NEET UG 2026 Counselling dates are announced by officials. The NEET‑UG Counselling 2026 (All India Quota, Deemed & Central Universities) officially begins on 05 August 2026.
Applicants who appear for NEET 2026 and clear the exam according to the cut-off criteria shall be eligible for NEET 2026 counselling, provided additional eligibility rules are issued by MCC.
Throughout the counselling procedure of NEET, candidates are usually provided with the facility to fill in multiple college options. There is no specific number, and choices may be filled according to the preference of the candidate.
The seat allotment will be done on the basis of NEET 2026 rank, preference of the candidate, availability of seats, and reservation rules. The full procedure will be communicated officially once the NEET results are out.
No, category transfers such as General to EWS cannot be done during counselling. The category announced during the time of registration for NEET will be deemed final, unless changes were done during the official correction window.
NEET Counselling 2026 Schedule OUT: MCC Dates, Process & Fees
Latest Update(01 August 2026): MCC has announced the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule today. The counselling process has been revised with new rules, including no mandatory physical reporting for candidates opting for seat upgrades, making admissions more transparent and convenient. Only candidates who freeze their seats must visit the allotted institute with original documents for physical verification and admission.
First round of online registration will begin on 05 August 2026
Counselling process for Round 1 will continue until 22 August 2026
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the official counselling dates and schedule on its website. The NEET UG counselling process will be conducted by the MCC in online mode, except for the last round. The final round requires candidates to report physically to the allotted institute for document verification and the admission process. Candidates are strongly encouraged to refer to the NEET Counselling 2026 article for essential information such as Counselling dates, procedures, fees, and the latest updates regarding NEET Counselling for 2026.
1.0When Will NEET 2026 Counselling Begin?
The regulatory body for NEET-UG exams, the NTA (National Testing Agency) conducts NEET in the offline mode (pen-paper test).
NEET UG counselling schedule for 15% All India Quota (AIQ)/Central and Deemed Universities/All AIIMS and JIPMER/ESIC & AFMC Institutes (MBBS & BDS) seats 2026 is listed below.
Events
Dates
NEET UG Exam 2026
21 June 2026
NEET 2026 Result Date
16 July 2026
ROUND 1
Verification of Seat Matrix
04 August 2026
Registration & Payment
05 August to 12 August 2026 (3:00 PM)
Choice Filling
06 August to 13 August 2026
Choice Locking
12 August to 13 August 2026
Seat Processing
13 August to 16 August 2026
Result Declaration
17 August 2026
Reporting to College
18 August to 22 August 2026
ROUND 2
Verification of Seat Matrix
24 August 2026
Registration & Payment
25 August to 29 August 2026
Choice Filling
25 August to 30 August 2026
Seat Processing
31 August to 01 September 2026
Result Declaration
02 September 2026
Reporting to the allotted college
03 September to 08 September 2026
ROUND 3
Verification of Seat Matrix
10 September 2026
Registration & Payment
11 September to 15 September 2026
Choice Filling
11 September to 16 September 2026
Seat Processing
16 September to 17 September 2026
Result Declaration
18 September 2026
Reporting to the allotted college
19 September to 26 September 2026
Online STRAY VACANCY
Verification of Seat Matrix
27 September 2026
Registration, Payment and Choice Filling
28 September to 30 September 2026
Seat Processing
01 October to 02 October2026
Result
03 October2026
Reporting to the allotted college
04 October to 10 October2026
*Please note: Students must check official website for latest related details.
2.0What is NEET 2026 Counselling?
The NEET UG 2026 Counselling is the centralized admission process through which eligible candidates are allotted seats in medical and dental colleges based on their NEET score, All India Rank (AIR), reservation category, seat availability, and college preferences.
The counselling process is conducted separately for:
15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
85% State Quota seats by the respective State Counselling Authorities.
