The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened Round 1 counselling registration for NEET PG 2026 on October 12, 2026, at mcc.nic.in. This is the first and most competitive round of the counselling cycle, where 50 percent of All India Quota (AIQ) seats, Central University seats, Deemed University seats, ESIC positions, and PG DNB places are filled. Candidates who cleared NEET PG 2026 must register and fill their college and specialty choices within a tight 10-day window. Missing this round means waiting for Round 2, by which time many preferred branches and institutions will already be allocated.
Register and pay fees by October 21 (3 PM), fill and lock your choices by October 22 (10 AM), and prepare to report to your allotted college by October 26—or lose your seat in Round 1.
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Unlock My College ListWhen Does NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Registration Close?
The registration window for Round 1 opened on October 12, 2026, and will close on October 21, 2026, at noon. Candidates must complete their online registration and pay both the registration fee and refundable security deposit by 3 PM on the same day. Any application submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, and you will automatically move to Round 2 counselling, which typically begins weeks later.
The tight timeline is intentional: MCC processes allotments quickly to allow colleges to begin data verification and reporting within days. If you miss the October 21 deadline, you forfeit your chance to compete for the most sought-after seats and specialties in this cycle. Clinical branches such as Radiology, Ophthalmology, and Dermatology often fill completely in Round 1, leaving fewer options for later rounds.
Complete Timeline for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling
Understanding the full schedule is critical to avoid missing any step. Each deadline is fixed, and the MCC does not grant extensions for individual candidates. Plan your college research, choice preparation, and reporting logistics around these dates.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Registration and fee payment open | October 12, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | October 21, 2026 (12 noon) |
| Fee payment deadline | October 21, 2026 (3 PM) |
| Choice filling window | October 13–22, 2026 |
| Choice locking | October 21 (4 PM) to October 22 (10 AM) |
| Seat allotment processing | October 22–23, 2026 |
| Round 1 allotment result released | October 24, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted college | October 26 – November 2, 2026 |
| Data verification by colleges | November 3, 2026 |
Registration Fees and Security Deposit: What You Will Pay
The registration fee is non-refundable, but the security deposit is refundable as per MCC rules. The amount you pay depends on your category (General, EWS, SC, ST, OBC, or PwD) and the type of institution you are applying to (AIQ/Central University, ESIC, DNB, or Deemed University). Deemed University seats carry a significantly higher security deposit of ₹2,00,000, reflecting the higher fees charged by private institutions.
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Ensure you have sufficient funds in your account before the October 21 deadline. Payment must be made online through the MCC portal using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. If your payment fails or is incomplete, your registration will not be processed, and you will lose your place in Round 1.
| Category & Institute Type | Registration Fee | Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ, Central Universities, ESIC, DNB (General & EWS) | ₹1,000 | ₹25,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) | ₹500 | ₹10,000 |
| Deemed Universities (All Categories) | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
How to Register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling
The registration process is entirely online and must be completed on the MCC website. Gather all required documents before you begin, as you will need to upload or reference them during the application. Keep your NEET PG roll number, scorecard, and MBBS degree certificate handy.
- Visit mcc.nic.in and locate the PG Medical Counselling 2026 link on the homepage.
- Click on the Round 1 registration link and log in using your NEET PG 2026 roll number and password.
- Fill in your personal details, academic qualifications, and category information as requested.
- Upload or verify your MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, and permanent medical registration.
- Pay the registration fee and security deposit through the online payment gateway before 3 PM on October 21.
- Submit your completed application and download the confirmation page for your records.
Documents You Must Have Ready Before Registering
The MCC will verify your eligibility based on the documents you submit. Incomplete or missing documentation can lead to rejection or disqualification during the verification stage. Prepare all of these in advance so you do not waste time during the registration window.
- NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard (showing your rank and marks)
- MBBS degree certificate or provisional certificate from your medical college
- Internship completion certificate (mandatory for all candidates)
- Permanent registration certificate from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or your state medical council
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets or certificates
- Valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport
- Category certificate (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS) if applicable
- PwD certificate issued by a competent authority if you are claiming PwD status
Filling and Locking Your College and Specialty Choices
Choice filling is separate from registration and runs from October 13 to October 22. You can begin filling your preferences as soon as you register, but you must lock your final choices by 10 AM on October 22. The MCC uses a merit-based algorithm to match your choices with available seats, so the order in which you rank your preferences matters significantly.
