The medical admission process is expected to follow a different timeline this year. Following the cancellation of the May 3 NEET UG 2026 exam due to a paper leak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the Re-NEET exam on June 21, 2026. As a result, medical admissions may follow a shorter counselling timeline to help colleges start classes on time.
If you are applying for an MBBS or BDS seat, you must complete the counselling process carefully. Mistakes during registration or choice filling can affect your seat allotment or even cause you to miss a seat. Here’s everything you need to know.
When Will NEET 2026 Counselling Begin?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to begin registration only after NTA declares the final NEET UG 2026 results. The NTA is expected to declare the final Re-NEET Result 2026 on or before July 20, 2026.
Once the results are out, the official counselling dates will follow immediately. Based on the latest available updates, here is the expected counselling timeline:
- Official Schedule Announcement: Fourth week of July 2026
- Round 1 Registration & Choice Filling: Late July to mid-August 2026
- Round 1 Seat Allotment Result & College Reporting: Mid-to-late August 2026
- Round 2 (Fresh Entry & Upgrades): Late August to mid-September 2026
- Round 3 : Mid-September to late September 2026
- Stray Vacancy Round: October 2026
This timeline is expected and is based on the latest available information. MCC will announce the official NEET UG Counselling 2026 schedule after the declaration of the NEET UG 2026 results.
All India Quota vs. State Quota
There are two separate admission processes. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for both :
All India Quota (AIQ) and MCC Counselling
This counselling is conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). It covers the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in participating government medical colleges, as well as 100% of seats in Central Universities, deemed universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, and AFMC. You can apply for these seats through the official website: mcc.nic.in.
State Quota (SQ)
This counselling is conducted by the respective state’s counselling authority (for example, CEE Kerala at cee.kerala.gov.in or KEA Karnataka at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in). It generally covers the remaining government quota seats and admissions to private medical colleges within the state, as per that state’s counselling rules.
For Kerala candidates, MBBS and BDS admissions are conducted through the CEE Kerala KEAM candidate portal. After qualifying for NEET UG, Candidates applying for MBBS or BDS admission in Kerala must register through the CEE Kerala admission portal and complete the required counselling formalities, including option registration, as notified by CEE Kerala. Candidates can find all official updates, registration links, and option entry notifications through the CEE Kerala portal.
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Join Xylem NEET CoachingWhat Are the NEET Counselling Registration Fees and Security Deposits?
When you register on `mcc.nic.in`, you have to pay two fees online via net banking, debit card, or credit card. One is a non-refundable registration fee, and the other is a refundable security deposit.
The exact amounts depend on the type of college you choose:
| Counselling Category | Candidate Category | Registration Fee | Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15% AIQ / Central Universities | General | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| 15% AIQ / Central Universities | SC/ST/OBC/PwD | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Deemed Universities | All Categories | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
Your MBBS Seat Starts with the Right Counselling Strategy
From AIQ and state quota counseling to registration fees, choice locking, and seat allotment, explore everything you need to secure your preferred medical college.
Explore Counselling GuideThe security deposit is refundable if it is not forfeited under the applicable MCC counselling rules.
Step-by-Step Process for MCC NEET Online Registration 2026
The entire NEET 2026 counseling process is done online. Follow these steps carefully to submit your college options:
New User Sign-Up:
Go to the official `mcc.nic.in` website, click “New Candidate Registration,” and enter your NEET UG roll number, application number, name, and date of birth. Create a secure password.
Fill in Details:
Log in with your new password. Fill out your communication address, category details, and enter all the academic details requested in the counselling portal exactly as they appear on your certificates. Make sure everything matches your school certificates exactly.
Pay Fees:
Pay the registration fee and the refundable security deposit based on your category and college choices. Download and print the payment receipt.
Choice Filling:
Open the “Available Choices” tab and click the “+” button next to the medical colleges you want to select. This will add them to your preference list on the right. Arrange the selected colleges in your preferred order, with your top choice placed first.
Choice Locking:
Review your choices carefully before locking them. Click ‘Lock Choices’ before the deadline. If you do not manually lock your choices before the deadline, MCC generally auto-locks the last saved choices at the deadline. Download and save a copy of your locked choices for future reference.
What Is the Seat Forfeiture Rule in NEET 2026 Counselling?
Depending on the counselling round, giving up an allotted seat may result in the forfeiture of your security deposit. This rule stops candidates from holding seats they do not plan to join, so those seats can go to other eligible students.
The consequences depend on which counselling round you’re in:
Round 1: This round has a “Free Exit” rule. If you get a seat but change your mind and do not report to the college, you will not lose your security deposit. You can go straight into Round 2.
Round 2: If you get a seat in Round 2 and do not report to the college, your entire security deposit (whether it is ₹10,000 or ₹2,00,000) is permanently lost. Candidates eligible for subsequent rounds may have to complete new registration and pay the applicable security deposit again, depending on MCC’s counselling rules for that year.
Round 3 : Once you join a Round 3 allotted seat, resignation is generally not permitted under MCC counselling rules. Candidates should refer to the latest MCC notification for any updates.
Stray Vacancy Round: If you get a seat in the final Stray Vacancy Round and do not join the allotted college, your security deposit may be forfeited, and other penalties may apply as per the latest MCC counselling guidelines.
What Documents Are Required for NEET UG Counselling Verification?
When you get a seat allotment, you must download your allotment letter and carry all the original documents to the college for physical verification:
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card and official Rank/Score Letter.
- MCC Provisional Seat Allotment Letter.
- Class 10 Certificate and Marksheet (for date of birth proof).
- Class 12 Pass Certificate and Marksheet.
- At least 6-8 recent passport-size photographs (or as specified by the allotted institute).
- Valid government-issued photo ID (such as an Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card, or any other accepted ID proof).
- Category Certificate (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD disability certificate) if you are claiming reservation seats.
Note: Keep clear scanned copies of these documents ready, as they may be required during the counselling process or institute-level admission formalities.
How to Prepare for NEET 2026 Counselling Right Now
While waiting for the results on July 20, candidates should use this time to complete the necessary preparations:
- Once released, check the Re-NEET 2026 Final Answer Key to calculate your expected score.
- Check the previous year’s opening and closing ranks for your target colleges to understand your realistic admission chances.
- Prepare a rough list of preferred colleges so you are ready when the choice-filling portal opens.
Keep checking the official MCC website for the latest NEET UG counseling 2026 schedule, registration dates, and official PDF notifications.
FAQ
NEET UG Counselling 2026 is expected to begin after the declaration of the final Re-NEET 2026 results. MCC will announce the official counselling schedule, including registration dates, choice filling, and seat allotment, on its official website.
Yes. Qualifying for NEET UG 2026 does not automatically register a candidate for counselling. Candidates must complete a separate online registration through MCC or the respective state counselling authority to participate in the admission process.
Yes. Eligible candidates can participate in both All India Quota (AIQ) and State Quota counselling if they meet the required eligibility criteria. Separate registration may be required for each counselling authority.
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The outcome depends on the counselling round. In Round 1, candidates can exit without losing the security deposit. In later rounds, the security deposit may be forfeited or other penalties may apply under the latest MCC counselling rules.
Candidates must carry the original NEET UG 2026 Admit Card, Score Card, seat allotment letter, Class 10 and 12 certificates, a valid photo ID, passport-size photographs, and applicable category certificates for document verification.