If you sat for NEET UG on June 21, 2026, the next big date on your calendar is not a result day but a registration day. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), which runs the All India Quota (AIQ) counselling and admissions to AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU and a few other central institutions, has published its schedule for the 2026 admission cycle. AIQ registration opens on August 5, 2026, covering the 15% AIQ seats and 100% of seats at these central institutions, while separate state-run counselling for the 85% state quota seats begins on August 13, 2026. Missing a registration or reporting deadline in this process can cost a candidate an entire admission round, so knowing the exact dates matters as much as the score itself.
AIQ counselling registration for NEET UG 2026 opens August 5, 2026 and state quota registration opens August 13, 2026 — mark both dates now, since each round has a strict registration-to-joining window that does not wait for stragglers.
What MCC counselling actually covers
MCC conducts counselling for the 15% All India Quota MBBS and BDS seats that every state medical college contributes to a common national pool, plus 100% of seats at AIIMS institutes, JIPMER, BHU and certain other central universities and deemed-to-be-central colleges.
The remaining 85% of seats in state government medical and dental colleges, along with state-run private and deemed university seats in several states, are filled through separate state counselling boards, each with its own portal and, often, its own timeline that runs alongside or slightly behind the MCC schedule.
AIQ counselling schedule 2026 (MCC)
This is the timeline for the 15% All India Quota and central institution seats, as released by MCC. It runs across three regular rounds plus a stray vacancy round for leftover seats.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 registration begins | August 5, 2026 |
| Round 1 registration ends | August 17, 2026 |
| Round 1 last date to join allotted college | August 22, 2026 |
| Round 1 joining data verification by MCC | August 23, 2026 |
| Round 2 | August 24 – September 2, 2026 |
| Round 2 last date to join | September 8, 2026 |
| Round 2 joining data verification | September 9, 2026 |
| Round 3 | September 10 – 18, 2026 |
| Round 3 last date to join | September 26, 2026 |
| Round 3 joining data verification | September 27, 2026 |
| Stray vacancy registration | September 28 – October 3, 2026 |
| Stray vacancy last date to join | October 10, 2026 |
State quota counselling schedule 2026
State quota registration, which covers the 85% seats in each state's own medical and dental colleges, follows about a week after AIQ registration opens. Candidates need to register separately on their respective state counselling authority's website in addition to the MCC portal for AIQ.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 registration begins | August 13, 2026 |
| Round 1 registration ends | August 22, 2026 |
| Round 1 last date to join allotted college | August 28, 2026 |
| Round 1 joining data verification | August 29, 2026 |
| Round 2 | August 31 – September 8, 2026 |
| Round 2 last date to join | September 14, 2026 |
| Round 2 joining data verification | September 15, 2026 |
| Round 3 | September 16 – 26, 2026 |
| Round 3 last date to join | October 1, 2026 |
| Round 3 joining data verification | October 2, 2026 |
| Stray vacancy registration | October 3 – 5, 2026 |
| Stray vacancy last date to join | October 10, 2026 |
How to register
Registration for AIQ counselling is done online on the MCC website, mcc.nic.in. Candidates need their NEET UG 2026 application/roll number and score details to log in and create their counselling profile.
State quota registration is a separate process on each state's own counselling portal — the login credentials, choice-filling steps and document lists can differ from state to state, so candidates should not assume the MCC process automatically covers their state quota seat as well.
Both processes typically require a registration fee and a security/caution deposit, along with document upload before choice filling opens. Exact fee amounts and category-wise concessions are notified separately by MCC and by each state board, so candidates should confirm these on the respective official portal before paying.
What this means for your counselling strategy
With academic sessions for the new batch expected to start by early September 2026, MCC has kept a tight gap between each round's registration window and its joining deadline. A candidate who misses the joining deadline after being allotted a seat in Round 1 risks losing that seat before Round 2 choices even open.
Because AIQ and state quota registrations run on different timelines and different portals, candidates aiming to keep both options open should register on both mcc.nic.in and their home state's counselling website as soon as each opens, rather than waiting to see the first round's results.
- Register for AIQ on mcc.nic.in as soon as the window opens on August 5, 2026.
- Register separately for state quota on your state's counselling portal once it opens around August 13, 2026.
- Track joining deadlines closely — a seat allotted in one round can lapse if you do not report and join in time.
- Keep scanned documents, category and domicile certificates ready in advance so choice filling isn't delayed by paperwork.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does NEET UG 2026 AIQ counselling registration start?
MCC has scheduled AIQ counselling registration to begin on August 5, 2026, on mcc.nic.in.
When does state quota counselling registration start?
State quota registration for NEET UG 2026 is scheduled to begin on August 13, 2026, on each respective state counselling authority's website.
Do I need to register separately for AIQ and state quota?
Yes. AIQ registration happens only on mcc.nic.in, while state quota registration happens on your home state's own counselling portal. They are independent processes with separate logins, fees and choice-filling.
Who is eligible to register for this counselling round?
Candidates who appeared for NEET UG 2026 on June 21, 2026, and meet the eligibility criteria set by MCC (and the relevant state authority for state quota) can register.
What happens if I don't join my allotted college by the deadline?
Each round has a strict last date to join after seat allotment. Failing to report and join by that date can result in losing the allotted seat before the next round begins.
How many rounds of counselling will there be?
The published schedule covers three regular rounds followed by a stray vacancy round for both AIQ and state quota seats, running from August through October 2026.
Is there a registration fee for MCC counselling?
Yes, MCC counselling requires a registration fee and refundable security deposit, with amounts notified officially on mcc.nic.in; state boards notify their own fee structures separately.
The counselling clock for NEET UG 2026 has effectively started — register for AIQ on mcc.nic.in from August 5 and for your state quota on the state portal from August 13, and calendar every joining deadline well in advance. MedAdmit will track fee notifications, seat matrices and any schedule revisions as MCC and state boards release them.
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