The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the schedule for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling, with online registration opening on October 12 and closing on October 21. This is your first and most critical opportunity to secure a postgraduate medical seat across India's 50% All India Quota (AIQ) in central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes. Seat allotment results will be declared on October 24, followed by a reporting window from October 26 to November 2. Understanding the timeline, fees, required documents, and choice-filling strategy is essential to navigate this process successfully.
Register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 between October 12–21 at mcc.nic.in, pay the prescribed fee (₹1,000–₹5,000 depending on category and institution type), fill and lock your college and course choices by October 22, and report to your allotted college by November 2.
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Unlock My College ListNEET PG 2026 Round 1 Timeline: What You Need to Know
The MCC has released a detailed schedule for Round 1 of NEET PG 2026 counselling. Colleges will verify their seat matrices from October 10–12, ensuring accuracy before candidates begin registering. Your registration and fee payment window runs from October 12 to October 21, 2026. During this period, you must create your MCC login, complete the online application form, upload all required documents, and pay both the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable security deposit.
After registration closes, you will have until October 22 to fill and lock your choices of colleges and postgraduate courses. This is a critical step—your locked preferences determine which seats you are eligible for during allotment. The MCC will process seat allotments on October 22–23 and announce results on October 24. If you receive an allotted seat, you must report to your college between October 26 and November 2 to complete admission formalities. On November 3, the MCC will verify and finalize the data of all candidates who have joined.
- Seat matrix verification: October 10–12
- Registration and payment: October 12–21
- Choice filling and locking: October 13–22
- Seat allotment processing: October 22–23
- Seat allotment result: October 24
- Reporting and joining: October 26–November 2
- Joined candidate data verification: November 3
NEET PG Counselling Fees: What You Must Pay
The MCC charges a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit. The amount depends on your category and the type of institution you are applying to. For 50% AIQ and central university seats, general category candidates pay ₹1,000 as registration fee and ₹25,000 as security deposit. Candidates from SC, ST, OBC, or PwBD categories pay a reduced registration fee of ₹500 with a security deposit of ₹10,000.
If you are applying to deemed universities, the fees are higher across all categories. All deemed university candidates must pay ₹5,000 as a non-refundable registration fee and ₹2,00,000 as a refundable security deposit. The security deposit is refunded after you complete the admission process and join the college. Ensure you have sufficient funds available before the registration deadline, as payment is mandatory to proceed to choice filling.
- AIQ/Central Universities (General): ₹1,000 registration + ₹25,000 security deposit
- AIQ/Central Universities (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD): ₹500 registration + ₹10,000 security deposit
- Deemed Universities (All categories): ₹5,000 registration + ₹2,00,000 security deposit
- Security deposits are refundable after joining
Documents You Must Have Ready Before Registration
Before you begin the online registration process, gather all required documents. You will need your NEET PG 2026 scorecard, rank details, and admit card. You must also have your MBBS degree certificate or provisional degree certificate, MBBS marksheets, and internship completion certificate. Additionally, you will need your permanent or provisional medical registration certificate issued by the Medical Council.
Identity and personal documents are also mandatory. Keep a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence), proof of date of birth, and recent passport-size photographs ready. If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC), have your category certificate available. If you are a person with disability (PwBD), bring your disability certificate. If you are an NRI, prepare relevant NRI documentation. Upload all these documents during registration; incomplete submissions will delay your counselling participation.
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- NEET PG scorecard and rank details
- NEET PG admit card
- MBBS degree or provisional degree certificate
- MBBS marksheets
- Internship completion certificate
- Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Date of birth proof
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- NRI documents (if applicable)
How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Counselling
Registration is entirely online through the MCC portal. Visit mcc.nic.in and navigate to the PG Medical Counselling section. Click on the 'New Registration' link under the candidates activity section. You will be prompted to enter your basic details: name, date of birth, NEET PG roll number, and NEET PG application number. Verify all details carefully before proceeding, as errors can cause complications later.
Once you submit your basic information, the system will generate login credentials. Use these credentials to log in to the counselling portal. Complete the full registration form by entering personal details (parents' names, contact information, category, nationality), NEET PG details, and any other information requested. Upload all required documents in the specified formats and sizes. Finally, pay the prescribed registration fee and security deposit through the online payment gateway. Save your confirmation page for future reference and keep your login credentials secure.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and click PG Medical Counselling section
- Click 'New Registration' link
- Enter name, date of birth, roll number, and NEET PG application number
- Verify details and submit
- Login credentials will be generated automatically
- Log in and complete the full registration form
- Upload all required documents
- Pay registration fee and security deposit online
- Save confirmation page and login credentials
Filling and Locking Your College and Course Choices
After registration closes on October 21, you will have until October 22 to fill and lock your choices. This step is crucial because your locked preferences determine your eligibility for seat allotment. Log in to the MCC portal and access the choice-filling section. You will see a list of available colleges, courses (MD, MS, PG Diploma), and specialties based on the seat matrix released by the NMC.