In addition to AIQ seats, MCC also conducts counselling for:
AIIMS
JIPMER
Central Universities
Deemed Universities
ESIC Medical Colleges
AFMC (Screening process applicable)
Candidates may participate in both AIQ and State Quota counselling if they meet the eligibility criteria.
3.0NEET UG 2026 Counselling Rounds
The MCC will conduct the counseling for AIQ seats in four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Online Stray Vacancy Round
If seats remain vacant after the Online Stray Vacancy Round, MCC may announce additional rounds as per the admission requirements.
4.0NEET Counselling 2026 - Overview
Organizing Authorities
All India Counselling NEET UG 2026: DGHS
State Quota: State Authorities
Authorized Website
All India Counselling NEET UG 2026: mcc.nic.in
State Quota: Details can be found in the table below on this page.
Total Available Seats
All India Counselling NEET UG 2026:
15% of Government Seats,
100% of Deemed and Central University Seats and ESIC/AFMC/AIIMS/JIPMER Seats
State Quota:
85% of Government Seats and
100% of Private Seats within the state.
Counselling Mode
Online
Participating Institutes
All government, private medical and dental colleges, along with specific nursing institutions.
5.0NEET Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NEET UG 2026 counselling, candidates need to meet the following criteria:
Obtain a passing mark in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Fulfil the registration requirements on the official MCC website.
All candidates, including those from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, are eligible to participate in the Counselling for All India Quota (AIQ) seats and deemed universities.
Eligibility Criteria for Central Universities
CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES
SEAT SCHEME
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Delhi University (MAMC, LHMC, UCMS)
15% of seats of the colleges affiliated with the Delhi University
Only Delhi-based Class 11 and Class 12 graduates are eligible for these 85% seats.
Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia
Out of 50 BDS seats, 47 are available through MCC NEET Counselling, and the remaining 3 are under the institutional quota.
Candidates who completed both Class 11 and Class 12 at JMI institutes.
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
The institute allocates 50% of its seats, while the remaining 50% are filled through NEET MCC Counselling.
Candidates who have studied at AMU for the past three years can opt for institutional quota.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
15% seats
Candidates meeting the NEET MCC Counselling eligibility can apply to BHU without any additional requirements.
Reservation of AIQ Seats in NEET 2026
In the NEET 2026 examination, a specific number of seats have been set aside for different categories within the 15% All India Quota. Candidates belonging to these specific categories will be considered for admission to these reserved seats under the All-India Quota, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria.
Please review the allocation of seats based on categories below.
Category
Reservation Percentage
SC
15%
ST
7.5%
PwD
5%
OBC - NCL
27%
EWS
10%
6.0NEET 2026 Counselling Process
For NEET 2026 candidates aiming to take part in the Counselling procedure for All India Quota (AIQ) seats in Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and ESIC colleges, the initial step involves online registration via the official MCC website.
The subsequent NEET 2026 Counselling process is elaborated below:
NEET Counselling Registration
Step 1 – Sign Up as a New User
To begin the NEET UG 2026 Counselling process, candidates should follow the provided link. They will be asked to provide information such as their chosen stream (Medical or Dental), NEET UG roll number, application number, candidate's name, date of birth, and a security pin. After entering these details, they should click the 'Submit' button.
Upon submission, an agreement page will appear, giving aspirants the option to either 'Agree' or 'Don't Agree'. If candidates wish to proceed with the application, they must select 'I Agree'. At this point, login credentials will be displayed on the screen. Candidates should make a note of these credentials, including their password, and set up a security question for added protection.
Step 2 – Submission of Personal Information
During this step, applicants will need to furnish specific information such as the mother's name, the father's name, and the candidate's address. Once submitted, it is crucial to emphasise that these details are permanent and cannot be modified by the candidates later. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the information entered aligns with the documents that will be presented during the admission process.
Step 3 – Pay the NEET Counselling Fees
Applicants must provide a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable tuition fee. These fees can be remitted through online methods, including credit card, debit card, and net banking.
