NEET PG Counselling 2026 Schedule: Round 1 Registration Starts October 12

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the complete counselling and seat allocation schedule for NEET PG 2026. The schedule covers 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats and 100% of seats at deemed universities, central universities, and AFMS institutions. Counselling will proceed through four rounds—three main rounds plus a stray vacancy round—spanning from October through December 2026. For MBBS graduates preparing to enter postgraduate medical training, understanding these dates and the process flow is essential to ensure timely registration and seat selection.

Round 1 Counselling Timeline: What You Need to Know

Round 1 is the first opportunity for NEET PG qualified candidates to secure a postgraduate seat. Registration opens on October 12 and closes on October 21, 2026. During this 10-day window, all eligible candidates must create their counselling account, verify their credentials, and pay any applicable registration fees through the official MCC portal.

Choice filling—the process of ranking your preferred colleges and specialties—runs from October 13 to October 22. This overlaps with the registration period, allowing candidates to begin listing their choices as soon as they register. The seat allocation algorithm then runs from October 22 to October 23, and results are announced on October 24. Candidates who receive an allotment must report to their assigned institution between November 16 and November 23.

Understanding the Four-Round Counselling Structure

NEET PG 2026 counselling is divided into four distinct phases. The first three are main counselling rounds, each offering fresh opportunities to secure a seat. The fourth is a stray vacancy round, which fills any remaining unfilled seats after the main rounds conclude. This structure ensures that candidates who do not secure a seat in earlier rounds have multiple chances to participate and find a suitable postgraduate position.

Each round follows the same basic sequence: seat matrix verification by participating institutions, registration and payment by candidates, choice filling and locking, seat allocation, result announcement, and reporting. However, the dates and timelines differ for each round. Understanding this structure helps you plan your strategy—for instance, you may choose to be selective in Round 1 and more flexible in later rounds if you do not secure your preferred choice initially.

• Round 1: October 12–November 24, 2026
• Round 2: November 6–December 14, 2026
• Round 3: November 25–December 14, 2026
• Stray Vacancy Round: December 15–31, 2026

Round 2 and Round 3: Dates and Key Differences

Round 2 begins with seat matrix verification on November 6 and runs through December 14. Registration and payment occur from November 6 to November 11 (payment available until 3 PM on November 11). Choice filling spans November 7 to November 12 (10 AM), with choice locking from 4 PM on November 11 to 10 AM on November 12. Seat allocation happens November 12–13, with results on November 14. Reporting is November 16–23, and data verification occurs on November 24.

Round 3 follows a similar pattern but with later dates. Seat matrix verification is November 25–26, registration and payment run November 26 to December 1 (payment until 3 PM on December 1), and choice filling is November 27 to December 2 (10 AM). Choice locking occurs from 4 PM on December 1 to 10 AM on December 2. Seat allocation is December 2–3, results are December 4, reporting is December 5–12, and data verification is December 14. The stray vacancy round, which fills any remaining seats, runs from December 15 to December 31.

Which Seats Are Covered in This Counselling?

This MCC-conducted counselling covers 50% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges across India. Additionally, it includes 100% of seats at deemed universities, central universities, and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions. This means that if you qualify for NEET PG, you are eligible to compete for these seats regardless of your state of domicile, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

The remaining 50% of government college seats are typically filled through state-level counselling conducted by individual state authorities. Therefore, after participating in MCC counselling, you may also need to register for your state's counselling process to maximize your chances of securing a postgraduate seat. It is important to track both timelines to avoid missing deadlines.

• 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges
• 100% seats at deemed universities
• 100% seats at central universities
• 100% seats at AFMS institutions

How to Prepare for Registration and Choice Filling

Before October 12, ensure you have all required documents ready: your NEET PG admit card, result scorecard, MBBS degree certificate or provisional certificate, and identity proof. Create a strong password for your MCC counselling account and note it securely. Verify that your contact details (email and mobile number) are current, as all official communications will be sent to these addresses.

