The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened registration for NEET PG 2026 Round 2 counselling, beginning November 7 on mcc.nic.in. This round includes newly approved postgraduate seats from the National Medical Commission that were not available in Round 1. Candidates who did not secure a seat in Round 1, those seeking an upgrade, or those registering for the first time can all participate. The entire Round 2 cycle runs for less than three weeks, making timely action critical for every aspirant.
Register by 12 noon on November 11, pay fees by 3 PM the same day, and lock your choices by 10 AM on November 12 to participate in NEET PG Round 2 counselling 2026.
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Unlock My College ListWhy Round 2 Matters: New Seats and Fresh Opportunities
Round 2 counselling introduces postgraduate seats that the National Medical Commission approved after Round 1 concluded. These seats were not part of the initial seat matrix and represent genuine new capacity across government, central, and deemed institutions. For many aspirants, this round offers access to colleges or specialties that were unavailable in Round 1.
The delay in opening Round 2 registration—moved from November 6 to November 7—occurred because institutes needed time to verify these newly approved seats after applying the mandatory reservation roster. This verification process ensures that all seats comply with reservation norms before being offered to candidates. Understanding this context helps aspirants appreciate why the schedule shifted and why careful planning is essential.
NEET PG Round 2 Registration and Payment Deadlines
Registration on mcc.nic.in runs from November 7 through November 11, 2026, with a strict cutoff at 12 noon on November 11. Any registration submitted after noon will not be accepted. Simultaneously, candidates must pay both the non-refundable registration fee and the refundable security deposit by 3 PM on November 11—a three-hour window after registration closes. This tight timeline means candidates should complete registration well before noon to allow time for payment processing.
Choice filling—the process of listing your preferred colleges and specialties in order—remains open until 10 AM on November 12. However, choices that are not formally locked by 10 AM on November 12 will not be considered for seat allotment. Many aspirants make the mistake of filling choices but forgetting to lock them; locking is a separate, mandatory step. The choice locking window runs from 4 PM on November 11 through 10 AM on November 12.
| Activity | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Seat matrix verification by institutes | November 6–7, 2026 |
| Registration | November 7–11, 2026 (until 12 noon) |
| Fee payment | Until 3 PM, November 11, 2026 |
| Choice filling | November 7–12, 2026 (until 10 AM) |
| Choice locking | 4 PM November 11 – 10 AM November 12, 2026 |
| Seat allotment processing | November 12–13, 2026 |
| Seat allotment result | November 14, 2026 |
| Reporting and joining | November 16–23, 2026 |
| Verification of joined candidates | November 24, 2026 |
Registration Fees and Security Deposits by Seat Category
The registration fee and security deposit vary based on the seat category you are applying for. All-India Quota (AIQ), central government, and ESIC seats in the unreserved (UR) category require a registration fee of Rs 1,000 and a security deposit of Rs 25,000. Candidates from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) applying for the same seat types pay a reduced registration fee of Rs 500 but the same security deposit of Rs 10,000. Deemed university seats, regardless of category, carry a higher registration fee of Rs 5,000 and a substantially larger security deposit of Rs 2,00,000.
If you are applying for both government and deemed seats, you pay only the higher amount—you do not pay both fees. Importantly, if you already registered in Round 1, you do not pay the registration fee and security deposit again in Round 2; your earlier payment covers both rounds. The security deposit is refundable upon joining a seat or after the counselling process concludes, while the registration fee is non-refundable.
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| Seat Category | Registration Fee | Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ, Central, ESIC (UR) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 25,000 |
| AIQ, Central, ESIC (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) | Rs 500 | Rs 10,000 |
| Deemed Universities (all categories) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
Who Is Eligible to Participate in Round 2?
Round 2 is open to four distinct groups of candidates. First, new candidates who did not register or participate in Round 1 can register fresh in Round 2 with no restrictions. Second, candidates who participated in Round 1 but did not receive any seat allocation can register again and compete for Round 2 seats. Third, candidates who joined a seat in Round 1 can participate in Round 2 as upgrade seekers—they retain their Round 1 seat while attempting to secure a better option in a higher-ranked college or preferred specialty.
