NEET UG 2026 Round 2 AIQ Counselling Schedule: Dates & Deadlines

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official schedule for Round 2 of online counselling for NEET UG 2026. This round covers 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS institutions, and JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal) for MBBS, BDS and B.Sc Nursing courses. The counselling process runs from 1 September to 19 September 2026, with registration opening on 3 September and choice filling from 3–9 September. This is a critical schedule — missing even one deadline can cost you your seat. Every date and time is in server time, so synchronise your clock before you begin.

What is Round 2 Counselling and Who Can Apply?

Round 2 counselling is the second phase of seat allocation for NEET UG 2026. It covers seats in three categories: 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% Deemed Universities, and Central Universities. It also includes seats at AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), AIIMS institutions across India, and JIPMER in Puducherry and Karaikal.

This round is open to all NEET UG 2026 qualified candidates who did not secure a seat in Round 1, or who wish to upgrade their seat. Candidates who participated in Round 1 and were allotted a seat can still participate in Round 2 if they wish to try for a better college or course, but they must understand that accepting a Round 2 seat will cancel their Round 1 allotment.

B.Sc Nursing seats are also part of this counselling, so if you are interested in nursing, you can apply in this round. However, note that B.Sc Nursing is a separate course from MBBS and BDS — ensure you understand the eligibility and course structure before filling your choices.

Important Dates: The Complete Timeline

The entire Round 2 process spans from 1 September to 19 September 2026. Each phase has a specific start and end date, and all times are in server time — the time shown on the official counselling portal's server, not your local time. This is crucial: if your local time is different from server time, you must adjust accordingly to avoid missing deadlines.

The schedule is divided into seven phases: seat matrix verification by colleges (1–2 Sept), registration and payment (3–8 Sept), choice filling and locking (3–9 Sept), processing (9–10 Sept), result announcement (11 Sept), reporting and joining (12–18 Sept), and final verification by colleges (19 Sept). Each phase is time-bound, and the portal will close automatically when the deadline passes.

Registration and Payment: What You Must Do First

Registration is the first step. You must register on the official counselling portal between 3 and 8 September 2026. Registration closes at 3:00 PM on 8 September (server time) — not a minute later. During registration, you will create your login credentials and provide your basic details.

After registration, you must pay the counselling fee. The payment facility is available until 6:00 PM on 8 September 2026 (server time) — note that this is 3 hours after registration closes. This means you can register up to 3 PM and still have until 6 PM to pay. Payment is typically made online via credit card, debit card, or net banking. Keep your payment receipt safe; you will need it for verification.

If you do not register and pay by the deadline, you cannot participate in Round 2 counselling. There is no extension, no exception. Plan ahead and complete this step early — do not wait until the last day.

• Registration window: 3–8 September 2026 (closes 3:00 PM server time)
• Payment window: 3–8 September 2026 (closes 6:00 PM server time)
• Payment is mandatory to proceed to choice filling
• Keep your payment receipt and login credentials safe

Choice Filling and Locking: How to Rank Your Preferences

Once you have registered and paid, you can fill your choices. Choice filling is open from 3 September to 9 September 2026, but the portal closes at 10:00 AM on 9 September (server time). You must fill your choices before this deadline. During choice filling, you will see a list of available colleges and courses. You rank them in order of your preference — your first choice is your highest priority, your second choice is your next preference, and so on.

The system will allot you a seat based on your merit rank and your choice order. If your rank qualifies for your first choice, you will be allotted there. If not, the system moves to your second choice, and so on. This is why the order matters: place your most preferred college first, even if you think you might not get it. Never leave a choice blank if you want to be considered for that college.

Choice locking is optional but strongly recommended. You can lock your choices from 4:00 PM on 8 September to 10:00 AM on 9 September (server time). Once you lock, you cannot change your choices. Locking protects you from accidentally modifying your preferences at the last minute. If you do not lock, your choices remain open until 10:00 AM on 9 September, and you can change them anytime until then — but the portal will close at 10:00 AM, and any unsaved changes will be lost.

• Choice filling window: 3–9 September 2026 (closes 10:00 AM on 9 Sept, server time)
• Rank colleges and courses in order of preference
• First choice is your highest priority; system allots based on merit and choice order
• Choice locking: 8 September (4:00 PM) to 9 September (10:00 AM) — optional but recommended
• Once locked, you cannot change your choices
• Do not leave choices blank if you want to be considered for those colleges

Processing and Allotment: How Seats Are Assigned

After the choice-filling window closes on 9 September at 10:00 AM, the system enters the processing phase (9–10 September). During this time, the counselling algorithm processes all registered candidates' choices and merit ranks. The system matches each candidate's rank with their choice order and the available seats at each college. This is an automated process — no human intervention — and it runs on the server.

