NEET PG 2026 Round 2 Counselling: Registration Starts Nov 7, New Seats Added

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has shifted the start date for NEET PG 2026 Round 2 registration by one day, moving it from November 6 to November 7, 2026. This change follows the National Medical Commission's (NMC) approval of additional postgraduate medical seats that will now be included in the counselling process. If you are an MBBS graduate waiting to secure an MD, MS, or PG Diploma seat through Round 2, this update affects your registration timeline and the total number of positions available to you.

Why the Registration Date Was Postponed

The MCC received an updated seat matrix from the NMC that includes recently approved postgraduate medical positions. These newly sanctioned seats needed to be verified by the respective medical institutions before they could be formally included in the counselling schedule. To allow time for this verification process and to ensure the seat matrix was complete and accurate, the MCC decided to delay the start of Round 2 registration by one day.

This is a procedural adjustment, not a cancellation or major disruption. The one-day postponement gives the counselling authority the opportunity to integrate all approved seats into the system so that when you register and fill your choices, you will have access to the full pool of available positions across all institutions.

What the Updated Seat Matrix Means for You

The revised seat matrix now contains postgraduate medical seats that were approved after the initial Round 2 schedule was announced. These additional positions will be available during the counselling process once the medical colleges and institutions complete their verification. For aspirants, this is positive news: more seats mean more opportunities to secure a position in your preferred specialty and institution.

The newly added seats will be distributed across MD, MS, and PG Diploma programmes. They will be subject to the same reservation categories (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD) as existing seats, so your eligibility and category-based allocation remain unchanged. However, the total number of positions you can compete for has increased.

Key Dates and Steps in Round 2 Counselling

Round 2 counselling will now follow this sequence: registration and fee payment will open on November 7, 2026. After you register and pay the counselling fee, you will proceed to choice filling, where you select your preferred specialties and institutions in order of preference. Once you lock your choices, the MCC will run the seat allocation algorithm and assign seats based on your rank, category, and choices.

The exact dates for choice filling, choice locking, and seat allotment have not been altered by this one-day postponement. However, you should verify the complete Round 2 schedule on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) to ensure you do not miss any deadline. Missing the registration window or choice-filling deadline could result in your exclusion from Round 2 allocation.

• Registration and fee payment: November 7, 2026 onwards
• Choice filling: dates to be confirmed on mcc.nic.in
• Choice locking: dates to be confirmed on mcc.nic.in
• Seat allotment: dates to be confirmed on mcc.nic.in
• Verification of seats by medical institutions: ongoing

How This Affects Your Counselling Strategy

With additional seats now in the matrix, your chances of securing a position in Round 2 may improve, especially if you are in a competitive rank band. However, this does not mean you should be complacent. The increased number of seats will also attract more candidates to participate in Round 2, so competition remains fierce. Use the extra time between now and November 7 to finalize your choice list and research the institutions and specialties you wish to pursue.

If you participated in Round 1 and were not allocated a seat, Round 2 is your next opportunity. The addition of new seats increases the likelihood of finding a suitable position. Conversely, if you were allocated a seat in Round 1 but are considering whether to participate in Round 2 for a better option, remember that accepting a Round 2 seat will override your Round 1 allocation. Plan your strategy carefully.

Reservation Categories in Round 2

The newly added seats will follow the same reservation framework as all NEET PG counselling seats. The distribution is as follows: Other Backward Classes (OBC) receive 27% reservation, Scheduled Castes (SC) receive 15%, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) receive 10%, Scheduled Tribes (ST) receive 7.5%, and Persons with Disability (PwD) receive 5%. The remaining seats are open to all eligible candidates.

If you belong to a reserved category, the additional seats mean more positions are now available within your category quota. This can lower the cutoff rank required to secure a seat in your preferred specialty. Check your category status in your NEET PG admit card and ensure your category certificate is valid and uploaded in your MCC profile before registration.

What You Need to Do Before November 7

Ensure your NEET PG scorecard, identity proof, and category certificate (if applicable) are ready and accessible. Log in to your MCC account on mcc.nic.in and verify that all your personal and academic details are correct. If there are any discrepancies, contact the MCC helpdesk immediately to resolve them before registration opens.

Prepare your choice list by researching the institutions, specialties, and seats available in Round 2. Review the previous round's cutoff data to understand which specialties and colleges are within your rank range. Discuss your preferences with mentors or senior doctors to make an informed decision. Have your fee payment method ready—most candidates pay via online banking or debit/credit card.

• Verify your NEET PG scorecard and personal details on mcc.nic.in
• Ensure your category certificate is valid and uploaded
• Research institutions and specialties available in Round 2
• Review previous round cutoff data for your rank range
• Prepare your choice list in order of preference
• Have your fee payment method ready

Common Questions About the Postponement

Many aspirants are wondering whether this one-day delay will affect the overall counselling timeline or push back subsequent rounds. The MCC has not announced any changes to the dates for choice filling, choice locking, or seat allotment—only the registration start date has shifted. This suggests that the counselling process will proceed on schedule after registration closes, with no cascading delays.

Another concern is whether the newly added seats will be of the same quality or in the same specialties as Round 1 seats. The source of these seats is the NMC's approval of additional positions, which typically reflects institutional capacity and regulatory compliance. These seats are subject to the same verification process as all other seats, so they meet the same standards. However, the specific specialties and institutions offering these seats will be visible only when you access the seat matrix during choice filling.

What Happens After You Register

Once you complete registration and pay the counselling fee on or after November 7, you will receive a confirmation. The next step is choice filling, where you will log in to the MCC portal and select your preferred specialties and institutions. You can rank as many or as few options as you wish, but remember that the algorithm will allocate you to the highest-ranked option for which you are eligible based on your NEET PG rank and category.

After choice filling closes, you will have a choice-locking window during which you can review and finalize your selections. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be changed. The MCC will then run the allocation algorithm and publish the seat allotment result. If you are allocated a seat, you must report to the allotted institution within the specified time frame to complete admission formalities. If you are not allocated a seat in Round 2, you may be eligible for subsequent rounds or stray vacancy rounds, depending on the MCC's schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Mark November 7, 2026, as the start date for NEET PG Round 2 registration and finalize your choice list before that date. Visit mcc.nic.in regularly for the complete Round 2 schedule and any further updates, and ensure all your documents and profile information are verified and ready.