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Research your preferred colleges and specialties thoroughly before the choice-filling window opens. Consult senior doctors, review college infrastructure and faculty, and understand the typical cutoff ranks for each branch at each institution. Many candidates make hasty choices and end up in branches or colleges they did not want. Take time to rank your options strategically: place your most desired combination first, then add realistic backup options in order of preference.
Why Round 1 Is the Most Competitive and What Happens If You Miss It
Round 1 attracts the highest-ranked candidates and fills the most desirable seats. Clinical specialties such as Radiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Orthopedics typically exhaust their seats in this round. If you do not register and participate in Round 1, you will have to wait for Round 2, which usually begins in early November. By then, many preferred colleges and branches will already be taken.
Missing the Round 1 deadline also means you lose the opportunity to secure a seat at a top-tier institution or in a high-demand specialty. The security deposit you would have paid in Round 1 is refundable, but the opportunity cost of waiting for Round 2 is significant. Plan your registration and choice-filling strategy now to avoid regret later.
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices: Allotment and Reporting
Once you lock your choices by 10 AM on October 22, the MCC processes the allotments on October 22–23. The Round 1 seat allotment result will be released on October 24, 2026. You will receive your allotted college, specialty, and seat category on the MCC portal. Download and save your allotment letter immediately.
You must report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Bring all original documents, your allotment letter, and proof of payment. Colleges will conduct data verification on November 3, 2026. If you do not report within the deadline or fail verification, your seat will be cancelled, and you will move to Round 2 as a fresh candidate. Some colleges may also conduct a spot round or stray round after verification, so stay alert to the MCC portal for updates.
Practical Action Plan for NEET PG 2026 Aspirants
Do not wait until the last day to register. The MCC portal often experiences heavy traffic in the final hours, and technical glitches can prevent submission. Register by October 19 at the latest to give yourself a buffer. Verify that your payment has been processed successfully and that you have received a confirmation email from MCC.
Begin researching colleges and specialties immediately. Visit college websites, read reviews from current residents, and consult your seniors. Create a ranked list of your top 10–15 college-specialty combinations before October 13. On October 13, log in to the MCC portal and start filling your choices. Do not rush; take time to review your preferences. Lock your choices by October 21 (4 PM) to October 22 (10 AM), leaving yourself time to make final adjustments if needed. On October 24, check your allotment result and plan your travel and reporting logistics. Ensure you have all documents ready and report to your college on time.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling?
The registration deadline is October 21, 2026, at 12 noon. However, the fee payment deadline is 3 PM on the same day. You must complete both registration and payment by these times; no extensions are granted.
How much will I pay as registration fee and security deposit for NEET PG 2026 Round 1?
The amount depends on your category and the type of institution. For AIQ, Central Universities, ESIC, and DNB seats, General and EWS candidates pay ₹1,000 registration fee and ₹25,000 security deposit. SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates pay ₹500 and ₹10,000 respectively. For Deemed University seats, all categories pay ₹5,000 registration fee and ₹2,00,000 security deposit. The security deposit is refundable; the registration fee is not.
When can I fill my college and specialty choices, and when must I lock them?
Choice filling is open from October 13 to October 22, 2026. You can fill and modify your choices during this entire period. However, you must lock your final choices between October 21 (4 PM) and October 22 (10 AM). Once locked, you cannot change your preferences.
When will the Round 1 seat allotment result be released?
The MCC will release the Round 1 seat allotment result on October 24, 2026. You can download your allotment letter from the MCC portal on this date.
What is the reporting deadline after I receive my allotment?
You must report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Bring all original documents, your allotment letter, and proof of payment. Colleges will conduct data verification on November 3, 2026. If you do not report within this window, your seat will be cancelled.
What documents do I need to register for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling?
You will need your NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard, MBBS degree certificate or provisional certificate, internship completion certificate, permanent medical registration certificate from MCI or your state council, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport), and category or PwD certificate if applicable.
What happens if I miss the Round 1 registration deadline?
If you miss the October 21 deadline, you will not be able to participate in Round 1. You will have to wait for Round 2 counselling, which typically begins in early November. By then, many preferred colleges and specialties will already be allocated to Round 1 candidates.
Can I change my choices after I lock them?
No. Once you lock your choices between October 21 (4 PM) and October 22 (10 AM), you cannot modify them. The MCC will use your locked choices to generate the seat allotment. Plan your preferences carefully before locking.
Register on mcc.nic.in by October 21 (3 PM) and lock your college-specialty choices by October 22 (10 AM). Download your allotment letter on October 24 and report to your college by November 2 to secure your seat. Missing these deadlines means waiting for Round 2, when most competitive seats will be gone.
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