The NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule is officially coordinated by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on its official portal at mcc.nic.in. Following the release of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) scorecard and 50% All India Quota (AIQ) merit ranks, MCC conducts centralized online counselling for over 52,000 postgraduate medical seats. These include 50% All India Quota seats across government medical colleges, 100% seats in Central Universities, Deemed Universities, Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) institutions, and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) broad speciality hospitals across India.
Latest status — verified on September 14, 2026: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is publishing the detailed notification, seat matrix validation, and registration portal link for NEET PG 2026 50% AIQ, Deemed, Central University, and DNB broad speciality admissions. Qualified candidates holding valid MBBS pass certificates and recognized rotatory internship completion must complete online registration and biometric/security verification on the official website.
| Key Parameter | Official Detail |
|---|---|
| Counselling Authority | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Eligible Courses | MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), DNB (Broad Speciality), Post-MBBS Diploma |
| Counselling Scope | 50% All India Quota (Govt Colleges), 100% Deemed Universities, 100% Central Universities (DU, BHU, AMU, IPU/VMMC/RML), 100% DNB Broad Speciality & Armed Forces (AFMS) |
| State Quota Scope | Remaining 50% State Merit Quota & 100% Private State Medical Colleges (Conducted by respective State DMEs) |
| Number of Counselling Rounds | 4 Online Rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Online Stray Vacancy Round |
| Official Web Portal | mcc.nic.in |
| Last Verified Date | September 14, 2026 |
Source: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) PG Counselling Scheme and Information Bulletin.
Overview of NEET PG 2026 Counselling Architecture
The NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule represents the single largest postgraduate medical admission drive in India. For medical graduates who completed their MBBS and mandatory 12-month rotatory internship, securing a postgraduate residency seat in clinical specialties like General Medicine, Radio-Diagnosis, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, or General Surgery requires navigating multiple counselling portals with clear strategic planning.
Postgraduate medical admissions across India are strictly divided into two primary administrative pipelines:
- All India Centralized Online Counselling (50% AIQ & Central/Deemed/DNB): Conducted exclusively by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on mcc.nic.in. Any NEET PG qualified candidate from any state is eligible for these seats without any state domicile restriction.
- State Quota Counselling (50% State Quota & Private Universities): Conducted by designated State Directorate of Medical Education (DME) or State CET authorities (such as Maharashtra CET Cell, UP DGME, KEA Karnataka, DME MP, WBMCC, etc.) for candidates fulfilling specific state domicile, institutional MBBS criteria, or open private college eligibility.
Candidates can also utilize the All India College Predictor Hub to evaluate their projected closing ranks across top government medical colleges, autonomous institutes, and national healthcare institutions.
NEET PG 2026 Counselling Rounds Breakdown and Official Timeline
The MCC conducts postgraduate medical counselling in four structured rounds. Every round has designated windows for fresh registration, security deposit submission, choice filling, choice locking, seat processing, result declaration, and mandatory physical college reporting.
| Counselling Round | Key Events and Activities | Registration and Choice Rules | Reporting and Exit Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Online Registration, Security Deposit Payment, Choice Filling and Locking, Seat Allotment | Fresh registration open to all NEET PG qualified candidates. Unlimited choice filling across AIQ, DNB, Central, and Deemed seats. | Free Exit Allowed: Candidate can choose not to join without losing the security deposit. If joining, can opt for willingness to upgrade in Round 2. |
| Round 2 | Fresh Registration (for new/unregistered candidates), Fresh Choice Filling, Round 2 Allotment Result | Registered candidates do not need to register again. Fresh choice filling is mandatory (Round 1 choices become null and void). | Exit with Forfeiture: If allotted a fresh seat and candidate does not join, security deposit is forfeited. Upgraded candidates must relieve from Round 1 institute and join Round 2 college. |
| Round 3 (Mop-Up) | Fresh Registration (for non-joined/new candidates), Choice Filling, Round 3 Allotment Result | Fresh choice filling mandatory. Candidates holding a confirmed seat in Round 1 or Round 2 are not permitted to vacate. | Strict Mandatory Joining: If allotted a seat, candidate must join. If candidate does not join, security deposit is forfeited and candidate is debarred from further counselling rounds. |
| Online Stray Vacancy Round | Allotment of Unfilled AIQ, Central, Deemed, and DNB Seats | No fresh registration. Available only to previously registered, non-allotted candidates who hold no seat in AIQ or State quota. | Zero Resignation Policy: Candidates allotted a seat must join. Failure to join leads to forfeiture of security deposit and debarment from NEET PG examination and counselling for 1 to 2 academic years. |
Source: MCC PG Medical Admission Guidelines and Gazette Regulations.
