Along with the counselling calendar, the Council has also published the complete fee structure for online registration and participation in the Stray Vacancy Round, providing candidates with detailed information regarding registration charges, payment methods, eligibility, and reporting deadlines.

Candidates who have qualified in NEET UG 2026 and wish to secure admission to veterinary colleges through the centralized 15% VCI quota must carefully review the complete schedule and complete each counselling activity within the prescribed timeline.

According to the official notification, the counselling process will be conducted entirely in online mode through the official VCI admission portal. The admission process will be carried out in three phases: Round 1, Round 2, and the Stray Vacancy Round. Registration for the first round will begin on August 18, 2026. Candidates can access the official portal through VCI Admission and e-Counselling Services at VCI Admission Portal. The latest counselling schedule and registration information are available on the official website.

VCI Counselling 2026: Complete Round-Wise Schedule

Important: Registration and choice-filling activities will remain open until 11:55 PM, while reporting at colleges must be completed by 5:00 PM on the final day of each round. The schedule has been officially published by the Veterinary Council of India.

Synopsis of the Newly Released Registration Fee Notification

The latest notification issued by the Veterinary Council of India provides a detailed breakdown of the registration fees for Round 1 and Round 2 and the participation fees applicable for the Stray Vacancy Round.

The notification also clarifies several important aspects of the payment process, including:

• Registration fees are non-refundable.

• Candidates must pay all fees online only.

• Cash payments, cheques, demand drafts, digital wallets, UPI platforms, and NEFT/RTGS transactions are not accepted.

• Candidates are personally responsible for ensuring that their payments are completed successfully.

• Failure to complete the Stray Round payment will automatically make a candidate ineligible for seat allocation.

These guidelines have been introduced to ensure greater transparency and minimize technical issues during the counselling process. The official fee notification is available in the VCI Information Bulletin.

VCI Registration Fees 2026 for Round 1 and Round 2

The Veterinary Council of India has prescribed separate registration fees for different categories.

The registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, irrespective of whether a candidate receives a seat allotment. The Council has clearly stated that once the payment is completed, no refund requests will be entertained.

VCI Stray Vacancy Round Participation Fees 2026

Candidates interested in participating in the Stray Vacancy Round will have to pay the following participation fee:

The participation fee is separate from the registration fee applicable in earlier rounds.

The official notification further states that transaction charges will be applicable in addition to the prescribed fee amount. Candidates should ensure that sufficient funds are available while making online payments.

Accepted Payment Methods for VCI Counselling 2026

The Veterinary Council of India has specified that fee payments can be made only through the following modes:

• Net Banking

• Debit Card

• Credit Card

The following payment methods will not be accepted:

• Cash

• Cheque

• Demand Draft

• Paytm

• PhonePe

• Google Pay

• Mobikwik

• ICICI Pockets

• Airtel Payment Bank Wallet

• Jio Payment Bank Wallet

• NEFT

• RTGS

Candidates should avoid using unsupported payment methods, as the Council will not be responsible for unsuccessful transactions or delayed payments.

Round 1 Counselling Process

The first phase of counselling will commence on August 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Candidates will be required to:

• Register online.

• Pay the applicable registration fee.

• Fill in their preferred veterinary colleges.

• Lock their choices before the deadline.

The seat allotment process will be conducted on August 24, while the results will be announced on August 25.

Candidates receiving seats during Round 1 must report to their allotted institutions between August 25 and August 31, 2026.

Round 2 Counselling Process

The second round of counselling will begin on September 1, 2026.

Candidates who did not participate in Round 1 will be allowed to register during this phase. Those already registered during the first round will not be required to pay the registration fee again.

Choice filling will remain open until September 2, while the seat allotment process will be completed on September 3.

The allotment result will be declared on September 4, and candidates will have until September 8 to report to their allotted colleges.

Who Can Participate in the Stray Vacancy Round?

The Stray Vacancy Round is intended to fill seats that remain vacant after the completion of Round 2.

However, the Council has laid down strict eligibility conditions:

• Only previously registered candidates who remain unallotted after Round 1 and Round 2 can participate.

• Candidates allotted seats in earlier rounds, regardless of whether they reported to the college, will not be eligible.

• Payment of the Stray Round participation fee is mandatory.

The seat allotment process for the Stray Vacancy Round will take place on September 11, 2026, while the results will be announced on September 12, 2026. Reporting will continue until September 15, 2026.

How to Apply for VCI Counselling 2026

Candidates can follow these steps to participate in the counselling process:

Step 1: Visit the official counselling portal.

Step 2: Register using the same email address and mobile number submitted during the NEET UG 2026 application process.

Step 3: Pay the applicable registration fee.

Step 4: Fill in and arrange veterinary college preferences.

Step 5: Lock the choices before the deadline.

Step 6: Check the seat allotment result.

Step 7: Download the provisional allotment letter.

Step 8: Report to the allotted college within the specified reporting period.

Complete counselling instructions are available through the official admission portal.

Why Candidates Should Participate in Both VCI and State Counselling

The Veterinary Council of India conducts counselling only for 15% of the total veterinary seats available across the country.

The remaining 85% of seats are filled through state-level counselling authorities.

Therefore, candidates are advised to participate simultaneously in both counselling systems to maximize their admission opportunities and improve their chances of securing seats in preferred colleges. Veterinary counselling experts also recommend preparing a well-planned preference list before the counselling process begins.

About the B.V.Sc. & A.H. Degree Programme

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) is a 5.5-year professional degree programme, including a compulsory one-year internship.

The course covers:

• Veterinary medicine

• Animal surgery

• Animal nutrition

• Pathology

• Livestock management

• Animal breeding

• Disease prevention

• Public health

• Veterinary research

After graduation, students can pursue careers as:

• Veterinary doctors

• Veterinary surgeons

• Animal healthcare specialists

• Researchers

• Livestock officers

• Animal welfare professionals

The growing livestock, dairy, poultry, and pet healthcare sectors have significantly increased the demand for veterinary professionals across India.