If you're preparing to register for NEET UG 2026 counselling under the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), don't just plan for your rank and choice list — plan your wallet too. Registration for MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing seats under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and other MCC-run categories opens on August 5, 2026, and it comes with two separate payments: a small non-refundable registration fee and a much larger refundable security deposit. The amounts differ depending on your category (General/EWS vs SC/ST/OBC/PwD) and, more dramatically, on whether you're eyeing a government AIQ seat or a deemed university seat. Getting this wrong — or being caught unprepared with funds — can cost you a counselling round.
Keep at least Rs 15,000 ready for AIQ/Central university counselling and up to Rs 2,05,000 ready if you're applying for deemed university seats, since one part of the payment is non-refundable and the other is a large refundable deposit you must be able to afford upfront.
The two payments, explained simply
Every candidate registering on the MCC portal pays two different amounts that serve two different purposes.
The registration fee is what you pay simply to take part in counselling — to unlock choice filling and get into the allotment pool. This amount is gone the moment you pay it, regardless of whether you eventually get a seat or not.
The security deposit is a much larger sum meant to discourage candidates from blocking seats and then abandoning them. It sits with MCC through the counselling process and is returned to you afterwards, as long as you don't violate the counselling rules — for example, by not reporting to an allotted college after locking your choices, or by withdrawing after a stage where withdrawal isn't allowed.
Category-wise registration fee (non-refundable)
This is the entry fee you pay just to participate — it does not come back even if you don't get any seat in that round.
| Counselling category | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| AIQ / Central Universities — General/EWS | Rs 1,000 |
| AIQ / Central Universities — SC/ST/OBC/PwD | Rs 500 |
| Deemed Universities — all categories | Rs 5,000 |
Security deposit — the bigger number to budget for
This is the part that catches families off guard, especially for deemed university counselling, where the deposit is far higher than for AIQ or Central university seats. Families targeting deemed medical colleges should have this amount arranged and liquid before registration opens — not something to figure out after choice locking begins.
| Counselling category | Refundable security deposit |
|---|---|
| AIQ / Central Universities — General/EWS | Rs 10,000 |
| AIQ / Central Universities — SC/ST/OBC/PwD | Rs 5,000 |
| Deemed Universities — all categories | Rs 2,00,000 |
Why the deemed university figure is so much higher
Deemed universities charge steep tuition and have historically seen candidates accept a seat, pay part fees, then walk away for a better option elsewhere — leaving a seat vacant mid-cycle. The Rs 2,00,000 deposit for deemed university counselling is designed to make sure only serious, financially prepared candidates lock in choices for these seats.
This is a meaningful sum for most middle-class families, so if you're only exploring deemed universities as a backup and are not certain you can arrange this deposit on short notice, it is worth deciding this in advance rather than during a live counselling window when timelines are tight.
How and when you pay
Payment happens online through the MCC counselling portal via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI where the payment gateway supports it. Once paid, download and save the payment receipt — you will likely need to show it during document verification or reporting at your allotted institute.
Registration for Round 1 of NEET UG 2026 counselling opens August 5, 2026. The overall MCC process runs through registration, fee payment, choice filling, choice locking, seat allotment, document verification, and physical reporting at the allotted college. Missing any step within its window can cost you a round of allotment, so track deadlines closely once registration opens.
Practical budgeting checklist for families
A little planning before registration day avoids last-minute payment failures or scrambling for funds.
- Confirm your category (General/EWS vs SC/ST/OBC/PwD) on your documents matches what you'll select during registration — this determines your fee slab.
- If you plan to fill choices across AIQ, Central universities, and deemed universities, be ready for separate registration fees and deposits for each counselling stream you register under.
- Keep the deposit amount in an account you can access instantly online — payment windows during counselling are short and don't allow for delays in arranging funds.
- Save every payment receipt and screenshot of confirmation pages; these are often asked for during document verification.
- Understand your state's own counselling fee structure separately — this MCC fee only covers the 15% AIQ and Central/deemed university stream, not state quota counselling, which usually has its own fee and deposit rules.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Will I get my registration fee back if I don't get a seat in NEET UG counselling?
No. The registration fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you are allotted a seat or not.
When is the security deposit returned?
It is refunded after the counselling process concludes, provided you have followed MCC's counselling rules and not forfeited it by violating conditions such as not reporting after an allotment you were bound to accept.
Why is the deemed university deposit so much higher than AIQ?
Deemed universities have higher fee structures and have seen more instances of candidates abandoning allotted seats, so MCC sets a much larger deposit (Rs 2,00,000) to ensure only committed candidates lock in choices there, compared to Rs 5,000–10,000 for AIQ/Central university seats.
Do SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates pay less for deemed university counselling too?
Based on the fee structure, the registration fee for deemed universities is a flat Rs 5,000 for all categories, but reserved-category candidates pay lower amounts specifically for AIQ and Central university registration fees and deposits.
Can I pay the counselling fee through UPI?
UPI is accepted where the MCC portal's payment gateway supports it, along with debit card, credit card and net banking options.
Does this fee apply to state quota counselling as well?
No, this fee structure is specific to MCC's counselling for the 15% All India Quota, Central universities, and deemed universities. State counselling authorities set their own separate registration fee and deposit rules.
What happens if I forfeit my security deposit by not reporting to an allotted college?
Under MCC's rules, the deposit can be forfeited if a candidate violates counselling conditions, such as failing to report after being bound by an allotment, so candidates should understand the reporting obligations of each round before locking choices.
Before NEET UG 2026 counselling registration opens on August 5, work out with your family exactly which counselling streams you'll register for and keep the corresponding registration fee and security deposit ready in an account you can access instantly. This small bit of preparation prevents a payment delay from costing you a counselling round.
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