NEET PG 2026 Counselling: MCC Process, Dates, Seat Matrix & Document Checklist
NEET PG 2026 Counselling: MCC Process, Dates, Seat Matrix & Document Checklist
Updated: September 2026|Academically Reviewed by: Dr. S. K. Rao, Ph.D. in Rural Development & Cooperative Management, Senior Education Advisor with 15+ years of experience in NABARD, NCDC, and agricultural university admissions.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will conduct the NEET PG 2026 Counselling for admission to 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, Deemed Universities, Central Universities, ESIC, and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions. After declaring results on September 30, 2026, the MCC will execute a four-round centralized counselling process. This comprehensive guide details the step-by-step counselling procedure, expected timelines, seat matrix, and essential document checklists to help medical aspirants secure their desired postgraduate specializations.
Quick Facts: NEET PG 2026 Counselling at a Glance
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Counselling Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS |
Official Portal | |
Result Declaration Date | September 30, 2026 |
Counselling Start Date | October 2026 (Expected) |
Total PG Seats (MCC) | 40,739+ (MD, MS, PG Diploma, DNB) |
Qualifying Percentile | General: 50th | SC/ST/OBC: 40th | PwBD: 45th |
Internship Deadline | Must be completed by September 30, 2026 |
NEET PG 2026 MCC Counselling Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The MCC designed this counselling process to ensure maximum seat utilization and equitable admission opportunities. Consequently, the procedure operates in four distinct rounds. Applicants must carefully follow the steps for each round to avoid disqualification.
Round 1: Registration, Choice Filling, and Allotment
Round 1 serves as the most critical phase, where applicants fill the majority of top-tier seats.
- Online Registration: Applicants must register on the MCC portal using their NEET PG 2026 roll number and pay the non-refundable registration fee along with the refundable security deposit.
- Document Upload: You must upload scanned copies of all required documents (MBBS degree, internship certificate, category certificates, etc.).
- Choice Filling & Locking: Aspirants can select and prioritize their preferred colleges and specializations. Crucially, you must lock your choices before the deadline; the system will reject unlocked choices for allotment.
- Seat Allotment Result: The MCC releases the Round 1 allotment list based on merit, filled choices, and seat availability.
- Reporting: Successful applicants must report to the allotted college, pay the institutional fees, and submit original documents for physical verification.
Round 2: Upgradation and Fresh Registration
Furthermore, Round 2 provides a second opportunity for seat allocation and upgradation.
- Eligibility: This round includes applicants who registered but did not receive a seat in Round 1, plus those who received a seat but submitted their willingness for upgradation.
- Process: Fresh registration opens for eligible applicants. Round 1 applicants must explicitly opt for upgradation. If an applicant receives an upgrade in Round 2, the system automatically cancels their Round 1 seat.
- Exit Option: Applicants unsatisfied with their Round 2 allotment can exit the process, but the MCC will forfeit their security deposit.
Stray Vacancy Round
Additionally, the MCC conducts the Stray Vacancy Round to fill seats remaining vacant after Round 2.
- Purpose: To allocate remaining seats quickly.
- Process: The committee publishes the vacant seat matrix. Eligible applicants fill their choices, and the MCC allots seats based on merit.
- Reporting: The reporting window typically spans just 2 to 3 days, requiring applicants to prepare fully with documents and fees.
Mop-Up Round (Final Round)
Finally, the committee conducts the Mop-Up Round as the last centralized counselling phase.
- Eligibility: This round opens to all eligible applicants who have not secured admission in previous rounds. The system allows fresh registration.
- Outcome: After this round, the MCC hands over any remaining vacant seats to the respective State Counselling Authorities for state-level mop-up rounds.
NEET PG 2026 Seat Matrix and Participating Institutes
Moreover, the MCC manages the allocation of thousands of postgraduate medical seats across various institutional categories.
