The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is closing the choice-filling and choice-locking window for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 at 10 AM on October 22, 2026. This is a critical deadline for all MBBS graduates who have qualified NEET-PG and wish to secure a postgraduate seat in MD, MS, or DNB broad-speciality programmes. Candidates who do not lock their preferences by this time will not receive a seat allotment in this round. The provisional seat allotment result will be announced on October 24, 2026, followed by the final allotment and college reporting procedures.
You must log in to mcc.nic.in and lock your course and college preferences by 10 AM on October 22, 2026, or you will not be allotted a seat in Round 1.
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Unlock My College ListWhat is the NEET PG Round 1 choice-locking deadline?
The MCC has set October 22, 2026, at 10 AM as the final deadline to fill and lock your preferences for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1. Choice-filling began earlier, and choice-locking started on October 21, 2026. Once the window closes at 10 AM on October 22, the system will automatically lock all submitted preferences, and you will no longer be able to log in to modify, rearrange, or add new choices.
This is a hard deadline. If you have not entered and locked your preferences by this time, you will be considered as having not participated in Round 1 choice-filling, and you will not receive a seat allotment in this round. It is essential to complete this step well before the deadline to avoid technical issues or last-minute delays.
How to fill and lock your NEET PG Round 1 choices: step-by-step guide
To submit your preferences for NEET PG Round 1, follow these steps carefully. First, visit the official MCC counselling website at mcc.nic.in. Select 'PG Medical' from the available options, then click on 'Registration' to access the counselling portal. Log in using your credentials (registration number and password) that you received during the NEET-PG registration process.
Once logged in, open the 'Choice Filling' section. Here, you will see a list of available courses (such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radiology, Anaesthesia, and others) and colleges offering those courses. Select your preferred course and college combinations in order of preference—rank them from your most preferred to least preferred option. You can rearrange your choices as many times as you wish before locking. After you are satisfied with the order, click 'Lock' to finalize your preferences. Save and submit your choices. Once locked, your preferences cannot be changed.
- Visit mcc.nic.in
- Select 'PG Medical'
- Click 'Registration'
- Log in with your credentials
- Open 'Choice Filling' section
- Select courses and colleges in order of preference
- Rearrange if needed
- Lock your choices
- Save and submit
What happens if you do not lock your choices by the deadline?
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If you fail to lock your preferences by 10 AM on October 22, 2026, you will not be eligible for seat allotment in Round 1. The MCC will process only the preferences that have been submitted and locked within the stipulated time. Your absence from this round does not disqualify you from future rounds of counselling, but you will miss the opportunity to secure a seat in Round 1, which typically has the widest choice of colleges and specialities available.
It is important to understand that simply logging in or viewing the choice-filling page is not enough—you must actively select your preferences and click the 'Lock' button to confirm them. If you encounter any technical issues while filling or locking your choices, contact the MCC helpline immediately rather than waiting until the last moment.
When will the NEET PG Round 1 provisional seat allotment result be announced?
The MCC will announce the Round 1 provisional seat allotment result on October 24, 2026. This provisional result is published first to allow candidates an opportunity to review their allotment and raise any grievances or objections if they believe there is an error in the allotment process. You will be able to check your provisional allotment status on the MCC website using your login credentials.
After the provisional result is released and the grievance period closes, the MCC will issue the final allotment result. Only after the final result is declared will college reporting and admission formalities begin. It is crucial to check the official MCC website regularly for updates on the exact timing of the final result and the reporting schedule.
How does seat allotment work in NEET PG Round 1?
Seat allotment in NEET PG Round 1 is based on three main factors: your NEET-PG rank (which determines your position in the merit list), your application category (General, OBC, SC, ST, or other reserved categories as applicable), and the preferences you have locked. The MCC uses a computerized algorithm to match candidates with available seats based on their rank and preferences in the order you have ranked them.
The algorithm works as follows: it processes candidates in order of their NEET-PG rank (highest rank first). For each candidate, it checks their locked preferences in the order they have ranked them and allots the first available seat that matches their preference and category eligibility. This means that if your first preference is not available, the system will check your second preference, and so on. Therefore, the order in which you rank your choices is extremely important—place your most desired course and college combination first.
What should you consider when ranking your course and college preferences?
When filling your choices, think carefully about your career goals, the reputation and infrastructure of the colleges, the location, and the availability of seats in each speciality. Research the colleges offering your preferred courses—check their faculty, training quality, research opportunities, and placement outcomes. Consider whether you prefer a metropolitan centre or are open to tier-2 or tier-3 cities. Also, think about the competitiveness of each speciality; some courses like Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics are highly competitive and may require a higher rank to secure a seat.
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It is also wise to include a mix of aspirational choices (courses and colleges you strongly desire but may be difficult to secure), realistic choices (courses and colleges that match your rank and category), and safe choices (courses and colleges where you are very likely to get a seat). This balanced approach increases your chances of securing a good seat in Round 1. Do not leave your preferences incomplete or rank them randomly—every choice you make influences your final allotment.