Research colleges and specialties carefully before filling your choices. Consider factors such as college reputation, location, specialty demand, and your own career goals. You can rank colleges and courses in order of preference. Once you have entered all your choices, review them thoroughly—you cannot modify them after locking. Click the 'Lock' button to finalize your preferences. The MCC will use your locked choices to allocate seats based on your rank and the availability of seats in each college-course combination.
- Log in to MCC portal after registration closes
- Access the choice-filling section
- Review available colleges, courses, and specialties
- Research colleges and specialties before deciding
- Rank colleges and courses in order of preference
- Review all choices carefully before locking
- Click 'Lock' to finalize preferences
- Cannot modify choices after locking
Understanding Seat Allotment and Freeze vs. Float Options
On October 24, the MCC will announce seat allotment results. If you receive an allotted seat, you will have two options: Freeze or Float. Choosing 'Freeze' means you accept the allotted seat and will not participate in subsequent rounds for upgradation. This is a safe choice if you are satisfied with your allotment. Choosing 'Float' means you accept the current seat but remain eligible to participate in Round 2 and Round 3 for a potentially better seat based on your rank and preferences.
If you choose Float and receive a better seat in a later round, you will be upgraded automatically. However, if no better seat is available, you retain your original allotment. If you do not receive a seat in Round 1, you can participate in Round 2 (November 6–14) and Round 3 (November 26–December 4). After all three rounds, a stray vacancy round will be held from December 16–24 to fill any remaining seats. Plan your strategy based on your rank, preferred colleges, and career priorities.
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- Freeze option: Accept allotted seat, no upgradation in later rounds
- Float option: Accept allotted seat but remain eligible for upgradation
- Upgradation is automatic if a better seat becomes available
- If no better seat, you retain your original allotment
- No seat in Round 1: Participate in Round 2 (Nov 6–14)
- No seat in Round 2: Participate in Round 3 (Nov 26–Dec 4)
- Stray vacancy round: December 16–24 for remaining seats
Reporting to Your Allotted College: Final Steps
Once you receive your allotted seat on October 24, you must report to your assigned college between October 26 and November 2. Reporting means physically visiting the college, submitting original documents for verification, and completing admission formalities such as fee payment and hostel registration. Do not miss this deadline—failure to report will result in forfeiture of your seat, and it will be offered to the next eligible candidate.
Before reporting, verify that all your documents are in order and that you have the original certificates and marksheets. The college will verify your MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, medical registration certificate, and identity documents. After verification, you will be officially admitted and can begin your postgraduate course. On November 3, the MCC will verify and finalize the data of all candidates who have joined, completing Round 1 of the counselling process.
- Report to allotted college between October 26–November 2
- Bring all original documents for verification
- Complete admission formalities and fee payment
- Register for hostel if applicable
- Missing the deadline results in forfeiture of seat
- MCC verifies joined candidate data on November 3
Key Facts About NEET PG 2026 and the Seat Matrix
The NEET PG 2026 exam was held on August 30, 2026, with a re-examination on September 5 for candidates affected by technical disruptions at two centres in Jaipur. Over 2.65 lakh candidates appeared for the exam across 1,111 centres in 339 cities. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) declared results on September 24, 2026. The qualifying cut-off scores are 262 for general and EWS candidates, 244 for general PwBD candidates, and 226 for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.
The NMC has released the NEET PG 2026 seat matrix showing a total of 63,177 seats across MD, MS, diploma, DM, and MCh programmes. Of these, 58,468 seats are available through NEET PG for MD, MS, diploma, and six-year courses. This represents an 11% increase from the previous year's 52,173 seats, with 5,827 new seats added. The MCC conducts counselling for 50% AIQ seats in central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes. State authorities manage the remaining 50% state quota seats through their respective state counselling portals.
