Tamil Nadu NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Application Opens Today, Deadline Oct 15

Tamil Nadu's PG counselling for the 2026-27 academic year has officially opened today, 9 October 2026. The Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DME) is inviting applications from NEET-PG 2026 qualified candidates for admission to MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses in government medical colleges and government-quota seats in self-financing medical colleges affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. The online application window closes on 15 October 2026 at 5:00 PM — there is no extension. This is a critical first step: incomplete applications or those missing mandatory documents will be summarily rejected with no opportunity for reconsideration.

Important Dates at a Glance

The application window is extremely tight. Online applications open today, 9 October 2026 at 12:00 noon, and close on 15 October 2026 at 5:00 PM as per server time. No extension will be granted under any circumstances. The Selection Committee will not accept late submissions, so plan to submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

After the application deadline, the Selection Committee will announce the rank list (date to be notified later). Counselling rounds will follow, with dates to be announced separately. Course commencement and final admission closure dates will also be notified in due course. Candidates must monitor the official website www.tnmedicalselection.net regularly for all updates.

• Application opens: 9 October 2026, 12:00 noon
• Application closes: 15 October 2026, 5:00 PM (server time)
• Rank list declaration: To be notified later
• Counselling dates: To be notified later
• Course commencement: To be notified later
• Admission closure: To be notified later

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

You must have qualified NEET-PG 2026 conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE). The minimum qualifying score depends on your category. General category candidates need 50th percentile (262 marks out of 800); SC/ST/OBC candidates need 40th percentile (226 marks); General Persons with Disability need 45th percentile (244 marks); and SC/ST/OBC Persons with Disability need 40th percentile. These are the NEET-PG cutoffs set by the Director General of Health Services, Government of India.

You must have cleared your MBBS examination and completed (or be completing) your CRRI/CRMI (Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship / Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship) period on or before 30 September 2026. You must be registered with the National Medical Commission (or erstwhile Medical Council of India) or your State Medical Council — bring proof of this registration at the time of counselling and admission.

You must possess an MBBS degree from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University or any other university recognized by the Medical Council of India. If you graduated from a university outside Tamil Nadu, you must obtain an Eligibility Certificate from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Guindy, Chennai-600 032 and produce it at the time of admission.

If you are a diploma holder, you are eligible to apply for PG Degree courses but NOT for another diploma course. If you are currently pursuing a PG Degree, Diploma, or DNB course, you are NOT eligible to apply. If you have already completed a PG Degree, DNB, or equivalent course, you are NOT eligible to apply for any other PG course.

• NEET-PG 2026 qualified (minimum cutoff as per category)
• MBBS cleared with CRRI/CRMI completed by 30 September 2026
• Registered with National Medical Commission or State Medical Council
• MBBS from recognized university (Eligibility Certificate required if from outside TN)
• NOT currently pursuing any PG course
• NOT already completed a PG Degree, DNB, or equivalent
• Diploma holders can apply for Degree courses only

Mandatory Documents: Upload Everything or Face Rejection

A High Court order (W.P. No. 27151 of 2022 and related petitions) mandates that ALL relevant documents must be submitted online along with your application. The Selection Committee will summarily reject any application that is incomplete or lacks clearly visible documents. There is no reconsideration process — once rejected, your application cannot be resubmitted. This is not a warning; it is the rule.

Every document must be a visibly clear, self-attested photocopy. Blurry, illegible, or partially visible documents will result in rejection. The same photograph you uploaded for NEET-PG 2026 must be uploaded for this application. Ensure all documents are in PDF or image format as specified by the portal.

• NEET PG 2026 Score Card (self-attested photocopy)
• NEET PG 2026 Admit Card (self-attested photocopy)
• MBBS Degree Certificate OR Diploma Certificate OR Provisional Pass Certificate
• CRRI / CRMI Completion Certificate
• Permanent or Provisional Medical Registration Certificate (from Medical Council of India or State Medical Council)
• Community Certificate (if applicable) — issued by Revenue Divisional Officer, Government of Tamil Nadu
• Nativity Certificate (if claiming Tamil Nadu nativity) — issued by competent authority
• Parent's Community Certificate (if claiming community reservation) — issued by Revenue Divisional Officer
• TNPSC / MRB Selection & Posting Order (if service candidate)
• Persons with Disability (PwD) Medical Certificate (if applicable) — must be dated within 3 months of application
• Eligibility Certificate from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (only if MBBS from outside Tamil Nadu)
• Aadhaar Card (clearly visible photocopy)
• Passport OR Voter's ID OR Driving Licence (as supportive document)
• Parent's Aadhaar Card and School Certificates (photocopy)

Application Fee and Payment Method

All candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹3,000 at the time of application. SC/ST (including Arunthathiyar) and Scheduled Tribe candidates of Tamil Nadu native are EXEMPT from this fee. Payment must be made online only — no offline payment is accepted.

