The Medical Counselling Commission (MCC) has announced the official schedule for NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1. Registration will open on October 12, 2026, and the entire process—from choice filling to seat allotment and reporting—will unfold over the next two weeks. With over 50,000 postgraduate seats available across India for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes, this is a critical timeline for every MBBS graduate awaiting their specialty placement. Understanding each deadline and the step-by-step process is essential to avoid missing any stage of counselling.
NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 registration begins October 12 at mcc.nic.in; results declared October 24; reporting window October 26–November 2.
Your matched MD/MS/DNB seats
LockedEnter your NEET-PG rank to unlock the real colleges you can get — All India Quota and state — with closing ranks, fees and stipend.
Unlock My College ListNEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Complete Timeline
The MCC has released a structured timeline for Round 1 counselling that spans from October 12 to November 3, 2026. Every date in this schedule is fixed and non-negotiable, so candidates must mark their calendars and plan accordingly. Missing even a single deadline—whether registration, choice filling, or choice locking—can result in forfeiture of your seat or exclusion from that round.
The registration window runs from October 12 to October 21, 2026. During this period, you must create your account on mcc.nic.in, complete your profile, and submit your application along with the required fee. Simultaneously, choice filling opens on October 13 and closes on October 22, giving you a 10-day window to rank your preferred colleges and specialties. Choice locking—the final step before allotment—occurs on October 21–22, after which your choices cannot be altered.
- Registration: October 12–21, 2026
- Choice filling: October 13–22, 2026
- Choice locking: October 21–22, 2026
- Seat allotment processing: October 22–23, 2026
- Round 1 result declaration: October 24, 2026
- Reporting and joining: October 26–November 2, 2026
- Data verification by institutes: November 3, 2026
How to Register for NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1
Registration is the first and mandatory step. You must visit the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and locate the Round 1 registration link on the homepage. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail, as any errors in your personal or academic information can delay verification later.
After clicking the registration link, you will be directed to an online form where you enter your basic details, NEET-PG roll number, and other required information. Once registration is complete, you will fill out the full application form, which includes your educational qualifications, category, and other relevant data. You must then pay the application fee online. After submission, download and save a copy of your confirmation page—this is your proof of registration and will be needed during reporting.
- Visit mcc.nic.in
- Click on 'MCC NEET PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Registration'
- Complete online registration with your NEET-PG details
- Fill the full application form
- Pay the application fee
- Submit and download confirmation
- Keep a hard copy for future reference
Choice Filling and Locking: What You Need to Know
Know the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your rank can get
Official round-wise closing ranks with fee and stipend, matched to your rank.
Choice filling is where you rank the colleges and specialties you wish to be considered for. This is not a one-time action—you can modify your choices multiple times until the choice-locking deadline on October 22. Many candidates make the mistake of rushing through this step; instead, take time to research colleges, their reputation, location, and the quality of training in your chosen specialty.
Choice locking is the final, irreversible step. Once you lock your choices on October 21 or 22, the MCC will use that locked list to generate your seat allotment. You cannot change your choices after locking, so ensure your ranking reflects your genuine preferences. A common strategy is to place your most preferred college-specialty combination at the top, followed by realistic options, and then backup choices. This balanced approach maximizes your chances of getting a seat while protecting against being left unallocated.
- Choice filling window: October 13–22, 2026
- You can modify choices multiple times before locking
- Choice locking: October 21–22 (final and irreversible)
- Locked choices are used for seat allotment
- Rank colleges and specialties in order of preference
- Include both aspirational and realistic options
Seat Allotment and Result Declaration
After choice locking closes on October 22, the MCC begins processing seat allotments using a computerized algorithm. This process runs from October 22 to October 23, 2026. The algorithm matches your locked choices with available seats based on your NEET-PG rank, category, and the preferences of all other candidates. The result—your allotted college, specialty, and seat category—will be declared on October 24, 2026.
On October 24, you will log into your MCC account to view your allotment result. If you have been allotted a seat, you will see the college name, specialty, and seat type (General, OBC, SC, ST, or other category). If you are not allotted in Round 1, you will have the option to participate in subsequent rounds (Round 2, Stray Vacancy, etc.). It is important to check your result on the exact date to avoid delays in the reporting process.
- Allotment processing: October 22–23, 2026
- Result declaration: October 24, 2026
- Check your MCC account for allotment details
- Allotment includes college, specialty, and seat category
- Non-allotted candidates can participate in later rounds
- Result is final for Round 1
Reporting and Joining: The Final Step
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, submitting your original documents (MBBS degree, NEET-PG scorecard, category certificate, etc.), and completing the admission formalities. Failure to report within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat, and it will be offered to the next candidate in the merit list.
After all candidates have reported, the colleges will verify the data of joined candidates and share it with the MCC on November 3, 2026. This verification ensures that all admissions are legitimate and comply with the National Medical Commission regulations. Once this step is complete, your admission is confirmed, and you can begin your postgraduate programme at the allotted college.
- Reporting window: October 26–November 2, 2026
- Report physically to your allotted college
- Submit original documents (MBBS degree, scorecard, certificates)
- Complete admission formalities
- Non-reporting results in seat forfeiture
- Colleges verify data and share with MCC on November 3
- Admission is confirmed after verification
Every kind of PG seat, one rank
See the real seats your NEET-PG rank can reach.