Seat Matrix and Quota Distribution Under NEET PG 2026
Understanding the seat matrix composition helps candidates prioritize choice filling based on their rank, financial readiness, and clinical specialization preferences. The total available pool includes:
1. 50% All India Quota (AIQ) Government Medical College Seats
All state-run and municipal government medical colleges surrender 50% of their recognized MD/MS and PG Diploma seats to the All India Quota. Candidates from all states are eligible strictly on merit without any state domicile barriers. The tuition fees in these colleges are highly subsidized, generally ranging between ₹15,000 and ₹1,20,000 per year, accompanied by a standard monthly junior residency stipend ranging from ₹65,000 to ₹1,25,000 depending on the state government pay scale.
2. 100% Central Universities and Premier Institutes
This quota covers prestigious central medical institutions across India:
- Delhi University (DU Quota / AIQ): Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), and University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS). (50% AIQ open to all, 50% Institutional Quota reserved for DU MBBS graduates).
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (IPU Quota / AIQ): Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital (VMMC & SJH), ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital.
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU – IMS Varanasi): 100% institutional and all-India medical seats.
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU – JNMC Aligarh): 50% Internal Institutional quota and 50% open AIQ quota.
- Tata Memorial Hospital (TMC Mumbai): Dedicated oncology and surgical super-speciality residency seats.
3. 100% DNB (Broad Speciality) and Post-MBBS Diploma Seats
Administered by NBEMS and counselled through MCC, DNB broad speciality seats are available in top national hospital chains, corporate super-speciality healthcare centres, and reputed trust/government district hospitals (such as Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Max Healthcare, Fortis, Medanta, Apollo Hospitals, and state civil hospitals). DNB degrees awarded by NBEMS are legally equivalent to MD/MS degrees awarded by NMC-recognized universities for faculty recruitment, government service, and higher super-speciality fellowship eligibility.
4. 100% Deemed Medical Universities
All postgraduate seats in private deemed universities (including KMC Manipal, Sri Ramachandra Chennai, D.Y. Patil Pune/Mumbai, Bharati Vidyapeeth, MGM Navi Mumbai, Amrita Kochi, and K.S. Hegde Mangalore) are counselled directly by MCC. There are no state domicile reservations in deemed universities. Annual tuition fees typically range between ₹14 Lakh and ₹45 Lakh per annum depending on the clinical specialty.
Candidates can explore our comprehensive Explore Colleges Directory and review institutional profiles to assess clinical infrastructure, patient bed occupancy, and diagnostic equipment availability.
NEET PG 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Cutoff Percentile
To participate in the NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule, candidates must meet the strict regulatory guidelines formulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
| Candidate Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Eligibility Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (UR) / EWS | 50th Percentile | Valid MBBS degree, permanent/provisional NMC or SMC registration, completed internship on or before cutoff date. |
| SC / ST / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 40th Percentile | Valid caste/category certificate issued by competent authority in central government format. |
| Persons with Disabilities (UR-PwD) | 45th Percentile | Disability certificate issued by designated NMC disability assessment centres across India. |
| Reserved PwD (SC/ST/OBC-PwD) | 40th Percentile | Valid disability and caste certificates verified through official designated medical centres. |
Source: NBEMS NEET PG Information Bulletin and Qualifying Standards.