The online payment portal accepts Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, and UPI. Before you begin, check that your card/account has sufficient transaction limit and validity. The Selection Committee is NOT responsible for transaction failures due to banking system issues or insufficient funds. Do NOT wait until the last minute — complete your payment well before 5 PM on 15 October to avoid server congestion and technical failures.

Important: Mere deduction of money from your bank account is NOT proof of successful fee payment. Verify that the portal confirms your payment before you submit your application. If payment fails, you must retry immediately.

• Application fee: ₹3,000 (non-refundable)
• SC/ST/Arunthathiyar candidates of Tamil Nadu native: EXEMPT
• Payment method: Online only (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI)
• Check card validity and transaction limit before paying
• Verify payment confirmation on portal before submitting application
• No offline payment accepted
• No extension for payment or application submission

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

Visit the official website www.tnmedicalselection.net. Log in or create an account if you do not have one. Fill in all required fields in the online application form carefully. The form will ask for your personal details, NEET-PG score, MBBS details, category, nativity, and other information. Do NOT leave any mandatory field blank.

Upload all documents listed in the 'Mandatory Documents' section above. Each document must be a clear, self-attested photocopy in the format specified by the portal. Ensure the file size and format meet the portal's requirements. If a document is not clearly visible, the portal may reject it or the Selection Committee will reject your application during scrutiny.

Review all information you have entered. Once you submit, NO changes are allowed. The portal will not permit you to edit your application after submission. If you make an error, your application will be rejected and you will have to reapply (if time permits).

Pay the application fee of ₹3,000 (unless exempt) through the online payment portal. Verify that payment is successful. Then submit your application. You will receive a confirmation message and an application reference number. Save this number for your records.

Service candidates (government medical officers) must upload their service particulars duly certified by the forwarding authority with date and seal. Candidates applying under Persons with Disability (PwD) must upload a filled and certified special category form (provided in the prospectus) along with a recent medical certificate from a regional medical board, dated within 3 months of application.

• Visit www.tnmedicalselection.net
• Fill all mandatory fields in the application form
• Upload all required documents (clear, self-attested photocopies)
• Review all information carefully — NO EDITS allowed after submission
• Pay ₹3,000 application fee (unless SC/ST/Arunthathiyar exempt)
• Verify payment success on portal
• Submit application
• Save confirmation number and reference ID
• Service candidates: upload certified service particulars
• PwD candidates: upload special category form and medical certificate (within 3 months)

Critical Traps: What Gets Applications Rejected

**Incomplete applications are summarily rejected.** If even one mandatory field is blank or one required document is missing, your application will be rejected. There is no second chance. The Selection Committee will not contact you to ask for missing documents.

**Blurry or illegible documents result in rejection.** If the portal or the Selection Committee cannot read your documents clearly, your application is rejected. Ensure all photocopies are sharp, well-lit, and fully visible. Do not submit documents that are partially cut off or faded.

**Wrong or outdated certificates are rejected.** Your PwD medical certificate must be dated within 3 months of application. Your community certificate and nativity certificate must be issued by the correct competent authority (Revenue Department, not any other office). If you submit a certificate from the wrong authority, it will be rejected.

**Dual nativity claims result in legal action.** If you claim nativity of Tamil Nadu but also hold nativity of another state, the Selection Committee will take appropriate legal action against you. Claim nativity only if you genuinely qualify.

**Service candidates without proper certification are rejected.** If you are a government medical officer and do not upload your service particulars duly certified by the designated authority with date and seal, your application will be summarily rejected. Temporary appointments without 2 years of continuous service as on 31 March 2026 are NOT eligible.

**Suppression of eligibility or non-eligibility facts results in cancellation.** If you hide any fact about your eligibility (e.g., you are currently pursuing another PG course, or you have already completed a PG Degree), your allotment will be cancelled and legal/disciplinary action will be taken against you.

**Offline applications are not accepted.** You must apply online only. Colleges that accept offline applications may face legal consequences. Do not attempt to submit offline.

**Agents and consultancies are your responsibility.** If you use an agent or consultancy to fill your application, you are solely responsible for the contents and any errors. The Selection Committee will not entertain complaints about incorrect information submitted by agents.

• ⚠️ Incomplete applications = automatic rejection, no reconsideration
• ⚠️ Blurry or illegible documents = rejection
• ⚠️ PwD certificate must be dated within 3 months
• ⚠️ Community/nativity certificates must be from correct authority
• ⚠️ Dual nativity claims = legal action
• ⚠️ Service candidates without proper certification = rejection
• ⚠️ Suppression of facts = cancellation of allotment + legal action
• ⚠️ Offline applications not accepted
• ⚠️ You are responsible for agent-filled applications

Fees and Security Deposit at Counselling

The ₹3,000 application fee is paid now, during application. At the time of counselling registration (after the rank list is declared), you will need to pay an additional non-refundable registration fee of ₹1,000. This is separate from the application fee.

