NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Registration Open, Key Dates & Documents

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened registration for NEET PG 2026 counselling round 1, marking the formal start of the postgraduate medical admission process for MD, MS, DNB and PG diploma programmes. Eligible MBBS graduates can now register on the official MCC portal to secure seats across 50% All India Quota positions, central universities, deemed institutions and Armed Forces Medical Services colleges. The registration window closes on October 21, 2026, with seat allotment results expected on October 24. This is a critical phase for every NEET PG aspirant — missing the registration deadline or failing to submit required documents can result in loss of admission opportunity.

What is NEET PG Counselling Round 1 and Who Can Apply

NEET PG counselling round 1 is the first phase of seat allocation for postgraduate medical courses in India. It covers 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats — these are seats reserved for candidates from across India, regardless of their state of domicile. The counselling also includes seats in central universities, deemed universities, and institutions under the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). This round is open to all NEET PG 2026 qualified candidates who have completed their MBBS degree and internship.

The MCC conducts this counselling on behalf of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to ensure a transparent, merit-based allocation process. Candidates who have cleared NEET PG 2026 and obtained a valid scorecard are eligible to participate. Your rank in NEET PG determines your position in the merit list, which directly influences which colleges and specialities you can access during choice filling.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1 Timeline: Key Dates You Must Know

The MCC has released a structured schedule for round 1 to ensure all steps are completed in an orderly manner. Understanding these dates is essential because missing any deadline can delay your admission or, in some cases, result in forfeiture of your seat. The timeline spans from October 10 to November 3, 2026, with multiple critical checkpoints.

Seat matrix verification — the process where the MCC confirms the total number of seats available in each college and speciality — runs from October 10 to 12. This is followed by the registration and payment window (October 12–21), during which you must complete your online registration and pay the applicable fees. Simultaneously, you can fill and lock your preferred colleges and courses between October 13 and 22. The MCC then processes seat allotments on October 22–23, and results are declared on October 24. Finally, you must report to your allotted college and complete joining formalities between October 26 and November 2, with verification of joined candidate data on November 3.

• Seat matrix verification: October 10–12, 2026
• Registration and payment: October 12–21, 2026
• Choice filling and locking: October 13–22, 2026
• Seat allotment processing: October 22–23, 2026
• Seat allotment result: October 24, 2026
• Reporting and joining: October 26–November 2, 2026
• Joined candidate data verification: November 3, 2026

How to Register for NEET PG Counselling: Step-by-Step Process

Registration for NEET PG counselling is entirely online and conducted through the official MCC website, mcc.nic.in. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Begin by visiting the MCC homepage and locating the 'NEET PG 2026 counselling registration' link. Click on it and select 'New Registration' to initiate your application.

Once you select new registration, you will be prompted to fill in your NEET PG application details — this includes your NEET PG roll number, scorecard number, and other personal information. After entering these details, you will create unique login credentials (username and password) that you will use to access the counselling portal throughout the admission process. Sign in using these credentials and proceed to complete the full registration form. Verify all information carefully before submission, as errors can cause complications later.

After completing the registration form, you must pay the registration fee and security deposit as applicable. The MCC will provide details of the fee structure on the portal. Once payment is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation page — save this for your records. You can then proceed to fill in your preferred colleges and specialities and lock your choices before the October 22 deadline. Locking your choices is mandatory; without it, your preferences will not be considered during seat allotment.

• Visit mcc.nic.in and click on NEET PG 2026 counselling registration link
• Select 'New Registration' and fill in your NEET PG details
• Create login credentials and sign in to the portal
• Complete the registration form and verify all information
• Pay the registration fee and security deposit
• Submit and save the confirmation page
• Fill in your preferred colleges and courses
• Lock your choices before October 22 deadline

Documents Required for NEET PG Counselling and Admission

Before you begin the registration process, gather all required documents. The MCC and your allotted institution will request these during counselling and at the time of joining. Having these documents ready in advance prevents last-minute delays and ensures a smooth admission process. Missing or invalid documents can result in your seat being cancelled, so verify the validity and authenticity of each certificate.

Your NEET PG admit card and scorecard are the primary documents that establish your eligibility. You will also need your MBBS marksheets and your MBBS degree certificate or provisional degree certificate (if your final degree has not yet been issued). A permanent or provisional medical registration certificate from the National Medical Commission (NMC) is mandatory — this proves you are registered as a medical practitioner. Your internship completion certificate confirms that you have fulfilled the mandatory internship requirement after MBBS.

Identity and personal documents include a valid government-issued photo identity proof (such as Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence) and a date of birth proof (typically your birth certificate or school leaving certificate). If you belong to a reserved category (SC, ST, OBC), bring your category certificate. If you have a benchmark disability, bring your PwBD certificate. Recent passport-size photographs (typically 4–6 copies) are needed for admission formalities. If you are an NRI or have NRI status, bring relevant documentation. Finally, be prepared to submit any additional documents requested by the MCC or your allotted institution.

• NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
• MBBS marksheets (all years)
• MBBS degree or provisional degree certificate
• Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate (NMC)
• Internship completion certificate
• Valid government-issued photo identity proof
• Date of birth proof
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) certificate (if applicable)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• NRI-related documents (if applicable)
• Any additional documents required by MCC or the allotted institution

What Happens After You Lock Your Choices: Seat Allotment Process

After the choice-filling window closes on October 22, you cannot make any changes to your preferences. The MCC then begins the seat allotment processing phase (October 22–23), during which a computerised algorithm matches your choices with available seats based on your NEET PG rank, category, and the preferences you have locked. This algorithm follows a merit-based approach: candidates with higher ranks are considered first, and seats are allocated according to their preference order.

