NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Registration Opens October 12 for 2+ Lakh Doctors

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the schedule for the first round of NEET PG counselling 2026, opening the registration window on October 12. Over 200,000 MBBS graduates who qualified in the NEET PG examination are now preparing to enter the counselling process to secure admission to MD, MS, postgraduate diploma and DNB courses. This is a critical phase: candidates must register, pay fees, fill their college and course preferences, and complete all steps within strict deadlines to be considered for seat allotment. Understanding the timeline, costs and documentation requirements is essential to avoid missing this opportunity.

When Does NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Begin and End?

The MCC has set October 12, 2026 as the start date for Round 1 registration. Candidates have until October 21 to complete their registration and pay the required fees. This 10-day window is your first and most time-sensitive step in the counselling process.

Alongside registration, the choice-filling process begins on October 13 and runs until October 22. This means you can start selecting your preferred colleges and courses even as registration is still open. The choice-locking window is October 21–22, after which your preferences become final and cannot be changed. Seat allotment results will be announced on October 24, followed by a reporting period from October 26 to November 2 for candidates to join their allotted colleges.

How Much Will NEET PG Counselling Registration Cost?

The MCC charges a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit. The amounts differ based on your category. General and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates must pay ₹1,000 as registration fee and ₹25,000 as security deposit. Candidates from SC, ST, OBC and PwD (Persons with Disability) categories pay a lower registration fee of ₹500 and a security deposit of ₹10,000.

The registration fee is non-refundable, meaning you will not get it back regardless of the outcome. The security deposit, however, is refundable—it will be returned to you after the counselling process is complete, provided you have fulfilled all obligations. Ensure you have these funds ready before the registration window closes on October 21.

• General/EWS: ₹1,000 registration fee + ₹25,000 security deposit
• SC/ST/OBC/PwD: ₹500 registration fee + ₹10,000 security deposit
• Registration fee is non-refundable; security deposit is refundable

Which Seats Are Available Through MCC Counselling?

The MCC conducts counselling for 50% of the All India Quota (AIQ) postgraduate medical seats. These are seats in central universities, deemed universities and other institutions that fall under MCC's counselling authority. The remaining 50% of AIQ seats are allocated through state-level counselling conducted by individual state authorities, which follow their own separate schedules and procedures.

Before you fill your choices, it is critical to check the seat matrix—the list of available seats in each course and institution—and verify the eligibility conditions for your preferred colleges and specialties. Different institutions may have different eligibility criteria, and some seats may be reserved for specific categories. State quota seats are not part of MCC counselling, so if you wish to apply for state quota seats, you will need to register separately with your state counselling authority.

• MCC counsels 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) postgraduate seats
• Covers central universities, deemed universities and participating institutions
• Remaining 50% AIQ seats handled by state counselling authorities
• Check seat matrix and eligibility before filling choices
• State quota counselling follows separate schedules and procedures

How to Register for NEET PG Counselling 2026 on the MCC Portal

Registration takes place entirely online through the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in. Start by visiting the homepage and locating the PG Medical Counselling section. Once the Round 1 registration link becomes active (expected October 12), click on it to begin the process.

You will be asked to enter your examination details (such as your NEET PG roll number and rank) and personal information. Create or use your existing login credentials as instructed on the portal. Carefully review all information you enter, as errors may cause problems later. After completing your application details and verifying the information, proceed to pay the registration fee and security deposit. Once payment is successful, submit your form and save the confirmation page or payment receipt—you will need this for future reference and to prove your participation in counselling.

• Visit mcc.nic.in and open the PG Medical Counselling section
• Click the NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration link when available
• Enter examination roll number, rank and personal details
• Create or access your login credentials
• Complete and verify all application information
• Pay the registration fee and security deposit online
• Submit the form and save the confirmation receipt

What Documents Do You Need Before Starting Registration?

Gather all required documents before the registration window opens on October 12. Having these ready will speed up your registration and reduce the risk of errors or missed deadlines. The MCC may request documents at various stages of counselling, and some institutions may ask for additional paperwork after you are allotted a seat.

