The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which operates under India's Directorate General of Health Services, has announced the official counselling timeline for NEET-PG 2026 covering the 2026–27 academic year. This schedule governs the allocation of 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% seats at Deemed and Central Universities, and registration-only slots for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). For MBBS graduates preparing to enter postgraduate medical training, this calendar is critical: it sets every deadline from registration through final joining, and missing even one window can delay your admission by an entire round. The counselling will unfold across four distinct phases, beginning in mid-October and concluding by year-end.
NEET-PG counselling 2026 begins with Round 1 registration on October 12 and concludes with the Stray Vacancy Round by December 31; the PG academic session starts November 20.
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Unlock My College ListRound 1: The First Allotment Window (October–November 2026)
Round 1 is the primary counselling phase and typically attracts the highest number of candidates. Registration opens on October 12, 2026, and closes at noon on October 21. Candidates must also complete payment by 3:00 PM on October 21 to remain eligible. This 10-day window is your first opportunity to secure a seat, so plan your documentation and payment well in advance.
Choice filling—the process of ranking your preferred colleges and specialties—runs from October 13 to 10:00 AM on October 22. Choice locking begins at 4:00 PM on October 21 and continues until 10:00 AM on October 22, giving you a brief overlap to finalize your preferences. The allotment result will be declared on October 24, and you must report and join between October 26 and November 2. Institutes will verify joined candidates on November 3.
Round 2: The Second Chance for Unallocated Seats (November 2026)
If you do not secure a seat in Round 1, or if you wish to upgrade to a better college or specialty, Round 2 offers a second opportunity. Seat matrix verification by institutes runs from November 6 to 7 (until 1:00 PM). Registration and payment open on November 6 and close at noon on November 11, with payment available until 3:00 PM the same day.
Choice filling spans November 7 to 12 (until 10:00 AM), with choice locking from 4:00 PM on November 11 to 10:00 AM on November 12. The allotment result is declared on November 14, and reporting and joining occur from November 16 to 23. This round typically has fewer seats available, as many have already been filled in Round 1, so competition may be keener.
Round 3: The Final Allotment Round (December 2026)
Round 3 is the last full counselling round before the Stray Vacancy phase. Seat matrix verification occurs November 25–26. Registration and payment open on November 26 and close at noon on December 1, with payment available until 3:00 PM. Choice filling runs from November 27 to December 2 (until 10:00 AM), with choice locking from 4:00 PM on December 1 to 10:00 AM on December 2.
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The allotment result is declared on December 4, and reporting and joining take place from December 5 to 12. By the end of Round 3, the vast majority of seats are typically allocated. If you have not secured a seat by this point, the Stray Vacancy Round offers a final, limited opportunity.
Online Stray Vacancy Round: Last-Minute Seat Filling (December 2026)
The Stray Vacancy Round is a condensed final phase designed to fill any remaining unfilled seats. Seat matrix verification occurs on December 15. Registration and payment open on December 16 and close at noon on December 21, with payment available until 3:00 PM. Choice filling also runs from December 16 to 21 (until 11:55 PM), with choice locking from 4:00 PM to 11:55 PM on December 21.
The allotment result is declared on December 24, and reporting and joining must be completed by December 31. This round typically has very few seats and is highly competitive. Candidates who do not secure a seat through the Stray Vacancy Round may need to wait for state-specific counselling or consider other pathways.
PG Academic Session Start and Reporting Deadlines
The postgraduate medical academic session for 2026–27 is scheduled to commence on November 20, 2026. This is an important date because it means that candidates who join in Round 1 (by November 2) will have a brief overlap before formal classes begin. Those joining in later rounds will enter after the session has already started, which may affect their orientation and initial coursework.
The final reporting deadline across all rounds is December 31, 2026, when the Stray Vacancy Round concludes. Any candidate who has not joined a seat by this date will forfeit their allocation and may not be able to pursue a PG seat in this academic year.
What This Schedule Means for Your NEET-PG Strategy
This four-round structure gives candidates multiple opportunities to secure a seat, but it also demands careful planning. Your NEET-PG rank, category (General, OBC, SC, ST), and state eligibility will determine which seats you are eligible for in each round. In Round 1, competition is typically highest because all candidates are competing for the full pool of available seats. By Round 3, the pool has shrunk, but so has the number of eligible candidates, so the relative difficulty may not change dramatically.
The key strategic decision is whether to accept a seat in an earlier round or wait for a potentially better option in a later round. Once you join a seat, you cannot participate in subsequent rounds. Conversely, if you reject a seat or do not join by the deadline, you lose that opportunity and must wait for the next round. Many candidates use Round 1 to gauge their options, then make a more informed choice in Round 2 or 3.
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Important Timelines to Mark on Your Calendar
To avoid missing critical deadlines, mark these dates immediately: October 12 (Round 1 registration opens), October 21 (Round 1 registration and payment close), October 22 (choice filling closes), October 24 (Round 1 result), October 26–November 2 (Round 1 joining window), November 20 (PG academic session begins), and December 31 (final reporting deadline). Each deadline is based on server time, so synchronize your clock with the official MCC portal to avoid last-minute errors.
Payment deadlines are particularly strict: they close at 3:00 PM, not at midnight. Choice locking also has specific times (typically 4:00 PM to 10:00 AM the next day), and late submissions will not be accepted. If you are in a different time zone or have connectivity issues, plan ahead and complete your registration and payment well before the deadline.
