Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration, Choice Filling, Seat Allotment and Joining Dates

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration, Choice Filling, Seat Allotment and Joining Dates

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 has commenced for admission to MBBS and BDS courses for the 2026–27 academic session. The counselling is being conducted by the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER), Chennai.

According to the official Round-I counselling schedule provided in the uploaded notification, registration, payment and choice filling/locking began on August 13, 2026, at 12:00 noon and will continue until August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The schedule covers MBBS and BDS admissions in Tamil Nadu Government Medical and Dental Colleges, ESIC Medical College, Government and Management Quota seats in self-financing colleges, State Private Universities, Christian Medical College, Vellore, and wards of IRT candidates.

The official notification also specifies the applicable registration fees, refundable security deposits, choice-filling rules, seat allotment process and reporting requirements.

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Note: The official PDF supplied for this article is the primary source for the Round-I dates, fees and instructions. Candidates should continue checking the official Tamil Nadu Selection Committee website for any subsequent updates or revised notices.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: Highlights

These dates and details are taken from the official Round-I schedule uploaded with the query.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Schedule

The official notification provides the following Round-I timeline:

Important note on dates

The information supplied with the query mentions some broader counselling dates, including August 13–22 for choice filling and August 21 for allotment. However, the uploaded official Round-I notification specifically states that registration/payment/choice filling and locking close on August 19 at 5:00 PM, seat allotment is processed on August 20, and the result is published on August 21. Therefore, candidates should follow the dates in the latest official Selection Committee notification.

Who Can Participate in Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026?

The Round-I notification covers admission to:

• Tamil Nadu Government Medical Colleges
• Tamil Nadu Government Dental Colleges
• ESIC Medical College, K.K. Nagar, Chennai
• Government Quota seats in self-financing medical and dental colleges
• Management Quota seats in self-financing medical and dental colleges
• NRI and Minority category seats under the applicable quota
• State Private Universities
• Christian Medical College, Vellore
• Wards of IRT candidates

The official notification specifies separate General Rank and NEET marks ranges for Government Quota and Management Quota participation in Round 1.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 1 Rank and NEET Marks

The official schedule gives the following eligibility range for the Round-I choice-filling process:

Government Quota

• General Rank: GR 001 to GR 35,926
• NEET Marks: 705 to 177

Management Quota

• General Rank: GR 001 to GR 26,956
• NEET Marks: 693 to 177

These figures are specifically mentioned in the official Round-I notification.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Registration Fee

Candidates participating in online choice filling must pay a non-refundable registration fee.

The fee differs according to the quota.

The official notification states that these registration fees are non-refundable.

Refundable Security Deposit for Government Quota

Candidates registering under the Government Quota may also have to pay a refundable security deposit depending on the type of seat.

Government Medical Colleges

Security Deposit: Nil

Government Dental Colleges

Security Deposit: Nil

Government Quota Seats in Self-Financing Medical & Dental Colleges and State Private Universities

Security Deposit: ₹30,000

The notification also provides an exemption for SC/SCA/ST and Converts to Christianity from Scheduled Caste candidates (SCC) where the annual income is below ₹2.5 lakh, subject to the stated conditions.

Management Quota Security Deposit

For Management Quota seats, including Minority and NRI category seats in self-financing medical and dental colleges and State Private Universities, the refundable security deposit is: ₹1,00,000

The official notification also mentions the same income-based security-deposit exemption for eligible SC/SCA/ST and SCC candidates whose annual income is below ₹2.5 lakh.

How to Fill Choices in Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026?

Choice filling is one of the most important stages of the counselling process.

According to the official instructions, candidates can fill choices for all seats for which they have applied.

For example, a candidate who has applied for both Government Quota and Management Quota will have choices available under both categories.

Candidates should:

1. Review the available seat matrix.
2. Check the colleges and courses available to them.
3. Arrange choices according to genuine preference.
4. Review the entire preference list.
5. Lock the choices before the deadline.

The Selection Committee advises candidates to analyse all available choices carefully before submitting their final preference order.

Can Candidates Edit Their Choices?