Essential documents include your NEET PG admit card and your rank or result details, your MBBS degree certificate (or provisional certificate if the final degree has not yet been issued), MBBS marksheets from all years, and your internship completion certificate. You will also need your permanent or provisional medical registration certificate issued by the Medical Council of India or your state medical council. Bring a valid photo identity proof (such as Aadhaar, passport or driving licence), a recent passport-size photograph and your signature. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC) or are a person with disability, keep your category or disability certificate ready. The MCC information bulletin or your allotted institution may specify additional documents, so check the official website regularly.

• NEET PG 2026 admit card and rank/result details
• MBBS degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
• MBBS marksheets from all years
• Internship completion certificate
• Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate
• Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence)
• Category certificate (if SC/ST/OBC) or disability certificate (if PwD)
• Recent passport-size photograph and signature
• Any additional documents specified by MCC or your allotted institution

What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?

Once you lock your choices on October 21–22, you cannot change them. The MCC will then process your preferences along with those of all other candidates to generate the seat allotment. This processing happens on October 22–23, and the results are announced on October 24. Your allotment will be based on your NEET PG rank, your category, your locked preferences and the availability of seats in your chosen colleges and courses.

If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college between October 26 and November 2. Reporting involves verifying your documents, completing admission formalities and, in most cases, paying the first installment of fees. If you do not report within this window, your seat may be cancelled and offered to the next candidate in the merit list. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 1, you may be eligible to participate in subsequent rounds of counselling, depending on the MCC's schedule and the availability of remaining seats.

• Choices locked on October 21–22 cannot be changed
• Seat allotment processing occurs October 22–23
• Results announced October 24
• Reporting window: October 26 to November 2
• Failure to report may result in seat cancellation
• Subsequent rounds may be available for candidates not allotted in Round 1

Why Is the October 12 Registration Deadline So Important?

Missing the October 21 registration deadline means you cannot participate in Round 1 of counselling at all. Unlike some other processes where late registration may be allowed with a penalty, MCC counselling operates on strict timelines. Once the registration window closes, the portal shuts down and no further registrations are accepted for that round.

Starting early—ideally on October 12 itself—gives you time to troubleshoot any technical issues, verify your details and ensure your payment goes through without problems. If you wait until the last few days, you risk encountering server congestion, payment delays or other unforeseen issues that could prevent you from registering. Additionally, filling your choices early (the window opens October 13) allows you to research colleges and courses thoroughly and make informed decisions rather than rushing through the process.

• Registration closes permanently on October 21 at the end of the day
• No late registrations are accepted for Round 1
• Early registration (October 12–13) reduces technical and payment risks
• Early choice filling allows time for thorough research
• Procrastination increases the risk of missing the deadline

What If You Are Unsure About Your Category or Eligibility?

If you are uncertain about your category classification (General, EWS, OBC, SC or ST) or your eligibility for counselling, contact the MCC or your state medical council before registration. Providing incorrect category information during registration can lead to complications later, including cancellation of your allotment. The MCC website and information bulletin contain detailed eligibility criteria and category definitions.

Similarly, if you have any doubts about whether your MBBS degree, internship certificate or medical registration certificate meets the requirements, clarify these with the MCC or your institution before October 12. It is far better to resolve these questions in advance than to discover problems after you have been allotted a seat or during the reporting phase.

• Verify your category classification before registration
• Confirm your eligibility for counselling with MCC or your state council
• Ensure all your certificates meet MCC requirements
• Contact MCC if you have doubts about any eligibility criterion
• Incorrect category information can lead to allotment cancellation

Frequently asked questions

Mark October 12 on your calendar and ensure you have all required documents and fees ready before the registration window opens. Early registration reduces the risk of technical issues and gives you time to carefully select your college and course preferences. Do not wait until the last day—register as soon as possible on October 12 or 13 to secure your place in NEET PG counselling 2026 Round 1.