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ToggleAt last, the wait is over for the NEET UG 2026 qualifiers with the commencement of medical counselling. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is responsible for the counselling process for the All India Quota (AIQ) 15% seats, along with the rest of the deemed and central universities, while the relevant state authorities handle the 85% seats.
As round 1 counselling has moved to the most crucial stage of seat allocation and reporting, candidates should keep themselves informed about the latest schedule and complete all their processes before the deadline. Also, MCC has made changes to its Round 1 schedule; thus, it is extremely necessary for aspirants to know the latest dates before locking their choices or reporting to allotted colleges.
In this article, we will cover all the details regarding NEET UG counselling 2026 dates, MCC Round 1 process, AIQ and state quota counselling, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting process.
NEET UG Counselling 2026: MCC Registration, Dates, and Fees Explained
Now that the results for NEET UG 2026 have been declared, and over 11 lakh students have cleared the cut-off, the focus has now moved to NEET UG Counselling 2026, where a rank becomes an admission offer for MBBS/BDS seats. The Medical Counseling Committee (MCC) has started Round 1 of the counseling procedure on August 5, 2026, for All India Quota (15%) and central institute seats. So, whether you are still catching up after appearing for the NEET UG 2026 re-test.
What Does MCC Counselling Cover?
The NEET UG counselling 2026 is coordinated by the MCC for particular types of admission. These include the 15% Emergency Quota (AIQ) of seats in all state medical colleges and dental colleges of India, Deemed universities and the courses in All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JIPMER), University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jamia Milia Islamia, ESIC universities and B.Sc. Nursing courses at central institutes. Eligibility is based on the rank published on the official NTA NEET result portal after the exam.
The remaining 85% state quota, plus every private and state-run medical college, is counselled separately by each state’s own authority- MCC has no role there. Much of the confusion around NEET UG counselling 2026 comes from mixing up this AIQ process with state-level counselling.
MCC Counselling 2026 Dates: Round 1 Schedule
Round 1 timetable of MCC NEET UG counselling 2026 has been changed by MCC two times since its release, with the last one being an extension of choice filling by one day. Consider the MCC counselling 2026 dates timetable provided below to be the latest notified till mid-August 2026.
| Stages | Round 1 (Stages) |
| Registration & fee payment | August 5 – 15 (registration till 2:00 PM; payment till 5:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling | August 17 – 18 (extended from the original August 17 deadline) |
| Choice Lokcing | From 5:30 PM on August 17 – 18, 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Processing | August 18, 2026 |
| Round 1 Result | August 19 (as per the revised schedule) |
| Reporting/joining at allotted college | August 20 – 25, 2026 |
Following Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Stray Vacancy Round are conducted by MCC. Usually, the entire process is done from August to October. Re-registration is required for Round 2 or Round 3, provided that the person has not been registered in Round 1 or has not been allocated seats.
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official MCC portal, mcc.nic.in, and open the UG counselling registration link.
- Register using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and application details exactly as filled in your NTA form.
- Choose your quota: AIQ/Central Institutions or Deemed University, and pay the registration fee and security deposit online.
- Once payment is confirmed, log in and arrange your preferred colleges and courses in order of choice.
- Lock your choices before the deadline: Locked choices cannot be edited afterward.
- Check your seat allotment result on the MCC website. If allotted, choose “Freeze” (report physically) or “Float” (verify documents online and stay eligible for an upgrade).
MCC Counselling Cost 2026: Registration Fee and Security Deposit
Fees are a common concern during NEET UG counselling 2026; here’s the official MCC Counseling Cost 2026 structure from MCC’s own Information Bulletin:
| Candidate Category | Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | Security Deposit (Refundable) | Total Payable |
| UR/EWS: AIQ, Central Institutions, AIIMS, JIPMER, B.Sc. Nursing | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹11,000 |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD: AIQ, Central Institutions, AIIMS, JIPMER, B.Sc. Nursing | ₹500 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,500 |
| All categories: Deemed Universities | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,05,000 |
Registration money is spent the minute you pay it, but the security deposit is returned within 15 to 30 days after closure of all rounds to the same bank account/card from which you have made the payment. Withdrawal from Round 1 is free, while withdrawal from Rounds 2 and beyond results in loss of the security deposit.
What’s New in NEET UG Counselling 2026
MCC has also refined the process itself for NEET UG counselling 2026:
- A formal Freeze/Float choice after every round, so satisfied candidates aren’t forced to keep reporting in person.
- One-time online document verification for Float candidates, instead of repeat physical visits to the allotted college.
- The upgradation window now runs only up to Round 3, after which any joined seat is final.
Conclusion
The NEET UG counselling 2026 procedure has been speeding ahead, and various changes have been made by the MCC in Round 1, so remember to treat the dates and fees shown here as provisional, since it is always advisable to visit the official site before each deadline. Make sure that you have completed the documentation, fee payment, and preparation of the choice list beforehand. And if a government seat doesn’t come through this year, Rus Education’s MBBS in Russia admission guide for 2026 can help you weigh a NEET-based path abroad without losing an academic year.
FAQs
Is NEET UG counselling 2026 the same for private and state medical colleges?
No. MCC only conducts counselling for the 15% All India Quota, Deemed Universities, and central institutions. State quota and private/state medical colleges are counselled separately by each state’s own authority.
What happens if I’m not allotted a seat in Round 1?
You don’t need to register again; you’re automatically eligible for Round 2 as a registered, unallotted candidate.
When is the security deposit refunded?
Within 15 to 30 days after all rounds of counselling are complete, credited to the same account or card used to pay it.
Can locked choices be changed later?
No. Once choices are locked for a round, they are final for that round, so review them carefully before locking.