Yes.

The official notification states that candidates can edit their choices any number of times before locking.

However, once the choices are locked:

They cannot be edited.

Therefore, candidates should carefully check the order of preference before locking their choices.

What If a Candidate Does Not Lock the Choices?

Candidates do not necessarily have to manually lock their choices.

The official instructions state that if a candidate does not lock their choices by the deadline of:

August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM

the choices will be automatically locked.

Even so, candidates are strongly advised to review their choices before the deadline rather than relying on automatic locking.

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Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 1 Seat Allotment 2026

After the choice-filling window closes, the Selection Committee will process the seat allotment.

Seat Allotment Processing : August 20, 2026

Result Publication: August 21, 2026

The allotment is made through online counselling based on rank and the applicable reservation rules.

Candidates should log in to the official counselling portal after the result is published and check their allotment status.

Provisional Allotment Order Download

Candidates who receive a seat must download their Provisional Allotment Order.

According to the official schedule, the allotment order can be downloaded from:

August 22 to August 28, 2026, up to 12:00 Noon

Candidates should not wait until the final hours to download the document.

Tuition Fee Payment After Seat Allotment

The official instructions specify that candidates allotted MBBS seats in all colleges under all categories and BDS seats in Government Dental Colleges must pay the applicable tuition fee online through:

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Net Banking

The tuition fee payment is required for downloading the Provisional Allotment Order.

For candidates allotted BDS seats in self-financing dental colleges, the notification states that tuition fees are to be paid directly at the college at the time of admission, according to the applicable government order.

Candidates should ensure that sufficient funds and the required transaction limits are available before making the payment.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Reporting and Joining

Candidates who receive an allotment must report to the allotted Medical College or Institution within the prescribed period.

Joining Period : August 23 to August 28, 2026

Final Joining Time : August 28, 2026, by 5:00 PM

Candidates must download the provisional allotment order and join the allotted course within the stipulated deadline.

Document Verification at the Allotted College

The official notification states that certificate verification will be conducted at the selected college itself.

Candidates must personally produce their original certificates at the time of joining, along with scanned copies of the original certificates for verification.

Candidates should therefore keep their original documents ready before reporting.

What Happens If a Candidate Fails to Report?

Candidates must report to the Head of the Institution at the allotted college on or before the date and time specified in the Provisional Allotment Order.

If a candidate fails to report within the prescribed deadline, the official notification states that their selection and/or admission will be cancelled without further notice.

This makes the reporting deadline extremely important for candidates who receive a seat.

Can Candidates Change Their College or Course After Locking?

No.

The official instructions clearly state that a request for a change of course (MBBS/BDS) or college from one to another is not permitted after final locking.

Candidates should therefore make their preference list carefully before locking their choices.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Documents

Candidates should keep their original certificates and required copies ready for the admission process.

The official notification specifically requires candidates to produce their original certificates during joining and certificate verification.

Candidates should also keep their:

• NEET UG 2026 documents
• Educational certificates
• Category/community certificates, where applicable
• Domicile/eligibility documents, where applicable
• Identity proof
• Allotment-related documents
• Payment receipts
• Scanned copies of original certificates

The exact document requirements should be checked in the applicable Tamil Nadu counselling prospectus and official instructions.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Instructions

Candidates should remember the following points from the official notification:

• Never share your login ID, password or OTP with anyone.
• Read the prospectus thoroughly before starting choice filling.
• Carefully analyse all available choices.
• Choices can be edited before locking.
• Locked choices cannot be edited.
• Unlocked choices will be automatically locked at the deadline.
• The seat matrix will be available on the official website.
• Admission is conducted online based on rank and reservation rules.
• Course or college changes are not permitted after final locking.
• Candidates receiving seats must download the Provisional Allotment Order.
• Original certificates must be produced during joining.
• Failure to report on time can result in cancellation of selection/admission.
• Candidates should regularly monitor the official website because the Selection Committee will not individually contact candidates about every update.