On October 24, the MCC will declare the seat allotment results. You can check your allotment status on mcc.nic.in by logging in with your credentials. The result will show which college, speciality, and seat category (AIQ, central university, deemed, or AFMS) you have been allotted. If you are satisfied with your allotment, you must report to the college and complete joining formalities between October 26 and November 2. If you are not allotted a seat in round 1, you may be eligible to participate in subsequent rounds (if announced), depending on the MCC's counselling plan.

Reporting to Your Allotted College: What You Need to Do

Once you receive your seat allotment on October 24, you have a limited window to report to your allotted college. The reporting period is October 26 to November 2, 2026. During this time, you must physically visit the college, submit all required documents, complete verification, and formally join the course. Failure to report within this window may result in your seat being cancelled and offered to the next candidate in the merit list.

When you report to the college, bring all original documents along with photocopies as requested. The college will verify your documents, check that all certificates are valid and authentic, and confirm your eligibility. You will then complete admission formalities such as fee payment, hostel registration (if applicable), and course enrolment. The MCC will conduct a verification of joined candidate data on November 3 to confirm that all candidates have successfully joined their allotted institutions. This verification is important for the integrity of the counselling process.

• Report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026
• Bring all original documents and photocopies
• Complete document verification and eligibility check
• Pay admission fees and complete enrolment
• Register for hostel (if applicable)
• Ensure your name appears in the joined candidate data verification on November 3

Important Reminders: Avoid Common Mistakes During Registration

Many candidates lose their seats or face delays due to preventable errors during the registration and counselling process. First, ensure that all information you enter during registration — your NEET PG roll number, scorecard number, name, date of birth — matches exactly with your official NEET PG scorecard. Even a single character difference can cause problems during verification. Double-check before submitting.

Second, do not miss the registration deadline of October 21. The MCC portal will close at the specified time, and late registrations are not accepted under any circumstances. Set a reminder a few days before the deadline to avoid last-minute rush. Third, lock your choices before the October 22 deadline. If you do not lock your choices, they will not be considered, and you may not receive any seat allotment. Fourth, verify that all your documents are valid and not expired. An expired certificate can lead to rejection at the time of joining.

Finally, keep your login credentials safe and do not share them with anyone. Use these credentials to track your application status and download important documents. If you forget your password, use the 'Forgot Password' option on the MCC portal to reset it. Stay updated with any announcements or changes to the schedule by regularly checking mcc.nic.in.

• Verify all personal details match your NEET PG scorecard exactly
• Do not miss the registration deadline of October 21
• Lock your choices before October 22 to ensure they are considered
• Ensure all documents are valid and not expired
• Keep your login credentials confidential and secure
• Check mcc.nic.in regularly for updates and announcements
• Save all confirmation pages and receipts for future reference

Understanding AIQ Seats and Other Seat Categories in This Counselling

NEET PG counselling round 1 covers multiple seat categories, and understanding the difference is important for your choice-filling strategy. The 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats are the primary focus of this round. These seats are open to all NEET PG qualified candidates from across India, regardless of their state of domicile. This means a candidate from Kerala can apply for an AIQ seat in a college in Delhi or Maharashtra. AIQ seats are typically in central universities, deemed universities, and some AFMS institutions.

In addition to AIQ seats, this round also includes seats in central universities and deemed universities that may have their own quota rules. Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions also participate in this counselling, offering seats to eligible candidates. The remaining 50% of seats in government colleges are usually filled through state-level counselling conducted by individual states, which is separate from this MCC round. When filling your choices, prioritise colleges and specialities based on your rank, career goals, and location preferences. Remember that your rank determines your position in the merit list — candidates with higher ranks (lower numerical values) get priority in choice allocation.

• 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats: open to all NEET PG candidates across India
• Central university seats: may have specific eligibility criteria
• Deemed university seats: private institutions recognised by the government
• Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) seats: for eligible candidates
• Remaining 50% seats: filled through state-level counselling (separate process)
• Your NEET PG rank determines your priority in merit-based allocation

What to Do If You Are Not Allotted a Seat in Round 1

Not all candidates receive a seat in round 1. If you are not allotted a seat, do not lose hope. The MCC typically conducts multiple rounds of counselling to fill all available seats. Candidates who are not allotted in round 1 are usually eligible to participate in subsequent rounds. The MCC will announce the schedule for round 2 and any further rounds on its official website. Keep checking mcc.nic.in for these announcements.

If you are not allotted in round 1, you have the option to modify your choices for the next round (if the MCC allows it) or participate with the same choices. Some candidates also choose to participate in state-level counselling for the remaining 50% of seats in government colleges, which is conducted by individual state authorities. Additionally, if you have a very high rank, you may be eligible for super-speciality counselling (NEET-SS) after completing your MD/MS, but that is a separate process. For now, focus on securing a seat in round 1 or subsequent rounds of this counselling.

• Check mcc.nic.in for announcements of round 2 and subsequent rounds
• You may be eligible to modify your choices in the next round
• Consider participating in state-level counselling for remaining 50% seats
• Keep all your documents and login credentials ready for the next round
• Do not miss deadlines for subsequent rounds

Frequently asked questions

Register on mcc.nic.in before October 21, 2026, fill and lock your choices by October 22, and prepare all required documents for reporting between October 26 and November 2. Stay updated with the MCC website for any schedule changes or additional announcements regarding subsequent counselling rounds.