The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened the registration window for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling on October 12, 2026. This round allocates 50 percent of All India Quota (AIQ) seats across Central Universities, Deemed Universities, ESIC, and DNB programmes. Qualified NEET PG candidates must register and pay fees by October 21 to participate. Missing this deadline means waiting for Round 2, by which time many competitive specialties and preferred colleges will already be filled. Understanding the timeline and fee structure is critical for every aspirant.
Register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 by October 21 (noon for registration, 3 PM for fee payment) at mcc.nic.in, fill your specialty and college choices by October 22 (10 AM), and expect seat allotment results on October 24.
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Unlock My College ListNEET PG Round 1 Registration Window: Dates and Deadlines
The MCC has activated Round 1 registration on October 12, 2026, and will keep the portal open until October 21 at noon. Candidates who have qualified the NEET PG 2026 exam can log in using their roll number and personal details to complete the registration process. The fee payment window extends until 3 PM on the same day, giving aspirants a 3-hour buffer after the registration deadline closes.
This is the first and most competitive round of counselling. Clinical specialties such as Radiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Orthopaedics typically see high cutoffs and fill rapidly in Round 1. Delaying registration or missing the deadline entirely will push you to Round 2, where seat availability in your preferred branches may be severely limited. Plan your registration well in advance and avoid last-minute technical issues.
Choice Filling and Locking: Timeline and Strategy
Choice filling runs from October 13 to October 22, 2026, overlapping with the registration period. This window allows you to rank colleges and specialties in order of preference on the MCC portal. The choice-locking window is narrow: from 4 PM on October 21 to 10 AM on October 22. Once you lock your choices, they cannot be modified, so finalize your preference list carefully before the lock deadline.
Many aspirants make the mistake of filling choices hastily or locking them too early without adequate research. Use the full choice-filling window to compare college infrastructure, faculty, location, and specialty reputation. Cross-reference cutoff trends from previous years and your own NEET PG score to make realistic choices. Rank colleges and branches strategically: place your dream college–specialty combination higher, but also include realistic and safe options lower in the list to maximize your chances of a seat.
Registration Fees and Security Deposit: What You Will Pay
The MCC charges a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit. The amounts vary by category and institute type. For AIQ, Central Universities, ESIC, and DNB seats, General and EWS candidates pay Rs 1,000 as registration fee and Rs 25,000 as security deposit. Candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories pay a reduced registration fee of Rs 500 and security deposit of Rs 10,000.
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Deemed University seats carry a higher financial commitment: all categories pay Rs 5,000 as registration fee and Rs 2,00,000 as security deposit. The security deposit is refundable as per MCC rules, typically returned after you complete data verification at your allotted college or if you do not secure a seat. Ensure you have sufficient funds available by October 21 at 3 PM, and use only secure online payment modes provided by the MCC portal.
| Category and Institute Type | Registration Fee (Non-Refundable) | Security Deposit (Refundable) |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ, Central Universities, ESIC, DNB (General and EWS) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 25,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) | Rs 500 | Rs 10,000 |
| Deemed Universities (All Categories) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
Documents You Must Have Ready Before Registration
Before you begin the registration process, gather all required documents. You will need your NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, and permanent registration certificate from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or your state medical council. Also keep your Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport), and any applicable category or PwD certificate.
Having these documents ready prevents delays and errors during registration. Many candidates face last-minute panic when they cannot locate their internship completion certificate or registration certificate. Contact your medical college or the MCI well before October 12 if you do not yet have permanent registration. Scanning or photographing these documents in advance will speed up the online submission process.
- NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
- MBBS degree certificate and internship completion certificate
- Permanent registration from MCI or state medical council
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport)
- Category or PwD certificate (if applicable)
Step-by-Step Registration Process on mcc.nic.in
The registration process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Visit mcc.nic.in and locate the NEET PG Counselling 2026 link on the homepage. Click on it and select Round 1 registration. You will be asked to log in using your NEET PG 2026 roll number and personal details such as date of birth and email address.
After logging in, fill the application form with your academic qualifications, category, and other required information. Upload scanned copies of your documents as prompted. Review all entries carefully before proceeding to payment. Pay the registration fee and security deposit through the available online modes (credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI). After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation page—download and save this for your records. You can then proceed to fill your choice of colleges and specialties.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click on NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 link
- Log in with your NEET PG roll number and personal details
- Fill the application form with academic and category information
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents
- Pay registration fee and security deposit online
- Download and save the confirmation page
- Proceed to fill and lock your choice of colleges and specialties
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Seat Allotment Timeline: From Processing to Reporting
After choice locking on October 22 at 10 AM, the MCC will process seat allotments on October 22–23. The Round 1 seat allotment result will be released on October 24, 2026. You must download your allotment letter from the MCC portal on that date and note your allotted college, specialty, and seat category. Do not delay—some colleges may announce early reporting deadlines.
