NEET PG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration Dates & Steps

Understanding the NEET PG Counselling 2026 Announcement

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has officially commenced online registrations for Round 1 of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) Counselling 2026 on its official website, mcc.nic.in. For young doctors completing their internships and their families, this marks the start of the final phase leading to admission in MD, MS, DNB, and diploma courses across India.

Admission to every postgraduate medical seat in the country—including government colleges, Central universities, deemed universities, and management or NRI quota seats—is strictly routed through NEET PG merit. No institution or individual can offer direct admission, donation-based seats, or spot entries outside the established counselling protocol. All official registration fees and security deposits must be paid exclusively through the MCC portal, and institute tuition fees are paid directly to the allotted college during physical reporting.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Official Schedule

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) conducts four rounds of online counselling: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and an Online Stray Vacancy Round. Staying aligned with official deadlines is critical because missing the registration or payment window locks candidates out of that round.

Which Seats Are Covered Under MCC Counselling?

Candidates often wonder whether MCC manages every PG seat in India. The Central counselling conducted by the MCC covers the following quotas:

• 50% All India Quota (AIQ) Seats: Postgraduate medical and dental seats contributed by state-run government medical colleges across all states and Union Territories.
• 100% Central University Seats: Medical institutes under Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Jamia Millia Islamia.
• 100% Deemed University Seats: All medical faculties in deemed-to-be universities across India.
• AFMS Institutes: Armed Forces Medical Services seats (for institutional registration and screening).
• 100% DNB Seats: Post-MBBS DNB seats in government, municipal, and accredited private hospitals across the country.

The remaining 50% state quota seats in government medical colleges and 100% of seats in state private medical colleges are counselled separately by state admission authorities. Eligible candidates can participate in both MCC AIQ counselling and their respective state counselling simultaneously, subject to respective state eligibility conditions.

Fee Structure: Non-Refundable Fee and Security Deposit

When registering on the MCC portal, candidates must pay two distinct components: a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit. The exact amount depends on the category and the type of institutions selected.

Candidates choosing both AIQ and Deemed Universities pay the higher fee tier (₹5,000 registration fee plus ₹2,00,000 security deposit). The security deposit is refunded to the bank account from which it was paid after the completion of all counselling rounds, provided the candidate does not forfeit it due to rule violations.

Step-by-Step Registration and Choice Filling Process

Registering for Round 1 involves the following sequence on the MCC website:

1. Create New Account: Visit mcc.nic.in, open the PG Medical Counselling section, and click on 'New Registration'. Enter your NEET PG Roll Number, Application Number, candidate name, date of birth, and registered mobile number.
2. Complete Application Form: Provide communication details, academic scores, internship completion dates, and category information.
3. Pay the Counselling Fees: Pay the registration fee and security deposit online via Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card. Keep the payment confirmation receipt safe.
4. Choice Filling: Once choice filling opens, browse available courses and colleges. Add your preferred branch and college combinations in order of priority. There is no upper limit on the number of choices you can submit.
5. Choice Locking: Lock your submitted choices during the locking window. If you do not lock them manually, the portal will automatically lock your saved choices when the window closes.

Essential Documents Required for Verification

Candidates must carry original certificates along with attested photocopies when reporting to their allotted college:

• NEET PG Admit Card and Scorecard issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (natboard.edu.in).
• MBBS Degree Certificate or Provisional Passing Certificate.
• MBBS mark sheets for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd professional examinations.
• Compulsory Rotating Residential Internship completion certificate.
• Permanent or Provisional Registration Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (nmc.org.in) or a State Medical Council.
• High school certificate (Class 10) or birth certificate as proof of date of birth.
• Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, or Passport).
• Relevant Category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) or PwD certificate in the mandated Central format, if applicable.

Key Counselling Rules Candidates Must Keep in Mind

Medical postgraduate counselling follows strict regulatory guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India and the National Medical Commission. Being clear on these rules prevents unnecessary forfeiture of security deposits or loss of eligibility:

• Free Exit in Round 1: If you are allotted a seat in Round 1 but choose not to join, you can exercise a 'free exit'. You do not lose your security deposit, and you remain eligible to participate in Round 2 without re-registering.
• Upgradation Option: If you join your Round 1 allotted college, you may submit willingness for upgradation to Round 2 during the reporting process. If a higher-preference seat is allotted in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is automatically vacated.
• Seat Resignation Rules: If you decide to vacate an allotted seat, you must complete the resignation process online within the specific resignation window notified by the MCC. Resigning offline without an online portal receipt is invalid.

Practical Advice for Parents and Aspirants

Choosing a postgraduate medical specialty is a career-defining decision. Parents and doctors should evaluate specialty choices realistically based on clinical exposure, patient flow, bed occupancy, and faculty strength rather than brand names alone. Review historical closing ranks from previous admission sessions, understand the mandatory service bonds and financial penalties associated with state colleges, and verify annual tuition fees in deemed institutes before adding them to your choice list.

To explore probable college options based on your rank, try our free college predictor at neet.html#predict. If you need step-by-step guidance on choice structuring, bond evaluation, and state quotas, explore our personalized counselling packages starting from ₹499 at neet.html#plans.

Frequently asked questions

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.