Candidates who have successfully qualified in NEET UG 2026 are eligible to participate in the VCI counselling process. Through this national-level admission system, eligible students can secure seats in recognized veterinary colleges across India.
According to the latest information available, 734 veterinary seats are expected to be filled through the 15% All India Quota counselling process. The entire admission procedure, including registration, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, and reporting, will be conducted online through the official VCI admission portal. Recent reports indicate that the 2026 counselling process is scheduled to begin in August and will be conducted in three separate stages.
What is VCI Counselling?
VCI Counselling is a centralized admission process conducted by the Veterinary Council of India for allocating seats in recognized veterinary colleges under the 15% All India Quota.
The Veterinary Council of India is a statutory body established under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, and functions under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. The council regulates veterinary education and professional standards across the country.
Students who wish to pursue veterinary education through the AIQ system must participate in VCI counselling after qualifying for NEET UG.
VCI Counselling 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
|
Counselling Name |
VCI Counselling 2026 |
|
Conducting Authority |
Veterinary Council of India |
|
Admission Basis |
NEET UG 2026 |
|
Course |
B.V.Sc. & A.H. |
|
Counselling Mode |
Online |
|
Total AIQ Seats |
734 |
|
Counselling Rounds |
Round 1, Round 2, Stray Vacancy Round |
|
Official Admission Portal |
vci.admissions.nic.in |
|
Seat Category |
15% All India Quota |
Source: Veterinary Council of India and Careers360.
Who Can Apply for VCI Counselling 2026?
Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility requirements before registering for VCI counselling:
Nationality
- Indian citizens are eligible.
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) may also be eligible under applicable guidelines.
Age Requirement
- Candidates must have completed 17 years of age on or before December 31, 2026.
Educational Qualification
- Applicants must have successfully qualified in NEET UG 2026.
Additional Requirements
- Candidates must satisfy all NEET eligibility conditions prescribed for the academic year.
The counselling authority verifies all eligibility conditions before confirming admissions.
VCI Counselling 2026: Expected Schedule
The detailed counselling calendar is expected to be published on the official portal. However, the counselling process is anticipated to follow the schedule below.
Round 1
| Process | Status |
|---|---|
|
Registration |
To be announced |
|
Choice Filling |
To be announced |
|
Choice Locking |
To be announced |
|
Seat Allotment |
To be announced |
|
Result Declaration |
To be announced |
|
Reporting to Colleges |
To be announced |
Round 2
| Process | Status |
|---|---|
|
Registration |
To be announced |
|
Choice Filling |
To be announced |
|
Seat Allotment |
To be announced |
|
Result Declaration |
To be announced |
|
Reporting |
To be announced |
Stray Vacancy Round
| Process | Status |
|---|---|
|
Registration |
To be announced |
|
Choice Filling |
To be announced |
|
Seat Allotment |
To be announced |
|
Result Declaration |
To be announced |
|
Reporting |
To be announced |
Students should regularly monitor the official counselling portal because schedules may be revised without prior notice.
How to Register for VCI Counselling 2026?
Candidates can complete their registration by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open the counselling website:
VCI Admission and e-Counselling Portal
Step 2: Open the Registration Link
Click on "Register for VCI Counselling 2026."
Step 3: Enter NEET Details
Provide the following information:
- NEET roll number
- NEET application number
- Candidate's name
- Other required personal information
Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee
Candidates must pay the prescribed counselling fee through the available online payment options.
Step 5: Submit the Application
After completing the registration process, candidates should download and save the registration confirmation page for future reference.
VCI Counselling Registration Fee
Previous information bulletins indicate the following fee structure:
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
|
General |
₹1,000 |
|
OBC |
₹900 |
|
EWS |
₹900 |
|
SC |
₹500 |
|
ST |
₹500 |
|
PwD |
₹500 |
Candidates should verify the latest fee structure once the official 2026 information bulletin is released.
How Does Choice Filling Work?
Choice filling is one of the most important stages of the admission process.
After registration, candidates can select their preferred colleges and arrange them in order of priority.
Important Instructions for Choice Filling
- Candidates can select multiple colleges.
- Preferences should be arranged carefully.
- Colleges should be listed according to the student's actual order of preference.
- Choices must be locked before the deadline.
- If candidates fail to lock their choices, the system may automatically lock them after the counselling window closes.
The counselling portal automatically displays colleges according to a candidate's eligibility, category, gender, and reservation status.
How Are Seats Allotted During VCI Counselling?
Seat allotment depends on several factors, including:
- NEET UG rank
- Merit position
- Reservation category
- Candidate preferences
- Availability of seats
- Eligibility criteria
After every counselling round, the authority publishes a separate allotment list.
Candidates must download their allotment letters immediately after the declaration of results.
Documents Required for VCI Counselling 2026
Students should keep the following documents ready before reporting to the allotted institute:
- NEET admit card
- NEET UG scorecard
- Six passport-size photographs
- Counselling registration form
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID card
- Passport
- PAN card
- Birth certificate
- Class 10 certificate
- Class 12 marksheet
- Character certificate
- OCI/PIO certificate (if applicable)
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate (if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
Original documents and photocopies should be carried during physical reporting.
Reservation Policy Under VCI Counselling
The Veterinary Council of India follows reservation policies for various categories, including:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Seat conversion rules may also apply during subsequent counselling rounds if seats remain vacant in reserved categories.
What Happens After Seat Allotment?
Once a seat is allotted, candidates must:
1. Download the allotment letter.
2. Report to the assigned college.
3. Complete document verification.
4. Pay the admission fee.
5. Confirm their admission within the prescribed deadline.
Failure to report within the stipulated period may result in the cancellation of the allotted seat.
Official Websites for VCI Counselling 2026
Conclusion
VCI Counselling 2026 represents one of the most important opportunities for students seeking admission to veterinary colleges under the 15% All India Quota. Since admissions are based entirely on NEET UG performance, candidates must remain alert regarding counselling notifications, registration deadlines, seat allotment announcements, and reporting schedules.
Students are advised to prepare all required documents in advance, thoroughly research participating colleges, carefully prioritize their choices, and regularly monitor the official VCI portal for the latest updates.