Reporting at your allotted college runs from October 26 to November 2, 2026. Arrive with all original documents, your allotment letter, and proof of fee payment. Colleges will conduct data verification on November 3, 2026, to confirm your eligibility and document authenticity. If you fail to report within the deadline or do not pass data verification, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate in the merit list. Plan your travel and accommodation in advance if your allotted college is in a different city.
- Seat allotment processing: October 22–23, 2026
- Round 1 allotment result release: October 24, 2026
- Reporting at allotted college: October 26 to November 2, 2026
- Data verification by colleges: November 3, 2026
Why Round 1 Matters: Competitive Seats and Specialty Availability
Round 1 is the most competitive phase of NEET PG counselling. The majority of high-demand specialties—Radiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopaedics, and Otolaryngology—see their seats filled in this round itself. Cutoffs for these branches are typically very high, and seats are limited. If you miss Round 1 or do not secure a seat in your preferred specialty, Round 2 will offer far fewer options in these fields.
Candidates who secure seats in Round 1 also have the advantage of choosing from the full range of colleges and locations. Round 2 onwards, only remaining seats are available, which may be in less preferred colleges or less competitive specialties. Additionally, some candidates who secure seats in Round 1 may not report, creating a small pool of seats for Round 2. However, relying on this is risky. Treat Round 1 as your primary opportunity and prepare thoroughly.
What Happens After Round 1: Round 2 and Stray Rounds
If you do not secure a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade your allotment, you will have the opportunity to participate in Round 2. The MCC typically announces the Round 2 schedule shortly after Round 1 allotment results. Round 2 follows a similar process: registration, choice filling, and allotment. However, the pool of available seats is smaller, and cutoffs may be lower for some specialties.
After Round 2, the MCC may conduct stray rounds to fill any remaining vacant seats. Stray rounds are typically open to all candidates, including those who did not participate in earlier rounds or those seeking to upgrade. However, stray rounds are unpredictable in terms of seat availability and timing. Do not bank on stray rounds as your primary strategy. Participate actively in Round 1 and Round 2 to maximize your chances of securing a seat in your preferred specialty and college.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration close?
Registration closes on October 21, 2026, at 12 noon. Fee payment must be completed by 3 PM on the same day. Any registration or payment submitted after these times will not be accepted, and you will be disqualified from Round 1.
What is the registration fee for NEET PG 2026 Round 1?
The registration fee depends on your category and the institute type you are applying to. For AIQ, Central Universities, ESIC, and DNB seats, General and EWS candidates pay Rs 1,000, while SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates pay Rs 500. For Deemed University seats, all categories pay Rs 5,000. These fees are non-refundable.
Is the security deposit refundable?
Yes, the security deposit is refundable as per MCC rules. It is typically returned after you complete data verification at your allotted college or if you do not secure a seat in Round 1. The security deposit amount varies: Rs 25,000 for AIQ/Central/ESIC/DNB (General/EWS), Rs 10,000 for AIQ/Central (SC/ST/OBC/PwD), and Rs 2,00,000 for Deemed Universities.
When can I fill my choice of colleges and specialties?
Choice filling runs from October 13 to October 22, 2026. You must lock your choices between 4 PM on October 21 and 10 AM on October 22. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed, so finalize your preference list carefully before the lock deadline.
When will Round 1 seat allotment results be announced?
The Round 1 seat allotment result will be released on October 24, 2026. You must download your allotment letter from the MCC portal on that date. Reporting at your allotted college must be completed between October 26 and November 2, 2026.
What documents do I need to register for NEET PG counselling?
You will need your NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, permanent registration from MCI or your state medical council, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport), and any applicable category or PwD certificate. Have scanned copies ready before starting registration.
What happens if I miss the Round 1 registration deadline?
If you miss the October 21 deadline, you will be disqualified from Round 1. You will have to wait for Round 2 counselling, by which time many competitive specialties and preferred colleges will already be filled. Round 1 is the most competitive phase, so missing it significantly reduces your chances of securing a seat in your preferred specialty.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No, once you lock your choices between 4 PM on October 21 and 10 AM on October 22, they cannot be modified. This is why it is critical to research colleges and specialties thoroughly during the choice-filling window and finalize your preference list before locking.
Register immediately at mcc.nic.in to avoid last-minute technical issues. Use the full choice-filling window to research colleges and specialties, and lock your preferences strategically by October 22 at 10 AM. Mark October 24 on your calendar for the allotment result and plan your reporting logistics in advance.
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