If you are allotted a seat, you will also need to pay a security deposit. For government medical colleges, the security deposit is ₹30,000. For government-quota seats in self-financing medical colleges, the security deposit is ₹1,00,000. This deposit will be refunded to you within 3 months after the entire counselling process ends, IF you do not get any seat in any round. If you are allotted a seat and join, the deposit is held as security and will be refunded after you complete your course (subject to no violations).

Tuition fees for government colleges are ₹20,000 per annum for PG Diploma and ₹40,000 per annum for PG Degree, plus a special fee of ₹10,000 per annum for Degree courses. SC/ST and differently abled candidates are exempt from tuition and special fees in government colleges. Fees for self-financing colleges are set by a separate fee fixation committee and will be notified during counselling.

• Application fee (now): ₹3,000 (SC/ST/Arunthathiyar exempt)
• Registration fee (at counselling): ₹1,000 (non-refundable)
• Security deposit (if allotted): ₹30,000 (govt colleges) or ₹1,00,000 (self-financing)
• Tuition fee (govt colleges): ₹20,000/year (Diploma) or ₹40,000/year (Degree)
• Special fee (govt colleges, Degree only): ₹10,000/year
• SC/ST and differently abled: exempt from tuition and special fees in govt colleges

Counselling Structure: Four Rounds

After the rank list is declared, counselling will proceed in four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Stray Round. Each round has different rules about free exit, resignation, and eligibility for the next round. The exact dates and procedures for each round will be notified separately on the official website.

In Round 1, you register, pay the registration fee, lock your choice of colleges/specialties, and are allotted a seat. If you join, you can participate in Round 2 for re-allotment (upgrade). If you do not join or resign within the stipulated time, you can participate in Round 2 as a fresh candidate.

In Round 2, re-allotment is permitted. If you do not join after Round 2, you forfeit your registration fee but can still participate in Round 3. If you resign after the stipulated date in Round 2, you become ineligible for Round 3 and must pay a discontinuation penalty of ₹10 lakh (Diploma) or ₹15 lakh (Degree).

In Round 3, remaining vacancies are filled. If you are allotted in Round 3, you cannot participate in the Stray Round. The Stray Round is the final round for candidates who have not been allotted in any previous round.

Important: If you join a seat and then want to discontinue the course after the resignation period, you must pay a discontinuation penalty of ₹10 lakh (Diploma) or ₹15 lakh (Degree) in addition to forfeiting all fees paid. Your original certificates will be retained by the college until this penalty is paid.

• Round 1: Register, lock choices, get allotted, join or resign
• Round 2: Re-allotment for those who joined Round 1; fresh allotment for those who did not join
• Round 3: Remaining vacancies filled; if allotted, cannot participate in Stray Round
• Stray Round: Final round for candidates not allotted in Rounds 1–3
• Discontinuation penalty: ₹10 lakh (Diploma) or ₹15 lakh (Degree) if you join and then leave after resignation period
• Certificates retained until all penalties and fees are paid

Seat Allocation and Reservation

In government medical colleges, 50% of seats are offered to the All India Quota (allotted by the Director General of Health Services, New Delhi). The remaining 50% are state quota seats, allotted by Tamil Nadu during state counselling.

Of the 50% state quota seats, 50% are reserved exclusively for in-service government medical officers. The remaining 50% are open to both service and non-service candidates. Seats are filled based on merit and the rule of reservation (200-point Roster method for 2–7 seats per specialty; standard reservation percentages for 8+ seats).

Reservation percentages for 8 or more seats are: Open Competition 31%, Backward Class 30% (including 3.5% for Backward Class Muslims), Most Backward Class / Denotified Community 20%, Scheduled Caste 18%, Scheduled Tribe 1%. Within the SC quota, 16% is reserved for Arunthathiyar community.

Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with 40–80% disability are eligible for 5% of seats reserved for PwD. Candidates with more than 80% disability are NOT eligible for PG admission. Candidates with less than 40% disability are NOT eligible for PwD reservation but can apply under general category.

If adequate eligible candidates are not available in a reserved category, those seats are filled by candidates from the next eligible category as per government orders. For example, if no eligible ST candidates are available, ST seats may be filled by SC candidates.

