NEET PG Counselling 2026: Dates, Registration, Process & Seat Allotment

Latest Updates:

• NEET PG 2026 Admit Card will be available on 27th August 2026 on the official website.
• The NEET PG 2026 Exam is scheduled for 30th August 2026.
• NEET PG Exam Centres 2026: State-Wise List of Test Cities, Centre Allotment & Guidelines

The NEET PG counselling will be conducted for the seat allocation to various medical postgraduate courses in India after completion of the NEET PG 2026 exam, which is scheduled for 30th August 2026. It is conducted by MCC every year for the 50% all-India quota seats; the rest of the seats are allocated by the respective State boards. Over 2,73,183 candidates participated in NEET PG.

The candidates who qualify the NEET PG exam 2026 with the minimum cutoff will be eligible to participate in the NEET PG 2026 counselling. NEET PG counselling 2026 Round 1 registration will start in October 2026. 

The NEET PG 2026 seats will be allocated based on the choices filled, availability of seats in a particular institute, NEET PG reservation criteria, and certain other factors. Students must note that the NEET PG 2026 counselling will be conducted in several rounds and the seat allotment for each round will be released separately. Continue reading this SYU expert guide to navigate smoothly through the NEET PG counselling process 2026.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Quick Highlights

The table below shows some of the quick highlights for the NEET PG counselling 2026.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Important Dates

The table below shows NEET PG counselling 2026 important dates and deadlines.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Eligibility

To participate in the NEET PG counselling 2026 one has to clear the NEET PG Cutoff 2026. The qualifying cutoff is released by MCC every year.

NEET PG 2026 Expected Cutoff

Here is the NEET PG 2026 expected cutoff.

NEET PG 2026 Cutoff Percentile

The NEET PG 2026 cutoff percentile will be released soon after the examination commencement. Till then students can refer to the table below for the NEET PG 2026 qualifying cutoff percentiles.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Process

Students who have qualified the NEET PG exam 2026 are eligible for the NEET PG counselling process. To qualify NEET PG exam one has to secure a minimum cutoff percentile suggested by the official bodies. The NEET PG counselling will be conducted by MCC for admission to 50% all India quota seats, 100% Central/Deemed to be Universities, ESIC and AFMS seats. A total of four rounds will be conducted in the NEET PG counselling 2026. 

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Quotas

The NEET PG Counselling 2026 will be conducted for the following quotas:

• 50% All India Quota seats
• 50% State Quota seats
• Armed Forces Medical Services
• Deemed Universities
• Central Universities (DU, AMU, BHU)
• ESIC colleges

NEET PG Counselling: Step-by-step Guide

The following is the NEET PG counselling step-by-step process 2026.

Step 1: Registration on MCC Portal

First of all, candidates must register on the official MCC website https://mcc.nic.in. You’ll need to provide your NEET PG Roll Number, Application ID, name, and other personal details. Pay the required counselling and security fees to complete registration.

Step 2: Choice Filling and Locking

Next, you’ll be able to fill your preferred choices of colleges and courses. Carefully review your options and lock your choices before the deadline. Once locked, changes cannot be made.

Step 3: Seat Allotment Result

After that, MCC conducts seat allotment based on your NEET PG rank, reservation criteria, and filled choices. You can check the round-wise allotment results on the official website.

Step 4: Downloading Allotment Letter

Once the NEET PG counselling results are declared, candidates allotted a seat must download the provisional allotment letter from the portal. This document is required for reporting at the allotted college.

Step 5: Reporting to Allotted College

Then, you must report to the allotted institute within the given timeframe. Carry your original documents, allotment letter, and fee receipt. Failing to report may lead to loss of the seat.

Step 6: Free Exit or Upgradation Option

In NEET PG Round 1, candidates can choose a free exit (if they don’t want to join the allotted seat) or opt for an upgrade to a better choice in Round 2.

Step 7: Round 2 Counselling

Moving forward, if you haven’t been allotted a seat or wish to upgrade in PG medical counselling, participate in NEET PG Round 2 Counselling. The process is similar—fill fresh choices, wait for allotment, and report if allotted.

Step 8: NEET PG Counselling Mop-Up Round (for Deemed/Central Universities)

Furthermore, those still unallotted can take part in the NEET PG Mop-Up Round conducted only for Deemed/Central Universities. Fresh registration is usually required.

Step 9: NEET PG Counselling Stray Vacancy Round

Finally, vacant seats after the mop-up round are filled through the NEET PG Stray Vacancy Round. Only candidates who registered earlier and were not allotted seats are eligible.

MCC NEET PG Counselling 2026: Registration

Students wishing to participate in the NEET PG examination counselling 2026 have to register themselves in the counselling process through MCC official website. The following is the NEET PG counselling 2026 registration process.