Registration Fee and Refundable Security Deposit Architecture
When registering on mcc.nic.in, candidates must pay a mandatory two-part fee consisting of a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit:
| Counselling Type / University Scope | Candidate Category | Non-Refundable Registration Fee | Refundable Security Deposit | Total Amount Payable at Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% AIQ / Central Universities / AFMS / DNB / ESIC Only | UR / EWS Candidates | ₹1,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹26,000 |
| SC / ST / OBC / PwD Candidates | ₹500 | ₹10,000 | ₹10,500 | |
| Deemed Universities (Including AIQ/Central/DNB Opt-in) | All Categories (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST/PwD) | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,05,000 |
Source: MCC Fee Schedule and Financial Guidelines.
Key Financial Safety Rules for Candidates
- Payment Mode: Payments must be made online via Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card directly from the candidate’s or parent’s bank account. Do not use cyber cafe or third-party agent accounts, as security deposit refunds are processed back directly to the source account.
- Security Deposit Refund: If a candidate does not get allotted any seat across all rounds, or completes admission after joining and reporting, the security deposit is refunded within 30 to 60 days following the completion of the counselling cycle.
- Forfeiture Conditions: Security deposit is forfeited if an allotted seat in Round 2 or Round 3 is not joined, or if incorrect/fraudulent category documentation is detected during verification.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register and Choice Fill on MCC Portal
To successfully participate in the NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule, follow this detailed, step-by-step procedure:
- Step 1: MCC Portal Registration: Visit mcc.nic.in and select the “PG Medical Counselling” section. Click on “New Candidate Registration” and enter your NEET PG Roll Number, Application Number, Candidate Name, Mother’s Name, and Date of Birth exactly as mentioned on your NBEMS scorecard.
- Step 2: Password Creation and Security Verification: Create a strong password and choose a security question. Complete OTP verification sent to your registered mobile number and email ID.
- Step 3: Category and Quota Selection: Select the applicable quotas you wish to apply for (e.g., AIQ 50%, Central Universities, DNB Broad Speciality, and Deemed Universities). Note that choosing Deemed Universities requires the ₹2,05,000 fee tier.
- Step 4: Online Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit through the integrated payment gateway. Retain the fee transaction receipt with transaction ID.
- Step 5: Choice Filling and Arrangement: Log in during the active choice filling window. Filter available courses by Institute Name, State, Course Type (MD/MS/DNB), and Speciality. Add choices in strict order of clinical priority and institutional preference. There is no limit on the number of choices a candidate can submit.
- Step 6: Choice Locking: Lock your choices within the specified choice-locking window using your login password. If a candidate fails to manually lock choices, the system automatically saves and locks the choices as on the final deadline.
- Step 7: Seat Allotment Result and Allotment Letter: On result declaration day, check the provisional and final seat allotment PDF. If allotted a seat, download the provisional allotment letter from the portal.
- Step 8: Physical Reporting and Document Verification: Report to the allotted medical college or hospital within the prescribed timeline with all original documents, complete medical examination, and pay the first-year tuition fee.
For personalised choice filling guidance and expert rank analysis, you can Book a Free Admission Counselling Session with our senior medical counsellors.