- October 12: Round 1 registration opens
- October 21 (noon): Round 1 registration closes; payment deadline 3:00 PM
- October 22 (10:00 AM): Choice filling closes
- October 24: Round 1 allotment result
- October 26–November 2: Round 1 joining period
- November 6–7: Round 2 seat matrix verification
- November 11 (noon): Round 2 registration closes; payment deadline 3:00 PM
- November 14: Round 2 allotment result
- November 16–23: Round 2 joining period
- November 20: PG academic session commences
- November 26–December 1: Round 3 registration and payment
- December 4: Round 3 allotment result
- December 5–12: Round 3 joining period
- December 16–21: Stray Vacancy Round registration and payment
- December 24: Stray Vacancy Round allotment result
- December 24–31: Final joining deadline
Seats Covered Under This Schedule
This counselling schedule applies to three categories of seats: the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, which are allocated nationally and are open to candidates from any state; 100% seats at Deemed Universities and Central Universities, which are also allocated through this national process; and AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) seats, for which registration is available but allotment follows a separate process. State-specific seats (the remaining 50% of government college seats) are allocated through state counselling, which typically follows a different timeline and is not covered by this MCC schedule.
If you are eligible for AIQ seats (which includes most NEET-PG candidates), this schedule is your primary roadmap. If you are also eligible for state seats, you may participate in both the national MCC counselling and your state's counselling process, depending on your state's rules. Some states allow dual participation; others require you to choose one or the other.
How to Prepare for Each Round
Before Round 1 registration opens, ensure you have all required documents ready: your NEET-PG admit card, MBBS degree certificate, medical registration certificate (from your state medical council), category certificate (if applicable), and proof of identity and address. Verify your eligibility for AIQ and Deemed/Central University seats on the MCC portal. Create a shortlist of colleges and specialties you are interested in, ranked by your preference, so that you can fill choices quickly during the choice-filling window.
During the choice-filling phase, do not rush. Review each college's previous cutoff ranks, infrastructure, faculty, and location. Many candidates make the mistake of filling choices randomly or too hastily, only to regret their allotment later. Use the time between registration and choice filling to research thoroughly. If you are unsure about a specialty, consult senior doctors or mentors. Once you lock your choices, you cannot change them, so take this step seriously.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET-PG counselling 2026 begin, and what is the first deadline I need to meet?
Round 1 registration opens on October 12, 2026, and closes at noon on October 21. Payment must be completed by 3:00 PM on October 21. This is your first critical deadline; missing it means you cannot participate in Round 1 and must wait for Round 2.
What is the difference between choice filling and choice locking?
Choice filling is the period during which you can enter, edit, and submit your ranked list of colleges and specialties. Choice locking is a separate window (typically 4:00 PM to 10:00 AM the next day) during which you confirm and finalize your choices. Once locked, your choices cannot be changed. You must lock your choices before the deadline to be eligible for allotment.
If I do not get a seat in Round 1, can I participate in Round 2?
Yes. If you do not join a seat in Round 1 (or if you reject it), you are automatically eligible to participate in Round 2. Round 2 registration opens on November 6 and closes at noon on November 11. However, fewer seats are typically available in Round 2, as many have already been filled in Round 1.
What happens if I join a seat in Round 1 but want to upgrade in Round 2?
Once you join a seat in Round 1 (by reporting and completing the joining formalities between October 26 and November 2), you cannot participate in subsequent rounds. You are locked into that seat for the entire academic year. Therefore, carefully consider whether to join in Round 1 or wait for a potentially better option in a later round.
When does the PG academic session start, and does it matter if I join in a later round?
The PG academic session begins on November 20, 2026. If you join in Round 1 (by November 2), you will have a brief period before the session starts. If you join in Round 2 or 3, you will enter after the session has already begun, which may affect your orientation and initial coursework. However, you will still be part of the same batch and academic year.
What is the Stray Vacancy Round, and when should I consider participating in it?
The Stray Vacancy Round is the final counselling phase (December 16–31) designed to fill any remaining unfilled seats. It is highly competitive and typically has very few seats available. You should participate in it only if you have not secured a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3. If you do not join by December 31, you forfeit your chance to pursue a PG seat in the 2026–27 academic year.
Are all NEET-PG seats allocated through this MCC schedule?
No. This schedule covers 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% Deemed and Central University seats, and AFMS registration. The remaining 50% of government college seats are state-specific and are allocated through separate state counselling processes. Depending on your state, you may be eligible to participate in both national and state counselling.
What documents do I need to have ready before Round 1 registration opens?
You will need your NEET-PG admit card, MBBS degree certificate, medical registration certificate from your state medical council, category certificate (if applicable), and proof of identity and address. Verify your eligibility on the MCC portal before registration opens. Having all documents ready will help you complete registration quickly and avoid last-minute delays.
If I miss the payment deadline, can I still register for that round?
No. Payment must be completed by the specified deadline (e.g., 3:00 PM on October 21 for Round 1). If you miss the payment deadline, your registration will not be processed, and you will not be eligible for allotment in that round. You will have to wait for the next round.
How do I know which colleges and specialties I am eligible for?
Your eligibility depends on your NEET-PG rank, category (General, OBC, SC, ST), and state of domicile (for state-specific seats). The MCC portal will display the seats available to you based on these factors. Review previous years' cutoff ranks for colleges and specialties you are interested in to estimate your chances. Consult the official MCC website and your state medical council for detailed eligibility criteria.
Mark all four round deadlines on your calendar now, and begin preparing your documents and college shortlist immediately. The counselling timeline is tight, and missing even one deadline can cost you an entire round. Stay updated on the official MCC portal for any changes to this tentative schedule, and plan your strategy carefully—whether to join early or wait for a better option in a later round is a decision that will shape your postgraduate career.
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