• Students have to visit the official website of MCC, then they have to navigate to the ‘PG Medical Counselling’ section.
• In this section they have to register through a valid email ID and mobile number.
• After logging in, students have to fill out the NEET PG Counselling 2026 application form and submit it.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Registration Fee

To participate in the NEET PG counselling, candidates will have to pay a certain amount of fees. The counselling fees have two components: first is refundable and another one is non-refundable. The NEET PG Counselling fees can be paid in online mode. The table below shows the NEET PG Counselling fees 2026.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Choice Filling

Candidates have to choose the desired course and college from a list provided by the MCC. Students must note that they can choose as many options as they want to. To maximize the chances of seat allotment in the NEET PG counselling 2026, candidates are advised to select a maximum number of choices.

How to Fill Choices for NEET PG Counselling 2026?

The list below shows the step-by-step process to fill out choices in the NEET PG Counselling 2026.

1. 1Visit the official MCC website and log in using your registration credentials.
2. Select your preferred colleges and courses for NEET PG 2026 seat allotment.
3. Click the ‘+’ icon to add a new choice.
4. Drag and drop to rearrange your choices in order of preference.
5. Click ‘Save and Next’ to lock your final choices.

NEET PG Counselling: Documents Required

The following list shows NEET PG counselling 2026 required documents:

• NEET PG admit card 2026
• NEET PG 2026 result/rank letter
• Class X marksheet/ birth certificate
• Marksheets of MBBS
• MBBS Degree Certificate
• Internship Completion Certificate
• Permanent/provisional registration certificate issued by MCI/ SMC
• Valid, non-expired and authentic photo ID proof (PAN card/Driving licence/Voter ID/Passport/Aadhar card)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Non-creamy layer Certificate (if applicable)
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)

NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Seat Matrix 

The NEET PG seat matrix 2026 denotes the number of seats available in different courses. The seat matrix can be interpreted from various angles which include course-wise seat matrix, category-wise seat matrix, etc. The official seat matrix will be released before the NEET PG counselling 2026. The Supreme Court of India declared domicile-based reservations for NEET PG State Quota seats unconstitutional in January 2026. 

The seat matrix is released by authorities every year before the commencement of counselling. In 2026, NEET PG counselling witnessed delay and the reasons were the indecision over NEET PG counselling seat matrix.

NEET PG Counselling: Reservation Policies

The table below shows the category wise reservation in NEET PG 2026.

Total NEET PG Seats

The following table presents the total seat count of NEET PG intake through medical counselling 2026:

State-wise NEET PG Seats

Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh have seen >300% growth since 2018. Here we have tabulated state-wise NEET PG seat matrix 2026:

NEET PG Counselling for State Quota Seats

As mentioned above the MCC is responsible for only 50% of the PG medical seats in India. The remaining 50% of the seats are to be filled by the respective State government. For instance if a medical college in UP offers 100 PG medical seats, then 50 of them will be filled through MCC NEET PG counselling and the rest of them will be filled through the UP NEET PG counselling. 

The following states have started intake for MD, MS, and DNB seats for the 2026-26 academic year. 

• Telangana NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Karnataka NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Andhra Pradesh NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Punjab NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Tamil Nadu NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Gujarat NEET PG Counselling 2026
• Kerala NEET PG Counselling 2026

NEET PG Counselling for DNB Seats

The Counselling for the DNB courses is conducted by NBE and is solely based on the candidates performance in the NEET PG Examination. To apply for the NEET PG counselling for DNB candidates have to register.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Rounds

After the seat allotment process is completed, candidates have various options from which they have to choose from after each round of counselling. This section will discuss all the available options a candidate has after a particular round.

NEET PG Round 1 Counselling

There are three options available to the candidates after the NEET PG Round 1 Counselling Process. The same is listed below.

• Option 1: Candidates can opt for free exit. The seat allotted to a candidate in round one will automatically cancel if he fails to report to the college within the given duration of time.
• Option 2: If the candidate is satisfied with the allocated seat he may report to the college and confirm the seat by paying the fees.
• Option 3: Apart from the above options, if the candidate is not satisfied with the seat he may apply for an upgrade by participating in round 2. 

NEET PG 2026 Round 2 Counselling

The process of the second round of the NEET PG counselling is almost similar to that of round 1. Check out the list below to find whether you are eligible to participate in the NEET PG round 2 Counselling or not. The candidates with following status can participate in the NEET PG counselling 2026.

• Those who didn't get any seat in NEET PG counselling 2026 round one
• Seat allotted in round one but it got cancelled in the physical document verification process
• If a candidate wants to upgrade his allotted seat in the NEET PG round one counselling 2026
• Candidates who choose 'free exit' option or did not participate in round one counselling.

NEET PG 2026 Round 3 Counselling

NEET PG 2026 counselling round 3 will be held for seat allotment in deemed universities, central universities, and ESIC institutes. Candidates who did not report to the allotted college in rounds 1 or 2 must register again for round 3. However, those who weren’t allotted any seat in the previous rounds don’t need to re-register. All candidates must fill fresh choices of colleges and courses. The seat allotment result for the mop-up round will be released on the official MCC website.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling: Participating Institutes

The table below shows the list of participating institutions in the NEET PG counselling 2026.