For choice filling, research colleges and specialties thoroughly. Prepare a ranked list of your preferred colleges and branches based on your rank, location preference, and career goals. Remember that the algorithm allocates seats based on your rank and your choice order—if your rank qualifies for your first choice, you will be placed there; if not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on. Lock your choices carefully; once locked, you cannot modify them for that round. Many candidates benefit from consulting senior doctors, mentors, or online forums to understand college reputation, infrastructure, and placement outcomes before finalizing their list.

• Gather NEET PG scorecard, MBBS certificate, and identity proof
• Create a secure MCC counselling account
• Update contact details (email and phone number)
• Research colleges and specialties in advance
• Prepare a ranked preference list based on your rank and goals
• Understand the choice-locking mechanism to avoid mistakes

What Happens After You Receive a Seat Allotment?

Once your seat is allotted in any round, you must report to the assigned college within the specified reporting window. For Round 1, this is November 16–23. Failure to report within this period may result in forfeiture of your seat, and you will not be eligible for subsequent rounds. When you report, bring all original documents for verification: MBBS degree, NEET PG scorecard, identity proof, and any other documents specified by the college.

After reporting, the college verifies your documents and submits confirmation to the MCC. This data verification step is crucial—it finalizes your admission. If you do not report or if your documents are found to be incomplete or fraudulent, your seat will be cancelled, and you may lose the opportunity to participate in further rounds. Therefore, plan your travel and document submission carefully to meet the reporting deadline.

• Report to your allotted college within the specified window
• Bring all original documents for verification
• Failure to report results in seat forfeiture
• Colleges submit verification data to MCC
• Data verification finalizes your admission

Payment and Fee Considerations

Registration and participation in MCC counselling typically require payment of a registration fee. The exact amount and payment methods are specified on the official MCC website. Payment windows are clearly defined for each round—for example, in Round 1, payment is available until October 21 at 12 PM. In Round 2, payment is available until November 11 at 3 PM. Ensure you complete payment within the stipulated time; late payments are generally not accepted.

Additionally, once you secure a seat and report to a college, you will be required to pay tuition fees, hostel fees, and other charges as per the college's fee structure. These are separate from the counselling registration fee. Plan your finances accordingly, and if you are eligible for any scholarships or financial aid, apply for them early. Some colleges offer fee waivers or installment options for economically disadvantaged candidates; check with your allotted institution for such provisions.

• Registration fee required for each counselling round
• Payment deadlines are strict and vary by round
• Late payments are typically not accepted
• College fees (tuition, hostel, etc.) are separate from registration fees
• Explore scholarships and financial aid options early

Strategy Tips for Maximizing Your Chances

Your NEET PG rank determines which seats you are eligible for. If your rank is high, you have access to premium colleges and competitive specialties; if it is lower, you may need to be more flexible with your choices. A common strategy is to be selective in Round 1—list only your genuinely preferred colleges and specialties. If you do not secure a seat, you can broaden your preferences in Round 2 and Round 3. Conversely, some candidates prefer to secure any seat in Round 1 to avoid the uncertainty of later rounds.

Another important consideration is the stray vacancy round. If you do not secure a seat in Rounds 1–3, the stray vacancy round offers a final opportunity. However, the number of available seats in this round is typically limited. Therefore, do not rely solely on the stray vacancy round; participate actively in all three main rounds. Additionally, remember that state counselling runs parallel to MCC counselling. Register for your state counselling as well to keep your options open. Some candidates secure seats through both MCC and state counselling and then choose the better option.

• Understand your rank and eligible seat categories
• Be selective in Round 1 if you have a high rank
• Broaden preferences in later rounds if needed
• Do not rely solely on the stray vacancy round
• Participate in state counselling simultaneously
• Keep track of all deadlines to avoid missing opportunities

Frequently asked questions

Mark October 12 on your calendar and ensure all your documents are ready well in advance. Participate actively in Round 1, and if needed, prepare to engage in subsequent rounds with a refined strategy. Stay updated on the official MCC website for any announcements or changes to the schedule.