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Quick Timeline

August 13, 12:00 Noon
→ Registration, payment and choice filling begin

August 19, 5:00 PM
→ Registration/choice filling and locking deadline

August 20
→ Seat allotment processing

August 21
→ Round 1 result publication

August 22–28, 12:00 Noon
→ Download Provisional Allotment Order

August 23–28
→ College joining period

August 28, 5:00 PM
→ Final joining deadline

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026: What Candidates Should Do Now

Candidates participating in Round 1 should focus on the following:

1. Complete Registration and Payment

Complete the online registration and applicable fee payment before August 19 at 5:00 PM.

2. Review the Seat Matrix

Check the available colleges, courses and quota-wise seats before preparing preferences.

3. Prepare a Practical Preference List

Arrange colleges according to your actual preference rather than simply copying another candidate’s list.

4. Review Before Locking

Candidates can edit their choices before locking, but changes are not permitted after locking.

5. Check the Result

Monitor the official portal on August 21 for the Round 1 result.

6. Download the Allotment Order

If allotted a seat, download the Provisional Allotment Order from August 22 onwards.

7. Report on Time

Complete admission and certificate verification at the allotted college before August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Official Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling Website

The official notification advises candidates to regularly monitor the Selection Committee website for:

• Counselling schedules
• Latest updates
• Results
• Notices
• News and events
• Fee information
• Seat matrix

The notification specifically mentions: https://tnmedicalselection.net/

Candidates should rely on the official Selection Committee website for final counselling instructions rather than unofficial sources.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 is being conducted by the Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education & Research, Chennai, for MBBS and BDS admissions for the 2026–27 session.

As per the official Round-I notification, registration, payment and choice filling/locking are scheduled from August 13, 2026, at 12:00 Noon to August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Seat allotment processing will take place on August 20, with the Round 1 result scheduled for August 21, 2026.

Candidates receiving seats can download their Provisional Allotment Order from August 22 to August 28, up to 12:00 Noon, and must complete joining at the allotted college by August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

The most important part of the process is to fill choices carefully, review the preference order before locking and report to the allotted institution within the deadline. Candidates should also keep their original certificates ready because certificate verification will take place at the selected college.

Related |Odisha NEET UG Counselling 2026

FAQs

1. When does Tamil Nadu NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 registration begin?

Round 1 registration, payment and choice filling begin on August 13, 2026, at 12:00 Noon.

2. What is the last date for Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 1 choice filling?

The last date for registration, payment, choice filling and locking is August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

3. When will the Tamil Nadu NEET UG Round 1 result be released?

The official schedule lists August 21, 2026 for publication of the Round 1 seat allotment result.

4. When can candidates download the provisional allotment order?

Candidates can download the Provisional Allotment Order from August 22 to August 28, 2026, up to 12:00 Noon.

5. What is the last date to join the allotted college?

The joining period is August 23 to August 28, 2026, with the final deadline at 5:00 PM on August 28.

6. What is the Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling registration fee?

The non-refundable registration fee is ₹500 for Government Quota and ₹1,000 for Management Quota.

7. What is the security deposit for Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling?

For Government Quota seats in self-financing medical/dental colleges and State Private Universities, the refundable security deposit is ₹30,000. For Management Quota, including Minority/NRI category seats, it is ₹1,00,000. Security deposit is nil for Government Medical and Government Dental Colleges.

8. Can candidates edit their choices after locking?

No. Candidates can edit their choices any number of times before locking, but choices cannot be changed once they are locked.

9. What happens if a candidate does not lock their choices?

If choices are not locked by August 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the official instructions state that the choices will be automatically locked.

10. Where will certificate verification take place?

Certificate verification will be conducted at the selected/allotted college itself. Candidates must produce their original certificates during joining.

11. What happens if a candidate does not report to the allotted college on time?

Failure to report to the allotted institution within the specified date and time can result in cancellation of the candidate’s selection and/or admission.

12. Can candidates change their college or course after final locking?

No. The official instructions state that a request to change the course or college after final locking is not permitted.

13. What is the official website for Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling?

Candidates should regularly check the official Selection Committee website: https://tnmedicalselection.net/ for schedules, results, notices and counselling updates.

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