The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Chennai, has released the official timetable for Round 1 of Tamil Nadu's NEET-PG counselling for the 2026–27 academic year. Online registration, document verification, and web-based choice selection for qualified MBBS graduates on the state merit register will open on October 31, 2026, and close on November 3, 2026. This is the first major step toward securing an MD, MS, or PG Diploma seat in Tamil Nadu's government and self-financing medical colleges. If you have qualified NEET-PG 2026 and appear on the Tamil Nadu merit list, you must complete registration and lock your specialty choices within this four-day window to remain eligible for seat allocation.
Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 registration opens October 31, 2026, at 12:01 PM and closes November 3 at 5:00 PM; all eligible candidates must register, pay ₹1,000 processing fee, and lock their specialty choices by the deadline to participate in seat allotment.
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Unlock My College ListWhen Does Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 Registration Begin and End?
Registration and choice-filling for Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 will commence on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 12:01 PM and continue until November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM. This four-day window is your only opportunity to register on the official portal, submit the mandatory processing fee, and lock your preferred specialties and colleges in order of preference.
The portal will remain open throughout this period, but it is strongly advisable not to delay. Many candidates wait until the final hours, which can lead to technical issues, payment failures, or missed deadlines. Plan to complete your registration and choice-locking well before the November 3 cutoff to avoid last-minute complications.
Who Is Eligible for Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 Counselling?
Eligibility for Round 1 is determined by your position on the Tamil Nadu NEET-PG state merit list and your NEET-PG 2026 score. For government quota seats, candidates with a General Rank (GR) between 001 and 7952 and a NEET score between 705.64 and 226 are eligible. For management quota (self-financing college) seats, candidates with a General Rank between 001 and 3643 and a NEET score between 625 and 226 are eligible.
Your exact eligibility depends on your rank, category (General, OBC, SC, ST), and the quota type (government or management). If you appear on the state merit list within these rank ranges, you are eligible to register. Candidates who do not fall within these ranges will not be able to register in Round 1 but may be considered in subsequent rounds if seats remain unfilled.
How to Register and Fill Choices on tnmedicalselection.net
Registration is entirely online and must be completed at www.tnmedicalselection.net. Begin by visiting the official website and locating the link for 'Online Counselling for PG Degree / Diploma Courses 2026–2027 Session.' You will need your NEET-PG 2026 Application Number, Roll Number, and password to log in.
After logging in, you must pay a non-refundable online processing fee of ₹1,000 using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. For self-financing college seats, additional security deposit amounts may apply depending on your category. Once payment is confirmed, you can browse all available MD, MS, and Diploma seats across government and self-financing colleges in Tamil Nadu, select your preferred specialties and institutions, and arrange them in descending order of preference (most preferred first).
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- Visit www.tnmedicalselection.net
- Click 'Online Counselling for PG Degree / Diploma Courses 2026–2027 Session'
- Enter your Application Number, NEET-PG Roll Number, and password
- Pay ₹1,000 processing fee via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI
- Browse available seats in MD, MS, and Diploma specialties
- Select and rank your choices in order of preference
- Lock your selections by November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Download and save your confirmation sheet for records
What Documents Must You Prepare Before Registration?
Document verification is a critical part of the counselling process. You must have all required documents ready before you begin registration, as you may be asked to upload or present them during the verification phase. Incomplete or missing documents can delay your admission or result in cancellation of your allotted seat.
Prepare originals and copies of your NEET-PG 2026 Score Card, NEET-PG Admit Card, MBBS Degree Certificate, CRRI (Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship) Completion Certificate, and any PG Diploma Certificate if applicable. You will also need proof of identity (Aadhaar Card, Driving Licence, Voter ID, or Passport), a Community Certificate issued by a competent authority, a Nativity Certificate, a Transfer Certificate from your medical college, and a Character Certificate. Keep digital copies of all documents accessible during the registration window.
- NEET-PG 2026 Score Card
- NEET-PG 2026 Admit Card
- MBBS Degree Certificate
- CRRI Completion Certificate
- PG Diploma Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence or Voter ID or Passport
- Community Certificate
- Nativity Certificate
- Transfer Certificate from medical college
- Character Certificate
- Parent's documents (as per state guidelines)
Key Dates in the Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 Timeline
The entire Round 1 process follows a strict schedule. Registration and choice-filling run from October 31 to November 3, 2026. Seat allotment processing occurs on November 4, and results are announced on November 5. Candidates can download their provisional allotment orders between November 5 and November 10 (until 3:00 PM). The final deadline to join your allotted college is November 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Missing any of these deadlines can result in forfeiture of your seat. For example, if you do not lock your choices by November 3 at 5:00 PM, your unlocked selections will be automatically locked at the closing time, which may not reflect your true preferences. Similarly, if you do not join your allotted college by November 10 at 5:00 PM, your seat may be cancelled and offered to the next eligible candidate.
- October 31, 2026, 12:01 PM – Registration and choice-filling opens
- November 3, 2026, 5:00 PM – Registration and choice-locking deadline
- November 4, 2026 – Seat allotment processing
- November 5, 2026 – Allotment results announced
- November 5–10, 2026, 3:00 PM – Download provisional allotment order
- November 10, 2026, 5:00 PM – Final joining deadline
What Happens After You Lock Your Choices?
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Once you lock your choices on or before November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the DMER will process seat allotment using a computerized merit-based algorithm. Your final allotment depends on your rank, your locked preferences, the number of available seats in each specialty and college, and the preferences of all other candidates. On November 5, results will be announced, and you can download your provisional allotment order from the portal.