Total Expected Seats
- MD (Doctor of Medicine): 26,168 seats
- MS (Master of Surgery): 13,649 seats
- PG Diploma: 922 seats
- DNB Broad Speciality: Included in the centralized pool
Participating Institutions
- Central Universities: Delhi University (DU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
- Deemed Universities: All private deemed universities across India.
- State Government Colleges: 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats from all states and union territories.
- Special Institutes: ESIC Medical Colleges, Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), and NBEMS (DNB) hospitals.
- (Note: AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, and NIMHANS conduct their own separate INI-CET counselling.)
Expected Counselling Timeline (2026)
Disclaimer: Dates are tentative and subject to official MCC notifications.
Counselling Event | Expected Dates |
|---|---|
NEET PG 2026 Result Declaration | September 30, 2026 |
Round 1 Registration & Choice Filling | October 1 – October 10, 2026 |
Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | October 15, 2026 |
Round 1 Reporting to College | October 18 – October 25, 2026 |
Round 2 Registration & Choice Filling | October 28 – November 5, 2026 |
Round 2 Seat Allotment Result | November 10, 2026 |
Stray Vacancy Round | November 20 – November 30, 2026 |
Mop-Up Round Registration & Allotment | December 5 – December 15, 2026 |
Counselling Fee Structure and Security Deposit
Therefore, applicants must pay the registration fee and a refundable security deposit during the online registration process.
Category | Registration Fee | Security Deposit (Refundable) |
|---|---|---|
General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
SC / ST / PwBD | ₹ 500 | ₹ 10,000 |
Refund Policy: The MCC refunds the security deposit to applicants who do not receive a seat or who exit the counselling process before locking Round 2 choices. However, if an applicant receives a Round 2 seat and fails to join, or resigns after joining, the committee forfeits the security deposit.
Essential Document Checklist for Counselling
To ensure a smooth verification process, you must keep the following documents ready in original and three self-attested photocopy sets:
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard/Rank Letter.
- MBBS Degree Certificate (Provisional or Final).
- MBBS Mark Sheets for all professional years (1st to Final).
- Internship Completion Certificate (Must clearly state completion on or before Sept 30, 2026).
- Permanent or Provisional Registration Certificate (issued by NMC or State Medical Council).
- 10th Standard Certificate (for Date of Birth proof).
- 12th Standard Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate.
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) from the competent authority in the prescribed format.
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable) from a designated medical board.
- Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License).
- Passport-size photographs (same as uploaded in the NEET PG application).
- Migration and Character Certificates from the respective MBBS college.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Must applicants complete their internship by September 30, 2026, to participate in NEET PG 2026 counselling?
A1: Yes. According to NMC and MCC guidelines, applicants must complete their compulsory rotating internship on or before September 30, 2026, to qualify for admission. The committee does not accept provisional certificates if the final completion date exceeds this deadline.
Q2: Can I participate in both MCC (AIQ) counselling and State Quota counselling simultaneously?
A2: Yes, applicants can register for both. However, if you accept and join a seat through MCC counselling, you must formally resign and obtain a relieving letter before participating in any state counselling to avoid dual admission penalties.
Q3: What happens if the MCC allots me a seat in Round 1 but I do not want to join?
A3: If you do not report to the allotted college in Round 1, the MCC will debar you from participating in Round 2. You will only remain eligible for the Stray Vacancy and Mop-Up rounds, and the committee will forfeit your security deposit.
Q4: How does the MCC handle tie-breaking if two applicants have the same NEET PG score?
A4: In case of a tie, the MCC applies the following criteria in order:
- Applicant with fewer incorrect answers overall.
- Applicant with fewer incorrect answers in Section A, then B, C, D, and E sequentially.
- Applicant with higher aggregate marks in MBBS professional exams.
- Older applicant (based on date of birth).
Q5: Will the MCC reduce the NEET PG cutoff in later counselling rounds?
A5: Yes. Historically, if seats remain vacant after Round 1 and Round 2, the MCC and NBEMS revise and reduce the minimum qualifying percentile to ensure maximum seat utilization across all categories.