Over 50,000 PG Seats Available Across India
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the seat matrix for postgraduate courses in 2026–27, listing over 50,000 seats across the country for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes. These seats are distributed across government and private medical colleges, AIIMS, and other recognized institutions. The seat matrix provides a breakdown by specialty, state, and institution, allowing candidates to understand the availability and competition for their chosen field.
It is important to note that the seat matrix released by the NMC does not include seats for newly approved increases in intake or newly commenced PG courses. Additional seats may be added if the NMC approves new programmes or higher intake limits after the initial matrix release. Candidates should regularly check the MCC website for any updates or amendments to the seat matrix during the counselling process.
- Over 50,000 PG seats available nationally
- Seats include MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes
- Distributed across government, private, and AIIMS institutions
- Seat matrix available on NMC website
- Matrix does not include newly approved or pending seats
- Check for updates during counselling period
Important Regulatory Warning: Colleges Must Adhere to Approved Intake
The MCC and NMC have issued a clear warning to all medical colleges and institutions: admitting students beyond the approved intake capacity is a violation of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and its regulations. Institutions found violating this rule will face regulatory action and penalties. This warning is important for candidates because it ensures that the seat matrix is accurate and that colleges cannot arbitrarily increase admissions, which would dilute the quality of training and create overcrowding.
As a candidate, you should be aware that your admission is valid only if the college is operating within its approved intake. If you suspect that a college is admitting more students than permitted, you can report it to the NMC or MCC. This regulatory oversight protects the integrity of postgraduate medical education in India.
- Colleges must admit only within approved intake capacity
- Over-admission violates NMC Act, 2019
- Violating institutions face regulatory and penal action
- Seat matrix reflects approved intake only
- Candidates can report violations to NMC/MCC
- Regulatory compliance ensures quality of training
NEET-PG 2026 Exam: Background and Answer Key
The NEET-PG 2026 exam was conducted on August 30, 2026, with a re-test held on September 5, 2026 (for candidates who faced technical issues or other disruptions). The result was declared on September 24, 2026. The answer key for the exam was released on or after October 1, 2026, allowing candidates to verify their responses and estimate their scores before counselling began.
Your NEET-PG rank, which determines your position in the merit list during counselling, is based on your performance in this exam. The rank is crucial because it directly influences which colleges and specialties you are eligible for. Candidates with higher ranks have better chances of securing seats in their preferred colleges and specialties, while those with lower ranks may need to be flexible in their choices or consider less competitive specialties.
- NEET-PG exam date: August 30, 2026
- Re-test date: September 5, 2026
- Result declared: September 24, 2026
- Answer key released: October 1, 2026 onwards
- Your rank determines counselling eligibility
- Higher rank = better college and specialty options
See the exact MD/MS/DNB seats your NEET-PG rank can get
Free 2-minute preview — round-wise closing ranks, fees and stipend for every seat your rank can reach.
See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 registration begin?
Registration for NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 begins on October 12, 2026, and closes on October 21, 2026. You must register on the MCC website (mcc.nic.in) during this window to participate in the counselling process.
What is the deadline for choice filling in NEET-PG Counselling 2026?
Choice filling opens on October 13, 2026, and closes on October 22, 2026. You can modify your choices multiple times during this period, but once you lock your choices on October 21–22, they cannot be changed.
When will NEET-PG Counselling 2026 Round 1 results be declared?
The Round 1 result will be declared on October 24, 2026. You can check your allotment by logging into your MCC account on that date.
What is the reporting window for NEET-PG Counselling 2026?
If you are allotted a seat in Round 1, you must report to your allotted college between October 26 and November 2, 2026. Failure to report within this window will result in forfeiture of your seat.
How many PG seats are available in NEET-PG Counselling 2026?
Over 50,000 postgraduate seats are available across India for MD, MS, PG Diploma, and DNB programmes. These seats are distributed across government, private, and AIIMS institutions. The exact distribution by specialty and state is available in the seat matrix on the NMC website.
What documents do I need to bring when reporting to my allotted college?
You must bring your original MBBS degree, NEET-PG scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), and any other documents specified by the college. It is advisable to contact your allotted college in advance to confirm the exact list of required documents.
Can I change my choices after locking them?
No. Once you lock your choices on October 21–22, 2026, they cannot be changed. The locked choices are used by the MCC algorithm to generate your seat allotment. Therefore, ensure your ranking reflects your genuine preferences before locking.
What happens if I am not allotted a seat in Round 1?
If you are not allotted in Round 1, you will be eligible to participate in subsequent counselling rounds (Round 2, Stray Vacancy, etc.). The MCC will announce the schedule for these rounds after Round 1 is completed.
Mark all key dates on your calendar and ensure you complete registration, choice filling, and choice locking within the specified windows. Visit mcc.nic.in regularly for any updates or clarifications. Your timely action during these two weeks will determine your postgraduate medical career path.
Plan your admission with free AI tools
Turn your NEET score into a rank, then into the exact colleges you can get.