The counselling process will be conducted in multiple rounds, including Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and a Stray Vacancy Round. Candidates must complete registration, choice filling, choice locking, fee payment and college reporting within the prescribed deadlines. Missing a deadline or failing to follow the applicable counselling rules may affect a candidate’s chances of securing or retaining a seat.

The Round 1 process for MCC-managed AIQ seats began on October 12, 2026. Meanwhile, the state quota counselling schedule provides a separate timeline for state-level admission authorities. Candidates should carefully distinguish between the two processes because their registration windows, reporting dates and admission procedures are not identical.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Key Highlights

• Conducting authority for MCC counselling: Medical Counselling Committee

• Examination: National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate courses (NEET PG) 2026

• Admission session: 2026–27

• Counselling modes: Online registration and choice filling, followed by seat allotment and physical reporting as instructed

• AIQ counselling portal: mcc.nic.in

• State quota counselling: Conducted by the respective state counselling authorities

• Counselling rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Stray Vacancy Round

Candidates should refer to the latest official counselling notices and information bulletins for eligibility conditions, fees, seat availability and round-specific rules.

NEET PG 2026 AIQ Counselling: Complete Round-Wise Schedule

The following dates are listed for the MCC-managed counselling process for All India Quota and other seats covered under the committee’s admission framework.

Important: Candidates must check the detailed round-wise notice for the separate dates for registration, choice filling, choice locking, result declaration and reporting. The dates in the table summarise the counselling periods and joining deadlines; they should not be treated as confirmation that every activity remains open throughout the entire period.

NEET PG 2026 State Quota Counselling Schedule

State quota admissions are conducted by the respective state authorities. Although the broad schedule has been announced, candidates must also monitor their state’s official counselling portal for registration instructions, merit lists, reservation rules, choice filling, seat allotment and reporting requirements.

State authorities may issue their own detailed notifications and operational instructions. Therefore, candidates should not rely solely on the national schedule when planning their state counselling participation.

What Is the Difference Between AIQ and State Quota Counselling?

NEET PG admissions take place through different counselling channels, and understanding which authority manages a particular seat is essential.

1. All India Quota counselling

MCC manages counselling for the 50% All India Quota postgraduate medical seats in applicable government medical colleges, along with seats in participating central universities, deemed universities and other institutions covered by its rules. The exact seat categories depend on the official counselling notification.

2. State quota counselling

State counselling authorities manage the state quota seats and admissions under their jurisdiction. They publish their own registration instructions, merit lists, reservation provisions, seat matrices and reporting details.

3. Deemed and central universities

Eligible seats in deemed and central universities are included in the relevant MCC counselling process, subject to the applicable institutional and counselling rules.

Candidates should verify the category of seat they wish to pursue before registering. Participation in one counselling channel should not be assumed to automatically complete the requirements for another.

Who Can Participate in NEET PG Counselling 2026?

Candidates who have qualified NEET PG 2026 and satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed for postgraduate medical admission may participate in the applicable counselling process.

Applicants should verify that they meet all relevant requirements, which may include:

• A valid NEET PG 2026 result and eligibility status.

• An MBBS degree or recognised qualification accepted under the applicable admission rules.

• Completion of the compulsory rotating internship by the prescribed cut-off date.

• Valid provisional or permanent medical registration, as required.

• Compliance with the eligibility criteria and documentation requirements of the relevant counselling authority.

• Fulfilment of any additional conditions for a particular seat category, institution, reservation category or state.

Eligibility can vary according to the course, institution and seat type. Candidates should consult the current official information bulletin rather than relying on general eligibility summaries.

How to Register for MCC NEET PG Counselling 2026

Candidates participating in MCC counselling should complete the online registration process carefully. The general steps are as follows:

1.    Visit the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in.

2.    Open the PG Medical Counselling section.

3.    Select the NEET PG Counselling 2026 registration link.

4.    Complete the registration using the required examination and personal details.

5.    Enter the information requested in the application form and verify it before submission.

6.    Pay the applicable registration fee and security deposit, where required.

7.    Save or download the confirmation page and payment receipt.

8.    Log in during the choice-filling window to select preferred colleges and courses.

9.    Arrange choices in order of preference and lock them within the permitted period.

10.                   Check the allotment result and follow the instructions for joining the allotted institution, if a seat is offered.

