted, you must report to the assigned college between October 26 and November 2 with your original documents for verification. Reporting is mandatory; failure to report forfeits your seat and may disqualify you from future rounds at that college.
If you are not allotted in Round 1, you will be eligible to participate in Round 2, which typically begins in early November. In Round 2, you can modify your preferences based on the seats that remain vacant after Round 1 allotments and reporting. The MCC will announce Round 2 registration dates and the updated seat matrix on mcc.nic.in. Candidates who are allotted but choose to forfeit their seat (for example, to pursue a better option in a later round) can do so, but this is a strategic decision that carries risk.
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
When does NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration close?
Registration and fee payment for Round 1 close on October 21, 2026. You must complete both steps by this date to be eligible for allotment. Choice-filling and locking continue until October 22, 2026.
Where can I download the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 seat matrix?
The seat matrix is available on the MCC official portal at mcc.nic.in. Navigate to the PG Medical Counselling section, find the Round 1 Seat Matrix link under active notifications, and download the PDF files for AIQ, Deemed, Central, or AFMS seats as needed.
What is the difference between AIQ and state quota seats in the matrix?
AIQ (All India Quota) seats are 50% of government medical college seats and are open to candidates from any state. State quota seats are the remaining 50% and are reserved for candidates from that specific state. The Round 1 matrix covers AIQ seats; state quota seats are allocated through separate state counselling portals.
When will the Round 1 allotment result be announced?
The Round 1 allotment result will be released on October 24, 2026. You can check your allotment status by logging into the MCC portal with your credentials.
What happens if I do not get a seat in Round 1?
If you are not allotted in Round 1, you will be eligible to participate in Round 2, which typically begins in early November. In Round 2, you can modify your preferences based on the updated seat matrix and remaining vacancies. The MCC will announce Round 2 dates and details on mcc.nic.in.
Is the registration fee refundable?
No, the registration fee for NEET PG 2026 counselling is non-refundable. The fee amount varies by category and institute group. You must pay it online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI during registration.
Can I modify my preferences after locking them on October 22?
No, once you lock your preferences on October 22, you cannot modify them for Round 1. If you are not allotted or wish to change your preferences, you can do so in Round 2 when registration opens. Review your preferences carefully before locking.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to my allotted college?
The MCC will specify the required documents in the allotment letter and on the portal. Typically, you will need your original MBBS degree, NEET PG admit card, allotment letter, and identity proof. Check the MCC portal and your allotted college's website for the complete list.
Download the Round 1 seat matrix from mcc.nic.in today, analyse it carefully against your rank and category, and complete registration by October 21 and choice-locking by October 22. Mark October 24 on your calendar to check your allotment result, and if allotted, report to your college by November 2 to secure your seat.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.