NEET PG Counselling: Tips and Strategies for Success

To succeed in NEET PG 2026 counselling, candidates must follow a smart and well-planned approach. Here are some essential tips for NEET PG counselling 2026:

1. Keep Documents Ready: Make sure to keep all important documents like NEET PG scorecard, MBBS degree, internship certificate, ID proof, and caste or category certificate ready. Missing any document can lead to disqualification.
2. Research Colleges and Courses: Check NEET PG previous year cut-offs, college rankings, and course availability before filling your choices. Choose your preferred colleges and branches, but also include some safe options as backup.
3. Fill Choices Carefully: During the NEET PG Counselling choice filling process, arrange your preferences based on priority. Use the drag-and-drop option to rearrange them and click 'Save and Next' to lock your final choices. Never wait till the last moment to lock your choices.
4. Participate in All Rounds: If you're eligible, take part in all rounds of NEET PG counselling 2026 including mop-up and stray vacancy rounds. Choose the “upgrade” option if you want to try for a better seat in the next round.
5. Mix Dream and Safe Options: Don’t only select top colleges participating in the NEET PG counselling 2026. Make a balanced list that includes high-ranked institutes, average colleges, MD/MS, DNB, and diploma courses based on your rank.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t forget to report to the allotted college within the given time. Missing deadlines or failing to lock choices can cost you a seat. Also, understand fees, bond duration, and other terms before finalizing.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Conclusion

The NEET PG counselling process 2026 is more than just seat allotment, it's your career launchpad for medical journey. Understanding seat allocation, eligibility guidelines, and counselling document requirements is key. Students must understand how to prepare for NEET PG counselling by exploring state-wise cutoffs, top NEET PG colleges and their procedures, and specific advice for candidates with disabilities. Students are advised to use a step-by-step guide, explore financial aid options, and compare NEET PG and UG counselling differences. With expert tips, and coaching support, you can confidently tackle challenges and secure the best seat in NEET PG counselling 2026.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Ques: Has NEET PG 2026 registration started?

Ans: Yes, NEET PG 2026 registration started on 1st July 2026 and also concluded on 21st July 2026. Candidates had to apply online through the official NBEMS website within this period.

Ques: Is NEET PG 2026 counselling started?

Ans: No, NEET PG 2026 counselling round 1 will start after the commencement of NEET 2026 examination which is on 30th August 2026,  Counselling process will start approximately near October 2026.

Ques: Will there be state counselling for NEET PG 2026?

Ans: Yes, apart from MCC’s 50% All India Quota counselling, each state will conduct its own counselling for the remaining 50% state quota seats. Candidates must register separately for state-level counselling.

Ques: How many candidates applied for NEET PG 2026?

Ans: Around 2,73,183 candidates registered for NEET PG 2026. The exact number of exam takers will be confirmed after the exam is conducted and results are released.

Ques: How many seats are in NEET PG 2026?

Ans: NEET PG 2026 offers more than 85,000 to 86,360 postgraduate seats in India. These include approximately 42,001 MD, 13,300 MS, 6000 PG Diploma, and 15000 DNB seats across government, private, and deemed universities.

Ques: What is the NEET PG counselling process 2026 and how can I prepare for it?

Ans: The NEET PG counselling process 2026 involves online registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and reporting to the allotted college. To prepare effectively, candidates must stay updated with the schedule, understand the seat allotment process, and research colleges and cut-off trends across states.

Ques: How do NEET PG counselling cut-off scores vary across different states?

Ans: NEET PG counselling cut-off scores differ by state based on the number of applicants, available seats, and category reservations. States like Delhi and Maharashtra have higher cut-offs, while states with more private colleges may show slightly lower ranks for admission.

Ques: What are the NEET PG counselling procedures followed by top medical colleges in India?

Ans: Top NEET PG colleges such as AIIMS, PGIMER, and AFMC follow centralized or institute-specific counselling procedures. These may differ from standard MCC counselling, often requiring separate applications and interviews in addition to NEET PG scores.

Ques: How is NEET PG counselling different from NEET UG counselling?

Ans: NEET PG counselling is conducted by MCC for postgraduate medical seats, while NEET UG counselling is for undergraduate MBBS/BDS seats. PG counselling involves more specializations, different reservation policies, and a separate process for DNB and diploma seats.

Ques: What documents are required for NEET PG counselling and are there any financial aid options available?

Ans: For NEET PG counselling, candidates must provide their NEET PG scorecard, MBBS degree, internship certificate, ID proof, and caste or disability certificates if applicable. Some government and private institutions offer scholarships or financial aid during admission, especially for reserved and economically weaker sections.