- NEET PG 2026 exam held on August 30, 2026
- Re-exam on September 5 for affected candidates
- 2.65 lakh candidates appeared across 1,111 centres
- Results declared on September 24, 2026
- Qualifying cut-offs: 262 (General/EWS), 244 (General PwBD), 226 (SC/ST/OBC)
- Total seats: 63,177 across all PG programmes
- NEET PG seats: 58,468 for MD/MS/Diploma/6-year courses
- 11% increase from previous year (5,827 new seats added)
- MCC handles 50% AIQ; states handle 50% state quota
Important Policy Change: PG Diploma Programmes Being Phased Out
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced a significant policy change affecting postgraduate medical education. Two-year PG diploma programmes will be discontinued across India after the 2026–27 academic year. This means the final batch of students will be admitted in 2026–27, and from the 2027–28 session onwards, no new students will be enrolled in two-year diploma courses. This change is part of the NMC's broader effort to standardize postgraduate medical education in India.
If you are considering a PG diploma, this is your last opportunity to pursue a two-year diploma programme through NEET PG counselling. From 2027–28 onwards, diploma courses will no longer be available as a postgraduate option. Candidates interested in diploma-level training should prioritize their applications in the 2026–27 counselling cycle. Additionally, the government has approved 5,000 additional PG medical seats to be created during 2025–26 to 2028–29, with the cost ceiling per seat increased to ₹1.50 crore, indicating a significant expansion of postgraduate medical education capacity.
- Two-year PG diploma programmes being phased out
- Final batch admitted in 2026–27 academic year
- No new diploma admissions from 2027–28 onwards
- This is the last opportunity to pursue two-year diplomas
- 5,000 additional PG seats approved for 2025–26 to 2028–29
- Cost ceiling per seat increased to ₹1.50 crore
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration start and end?
NEET PG 2026 Round 1 registration opens on October 12, 2026, and closes on October 21, 2026, at 12 noon. You must complete your online registration, upload documents, and pay the prescribed fee within this window to be eligible for seat allotment.
What are the registration fees for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
For 50% AIQ and central university seats, general category candidates pay ₹1,000 registration fee + ₹25,000 security deposit. SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates pay ₹500 registration fee + ₹10,000 security deposit. For deemed universities, all categories pay ₹5,000 registration fee + ₹2,00,000 security deposit. Security deposits are refundable after joining.
When will NEET PG 2026 Round 1 seat allotment results be announced?
The MCC will announce NEET PG 2026 Round 1 seat allotment results on October 24, 2026. You can check your allotment status on the MCC portal using your login credentials.
What is the reporting deadline for NEET PG 2026 Round 1?
Candidates who receive an allotted seat must report to their assigned college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Reporting involves submitting original documents for verification and completing admission formalities. Missing this deadline will result in forfeiture of your seat.
What documents do I need to upload during NEET PG counselling registration?
You must upload your NEET PG scorecard, admit card, MBBS degree or provisional certificate, MBBS marksheets, internship completion certificate, medical registration certificate, valid photo ID, date of birth proof, passport-size photographs, and category/PwBD/NRI certificates if applicable. Ensure all documents are in the specified format and size.
What is the difference between Freeze and Float options in NEET PG counselling?
Freeze means you accept your allotted seat and will not participate in subsequent rounds for upgradation. Float means you accept your current seat but remain eligible for upgradation in Round 2 and Round 3 if a better seat becomes available. If no better seat is available, you retain your original allotment.
How many rounds of NEET PG counselling will be held in 2026?
The MCC will conduct three rounds of NEET PG 2026 counselling: Round 1 (October 12–24), Round 2 (November 6–14), and Round 3 (November 26–December 4). After all three rounds, a stray vacancy round will be held from December 16–24 to fill any remaining seats.
What is the qualifying cut-off score for NEET PG 2026?
The qualifying cut-off scores are 262 for general and EWS candidates, 244 for general PwBD candidates, and 226 for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. You must score at or above your category's cut-off to be eligible for counselling.
Is this the last year for two-year PG diploma programmes?
Yes. The NMC has announced that two-year PG diploma programmes will be discontinued after the 2026–27 academic year. The final batch of students will be admitted in 2026–27, and from 2027–28 onwards, no new students will be enrolled in two-year diploma courses. If you are interested in a diploma, this is your last opportunity.
How many PG medical seats are available through NEET PG 2026?
A total of 58,468 seats are available through NEET PG 2026 for MD, MS, diploma, and six-year courses across government, private, and deemed medical institutions. This represents an 11% increase from the previous year, with 5,827 new seats added. The MCC handles 50% AIQ seats, while states manage 50% state quota seats.
Begin your registration immediately on October 12 at mcc.nic.in. Gather all required documents, verify your NEET PG scorecard, and plan your college and course preferences carefully before the choice-filling deadline on October 22. Remember, this is your first and most critical opportunity to secure a postgraduate medical seat—missing any deadline will delay your admission to the next round.
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