NEET PG counselling 2026 is scheduled to begin on 12 October 2026, when round 1 registration for postgraduate medical seats is due to open on the website of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). Reports citing the counselling timetable put the registration window at 12 to 21 October, with the round 1 seat allotment result on 24 October. We could not confirm from the official site that registration was already live when we wrote this, so candidates should check it directly before relying on any date.
This guide sets out the reported round 1 schedule, the fees and documents candidates should prepare, which seats the counselling covers, and the points where sources differ. Every date here comes from reports of the timetable, and some sources label it tentative, so treat the official notice as final.
NEET PG counselling 2026: round 1 schedule
- Seat matrix verification: 10 to 12 October.
- Registration: 12 to 21 October, with fee payment closing at 3 pm on 21 October.
- Choice filling: 13 to 22 October.
- Choice locking: 4 pm on 21 October to 10 am on 22 October.
- Allotment processing: 22 to 23 October.
- Seat allotment result: 24 October.
- Reporting at the allotted college: 26 October to 2 November.
- Joined-candidate data verification: 3 November.
By our calculation, registration stays open for 10 days, and the whole round runs 21 days from the opening of registration to the last day of reporting. Dates for round 2 and later rounds were not given in the reports we reviewed.
What the NEET PG counselling 2026 process covers
The MCC runs counselling for the 50% all-india-quota (AIQ) postgraduate seats, which include seats in central universities, deemed universities, ESIC colleges and other institutions it manages. The remaining 50% are handled by state authorities, whose schedules are separate. Candidates who want both must follow both timetables. Registration does not guarantee a seat.
Eligible candidates are those who qualified in the NEET PG 2026 entrance examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and who meet the criteria in the information bulletin, typically an MBBS degree or provisional certificate, a completed internship and valid medical registration. The seat matrix itself comes from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the NBEMS.
Fees for NEET PG counselling 2026
One report gives these round 1 amounts for the all-india-quota and central university seats, paid online by card or net banking.
- General category: ₹1,000 registration, which is non-refundable, plus a ₹25,000 security deposit, which is refundable.
- SC, ST and OBC: ₹500 registration plus a ₹10,000 security deposit.
Other reports did not list fees, and categories and deposits can differ for deemed universities, so check the information bulletin before paying. By our arithmetic, a general-category candidate would need ₹26,000 at the time of registration if the figures above hold.
Documents for NEET PG counselling 2026
- NEET PG 2026 admit card and scorecard or rank letter.
- MBBS degree or provisional certificate, and MBBS marksheets.
- Internship completion certificate, or a provisional one.
- Medical registration certificate.
- A government-issued photo ID.
- Category, caste or disability certificates, where applicable.
Scanning documents in advance saves time. A candidate who waits for the final days may find the fee-payment window, which closes at 3 pm on the last day, the tightest part of the process.
Other MCC notices for NEET PG counselling 2026
The MCC postgraduate page also lists notices that matter to particular groups. It carries a notice on disability assessment for round 1, final guidelines for persons with benchmark disabilities dated 16 September 2026, a notice on non-resident Indian candidature for 2026-27 and a list of medical assessment boards. We could read only the titles, not the contents, so candidates in these groups should open the notices themselves and not rely on a summary.
Where the reports differ on NEET PG counselling 2026
- Seat matrix: the MCC postgraduate page we viewed said the seat matrix from the NMC and NBEMS was awaited, while another report lists seat matrix verification on 10 to 12 October. We could not reconcile the two.
- Status of the schedule: one report calls the dates tentative and says registration is expected on 12 October. Another describes it as the official timetable but warns that dates may change.
- MCC and state counselling: one report suggests candidates may be eligible for both, while its FAQ says reporting under one may bar joining the other. Read the rules in the bulletin.
How to prepare for NEET PG counselling 2026
In our assessment, the biggest risk in the early days is rushing choice filling. Because choices are filled over 13 to 22 October and locked on 21 to 22 October, candidates have time to rank colleges and branches with care, check last year’s closing ranks and decide how much risk to take. Choice order drives the outcome, so a considered list is worth more than speed. We cannot predict cut-offs or the chance of any particular seat.
- Keep scans of every document in one folder before registration opens.
- Confirm the fee amount for your category in the information bulletin.
- Write a draft list of colleges and branches before the choice filling window.
- Note the locking deadline and do not leave the final edit to the last hour.
For related medical news, see our reports on the NMC’s new guidelines on medical advertising and on the Supreme Court panel on pharma freebies to doctors, or browse more healthcare services coverage.
What to watch next in NEET PG counselling 2026
- The official MCC notice confirming the round 1 dates.
- The final seat matrix and the number of seats offered.
- The round 1 result on 24 October.
- Dates for round 2 and for state counselling.
Frequently asked questions
When does NEET PG counselling 2026 registration start?
Reports of the timetable give 12 October 2026, with registration running to 21 October. Confirm on the MCC website.
When is the round 1 result of NEET PG counselling 2026?
The reported date for the seat allotment result is 24 October 2026.
Which documents are needed?
The admit card, scorecard, MBBS certificate, internship certificate, medical registration, photo ID and any category certificates.
Does NEET PG counselling 2026 registration guarantee a seat?
No. Seats are allotted by rank and choices.
Is there a refundable deposit?
Reports mention a security deposit, which is refundable, but amounts vary by category, so check the bulletin.
How we reported this: we relied on reports of the MCC round 1 timetable published on 11 and 12 October 2026 and on the MCC postgraduate counselling page. We did not see the official schedule notice itself. Figures labelled as ours are our own calculations. Last updated: 12 October 2026. This article is news reporting and not admission advice.