Upgrade seekers occupy a unique position: if they secure a better seat in Round 2, they move to the new seat; if they do not, they retain their Round 1 seat without penalty. This flexibility encourages candidates to try for improvements without risk. Crucially, choices from Round 1 do not automatically carry forward to Round 2. Every candidate—whether new, unsuccessful in Round 1, or an upgrade seeker—must fill and lock fresh choices for Round 2. The seat matrix may have changed, and your preferences may need adjustment based on newly available seats.
- New candidates who skipped Round 1 can register fresh
- Round 1 unsuccessful candidates can participate again
- Round 1 seat holders can seek an upgrade while keeping their current seat
- All candidates must fill and lock new choices; Round 1 choices do not carry over
Step-by-Step Registration Process on MCC Portal
Registration is entirely online through the MCC website at mcc.nic.in. New candidates should begin by navigating to the PG Medical Counselling section and clicking the 'New Registration' link. You will be asked to enter your NEET PG 2026 roll number and personal details such as name, date of birth, and contact information. After entering these details, you will set a password and receive a registration number—save this number as you will need it for all future correspondence and to log in.
Once registered, you must pay the registration fee and security deposit online using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Keep the payment receipt safe; you will need it during reporting and joining. After payment is confirmed, you can proceed to fill your preferred colleges and specialties in order of choice. List your choices from most preferred to least preferred, as the allotment algorithm respects this order. Finally, lock your choices and download the locked choice slip as proof. Do not forget the locking step—choices that are filled but not locked will not be considered.
- Open mcc.nic.in and go to PG Medical Counselling section
- Click 'New Registration' and enter NEET PG roll number and personal details
- Set a password and note your registration number
- Pay registration fee and security deposit online (net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI)
- Fill preferred colleges and courses in order of choice
- Lock choices and download the locked choice slip
How to Prepare Your Choice List Using the Updated Seat Matrix
Before filling your choices, download and study the updated Round 2 seat matrix from mcc.nic.in. This matrix shows all available seats by college, specialty, category, and quota. Compare it with the Round 1 seat matrix to identify newly added seats. Cross-reference the Round 1 closing ranks (the rank of the last candidate allotted in each seat category) with your own NEET PG rank to estimate your chances in each seat.
Shortlist colleges and specialties where your rank falls within or near the Round 1 closing rank range. Remember that Round 2 closing ranks may differ from Round 1 because the candidate pool and available seats have changed. Create a prioritized list: place your most desired seats at the top, even if they are slightly competitive, and safer options lower down. This strategy balances ambition with realistic chances. Avoid leaving seats blank; fill all available choice slots to maximize your chances of allotment.
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- Download the Round 2 seat matrix from mcc.nic.in
- Compare with Round 1 closing ranks to gauge competitiveness
- Identify newly approved seats that match your specialty interests
- Create a prioritized list: most desired seats first, safer options lower
- Fill all available choice slots to maximize allotment chances
Seat Allotment Timeline and Reporting Requirements
After choice locking closes on November 12 at 10 AM, MCC will process seat allotments on November 12 and 13. The seat allotment result will be announced on November 14, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must report to their assigned college between November 16 and November 23 to complete verification and join. Reporting involves submitting original documents (MBBS degree, NEET PG admit card, identity proof, category certificate if applicable, and other documents as specified by the college) and paying any joining fees.
On November 24, MCC will verify all candidates who have joined their seats. This verification confirms that you have physically reported and completed the joining process. After Round 2 concludes, MCC will announce the dates for Round 3 counselling and any stray vacancy round. Stray rounds typically occur after all regular rounds and allow candidates to fill seats that remain vacant. Plan your reporting logistics in advance—arrange leave from your current workplace if needed and gather all required documents before November 16.
- Seat allotment result announced on November 14, 2026
- Report to your assigned college between November 16–23, 2026
- Submit original documents and complete verification
- Verification of joined candidates on November 24, 2026
- Watch for Round 3 and stray vacancy round announcements
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Round 2 Counselling
The most frequent error is filling choices but forgetting to lock them. Locking is a separate action that must be completed by 10 AM on November 12. If you fill choices and close the browser without locking, your choices will not be saved for allotment. Another common mistake is missing the registration or payment deadline. The noon cutoff on November 11 is strict; late registrations are rejected. Similarly, if you register but do not pay the fee by 3 PM on November 11, your registration may be cancelled.
