NEET PG 2025 Round 1 Counselling: Dates, Eligibility, Documents, Seat Allotment & Cutoff

Latest Updates 

• The NEET PG 2026 will be held on 30 August 2026. Click here

The NEET PG 2026 exam will be conducted on 30th August 2026. The examination will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). After the result declaration, the authority began the counselling process as per the scheduled timeline.

Round 1 NEET PG counselling process includes admission to PG courses such as MD/MS and PG Diploma in both government and private medical colleges across India. Candidates must regularly check the official MCC portal for updated dates and deadlines: mcc.nic.in/pg-medical-counselling

To be eligible for NEET PG counselling, candidates must:

• Be Indian citizens
• Hold a valid MBBS degree
• Have a valid NEET PG 2026 score
• Have completed a mandatory 1-year internship

This blog covers all key information regarding Round 1 counselling, including registration steps, important dates, eligibility, required documents, and cutoff details.

NEET PG Counselling Round 1: Quick Highlights

The following table shows the details of NEET PG counselling round 1:

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: Schedule

The following table shows the important dates and deadlines for NEET PG 2026 round 1 counselling.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling vs. Round 2 Counselling

The following table shows the details of NEET PG counselling round 1 vs. NEET PG counselling round 2.

Read More: NEET PG Round 2 Counselling 

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: Best Strategies for Seat Selection

Choosing the best college and course for postgraduation is a crucial step. The following are the steps to keep in mind when selecting the right seat:

• Check the details of the college on the official website. Go through the faculty, infrastructure, placement statistics, and other facilities, and then make the decision. Choose the subject of your interest and check the subject availability.
• Research about the clinical exposure of the colleges. Choose clinical branches at well-known institutes.
• Keep your decision clear in your mind. Make a list of courses and branches you want to take admission in.
• To check the cutoff and seat matrix, analyse the previous years' cutoff and seat availability at colleges. This will help you in deciding on the one for you.
• For any doubts regarding the process, consult the seniors or counselling experts.

NEET PG 2026 counselling Round 1: Process for Changing College Choices after Initial Selection

Once you lock your choices in Round 1, you cannot change them for that round. If you want to upgrade after Round 1, follow these steps:

• Do not report to the allotted college if you wish to upgrade.
• Participate in Round 2 by re-registering.
• Fill in new preferences, excluding previously allotted seats.
• Wait for fresh allotment based on updated choices.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 counselling: How to Appeal a Decision

If a candidate is sure about some issue regarding allotment mismatch, document submission issue, or any technical glitch, they must attach the following evidence and submit it on the official helpline or email.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Preparing for the Reporting Procedure

After you receive your seat allotment in Round 1, timely reporting to the assigned institute is crucial. Missing deadlines can lead to the cancellation of your seat.

Checklist for Reporting:

• Download the allotment letter from the MCC portal.
• Arrange original documents and 2 sets of photocopies.
• Check college-specific joining formalities on their website.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: Document Requirements

The following table shows the documents required for the NEET PG counselling round 1.

Read More: Documents required for NEET PG

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: Cutoff

The following table shows the qualifying cutoff for NEET PG counselling round 1.

NEET PG 2026 Round 1 Counselling: Eligibility Criteria

The following table shows the eligibility criteria of NEET PG counselling round 1 .

Conclusion

Candidates who want to pursue postgraduate studies after MBBS must pass the NEET PG exam. Candidates with a valid NEET PG score are eligible to participate in round 1 counselling. Check the previous year's cutoff and analyse the rank; fill in the choices according to it. The blog contains all the information regarding documents, eligibility criteria, and cutoff.

NEET PG 2026 Counselling Round 1: FAQs

Ques: How are NEET PG seats allocated in round 1 counselling 2026?

Ans: NEET PG seats are allocated on the basis of the NEET PG score and rank, the category of the candidate, the domicile of the candidate, and the qualifying cutoff. Candidates who score better in the NEET PG exam will get the desired seat as selected in the choice filling.

Ques: What is the difference between NEET PG and NEET MDS counselling for 2026?

Ans: NEET PG counselling is done for admission to courses like PG / MD / MS courses, while NEET MDS counselling is done for BDS graduates who want to take admission to the MDS course. Both counselling sessions are conducted by the medical counselling committee, but separately.

Ques: NEET PG 2026 counselling round 1: What if I don't get my preferred branch?

Ans: For NEET PG counselling round 1, if the candidate is not satisfied with the branch, they can opt for an upgrade in round 2. Candidates need to reregister for round 2 and then fill in the choices.

Ques: Can I use my NEET PG 2026 score to apply to foreign medical universities?

Ans: NEET PG scores apply to Indian medical universities. For PG courses in foreign medical universities, candidates must check the official website for the exam.

Ques: What happens if I don't participate in NEET PG 2026 round 1 counselling?

Ans: If a candidate is not able to participate in round 1 of NEET PG counselling, then they must register for the 2nd round of counselling. However, the first round opens a wild opportunity for college and course selection.

Ques: Are scholarships and financial aid given for NEET PG 2026 round 1 counselling?

Ans: For NEET PG admission, scholarships are given on a merit-based and need-based basis. Some scholarships are for the reserved categories. These scholarships and financial aid are mentioned on the official websites of colleges. 

Ques: What are the key differences between the state quota and the all-India quota in NEET PG 2026 round 1?

Ans: The key differences between the state quota and the all-India quota in NEET PG 2026 round 1 are as follows: