NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Registration Opens October 12—Key Dates & Steps

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the schedule for Round 1 of NEET PG counselling 2026, with registration opening on October 12 and closing on October 21. This round allocates 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats across central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes—a critical opportunity for MBBS graduates seeking MD, MS, PG Diploma, or DNB positions. Candidates who have qualified in NEET PG must register, fill choices, and complete reporting within strict timelines to secure their postgraduate seat. Missing any deadline can result in forfeiture of your allotted position.

When Does NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Registration Begin?

Registration for Round 1 of NEET PG counselling 2026 opens on October 12, 2026, and remains open until October 21, 2026. This 10-day window is your first and critical step to participate in seat allocation for postgraduate medical courses. All eligible NEET PG qualified candidates must complete registration and pay the required fee and security deposit during this period.

The MCC conducts this counselling process to fill 50% of AIQ seats in central universities, deemed universities, and ESIC institutes across India. The remaining 50% of seats are filled through state-level counselling conducted by individual state authorities. If you miss the October 21 deadline, you will not be able to participate in Round 1 and may have to wait for subsequent rounds, which could delay your admission by weeks or months.

Complete NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Timeline and Key Dates

Understanding the full schedule is essential to plan your counselling journey. Each phase has a specific purpose: seat matrix verification ensures the available seats are correct, choice filling allows you to rank your preferred colleges and courses, seat allotment processing determines which seat you receive based on your rank and choices, and reporting confirms your acceptance and begins your postgraduate journey.

How to Register for NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 on mcc.nic.in

Registration is entirely online and must be completed on the official MCC website. Follow these steps carefully to avoid errors that could delay your participation. Begin by visiting mcc.nic.in and locating the PG Medical Counselling section. Look for the NEET PG 2026 counselling registration link under the candidates' activity section.

Select the option for new registration and enter your required details to create login credentials. You will then fill out the counselling application form, upload necessary documents (such as your NEET PG admit card, result, and identity proof), and pay the registration fee and security deposit as specified by MCC. Before submitting, review all entered information carefully—errors in your name, qualification details, or contact information can cause problems later. Save your confirmation page after submission for future reference and keep your login credentials secure.

• Visit mcc.nic.in and open the PG Medical Counselling section
• Click on the NEET PG 2026 counselling registration link
• Select new registration option
• Enter required details and create login credentials
• Fill out the counselling application form completely
• Upload all required documents (admit card, result, ID proof, etc.)
• Pay the registration fee and security deposit
• Submit the form and save the confirmation page

Choice Filling and Locking: Your Strategy for Seat Selection

After registration closes on October 21, the choice-filling window opens on October 13 and runs until October 22. This overlaps with the registration period, so you can begin filling choices as soon as you register. During this phase, you rank your preferred colleges and courses in order of preference. Your ranking directly influences which seat you receive—MCC's algorithm matches your rank, category, and choices to available seats.

It is critical to lock your choices by October 22. Once locked, you cannot modify them. Many candidates make the mistake of leaving choices unlocked, which can result in automatic allotment based on default settings or no allotment at all. Research colleges, course quality, location, and future career prospects before filling choices. Consult seniors, faculty, and online resources to make informed decisions. Remember: your choice order matters. Rank colleges where you genuinely wish to study first, not based on perceived difficulty of getting in.

Seat Allotment Result: What Happens on October 24

MCC will announce the Round 1 seat allotment result on October 24, 2026. On this date, you will log into your MCC account and view which seat (if any) has been allotted to you. The allotment is based on your NEET PG rank, category (General, OBC, SC, ST), your state of domicile (for certain seats), and your choice ranking. If you receive a seat, you must report to the allotted college between October 26 and November 2 to complete admission formalities.

If you do not receive a seat in Round 1, do not panic. MCC typically conducts multiple rounds of counselling. Candidates who are not allotted in Round 1 can participate in subsequent rounds, where fresh seats become available due to candidates declining their allotments or joining other counselling processes. However, each round has its own registration and choice-filling deadlines, so stay alert to MCC announcements.

Reporting and Joining: Confirming Your Admission by November 2

If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Reporting means physically visiting the college (or following the college's specified process) to complete admission formalities: submitting original documents, paying admission fees, signing bonds (if applicable), and receiving your admission letter. Failure to report within this window will result in your seat being cancelled, and it will be offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.

On November 3, MCC will conduct joined candidate data verification. This confirms which candidates have successfully reported and joined their allotted colleges. Only after this verification is your admission officially confirmed. If you have a valid reason for not reporting (medical emergency, family crisis), contact your college immediately to request an extension or deferment. Do not assume you can report late without permission—most colleges strictly enforce the deadline.

What Seats Are Available in NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1?

Round 1 of MCC counselling allocates 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats. These seats are available in central universities (such as AIIMS, Delhi; PGIMER, Chandigarh; and others), deemed universities (private institutions with deemed status), and ESIC institutes. The remaining 50% of seats are filled through state counselling, which is conducted separately by each state's medical education authority.

AIQ seats are open to candidates from all states, subject to category and merit-based eligibility. This means a candidate from Kerala can apply for a seat in a central university in Maharashtra, for example. The specific number of seats available varies by college, course (MD, MS, PG Diploma, DNB), and category. Before registering, check the seat matrix on mcc.nic.in to see how many seats are available in your desired specialties and colleges.

Important Documents and Eligibility for NEET PG Counselling 2026

To register for NEET PG counselling, you must have qualified in NEET PG (the national postgraduate medical entrance exam). You will need to upload your NEET PG admit card, result/scorecard, and a valid identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID). Some colleges may also require your MBBS degree certificate, internship completion certificate, and caste certificate (if applicable). Ensure all documents are in the correct format (usually PDF) and file size before registration.

Eligibility is determined by your NEET PG rank, category, and state of domicile (for certain reserved seats). General category candidates compete on merit across all AIQ seats. Candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories have reserved seats. Some seats may be reserved for candidates from specific states or for persons with disabilities (PwD). Verify your eligibility for each seat category before filling choices. If you are unsure, contact MCC or your state medical education authority for clarification.

What If You Miss the Registration Deadline or Don't Get a Seat in Round 1?

If you miss the October 21 registration deadline, you cannot participate in Round 1. However, MCC typically conducts Round 2 and subsequent rounds. Dates for these rounds are announced after Round 1 is complete. Candidates who did not register in Round 1 can register for Round 2, but the number of available seats will be fewer because many will have been filled in earlier rounds. Additionally, some candidates may decline their allotments, creating fresh vacancies.

If you are allotted a seat in Round 1 but decline it (by not reporting), you can participate in Round 2 and subsequent rounds. However, declining a seat may affect your eligibility for certain reserved categories or state-specific seats in later rounds, depending on MCC rules. If you do not receive a seat in Round 1, you are automatically eligible for Round 2 without needing to re-register, provided you registered in Round 1. Stay updated with MCC announcements on their website and official social media channels.

Frequently asked questions

Mark October 12 on your calendar and ensure you register on mcc.nic.in within the deadline. Plan your college choices carefully, lock them by October 22, and be ready to report to your allotted institute by November 2. Stay updated with MCC announcements for Round 2 dates in case you are not allotted in Round 1.