Candidates also sometimes fail to download and review the updated seat matrix before filling choices, leading to unrealistic or poorly informed selections. Additionally, some aspirants do not keep their payment receipt or registration number safe, making it difficult to track their application or report during joining. Finally, upgrade seekers occasionally assume their Round 1 choices will carry forward, only to discover during allotment that they must have filled fresh choices. Avoid these pitfalls by planning ahead, setting reminders for each deadline, and double-checking every step before submission.
- Fill AND lock choices—locking is mandatory and separate
- Register and pay fees well before the noon and 3 PM deadlines
- Review the updated seat matrix before filling choices
- Keep payment receipt and registration number safe
- Remember: Round 1 choices do not carry over to Round 2
What Happens After Round 2: Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round
After Round 2 concludes and candidates join their seats, MCC will announce the schedule for Round 3 counselling. Round 3 typically includes seats that remain vacant after Rounds 1 and 2, as well as any seats vacated by candidates who did not join or who upgraded to better seats. The eligibility and process for Round 3 are similar to Round 2, though the number of available seats is usually smaller.
Following all regular rounds, MCC conducts a stray vacancy round to fill any remaining seats. This round is often the last opportunity for candidates who have not yet secured a seat. Stray rounds may have different rules regarding choice filling and allotment, so watch mcc.nic.in for the official notification. If you do not secure a seat in Round 2, do not lose hope—Round 3 and stray rounds offer additional chances. Stay alert to announcements and be ready to register immediately when the next round opens.
- Round 3 includes seats vacant after Rounds 1 and 2
- Stray vacancy round is typically the final opportunity
- Watch mcc.nic.in for Round 3 and stray round dates
- Register promptly when the next round opens
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET PG Round 2 counselling 2026 registration open and close?
Registration opens on November 7, 2026, and closes at 12 noon on November 11, 2026. You must complete registration and pay the fee by 3 PM on November 11. Any registration submitted after noon on November 11 will not be accepted.
What is the deadline to lock my choices in NEET PG Round 2 counselling?
Choice locking closes at 10 AM on November 12, 2026. You can fill choices from November 7 onwards, but you must lock them by 10 AM on November 12. Choices that are filled but not locked will not be considered for allotment.
How much is the registration fee and security deposit for NEET PG Round 2 counselling?
Fees vary by seat category. For AIQ, central, and ESIC seats in the unreserved category, the registration fee is Rs 1,000 and security deposit is Rs 25,000. For reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PwD), the fee is Rs 500 and deposit is Rs 10,000. For deemed university seats, the fee is Rs 5,000 and deposit is Rs 2,00,000. If you apply for both government and deemed seats, you pay only the higher amount.
Can I participate in Round 2 if I already joined a seat in Round 1?
Yes. You can participate as an upgrade seeker. You retain your Round 1 seat while attempting to secure a better option in Round 2. If you get a better seat in Round 2, you move to it; if not, you keep your Round 1 seat. However, you must fill and lock fresh choices for Round 2—your Round 1 choices do not carry over.
When will the NEET PG Round 2 seat allotment result be announced?
The seat allotment result will be announced on November 14, 2026. Candidates who receive an allotment must report to their assigned college between November 16 and November 23, 2026, to complete verification and join.
Do I need to pay the registration fee again in Round 2 if I already paid in Round 1?
No. If you registered and paid the fee in Round 1, you do not pay again in Round 2. Your Round 1 payment covers both rounds. Only new candidates or those who did not register in Round 1 need to pay the fee in Round 2.
Why was the Round 2 registration start date moved from November 6 to November 7?
The start date was moved to allow institutes time to verify newly approved seats from the National Medical Commission after applying the mandatory reservation roster. This verification ensures all seats comply with reservation norms before being offered to candidates.
What payment methods are accepted for NEET PG Round 2 counselling registration?
You can pay the registration fee and security deposit using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. Keep your payment receipt safe as you will need it during reporting and joining.
Mark your calendar: register by noon on November 11, pay by 3 PM the same day, and lock choices by 10 AM on November 12. Download the updated seat matrix from mcc.nic.in today and begin shortlisting colleges based on Round 1 closing ranks and your NEET PG rank. With new seats available and a compressed timeline, careful planning and timely action are essential to secure your postgraduate seat.
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