• Government colleges: 50% All India Quota, 50% State Quota
• State Quota: 50% for in-service candidates, 50% open (service + non-service)
• Reservation (8+ seats): Open 31%, BC 30%, MBC/Denotified 20%, SC 18%, ST 1%
• PwD: 5% of seats for candidates with 40–80% disability
• Arunthathiyar: 16% of SC quota
• Backward Class Muslim: 3.5% of BC quota
• Unfilled reserved seats may be filled by next eligible category

Service Candidates: Special Rules and Weightage

Government medical officers (TNPSC/MRB selected and appointed in Tamil Nadu Medical Services) who have completed at least 2 years of continuous service as on 31 March 2026 are eligible as service candidates. Medical officers in local bodies with 2 years of continuous service as on 31 March 2026 are also eligible. Temporary appointees without 2 years of service are NOT eligible.

Service candidates receive additional weightage of up to 10% of their NEET-PG marks per year of service completed in hilly/remote, difficult, or rural areas, subject to a maximum of 30% weightage. This weightage is added to their NEET-PG score to calculate their rank.

Service candidates must upload their service particulars duly certified by the designated authority (with date and seal) along with their application. If this certification is missing, the application will be summarily rejected. Service candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of service remaining after completion of their PG course.

If a service candidate resigns from service after completing the PG course, they must pay a compensation of ₹40 lakh plus interest at the government housing loan rate. If they do not join service immediately after course completion, a proportionate compensation is levied. If they abscond, they are liable to prosecution under the Revenue Recovery Act.

• Eligible: TNPSC/MRB selected officers with 2+ years service as on 31 March 2026
• Weightage: Up to 10% per year of service in hilly/remote/difficult/rural areas (max 30%)
• Must upload certified service particulars with application
• Must have 5+ years service remaining after PG course
• Resignation penalty: ₹40 lakh + interest
• Non-joining penalty: Proportionate to period not served
• Absconding: Prosecution under Revenue Recovery Act

Persons with Disability (PwD): Eligibility and Certification

Candidates with benchmarked disabilities (40–80% disability) are eligible for 5% of seats reserved for PwD. Candidates with more than 80% disability are NOT eligible for PG admission. Candidates with less than 40% disability are NOT eligible for PwD reservation but can apply under general category.

Your disability certificate must be obtained from a Primary Medical Assessment Board in Tamil Nadu (Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai; Madurai Medical College & Hospital, Madurai; Coimbatore Medical College & Hospital, Coimbatore; Thanjavur Medical College & Hospital, Thanjavur) or the Appellate Disability Assessment Board at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. The certificate must be dated within 3 months of your application. If the certificate is older than 3 months, your application will NOT be considered under PwD quota.

Candidates with significant locomotor disability (with or without other disabilities such as visual, hearing, or speech impairment) that makes it very difficult to pursue and complete the course satisfactorily may be declared NOT ELIGIBLE for admission. Both hands must be intact with intact sensations, sufficient strength, and range of motion to be considered eligible for medical courses.

If you do not upload a clear photocopy of your PwD medical certificate, your application will be considered under general category only, not under PwD quota.

• Eligible disability range: 40–80%
• NOT eligible: >80% disability or <40% disability (for PwD quota)
• Certificate must be from approved medical board in Tamil Nadu
• Certificate must be dated within 3 months of application
• Significant locomotor disability may result in ineligibility for admission
• Both hands must be intact with sufficient strength and range of motion
• Missing or unclear certificate = application considered under general category only

Important General Instructions

All admissions and resignations must be done online only. Offline admissions or resignations are not accepted. Colleges that process offline admissions or resignations may face legal consequences.

Fill your application yourself. Do not use agents, consultancies, or third parties. You are solely responsible for the contents and accuracy of your application. If an agent fills your form and makes errors, you cannot blame the agent — the rejection is your responsibility.

Do not indulge in agitation, strikes, or ragging during your course. Candidates found participating in such activities will be expelled from the course and criminal action will be taken against them.

By submitting your application, you are deemed to have read, agreed, and accepted all terms and conditions of the counselling scheme. You will not have the right to challenge any clause of this prospectus.

The Selection Committee will not be responsible for consequences arising from your failure to follow notices, notifications, or updates published on the official website. It is your responsibility to check the website regularly for all updates.

• All admissions and resignations: online only
• Fill application yourself; you are responsible for accuracy
• No agitation, strikes, or ragging during course
• Violation of conduct rules = expulsion + criminal action
• By applying, you accept all terms and conditions
• Check official website regularly for updates
• Selection Committee not responsible for missed updates

Frequently asked questions

Apply online at www.tnmedicalselection.net by 15 October 2026, 5:00 PM. Upload all mandatory documents clearly and completely — incomplete applications are rejected with no reconsideration. Pay the ₹3,000 application fee (unless SC/ST/Arunthathiyar exempt) and submit before the deadline. Save your confirmation number. Monitor the official website regularly for rank list declaration and counselling dates. Do not delay — the deadline is firm and no extension will be granted.