Mandatory Documents Checklist for NEET PG Physical Reporting
Candidates allotted a seat in any government, central, deemed, or DNB institute must present original documents along with at least three sets of self-attested photocopies during physical reporting:
| Document Category | Specific Certificates Required | Issuing Authority / Details |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG Credentials | NEET PG Admit Card, NEET PG Official Scorecard, MCC Provisional Allotment Letter | Issued by NBEMS and MCC DGHS portal |
| MBBS Academic Records | MBBS Degree Certificate or Provisional Passing Certificate, All Year MBBS Mark Sheets (Part 1 & Part 2) | Recognized Medical College / University |
| Internship Certificate | Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) Completion Certificate | Confirming completion on or before the official cutoff deadline |
| Medical Registration | Permanent or Provisional Medical Registration Certificate | National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Council (SMC) |
| Date of Birth Proof | High School / Higher Secondary Certificate (Class 10 Board Certificate) or Birth Certificate | Recognized Board of Education or Municipal Registrar |
| Identity Proof | Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, Driving License) | Government of India / State Authority |
| Category & Sub-Category | SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS Certificate (Central Format) and PwD Certificate (if applicable) | Competent Revenue Authority / Designated NMC Disability Centre |
| Photographs & Undertaking | 8 to 10 Passport Size Photographs (matching NEET PG admit card) and Service/Bond Undertaking | Self-attested photographs and notary bond stamp paper |
Source: MCC PG Document Verification Protocol.
State Quota 50% vs All India Quota 50%: Key Differences Explained
Postgraduate medical aspirants frequently debate whether to prioritize MCC All India Quota or State Quota counselling. Here is a direct comparative overview to help you optimize your admission strategy:
| Feature / Dimension | MCC All India Quota (50% AIQ) | State Quota Counselling (50% SQ) |
|---|---|---|
| Administering Body | MCC / DGHS on mcc.nic.in | Individual State DMEs (e.g., UP DGME, Maharashtra CET Cell, KEA, DME MP) |
| Domicile Barrier | Zero Domicile Barrier (Open to all Indian medical graduates) | State Domicile / MBBS Institute origin criteria strictly apply in government colleges |
| Institutional Preference | Applicable only in Central Universities (DU, BHU, AMU, VMMC) | Institutional preference available for state university MBBS graduates |
| Service Bond Obligations | Depends on the state where the allotted AIQ college is situated (0 to 5 years) | Governed by state-specific rural service and bond penalty laws (₹10 Lakh to ₹50 Lakh) |
| DNB / Diploma Inclusion | Includes 100% All-India DNB and NBEMS Diploma seats | Focuses primarily on state government and private university MD/MS seats |
| Reservation Framework | Central Reservation (27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS, 5% PwD) | State-specific reservation policies and social category matrices |
Source: DGHS and State Medical Counselling Directorates.
Service Bonds, Stipends, and Seat Resignation Rules
Before locking choices in the NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule, every doctor must thoroughly evaluate the service bond obligations, monthly stipend scales, and seat penalty rules associated with each medical institution.
1. Rural and Compulsory Service Bonds
State governments mandate compulsory public healthcare service for postgraduate doctors following completion of their MD/MS degree. The bond tenure and penalty amounts vary substantially across states:
- States with Minimal or No Compulsory Bond: Delhi Central Institutes (MAMC, VMMC, RML, UCMS – 0 years bond), Bihar (0 years bond for AIQ), Punjab (1 year bond).
- States with Moderate Bonds: Maharashtra (1 year service bond or ₹50 Lakh penalty), Karnataka (1 year compulsory public service), Uttar Pradesh (2 years service bond or ₹40 Lakh penalty in government colleges).
- States with Extended Bonds: Madhya Pradesh (1 to 2 years bond), Assam (10 years service or ₹20 Lakh penalty), Tamil Nadu (2 years service bond).
2. Junior Resident Stipend Scales
Postgraduate medical residents work as full-time resident doctors and receive a monthly stipend during their 3-year tenure:
- Central Government Institutions (Delhi, BHU, AMU, AIIMS/ESIC): ₹1,05,000 to ₹1,25,000 per month (under 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix Level 10).
- State Government Medical Colleges: ₹65,000 to ₹95,000 per month depending on state finance revisions.
- DNB Hospitals: Minimum ₹40,000 to ₹75,000 per month as mandated by NBEMS guidelines.
- Private Deemed Universities: ₹35,000 to ₹70,000 per month as prescribed by individual university trusts.
For more detailed breakdowns on medical admissions, visit our dedicated Medical Admissions Category for in-depth insights into medical colleges across India.
