On October 10, 2026, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) released the official schedule for the first round of postgraduate medical admissions. As per the notification published on mcc.nic.in, the registration and fee payment window for NEET PG 2026 Round 1 will officially open on October 12, 2026.
For medical graduates aiming for MD, MS, DNB, and PG Diploma seats, this marks the start of the centralised allotment process. For younger NEET undergraduate aspirants and their families, news alerts about "NEET Counselling" often raise immediate questions. Here is an honest, factual breakdown of what this announcement means, the confirmed dates, and the essential steps ahead.
Understanding the Headline: NEET PG vs NEET UG
Every year when counselling headlines appear, many high school students and parents confuse NEET PG with NEET UG. It is important to know the distinction clearly.
NEET UG is the national entrance examination for Class 12 pass-outs seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS. NEET PG, on the other hand, is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (natboard.edu.in) exclusively for MBBS graduates who have completed their compulsory rotating medical internship.
If you are an undergraduate aspirant or parent waiting for MBBS updates, this specific notification does not alter your undergraduate schedule. However, watching how MCC manages PG admissions offers valuable insight into seat matrices, seat allotment algorithms, security deposit refund rules, and document verification that apply across national medical counselling.
Official NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Schedule
The MCC conducts online counselling under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% seats in Deemed and Central Universities, and Post-MBBS DNB seats. Participating institutes verify their seat matrices between October 10 and October 12, 2026. The candidate timeline for Round 1 is outlined below.
| Activity | Start Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Matrix Verification (Colleges) | October 10, 2026 | October 12, 2026 |
| Round 1 Online Registration & Payment | October 12, 2026 | October 21, 2026 (12:00 Noon) |
| Choice Filling & Locking | October 13, 2026 | October 22, 2026 (11:55 PM) |
| Processing of Seat Allotment | October 22, 2026 | October 23, 2026 |
| Publication of Round 1 Result | October 24, 2026 | October 24, 2026 |
| Physical Reporting to Allotted Colleges | October 26, 2026 | November 2, 2026 |
| Verification of Joined Candidates by MCC | November 3, 2026 | November 3, 2026 |
Registration Fees and Refundable Security Deposit
To participate in Round 1, candidates must pay a two-part fee on the official portal. One part is a non-refundable registration charge, and the other is a refundable security deposit. The required amount depends on the category of institution selected.
| Quota / College Type | Candidate Category | Non-Refundable Fee | Refundable Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% AIQ / Central Universities / DNB | Unreserved (UR) / EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹25,000 |
| 50% AIQ / Central Universities / DNB | SC / ST / OBC / PwD | ₹500 | ₹10,000 |
| Deemed Universities | All Categories | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
A crucial practical tip for candidates and parents: always pay this deposit from an active personal or parental bank account, rather than a temporary cyber café card. If you are not allotted any seat or exit properly within the rules, MCC refunds the security deposit directly back to the source account after the completion of all counselling rounds.
Step-by-Step Round 1 Application Process
Candidates eligible through their NEET PG scorecard should navigate the online process methodically to avoid errors:
- Account Registration: Visit the PG Medical section at mcc.nic.in. Register using your NEET PG roll number, application number, name, and registered mobile details.
- Fee Payment: Submit both the registration fee and security deposit via net banking, debit card, or credit card.
- Choice Filling: From October 13 onwards, your portal will display eligible courses and colleges based on the verified seat matrix. Add preferences in order of true priority—clinical branches, non-clinical branches, institutions, and geographic preference.
- Choice Locking: Review your preference list carefully before locking. If you fail to lock manually before the deadline on October 22, the portal automatically locks your saved choices.
- Allotment and Reporting: After results are declared on October 24, download your allotment letter and carry your original documents to the college between October 26 and November 2, 2026.
Key Rules: Free Exit and Upgradation
MCC counselling operates under clear regulatory frameworks laid down by the National Medical Commission (nmc.org.in) and the Supreme Court of India:
- Free Exit in Round 1: If you receive a seat in Round 1 but choose not to join the allotted college, your refundable security deposit will not be forfeited. You remain eligible to register for Round 2 directly.
- Willingness for Upgradation: If you join your Round 1 college, you can submit an option for upgradation in Round 2. If upgraded, your previous seat is surrendered automatically and allotted to the next candidate on merit.
- No Direct Admissions: NEET PG qualification is compulsory for every postgraduate medical seat in India, including management and NRI quotas in private and deemed medical universities. All official tuition and hostel fees are payable directly to the respective college account through verified banking channels. Never entertain agents claiming backdoor or donation-based seats.
Mandatory Documents to Keep Ready
Whether reporting to an AIQ government medical college or a deemed institution, keep both original copies and multiple attested photocopies ready:
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard / Rank Letter
- MBBS Degree Certificate or Provisional Passing Certificate
- MBBS Mark Sheets (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional examinations)
- Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Completion Certificate
- Permanent or Provisional Registration Certificate issued by NMC or State Medical Council
- High School / Higher Secondary Certificate as proof of date of birth
- Valid Government Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, or Passport)
- Category or Disability Certificate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwBD), if applicable, in the format approved by central authorities
What Undergraduate Students and Parents Can Learn
For parents guiding students through the undergraduate NEET journey, tracking PG counselling provides perspective. Becoming a licensed doctor is a long-term commitment. After clearing NEET UG and completing five and a half years of MBBS (including internship), every doctor returns to the national counselling system to pursue specialisation.
Understanding institutional quotas, state service bonds, stipend variations, and counselling mechanics early on helps families plan realistically for the complete educational path, rather than focusing solely on the first entrance test.
At Padhai Likhai, founded by Rana Sujeet Singh in New Delhi, we assist students and parents through transparent online and offline admission counselling for NEET UG, MBBS, and MD/MS admissions. You can explore your possibilities with our free college predictor or choose dedicated guidance through our counselling plans starting from ₹499.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Dates, cutoffs and rules change often. Always confirm on the official website (NTA, MCC or your state counselling portal); see our important links. This article was drafted with the help of AI from public sources and published by the Padhai Likhai team.