Source Reference: The schedule shown in the image is based on the NEET-UG Schedule 2026 – All India Quota/Deemed/Central State Quota issued through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The MCC's official UG counselling portal lists the “AIQ and State Schedule Round 2 UG 2026 dated 27.08.2026” among its latest counselling schedules.
Official Reference: MCC UG Medical Counselling Schedule 2026
NEET UG Round 2 Counselling 2026: Key Dates
According to the schedule provided, the Round 2 counselling process will have separate timelines for the All India Quota and State Counselling processes.
| S.No. | Schedule for Admission | All India Quota/Deemed & Central Universities | Verification of Joined Candidates' Data by MCC | State Counselling | Verification of Joined Candidates' Data by State DMEs/State Counselling Authorities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Round-2 of Counselling |
3rd Sept., 2026 to 11th Sept., 2026 |
19th Sept., 2026 |
7th Sept., 2026 to 11th Sept., 2026 |
19th Sept., 2026 |
|
2 |
Last Date of Joining |
18th Sept., 2026 |
– |
18th Sept., 2026 |
– |
Round 2 Counselling to Begin on September 3 for AIQ, Deemed and Central Universities
As per the schedule, the Round 2 counselling process for All India Quota, Deemed and Central Universities is scheduled to take place from September 3 to September 11, 2026.
The MCC is responsible for conducting the counselling process for the applicable undergraduate medical and dental seats covered under its jurisdiction. The official MCC portal has also published the Round 2 schedule dated August 27, 2026, confirming the latest counselling timeline.
Candidates participating in the Round 2 process should carefully follow the dates and complete every stage of the admission procedure within the deadlines announced by the counselling authorities.
State Counselling Round 2 Scheduled From September 7
For State Counselling, the schedule in the image indicates that the Round 2 counselling process will run from September 7 to September 11, 2026.
The respective State Directorates of Medical Education (DMEs) and other authorised State Counselling Authorities will conduct counselling for seats falling under their jurisdiction. Candidates should therefore keep track of announcements issued by both the MCC and their respective state counselling authorities.
September 18 Last Date for Joining
One of the most important dates mentioned in the schedule is the last date of joining, which is September 18, 2026, for both:
- All India Quota/Deemed & Central Universities, and
- State Counselling admissions.
Candidates allotted a seat through the applicable Round 2 counselling process must ensure that they complete the required admission formalities and join their allotted institution within the prescribed deadline.
Failure to complete the joining process within the notified period may affect the candidate's admission status, subject to the applicable counselling rules and regulations.
Verification of Joined Candidates' Data on September 19
Following the completion of the joining process, the schedule provides for the verification of joined candidates' data on September 19, 2026.
For the All India Quota/Deemed and Central Universities, the verification of data of candidates who have joined will be carried out by the MCC.
Similarly, the data of candidates who have joined through the State Counselling process will be verified by the respective State DMEs and State Counselling Authorities.
This verification stage is an important part of the counselling process as it enables the concerned authorities to reconcile and confirm admission and joining data before the subsequent stages of the NEET UG counselling process.
Institutes Directed to Treat Weekends and Gazetted Holidays as Working Days
The schedule also carries an important note for participating institutions and colleges. To ensure that the counselling timeline is followed without delay and considering the limited time available for conducting the admission process, all participating institutes and colleges have been directed to treat Saturdays, Sundays and Gazetted Holidays as working days.
This instruction is intended to help institutions complete reporting, document verification, admission formalities and other related procedures within the stipulated schedule.
What NEET UG 2026 Candidates Should Do Now
Candidates participating in the NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 2 process should:
- Check the official MCC website regularly for notifications and updates.
- Keep track of the Round 2 counselling dates applicable to their quota and counselling authority.
- Complete all required registration, choice filling and other formalities within the notified schedule.
- Carefully verify their seat allotment and admission instructions.
- Report to the allotted institution and complete the joining process by September 18, 2026.
- Ensure that all necessary documents are available for verification and admission.
- Follow updates from the respective State DME or State Counselling Authority for state quota admissions.
The latest official MCC schedule page lists the Round 2 AIQ and State counselling schedule dated August 27, 2026, while the MCC UG Medical Counselling portal remains the primary official platform for counselling-related announcements.
In Summary
The NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 2 process will begin on September 3, 2026 for the All India Quota/Deemed & Central Universities, while the State Counselling Round 2 timeline shown in the schedule starts on September 7, 2026. The counselling process is scheduled to conclude on September 11, 2026, followed by a last date of joining on September 18 and verification of joined candidates' data on September 19, 2026.
Candidates are advised to rely on the official MCC and respective State Counselling Authority notifications for detailed instructions and any further r