The allotment result is announced on 11 September 2026. On this date, you will log into the portal and see your allotted seat: the college name, course (MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc Nursing), and seat category (AIQ, Deemed, Central University, AIIMS, AFMC, or JIPMER). If you are allotted a seat, you must report to that college between 12 and 18 September. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 2, you may be eligible for a subsequent round (if announced), or you may need to explore other options.

Important: the allotment is based strictly on your merit rank and your choice order. You cannot negotiate or request a different seat. If you are allotted a seat you do not want, you have two options: accept it and report (which confirms your admission), or do not report (which means you forfeit the seat and may not be eligible for future rounds). There is no 'hold' or 'defer' option.

• Processing: 9–10 September 2026 (automated, no candidate action needed)
• Result announced: 11 September 2026
• Allotment is based on merit rank and choice order
• Check your allotted seat on the portal on 11 September
• Allotment is final; no changes or negotiations possible

Reporting and Joining: Confirming Your Seat

If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your allotted college between 12 and 18 September 2026. Reporting means physically visiting the college (or following the college's online reporting procedure if they offer it) and completing the admission formalities. This typically includes document verification, fee payment, and signing admission forms. Joining is mandatory — if you do not report and join within this window, your seat will be cancelled, and you will not be eligible for further counselling rounds.

The college will provide you with a list of documents to bring for reporting. This usually includes your NEET admit card, NEET scorecard, 10th and 12th mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, medical fitness certificate, and other documents as specified by the college. Bring originals and photocopies. Do not delay — report as early as possible within the 12–18 September window to avoid last-minute rush and document issues.

Once you join, your admission is confirmed. You will receive an admission letter and your seat is locked. You cannot participate in further counselling rounds after joining. If you join in Round 2 and later a Round 3 is announced, you cannot apply to Round 3 — your seat in Round 2 is final.

• Reporting window: 12–18 September 2026
• Report to your allotted college in person or online (as per college's procedure)
• Bring all required documents: NEET scorecard, mark sheets, caste certificate, domicile, medical fitness, etc.
• Joining is mandatory; non-reporting results in seat cancellation
• Once you join, you cannot participate in further rounds
• Report early to avoid last-minute issues

Colleges Covered in Round 2: AIQ, Deemed, Central, AIIMS, AFMC, JIPMER

Round 2 covers six categories of institutions: (1) 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges across India, (2) 100% Deemed Universities (private medical colleges with deemed status), (3) Central Universities with medical colleges, (4) AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College, Pune), (5) AIIMS institutions (Delhi, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh, Raipur, Nagpur, Bibinagar, Bathinda, Kalyani, Mangalagiri, Guwahati, Gorakhpur, Indore, Vijaypur, Tirupati, and others), and (6) JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) in Puducherry and Karaikal.

AIQ seats are 15% of the total MBBS and BDS seats in government medical colleges. These seats are filled through national-level counselling and are open to candidates from all states. Deemed Universities are private institutions that have been granted 'deemed university' status by the government; they have 100% seats available for counselling. Central Universities with medical colleges also participate. AFMC is a premier defence medical college. AIIMS institutions are central government medical colleges. JIPMER is a central government institution in Puducherry.

The colleges and available seats are listed in the seat matrix, which is verified by colleges on 1–2 September. You will see the full list of colleges and seats when you log into the counselling portal. Choose colleges based on your merit rank, location preference, and course preference (MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc Nursing).

• 15% AIQ seats in government medical colleges (all states)
• 100% Deemed Universities (private medical colleges)
• Central Universities with medical colleges
• AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College)
• AIIMS institutions across India
• JIPMER (Puducherry and Karaikal)

Server Time vs. Local Time: A Critical Trap

All deadlines in this schedule are in 'server time' — the time on the official counselling portal's server, not your local time. This is a common source of confusion and missed deadlines. If you are in a different time zone from the server (which is typically IST — Indian Standard Time), you must convert the deadline to your local time and set a reminder.

For example, if the deadline is 10:00 AM server time on 9 September, and you are in a time zone 5 hours behind IST, the deadline for you is 5:00 AM on 9 September your local time. If you miss this, the portal will close, and you will not be able to fill your choices. There is no extension for time zone confusion.