What is the difference between provisional and final allotment results?
The provisional allotment result is a preliminary list of seat allotments released on October 24, 2026. It shows which seat has been allotted to you based on the algorithm and your locked preferences. This provisional result is published to give candidates a chance to review the allotment and raise any concerns or grievances if they believe there is an error—for example, if they believe their rank was miscalculated or their category was incorrectly assigned.
The final allotment result is released after the grievance period closes and any errors have been corrected. The final result is binding, and candidates must report to their allotted college as per the schedule set by the MCC. If you do not report within the stipulated time, your seat may be cancelled, and it will be offered to the next eligible candidate in the waiting list.
What happens after the final Round 1 allotment result is announced?
Once the final Round 1 allotment result is declared, the MCC will announce a reporting schedule. Candidates who have been allotted a seat must report to their assigned college within the specified dates and times. Reporting involves verifying your documents, completing admission formalities, and confirming your seat. Failure to report within the deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.
After all candidates have reported and seats have been confirmed, the MCC will proceed with subsequent rounds of counselling (Round 2, Round 3, and so on) to fill any remaining vacant seats. If you do not secure a seat in Round 1 or if you wish to upgrade to a better college or course in a later round, you will have the opportunity to participate in these subsequent rounds. However, your participation in later rounds depends on your rank and the availability of seats at that stage.
Key dates and timeline for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1
Here is a summary of the important dates you need to remember for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1. Choice-filling and choice-locking began on October 21, 2026, and will close at 10 AM on October 22, 2026. The provisional seat allotment result will be announced on October 24, 2026. After the grievance period, the final allotment result will be released, followed by college reporting and admission formalities.
Mark these dates on your calendar and ensure you do not miss the choice-locking deadline. Set a reminder a few hours before the deadline to avoid any last-minute rush or technical issues. Keep your login credentials safe and ensure you have a stable internet connection when filling and locking your choices.
- October 21, 2026: Choice-locking begins
- October 22, 2026, 10 AM: Choice-filling and choice-locking deadline
- October 24, 2026: Provisional seat allotment result announced
- After grievance period: Final allotment result released
- Following final result: College reporting and admission formalities
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the deadline to lock my NEET PG Round 1 choices?
The deadline to fill and lock your choices for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 is 10 AM on October 22, 2026. After this time, the choice-filling window will close, and you will not be able to modify your preferences. If you have not locked your choices by this deadline, you will not receive a seat allotment in Round 1.
How do I fill and lock my NEET PG preferences?
Visit mcc.nic.in, select 'PG Medical', click 'Registration', and log in with your credentials. Open the 'Choice Filling' section, select your preferred courses and colleges in order of preference, rearrange them if needed, and then click 'Lock' to finalize your choices. Save and submit your preferences. Once locked, you cannot change them.
What happens if I do not lock my choices by the deadline?
If you do not lock your choices by 10 AM on October 22, 2026, you will not be eligible for seat allotment in Round 1. You will miss the opportunity to secure a seat in this round, though you may be able to participate in subsequent rounds of counselling if seats remain available.
When will the NEET PG Round 1 seat allotment result be announced?
The provisional seat allotment result for NEET PG Round 1 will be announced on October 24, 2026. This provisional result allows candidates to review their allotment and raise grievances if needed. The final allotment result will be released after the grievance period closes.
How is my seat allotted in NEET PG counselling?
Seat allotment is based on your NEET-PG rank, your application category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), and your locked preferences. The MCC uses a computerized algorithm that processes candidates in order of rank and allots the first available seat matching their preference and category eligibility. The order in which you rank your choices is crucial.
What should I do if I encounter technical issues while filling my choices?
If you face any technical problems while filling or locking your choices, contact the MCC helpline immediately rather than waiting until the last moment. Do not assume the issue will resolve itself. It is better to seek help early to ensure your preferences are submitted and locked on time.
Can I change my preferences after locking them?
No, once you lock your preferences, you cannot change, rearrange, or add new choices. The system will auto-lock your preferences at 10 AM on October 22, 2026, and you will no longer be able to log in to modify them. Therefore, review your preferences carefully before clicking the 'Lock' button.
What is the difference between provisional and final allotment results?
The provisional allotment result (announced October 24, 2026) is a preliminary list that allows candidates to review their allotment and raise grievances if there are errors. The final allotment result is released after the grievance period closes and any corrections are made. The final result is binding, and you must report to your allotted college as per the schedule.
Do not delay—log in to mcc.nic.in today and lock your NEET PG Round 1 preferences before 10 AM on October 22, 2026. Check the official MCC website on October 24, 2026, for your provisional allotment result, and follow all subsequent instructions for reporting and admission formalities.
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