The Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DME), Chennai, has officially released the Round 1 online counselling schedule for admission to MBBS and BDS degree courses for the 2026-2027 academic session. The schedule covers admissions to Tamil Nadu Government Medical & Dental Colleges, ESIC Medical College K.K. Nagar, Government and Management Quota seats (including NRI and Minority) in Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges, State Private Universities, Christian Medical College Vellore, and wards of IRT candidates.
If you’re a NEET UG 2026 qualified candidate dreaming of securing a seat in Tamil Nadu’s prestigious medical institutions, this is your moment to act. Here’s everything you need to know about the complete Round 1 schedule, registration fees, security deposits, rank ranges, and the step-by-step process.
Candidates can register, fill and lock their choices from August 13 to August 19, 2026.
Round 1 Schedule at a Glance
The Selection Committee has released a detailed timeline for Round 1 counselling. Every date is critical, and missing any deadline could cost you your seat.
| Event | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, Payment, Choice Filling & Locking | 13-08-2026, 12:00 Noon | 19-08-2026, 5:00 PM |
| Processing of Seat Allotment | 20-08-2026 | – |
| Publication of Result | 21-08-2026 | – |
| Downloading Provisional Allotment Order | 22-08-2026 | 28-08-2026, 12:00 Noon |
| Date of Joining | 23-08-2026 | 28-08-2026, 5:00 PM |
⚠️ Critical: Registration and choice filling close on 19 August 2026 at 5:00 PM – not midnight. Choices not locked manually will be auto-locked after the deadline. Once choices are locked, editing is not permitted.
What’s Covered in This Counselling Round?
The Round 1 counselling covers admissions to:
- Tamil Nadu Government Medical & Dental Colleges
- ESIC Medical College, K.K. Nagar
- Government Quota seats in Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges
- Management Quota seats (including NRI and Minority) in Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges
- State Private Universities
- Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Wards of IRT candidates
Rank Ranges for Round 1
The counselling process is based on the General Rank (GR) and NEET marks. For Round 1, the following rank ranges are applicable:
| Quota | Rank Range | NEET Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Government Quota (GQ) | GR 001 to GR 35,926 | 705 to 177 |
| Management Quota (MQ) | GR 001 to GR 26,956 | 693 to 177 |
Candidates falling within these rank ranges are eligible to participate in Round 1. If your rank falls beyond these ranges, do not worry – you will be eligible for subsequent rounds.
Registration Fee & Security Deposit
| Quota | Fee (Non-Refundable) |
|---|---|
| Government Quota | ₹ 500 |
| Management Quota | ₹ 1,000 |
This fee is mandatory for all candidates and must be paid online during the registration process.
Refundable Security Deposit
| Institution Type / Quota | Security Deposit |
|---|---|
| Government Medical/Dental Colleges (GQ) | Nil |
| Government Quota – Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges & State Private Universities | ₹ 30,000 |
| Management Quota – Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges & State Private Universities (including Minority/NRI) | ₹ 1,00,000 |
Income-Based Exemption for Government Quota
The Selection Committee has provided significant relief for candidates belonging to SC/SCA/ST and Converts to Christianity from Scheduled Caste (SCC) categories. If your annual family income is less than ₹2.5 lakh, you are exempted from paying the security deposit. To claim this exemption, you must submit a valid income certificate at the time of registration.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is compiled from official sources including the Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Tamil Nadu. All dates, fees, and rank ranges are subject to change as per government and Selection Committee directives. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website – tnmedicalselection.net – for the most accurate and updated information.