The following table outlines the specific amounts of fees that candidates must submit.
Category
Registration Fees (Non-Refundable)
Security Deposit
(Refundable)
Institutes
15% AIQ/Central Universities
Deemed University
15% AIQ/Central Universities
Deemed University
UR
INR 1,000
INR 5,000
INR 10,000
INR 2,00,000
SC/ST/OBC/PWD
INR 500
INR 5,000
Step 4 – Get Your Registration Confirmation
Once you've completed the submission of your details, a registration slip will appear on the screen. Be sure to print this slip, as it will be essential for the next steps in the admission process. To proceed, simply click on the 'Login' button.
Choices Filling
Step 5 – Available Choices
The 'Available Choices' link will become active once the Counselling process commences. On the left side of the screen, you will find ‘available choices’ option. Candidates who have paid the fees for both 15% All India Quota (AIQ)/Central Universities and Deemed Universities can apply for seats in both categories.
Step 6 – Pick your preference
Candidates should use the '+' button next to their preferences to make selections. When a preference is chosen, it will shift from the left side of the screen to the right. After making their choices, candidates will have the option to save and continue by clicking 'Save & Continue,' or to save their selections and exit by clicking 'Save & Go to Home Page.'
Candidates can also rearrange and remove their choices. The upward and downward arrows allow for shifting choices one step in the respective direction, and the delete option removes a selected choice. Additionally, candidates can click on a choice and drag it to switch places with another choice.
Choice Locking
Step 7 – Lock the Choices
Candidates participating in NEET UG 2026 Counselling must ensure that they finalize and lock their preferences before the specified deadline. Prior to locking, they have the flexibility to make changes to their choices. However, it's important to note that if candidates fail to lock their choices, the selections they have entered will be treated as final and will be automatically locked on the scheduled date.
Step 8 – Print Confirmation
It is recommended to print a copy of your selected preferences, as it can be advantageous for candidates during the subsequent stages of NEET UG Counselling. Even if candidates have not yet confirmed their choices, they can still generate a printout of their preferences once the choice-locking process concludes.
Step 9 – Seat Allotment
After each Counselling round, the NEET Counselling result will be announced, presenting the seat allocation details through a list and an allocation letter. This information will reveal which seats have been assigned to the candidates, including their name, roll number, designated category, candidate category, assigned college, quota, and course. The seat allocation letter holds significant importance, as it must be presented when reporting to the allocated college, along with the required documents.
Step 10 – Reporting to the Allotted College
When candidates arrive at the designated college to finalize their admission, they are required to present the following mandatory documents in their original form.
7.0Documents Required For NEET Counselling 2026
Below is the list of documents required for the counselling process:
NRI candidates are required to provide the following essential documentation:
A copy of the sponsor passport along with an embassy certificate.
A sponsorship affidavit, confirming the sponsorer's commitment to covering all study expenses throughout the entire duration of the program.
An affidavit detailing the relationship between the candidate and the sponsorer.
The SC/ST Certificate, as per the prescribed format mentioned in the prospectus/information bulletin, must be issued by the authorized body and should be in either English or Hindi. It is essential for the certificate to clearly indicate the sub-caste. Some states may require the certificate to be in English, and if the original certificate is in a regional language, the candidate should also have an attested translated copy in either English or Hindi.
To avail the OBC reservation benefit, candidates must possess an OBC certificate issued by the authorized authority. The specific sub-caste mentioned in the certificate should align with the Central List of OBC. Additionally, it's crucial to note that OBC candidates should not fall within the Creamy Layer category to claim this reservation benefit. Furthermore, the OBC certificate must adhere to the standard format specified in the prospectus or Information Bulletin.
