The wait is finally over for NEET UG 2026 qualifiers. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially released the much-anticipated schedule for the NEET UG 2026 counselling process. This comprehensive schedule covers admissions under the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, as well as 100% seats in Deemed and Central Universities, including prestigious institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER.
The counselling process is set to begin in August 2026 and will be conducted across four rounds, concluding in October 2026. This guide provides a complete breakdown of the schedule, important dates, and key instructions to help you navigate the counselling process smoothly.
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) |
| Courses Covered | MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing |
| Quota Covered | 15% AIQ, 100% Deemed & Central Universities (AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.) |
| Total Rounds | 4 Rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 & Stray Vacancy Round) |
| Counselling Start | August 4, 2026 |
| Academic Session Begins | September 8, 2026 |
| Official Website | mcc.nic.in |
📌 Important Update: The MCC initially issued a notice on August 6, 2026, postponing the start of Round 1 choice filling to August 8. However, this notice was quickly withdrawn from the MCC website. As of now, the official schedule remains as announced, with Round 1 registration beginning on August 5, 2026. Candidates are advised to rely only on the official MCC website for the latest updates.
Complete MCC NEET UG Counselling Schedule 2026 (Round-Wise)
The counselling process is divided into four rounds. All deadlines are based on server time, and candidates must strictly adhere to the timelines to avoid disqualification.
🔹 Round 1
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification | August 4, 2026 |
| Registration & Fee Payment | August 5 – 12, 2026 (till 3:00 PM) |
| Payment Deadline | August 12, 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling Starts | August 6, 2026 |
| Choice Filling Closes | August 13, 2026 (till 11:00 AM) |
| Choice Locking Window | August 12, 4:00 PM – August 13, 11:00 AM |
| Seat Allotment Processing | August 13 – 16, 2026 |
| Round 1 Result Declaration | August 17, 2026 |
| Reporting & Joining Period | August 18 – 22, 2026 |
| Data Verification | August 23, 2026 |
🔹 Round 2
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification | August 24, 2026 |
| Registration & Fee Payment | August 25 – 29, 2026 (till 3:00 PM) |
| Payment Deadline | August 29, 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling Starts | August 25, 2026 |
| Choice Filling Closes | August 30, 2026 (till 11:00 PM) |
| Choice Locking Window | August 30, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Seat Allotment Processing | August 31 – September 1, 2026 |
| Round 2 Result Declaration | September 2, 2026 |
| Reporting & Joining Period | September 3 – 8, 2026 |
| Data Verification | September 9, 2026 |
🔹 Round 3
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification | September 10, 2026 |
| Registration & Fee Payment | September 11 – 15, 2026 (till 3:00 PM) |
| Payment Deadline | September 15, 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling Starts | September 11, 2026 |
| Choice Filling Closes | September 16, 2026 (till 11:00 AM) |
| Choice Locking Window | September 15, 4:00 PM – September 16, 11:00 AM |
| Seat Allotment Processing | September 16 – 17, 2026 |
| Round 3 Result Declaration | September 18, 2026 |
| Reporting & Joining Period | September 19 – 26, 2026 |
| Data Verification | September 27, 2026 |
🔹 Stray Vacancy Round
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification | September 27, 2026 |
| Registration & Fee Payment | September 28 – 30, 2026 (till 3:00 PM) |
| Payment Deadline | September 30, 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Choice Filling Starts | September 28, 2026 |
| Choice Filling Closes | September 30, 2026 (till 11:00 PM) |
| Choice Locking Window | September 30, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Seat Allotment Processing | October 1 – 2, 2026 |
| Stray Round Result Declaration | October 3, 2026 |
| Reporting & Joining Period | October 4 – 10, 2026 |
Important Notes for Candidates
- All Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted Holidays are treated as working days to ensure the counselling process is completed on schedule.
- Choice Locking is Mandatory: Candidates must lock their choices within the specified window. Failure to lock choices will result in exclusion from seat allotment.
- Payment Timelines: The payment facility remains available during extended hours. Ensure your fee is paid before the deadline.
- Reporting Period: Candidates allotted a seat must report to the assigned institute within the specified reporting period (5-8 days after result declaration). Failure to report will lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.
- Fresh Registration for Each Round: Candidates must register afresh for each round of counselling. Registration from the previous round does not carry forward.
- Upgradation Rules: Candidates who wish to upgrade their seat in subsequent rounds must follow the prescribed procedure. Physical reporting to the allotted college may not be required for upgradation in some cases.
- Official Website Only: All counselling activities, including registration, choice filling, and result checking, are conducted exclusively through the official MCC website: mcc.nic.in.
Documents Required for MCC NEET UG Counselling
Candidates must keep the following documents ready for verification:
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card & Scorecard
- Class 10th Mark Sheet & Certificate (for date of birth proof)
- Class 12th Mark Sheet & Certificate
- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card / Voter ID / Passport)
- Category / Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- NRI / OCI / PIO Documents (if applicable)
- Passport-size Photographs
State Quota Counselling Schedule
In addition to the AIQ counselling conducted by MCC, state-level counselling for the 85% state quota seats will be conducted by respective state authorities. The state counselling schedule is as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Counselling | August 13 – 22, 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | August 31 – September 8, 2026 |
| Round 3 Counselling | September 16 – 26, 2026 |
Note: Candidates must check the official websites of their respective state counselling authorities for detailed schedules and procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When does MCC NEET UG 2026 counselling begin?
A: The counselling process begins on August 4, 2026, with Round 1 registration starting on August 5, 2026.
Q2. How many rounds of counselling will MCC conduct?
A: MCC will conduct four rounds – Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and a Stray Vacancy Round.
Q3. What is the last date for Round 1 registration?
A: The last date for Round 1 registration and fee payment is August 12, 2026.
Q4. When will the academic session for 2026-27 begin?
A: The academic session for the 2026-27 batch is scheduled to begin on September 8, 2026.
Q5. Is the counselling schedule postponed?
A: The MCC briefly issued a notice on August 6 postponing choice filling, but it was quickly withdrawn from the website. The official schedule remains as announced. Candidates are advised to monitor the official MCC website for any updates.
Q6. Can I participate in state counselling and AIQ counselling simultaneously?
A: Yes, candidates can participate in both AIQ counselling (through MCC) and state quota counselling simultaneously. However, they must choose one seat at the time of admission.
Q7. What is the official website for MCC NEET UG counselling?
A: The official website is mcc.nic.in.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Admission policies, dates, and other details are subject to change. Readers are strongly advised to verify all information through the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in) and official notifications before making any admission decisions. The information provided here is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute professional admission advice.
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