If you are allotted a seat, you must report to your assigned college by November 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM with all original documents for final verification and admission. If you are not allotted a seat in Round 1, you may be eligible for Round 2 counselling (if announced) or remain on a waitlist. Do not assume you are ineligible; check the official portal on November 5 for your result.
What Is the Processing Fee and How Do You Pay It?
The mandatory online processing fee for Round 1 registration is ₹1,000, which is non-refundable. This fee must be paid during registration and cannot be waived or deferred. Payment can be made via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. For candidates seeking seats in self-financing medical colleges under the management quota, an additional security deposit may be required as per category guidelines; this amount will be specified on the portal during registration.
Ensure you have a valid payment method ready before you begin registration. Payment failures or delays can prevent you from completing registration within the deadline. If your payment fails, attempt again immediately or use an alternative payment method. Keep your payment receipt and confirmation number for your records.
What If You Miss the Registration Deadline?
If you do not register and lock your choices by November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM, you will not be eligible for Round 1 seat allotment. There is no grace period or extension. Missing this deadline is a serious setback because it means you forfeit your opportunity to secure a seat in Round 1, which typically offers the largest number of available positions.
However, if seats remain unfilled after Round 1, the DMER may announce a Round 2 counselling with a new registration window. You may be eligible for Round 2 if you remain on the merit list and have not been allotted a seat. Monitor the official portal and DMER announcements closely after November 5 to learn whether Round 2 will be conducted and when registration will open. Do not assume Round 2 will happen; it depends on the number of unfilled seats.
How Should You Approach Choosing Your Specialties and Colleges?
Your choice-filling strategy is crucial to your success. You must rank your preferred specialties (MD, MS, or Diploma) and colleges in order of genuine preference, with your most desired option first. The allotment algorithm will attempt to match you to the highest-ranked choice for which you are eligible based on your rank and available seats. If that seat is unavailable, it will move to your second choice, and so on.
Research each specialty carefully: consider your career goals, job prospects, further study options (such as super-speciality), and work-life balance. Rank colleges thoughtfully as well; a seat in a less-preferred specialty at a top government college may be more valuable than a seat in your preferred specialty at a distant or less-resourced institution. Avoid leaving blank choices; fill as many meaningful options as possible to maximize your chances of allotment. Remember, unlocked choices will be automatically locked at the deadline, so finalize your list well in advance.
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
When does Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 registration open and close?
Registration opens on October 31, 2026, at 12:01 PM and closes on November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM. You must complete registration, pay the processing fee, and lock your specialty and college choices within this four-day window. Any choices not locked by the deadline will be automatically locked at 5:00 PM on November 3.
What is the processing fee for Tamil Nadu NEET-PG counselling, and how do I pay it?
The non-refundable processing fee is ₹1,000. You can pay it online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI during registration at www.tnmedicalselection.net. For self-financing college seats, an additional security deposit may apply depending on your category. Payment must be completed during registration; there is no option to pay later.
Who is eligible to register for Tamil Nadu NEET-PG Round 1 counselling?
Candidates who appear on the Tamil Nadu NEET-PG state merit list and fall within the specified rank and score ranges are eligible. For government quota seats, General Rank 001–7952 (NEET score 705.64–226) are eligible. For management quota seats, General Rank 001–3643 (NEET score 625–226) are eligible. Your exact eligibility depends on your rank, category, and quota type.
What documents do I need to prepare before registering for counselling?
Prepare originals and copies of your NEET-PG Score Card, NEET-PG Admit Card, MBBS Degree Certificate, CRRI Completion Certificate, proof of identity (Aadhaar, Driving Licence, Voter ID, or Passport), Community Certificate, Nativity Certificate, Transfer Certificate from your medical college, and Character Certificate. Have digital copies accessible during registration in case you are asked to upload them.
When will seat allotment results be announced, and what is the joining deadline?
Seat allotment results will be announced on November 5, 2026. You can download your provisional allotment order between November 5 and November 10 (until 3:00 PM). The final deadline to join your allotted college is November 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM. If you do not join by this date, your seat will be cancelled.
What happens if I do not lock my choices by the November 3 deadline?
Any choices you have not locked by November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM will be automatically locked at the closing time. This means your unlocked selections will be finalized as they stand, which may not reflect your true preferences. To avoid this, lock your choices well before the deadline.
Can I register if I miss the October 31 to November 3 registration window?
No. If you do not register and lock your choices by November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM, you will not be eligible for Round 1 seat allotment. There is no grace period or extension. However, if seats remain unfilled, the DMER may announce a Round 2 counselling with a new registration window. Monitor the official portal for announcements after November 5.
How do I rank my specialty and college choices to maximize my chances of allotment?
Rank your choices in genuine order of preference, with your most desired option first. The allotment algorithm will attempt to match you to your highest-ranked eligible choice. Research each specialty and college carefully before ranking. Fill as many meaningful choices as possible to increase your chances. Avoid leaving blank choices; a well-filled choice list improves your odds of allotment.
If you are on the Tamil Nadu NEET-PG merit list, mark October 31 on your calendar and ensure all your documents are ready. Register early, pay the ₹1,000 fee, carefully rank your specialties and colleges, and lock your choices well before November 3 at 5:00 PM. Missing this deadline will exclude you from Round 1 allotment, so do not delay.
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