NEET UG 2026 Counselling – The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has finally released the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule, ending a two-week wait since results came out. Registration for Round 1 of All India Quota (AIQ) counselling opens on August 5, 2026, and the new academic session for MBBS and BDS courses will begin on September 8. Candidates can find the full schedule and information bulletin on mcc.nic.in, both dated August 1, 2026.
Key Facts: NEET UG 2026 Counselling
- Schedule and Information Bulletin released: August 1, 2026, on mcc.nic.in
- Seat matrix verification by institutes: August 4, 2026
- AIQ Round 1 registration: August 5 to August 12, 2026
- Choice filling ends: August 13, 2026
- Round 1 seat allotment result: August 17, 2026
- Reporting to allotted institute: August 18 to August 22, 2026
- AIQ Round 2: August 24 to September 2; Round 3: September 10 to September 18
- State quota Round 1: August 13 to August 22, 2026
- Academic session begins: September 8, 2026
- Official portal: mcc.nic.in
What This Means for Students
If you cleared NEET UG 2026, the wait for a counselling date is over. MCC runs online counselling for 15% AIQ seats in government medical and dental colleges, all seats in central universities like AMU, BHU, and Delhi University, and seats in ESIC and Armed Forces Medical College institutions. Everyone else goes through state counselling boards, which are following a parallel but slightly later timeline.
This year’s process comes with real procedural changes, not just new dates. Candidates who get a seat and later upgrade to a better one in a following round no longer need to physically report to their first allotted college to complete admission formalities — their admission stays valid in the system while they wait for the next round. MCC has also added an online resignation option, so candidates who want to give up an allotted seat can do it through the portal instead of visiting the institute in person. NRI quota candidates for deemed universities can now upload their documents online as well.
Key Dates: AIQ and State Quota Rounds
All India Quota (Deemed and Central Universities)
Round 1 will be held from August 4 to August 17, and selected candidates can join by August 22. Round 2 will take place from August 24 to September 2, followed by Round 3 from September 10 to September 18. If seats remain vacant, a stray vacancy round will be conducted from September 28 to October 3. Candidates selected in this round must complete their admission by October 10.
State Quota Seats
For the state quota, Round 1 counselling will be held from August 13 to August 22, and selected candidates must join by August 28. Round 2 will take place from August 31 to September 8, followed by Round 3 from September 16 to September 26. If seats are still vacant, the state stray vacancy round will be conducted from October 3 to October 5.
MCC has directed all participating institutions and state counselling authorities to treat Saturdays, Sundays, and gazetted holidays as working days so the schedule isn’t delayed.
Steps to Register for NEET UG 2026 Counselling
- Visit the official MCC website at mcc.nic.in
- Go to the UG Medical Counselling section.
- Register using your NEET UG 2026 roll number and other required details.
- Pay the counselling registration fee as specified in the information bulletin.
- Fill and lock your college and course choices before the choice-filling deadline
- Check your seat allotment result and report to the allotted institute carrying original documents as listed in the bulletin as per the schedule
Candidates are advised to carefully read the official UG Information Bulletin 2026 available on mcc.nic.in before registering, as it contains the complete list of required documents, fee details, and eligibility criteria for each quota.
Who Can Apply for NEET UG 2026 Counselling?
Only candidates who qualified NEET UG 2026 are eligible to register. AIQ seats are open to all eligible candidates nationwide, while state quota seats generally require proof of domicile in the respective state, as defined by that state’s counselling authority. NRI quota candidates for deemed universities must upload supporting documents through the portal as part of this year’s revised process.
NEET UG 2026 counselling FAQs
Question: When does NEET UG 2026 counselling registration start?
Ans. AIQ Round 1 registration opens on August 5, 2026, and closes on August 12, 2026, according to the schedule released by MCC on August 1.
Question: When will NEET UG 2026 Round 1 seat allotment results be announced?
Ans. The Round 1 seat allotment result will be declared on August 17, 2026. Candidates must report to their allotted institute between August 18 and August 22.
Question: When does the MBBS academic session 2026-27 begin?
Ans. The academic session for the 2026-27 batch will commence on September 8, 2026, even as later counselling rounds continue for vacant seats.
Question: Is physical reporting mandatory for a seat upgrade in NEET UG counselling 2026?
Ans. No. MCC has removed mandatory physical reporting for candidates who upgrade their seat in a later round. Their admission remains valid in the system while they participate in subsequent rounds.
Question: Where can I check the official NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule?
Ans. The schedule and information bulletin are available on the Medical Counselling Committee’s official website, mcc.nic.in, under the UG Medical Counselling section.
Next Steps
Candidates aiming for an AIQ seat should register on mcc.nic.in as soon as the window opens on August 5 and use the days before choice-filling closes on August 13 to research colleges carefully. Keep all documents listed in the UG Information Bulletin ready before reporting, and check mcc.nic.in regularly, since state boards will release their own detailed schedules separately in the coming days.