If you cleared NEET UG 2026, the next real deadline on your calendar just arrived: the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has switched on Round 1 registration for the central counselling process on mcc.nic.in. This round decides who gets a seat through the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) in government medical and dental colleges, and it is also the only route into AIIMS, JIPMER, central universities and deemed universities, where MCC handles 100% of seats. With over 1.36 lakh MBBS seats and nearly 28,000 BDS seats in play this year — reportedly the largest AIQ pool the counselling process has ever handled — getting your registration, fee payment and choice locking right in the next few days matters more than almost anything else in your admission journey. Missing a step here can cost you a round, not just a college.
Register on mcc.nic.in and lock your college choices before the deadlines close — a missed step in Round 1 registration or choice locking can push your admission timeline back by an entire round.
What Round 1 registration actually covers
Round 1 of MCC counselling is not just about AIQ seats in state government colleges. It also covers admission to AIIMS institutions across India, JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal, central universities, and all deemed universities — institutions where MCC alone conducts admissions, with no state counselling overlap.
This means whether your goal is a government college through AIQ or a private deemed university seat, this is the same portal and the same registration window you need to use.
Key dates for Round 1
The counselling timeline runs on overlapping windows, so read the dates carefully rather than assuming registration and choice filling happen one after another.
| Event | Date/Deadline |
|---|---|
| Registration and fee payment | August 5 to August 12, 2026 |
| Choice filling | August 6 to August 13, 2026 |
| Choice locking | August 12 (4 PM) to August 13 (11 AM), 2026 |
| Provisional seat allotment result | August 17, 2026 |
| Reporting at allotted college | August 18 to August 22, 2026 |
The seats you're competing for
This year's central counselling pool is being described as the biggest in the process's history in terms of AIQ availability. The total seat count across programme types gives you a sense of scale, though your actual competition depends on your rank, category and preferred state or institution type.
- Over 1.36 lakh MBBS seats spread across 823 medical colleges nationwide
- 27,868 BDS seats across 319 dental colleges
- BSc Nursing seats available at select central and deemed institutions
Registration fee and security deposit — know what you're paying and why
Every candidate pays two separate amounts during registration: a non-refundable registration fee, and — only for deemed university seats — a refundable security deposit of Rs 2,00,000. The deposit is returned if you don't end up accepting a deemed university seat within the rules, but it is a real amount you need to arrange in advance, so plan your finances before the registration window closes rather than in the final hours.
| Institution Type | Category | Registration Fee (Non-refundable) |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ, Central and Deemed (except separate slab) | General | Rs 1,000 |
| AIQ, Central Universities | SC, ST, OBC, PwD | Rs 500 |
| Deemed Universities | All categories | Rs 5,000 |
New this year: freeze, float and fully digital NRI documents
MCC has made a few procedural changes for 2026 that directly affect how you handle an allotted seat, so it's worth understanding the options before results are out on August 17.
The freeze option lets you lock in your allotted seat permanently and opt out of further rounds — useful if you're satisfied and don't want to risk losing the seat while trying to upgrade. The float option lets you keep your current allotted seat while still being considered for a better one in the next round, though you should check MCC's rules carefully since floating can carry risk if you don't get a specific seat back. Candidates who decide not to join an allotted seat at all can now resign entirely online instead of visiting a reporting centre in person.
Separately, this is the first cycle where NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota candidates are required to upload all their documents digitally on the MCC portal, removing the need for in-person document verification in the initial rounds.
- Freeze: lock your allotted seat, exit future rounds
- Float: keep current seat while attempting an upgrade
- Online resignation: give up an allotted seat without visiting in person
- NRI documents: fully digital upload, no physical verification needed early on
Your action list before August 13
With registration, choice filling and choice locking windows overlapping, candidates should not leave any of these steps for the last day.
- Register on mcc.nic.in with your NEET UG 2026 roll number before August 12
- Keep your NEET scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates, and category/domicile proof scanned and ready
- Arrange the registration fee, and the Rs 2,00,000 security deposit if you plan to consider deemed university options
- Read the Candidate User Guide on the MCC portal before filling choices
- Fill and lock your college and course preferences by August 13, 11 AM
- Check the provisional allotment result on August 17 and report to your allotted college by August 22 if allotted
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Who should register for MCC Round 1 counselling?
Any NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate who wants to be considered for the 15% All India Quota seats in government medical/dental colleges, or for AIIMS, JIPMER, central university or deemed university seats, needs to register on mcc.nic.in within the window.
What is the last date to register and pay the fee?
Registration and fee payment for Round 1 closes on August 12, 2026.
When does choice locking end?
Choice locking is open from August 12 at 4 PM to August 13 at 11 AM. Only choices filled and locked within this window will be considered for the seat allotment.
When will the seat allotment result be declared?
The provisional seat allotment result for Round 1 is expected on August 17, 2026, with reporting to allotted colleges required between August 18 and August 22.
How much is the security deposit for deemed university seats, and is it refundable?
It is Rs 2,00,000, and it is refundable if you do not accept an allotted deemed university seat, subject to MCC's rules and timelines.
What is the difference between the freeze and float options this year?
Freeze locks your allotted seat and removes you from further rounds. Float keeps your current seat provisionally allotted while you remain in the running for a possibly better seat in the next round.
Has anything changed for NRI candidates this year?
Yes. NRI quota applicants now upload all required documents digitally through the MCC portal, so there is no need for in-person document verification in the early rounds.
What if I don't want to join my allotted seat?
You can now resign from an allotted seat entirely online through the MCC portal instead of visiting a reporting centre physically.
The next few days are the most process-sensitive part of your entire NEET journey — a missed registration, an unlocked choice, or an unpaid fee can cost you an entire counselling round. Keep your documents ready, complete registration and choice locking well before the August 13 cutoff, and watch mcc.nic.in on August 17 for your provisional allotment result.
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