A Disability Certificate must be obtained from a duly constituted and authorized Medical Board for individuals with 21 Benchmark Disabilities in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016 (RPWD Act, 2016). For detailed information, please refer to clause 10.1 in the Information Bulletin of AIPMT/NEET, which is published by the Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). It's important to note that no other certificate for persons with disabilities issued by any other Authority or Hospital will be considered valid. Candidates should also review the specific requirements of the college to which they have been admitted, as additional documents may be necessary.
Note: Candidates are advised to:
Verify document requirements with the allocated college.
Upload scanned copies of original documents on the MCC portal as per the schedule.
Failure to submit original documents will result in admission denial at the Medical/Dental College.
8.0About NEET Counselling 2026
In reference to NEET 2026, the MCC NEET 2026 Counselling process plays a pivotal role in determining admissions to MBBS and BDS courses within the nation. To be eligible for admission to these medical programs, a passing score in the NEET exam is mandatory.
The NTA NEET Counselling can be categorized into two main types:
All India Counselling for 15% AIQ Seats
State Counselling for 85% State Quota Seats
NEET UG 2026 Counselling: For 15% AIQ Seats
The MCC is scheduled to administer four rounds of Counselling, which will consist of AIQ Round 1, AIQ Round 2, Round 3, and the stray vacancy round. Eligibility for participation in these rounds will be determined by candidates' NEET 2026 results, excluding those from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In case there are unfilled seats following the second round of NEET Counselling in 2026 under the All-India Quota, these vacancies will be returned to the respective states.
The AIQ for NEET Counselling in 2026 will encompass the following:
15% MBBS/BDS Seats of States
100% MBBS/BDS Seats of BHU
100% MBBS Seats of AIIMS across India
All India Quota of JIPMER (Puducherry/ Karaikal)
All India Quota seats of AMU/ DU/ VMMC/ ABVIMS
All India Quota Seats of Faculty of Dentistry (Jamia Millia Islamia)
All India Quota Seats of ESIC
9.0NEET UG 2026 Counselling: For State Quota Seats
NEET UG 2026 State Quota Counselling is conducted by the respective state authorities for admission to 85% of government medical seats and eligible private medical and dental colleges. Candidates must register on the official counselling portal of their respective state and complete the counselling process, including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and document verification, as per the state's schedule and eligibility criteria.
10.0NEET UG Counselling 2026: What are the New Changes?
NTA has not announced any new changes in the counselling process yet. Aspirants can refer to last year's NEET UG counselling (2025) for an idea about the anticipated rules and format. The following are some of the main points from last year that will probably persist:
No resignations allowed in the 3rd Rounds of AIQ/Deemed/Central Universities.
OCI cardholders have equal eligibility rights as Indian citizens for NEET UG 2025 Counselling.
Round 2 requires fresh registration for candidates who didn't register in Round 1 or weren't allocated seats.
Non-reporting for Round 2 results in the forfeiture of security deposit.
Fresh registration for Round 3 is necessary for candidates who didn't register in Round 1, Round 2, or resigned/not reported in those rounds.
If a candidate joins the Round 2 seat, they can express willingness to upgrade to Round 3, but resigning leads to a security deposit forfeiture.
Upgraded candidates must obtain relieving from their Round 2 seat to join Round 3, with no option for further upgrades or resignations.
Non-joining in Round 3 results in exiting the NEET Counselling with a fee forfeiture and no participation in further rounds.
Candidates allotted a seat in the Stray round must join the allotted seat/college; failure to do so leads to disqualification from the NEET UG exam for the next year, along with a forfeiture of fees.
11.0What after NEET(UG) 2026 Results?
The candidate can complete two important tasks after the NEET 2026 result is announced:
Given the trends of NEET admissions last year and comparing them, one can understand medical/dental colleges they may receive depending on their NEET rank and score. Candidates can estimate the NEET scores using the trend analysis of the NEET answer key. Once the NEET scores are estimated, students can forecast their ranks based on NEET scores versus rank trends.
12.0NEET 2025 Cut-off Percentile and Marks
Cut-off percentile and marks as per NMC/DCI/NCISM regulations