Candidates should use their own valid login credentials and keep them secure. They should also check the official portal regularly for notices about deadlines, seat matrices, eligibility and changes to the schedule.

Choice Filling and Locking: Why It Matters

Choice filling is one of the most consequential stages of the counselling process. Candidates select the colleges and postgraduate courses they wish to pursue and arrange them according to their preferences.

Before submitting choices, candidates should consider:

• Their NEET PG rank and category.

• The available seat matrix and previous allotment trends, where reliable data is available.

• Course specialisation and long-term career goals.

• College location, fees, stipend, service obligations and other institutional conditions.

• Whether the institution and course meet their professional and personal requirements.

• The official rules governing choice modification, locking, upgrades and withdrawal.

Candidates should not choose a college solely because it appears in an allotment prediction. Seat allotment depends on factors such as rank, category, eligibility, preferences, seat availability and the applicable rules.

Once choices are locked, changes may be restricted. Candidates must therefore review the list carefully before final submission and retain proof of successful locking, wherever available.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Seat Allotment and College Reporting

After the choice-filling stage closes, the counselling authority processes the choices against the available seats and applicable eligibility and merit rules. The allotment result indicates whether a candidate has been assigned a seat in that round.

Candidates who receive an allotment should:

1.    Download the allotment letter and read every instruction.

2.    Check the allotted college, course and seat category.

3.    Confirm the reporting deadline and the institution’s admission procedure.

4.    Arrange the original documents and required copies.

5.    Complete the required admission formalities and fee payment.

6.    Report to the allotted institution within the specified period.

7.    Obtain an acknowledgement or admission confirmation from the college.

An allotment should not be treated as completed admission until the candidate fulfils the applicable reporting and joining requirements. Failure to report within the prescribed period may result in consequences under the counselling rules.

Candidates should also understand the implications of accepting, upgrading, resigning from or not joining a seat. These rules can differ by round and seat category, so the relevant official notice must be checked before making a decision.

Documents to Keep Ready for NEET PG Admission

Candidates should prepare the documents specified by MCC, the state counselling authority and the allotted college. Depending on the applicant and admission category, the list may include:

• NEET PG 2026 admit card.

• NEET PG 2026 scorecard or result document.

• MBBS degree or provisional degree certificate.

• MBBS mark sheets and relevant academic records.

• Internship completion certificate.

• Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate.

• Valid photo identity proof.

• Recent passport-size photographs.

• Category certificate, if applicable.

• Disability certificate or assessment documents, where applicable.

• Valid nationality, domicile or other eligibility documents where required.

• MCC or state counselling registration confirmation.

• Seat allotment letter.

• Fee payment receipts and other documents requested by the institution.

This is a general preparation list, not a substitute for the official document checklist. Candidates should confirm whether original documents, self-attested copies, prescribed certificate formats or additional institutional documents are required.

Important Advice for Candidates

With several counselling rounds scheduled across October, November and December, candidates should plan their next steps carefully.

• Track the correct portal: Use MCC for counselling managed by MCC and the appropriate state portal for state quota admissions.

• Avoid waiting until the last day: Complete registration, payment and choice submission well before the deadline wherever possible.

• Check the seat matrix: Review the latest available seats before finalising preferences.

• Read round-specific rules: Upgradation, resignation, forfeiture and eligibility for subsequent rounds may depend on the rules applicable to a particular round.

• Keep records: Save registration confirmations, payment receipts, locked choices, allotment letters and admission acknowledgements.

• Follow official notices: Schedules can be revised. Any revised official notification should take precedence over earlier dates.

• Verify communications: Use official websites and institutional contact details to confirm admission instructions and payment requirements.

What Candidates Should Do Next

As the first round of MCC NEET PG counselling is underway, eligible candidates should confirm their registration status, review the choice-filling timeline and prepare the required documents. Those seeking state quota seats should separately check the notifications issued by their respective state counselling authorities.

Candidates must pay particular attention to the difference between the counselling period and the final date for joining an allotted college. Completing one stage does not automatically satisfy the requirements of the next stage.

The published schedule provides a framework for planning admission activity through the end of December 2026. However, candidates should always verify the latest dates, detailed instructions and any subsequent amendments through the official counselling portal before taking action.