Strategic Tips: How to Maximize Your Seat Allotment in NEET PG 2026
With intense competition for top clinical specialties, following a disciplined choice-filling strategy is crucial:
- Balance Specialty Preference with Institute Quality: Avoid choosing an inferior medical college solely for a top clinical specialty. Ensure the hospital has robust patient turnover, functional diagnostic units (such as MRI, CT, and advanced pathology labs), active ICU/CCU beds, and recognized surgical units.
- Do Not Hesitate on DNB Broad Speciality Seats: Top accredited DNB hospitals offer cutting-edge clinical technology, high hands-on surgical exposure, and excellent academic training with legal parity with MD/MS degrees.
- Understand Upgradation Rules Clearly: If you secure a seat in Round 1, complete the joining formalities and opt for willingness to upgrade in Round 2. This ensures your Round 1 seat is safe while you explore higher-preference colleges in Round 2 without any risk.
- Carefully Track State and AIQ Timelines: Keep track of both MCC AIQ dates and your home state counselling schedule to avoid getting caught between overlapping reporting windows and document deposit rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the NEET PG 2026 Counselling Schedule and who conducts it?
Answer: The NEET PG 2026 counselling is conducted online by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for 50% All India Quota, Deemed, Central Universities, and DNB seats on mcc.nic.in. The remaining 50% State Quota seats are counselled by respective State Medical Directorates.
Q2: Is there a free exit option in MCC NEET PG Round 1 counselling?
Answer: Yes, MCC provides a free exit in Round 1. If a candidate is allotted a seat in Round 1 and chooses not to report or join the allotted college, their refundable security deposit is not forfeited, and they remain eligible for subsequent rounds.
Q3: What happens if I do not join an allotted seat in Round 2?
Answer: If you are allotted a fresh seat in Round 2 and fail to join, you will exit with forfeiture of your security deposit. You can participate in Round 3 only by registering fresh and paying the refundable security deposit again.
Q4: Can candidates with DNB broad speciality seats apply for government jobs and teaching faculty positions?
Answer: Yes, as per National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations, DNB broad speciality qualifications awarded by NBEMS are legally equivalent to MD and MS degrees for medical teacher appointments, senior residency, and government consultant posts.
Q5: What is the refundable security deposit amount for Deemed Universities in NEET PG?
Answer: The refundable security deposit for participating in Deemed University PG medical counselling is ₹2,00,000 for all candidate categories, in addition to a non-refundable registration fee of ₹5,000.
Q6: Are candidates holding a confirmed seat in Round 2 allowed to participate in Round 3 or State Stray Vacancy?
Answer: No, candidates who join and retain their seat in Round 2 or Round 3 are not permitted to vacate their seat or participate in any further rounds of counselling, including state stray vacancy rounds, to prevent seat blocking.
Q7: What is the minimum qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2026 counselling?
Answer: The minimum qualifying cutoff percentile is the 50th percentile for General/EWS candidates, 40th percentile for SC/ST/OBC (NCL) candidates, and 45th percentile for General-PwD category candidates.
Q8: Is the MBBS internship completion certificate mandatory for physical reporting?
Answer: Yes, candidates must submit a valid internship completion certificate confirming that they have completed their mandatory 12-month rotatory internship on or before the official cutoff deadline prescribed by the NMC.
Q9: How are security deposits refunded after MCC counselling concludes?
Answer: The security deposit is refunded automatically by MCC to the exact bank account or card from which the initial online payment was processed, typically within 30 to 60 days after the stray vacancy round finishes.
Q10: Can a candidate participate in both MCC All India Quota and State Quota counselling simultaneously?
Answer: Yes, candidates can register and participate in both MCC AIQ counselling and their respective State Quota counselling concurrently until they accept and join a confirmed seat in Round 2 or Round 3.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) Official Portal
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) Official Website
- National Medical Commission (NMC) Official Regulations
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) DGHS Guidelines
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when the counselling authority publishes a new official notification or revised schedule.