To avoid this trap: (1) check the server time on the counselling portal itself (it is usually displayed on the homepage), (2) calculate the difference between server time and your local time, (3) set phone reminders for all deadlines in your local time, and (4) complete all steps at least 1–2 hours before the deadline to account for any delays or technical issues.

• All times are in server time (IST), not your local time
• Check the server time on the counselling portal
• Convert deadlines to your local time and set reminders
• Complete steps 1–2 hours before the deadline
• Do not rely on your phone or computer clock — use the portal's server time

Documents You Will Need: A Complete Checklist

While the schedule does not list specific documents, standard documents required for NEET UG counselling and admission include: NEET UG 2026 admit card, NEET scorecard (the official result document from NTA), 10th standard mark sheet, 12th standard mark sheet, caste certificate (if you are applying under SC/ST/OBC category), domicile certificate (proof of residence in your state, if required), medical fitness certificate (issued by a registered medical practitioner), and passport-size photographs.

Additionally, you may need: Aadhaar card or PAN card (for identity verification), migration certificate (if you studied outside your home state), character certificate (from your school or college), and any other documents specified by your allotted college. Each college may have slightly different requirements, so check the college's website or the counselling portal for the exact list before reporting.

Bring both original documents and photocopies. Do not rely on digital copies alone — most colleges require originals for verification. Organize your documents in a folder before reporting day to avoid last-minute scrambling. If any document is missing or incorrect, the college may reject your admission, so double-check everything.

• NEET admit card and scorecard (mandatory)
• 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile certificate (if required by state)
• Medical fitness certificate
• Passport-size photographs
• Aadhaar card or PAN card
• Migration certificate (if applicable)
• Character certificate
• Bring originals and photocopies
• Check your allotted college's specific requirements

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

Mistake 1: Missing the registration deadline. If you do not register and pay by 3:00 PM (registration) and 6:00 PM (payment) on 8 September, you cannot participate in Round 2. There is no grace period. Many candidates miss this because they assume they have until the end of the day or the next day. Plan ahead and register early.

Mistake 2: Not filling any choices or leaving choices blank. If you register but do not fill any choices, you will not be allotted any seat. The system can only allot a seat if you have ranked at least one college. Similarly, if you rank only 2 colleges but the system cannot allot you to either (because your rank does not qualify), you will not get a seat. Fill as many choices as possible, in order of preference.

Mistake 3: Not reporting within the 12–18 September window. If you are allotted a seat but do not report to the college by 18 September, your seat is cancelled. You cannot report on 19 September or later. This is a hard deadline. If you have a genuine emergency, contact the college immediately — but do not assume they will extend the deadline.

Mistake 4: Bringing incomplete or incorrect documents. If your caste certificate does not show your sub-caste (if required), or if your domicile certificate is from the wrong state, or if your medical fitness certificate is not signed by a registered doctor, the college may reject it. Verify all documents before reporting.

Mistake 5: Misunderstanding server time. If you think the deadline is 10:00 AM your local time but it is actually 10:00 AM server time (which may be different), you will miss the deadline. Always use the server time shown on the portal, not your local time.

What Happens If You Are Not Allotted a Seat in Round 2?

If you are not allotted a seat in Round 2, it means your merit rank did not qualify for any of the colleges you ranked, or all the seats in those colleges were filled by candidates with higher ranks. In this case, you have two options: (1) wait for a subsequent round (if the counselling authority announces Round 3 or a mop-up round), or (2) explore other options such as private colleges, deemed universities that conduct their own counselling, or courses outside MBBS/BDS.

If a Round 3 is announced, you will be eligible to participate if you did not join any seat in Round 2. The schedule for Round 3 will be announced separately. Keep checking the official counselling portal for updates.

If no further round is announced, your NEET UG 2026 counselling journey ends. You can then consider: (1) taking a gap year and attempting NEET UG 2027, (2) applying to private medical colleges that conduct their own admissions, (3) exploring B.Sc Nursing or other paramedical courses, or (4) considering medical education abroad. Discuss your options with your parents and a counsellor.

• Not allotted = your rank did not qualify for your chosen colleges
• Wait for Round 3 or mop-up round (if announced)
• Check the portal regularly for updates
• If no further round, consider private colleges, gap year, or alternative courses

Frequently asked questions

Mark all dates on your calendar now, converting server time to your local time. Register and pay by 6:00 PM on 8 September — do not wait until the last minute. Fill your choices by 10:00 AM on 9 September, lock them if possible, and check your result on 11 September. If allotted, report to your college between 12 and 18 September with all required documents. Missing any deadline will cost you your seat. For the latest updates and to access the counselling portal, visit the official NTA NEET UG website.