NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates are eagerly awaited by medical graduates across India after the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) officially declared the NEET PG 2026 merit list and activated individual scorecards on October 1, 2026, on nbe.edu.in. Centralized online counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ), 100% Deemed Universities, Central Institutes, and Post-MBBS DNB seats will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on its official portal at mcc.nic.in. With scorecard download links active, MCC is finalizing the centralized round-wise schedule and college-wise seat matrix. For specialty planning and seat matrix tools, explore our NEET PG 2026 Result and Scorecard Guide, use the All India College Predictor Hub, or explore our complete medical directory.
Latest status — verified on October 3, 2026: NBEMS has officially activated the individual NEET PG 2026 scorecard download portal on nbe.edu.in and natboard.edu.in. Candidates can now view their category rank and 50% All India Quota merit position. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is scheduled to release the complete 4-round centralized counselling schedule and seat matrix on mcc.nic.in, with Round 1 online registration opening shortly.
Here are the key takeaways for NEET PG candidates as of October 2026:
- Individual Scorecards Active: Candidates can download their personalized scorecards containing total marks out of 720 and 50% AIQ merit ranks directly from nbe.edu.in.
- Centralized AIQ Counselling (MCC): MCC will administer 4 rounds of centralized online counselling (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Online Stray Vacancy) for AIQ, Central Institutes, DNB, and Deemed University seats.
- State Quota 50% Alignment: Respective State DME counselling portals (UP DGME, Maharashtra State CET Cell, KEA Karnataka, TN DME) are releasing their state quota notification guidelines following MCC dates.
- Seat Matrix Release: MCC will upload the institute-wise MD, MS, and DNB seat matrices prior to Round 1 choice filling.
NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates Quick Facts
Below is the verified summary of the NEET PG 2026 examination, result benchmarks, and current counselling status:
| Counselling Feature | Official Authority Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
| Counselling Authority (50% AIQ & Deemed) | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS |
| National Merit List Release Date | September 24, 2026 (Published on natboard.edu.in) |
| Individual Scorecards Available | October 1, 2026 (Live on nbe.edu.in) |
| Counselling Schedule Release | October 2026 (Expected on mcc.nic.in) |
| Total Participating Quotas | 50% AIQ, 100% Deemed Universities, 100% Central Universities, 100% AFMS, 100% DNB Seats |
| Total Counselling Rounds | 4 Online Rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Online Stray Vacancy Round) |
| Official Portals | mcc.nic.in and nbe.edu.in |
Official Timeline Breakdown: Confirmed Dates vs Pending Schedules
To ensure complete clarity and prevent confusion, the table below clearly separates confirmed official dates from pending schedules:
| Event / Counselling Stage | Official Schedule / Current Status | Verification Source |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Examination | Completed | NBEMS Official Gazette |
| National Merit List Declaration | September 24, 2026 (Completed) | natboard.edu.in |
| Individual Scorecard and 50% AIQ Rank | October 1, 2026 (Live) | nbe.edu.in |
| MCC AIQ Seat Matrix Publication | October 2026 (Awaited) | mcc.nic.in |
| MCC Round 1 Registration & Choice Filling | October 2026 (To Be Announced) | mcc.nic.in |
| MCC Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | October 2026 (To Be Announced) | mcc.nic.in |
| State Quota 50% Round 1 Registration | October 2026 (State-wise) | Respective State DME Portals |
Overview of NEET PG 2026 Counselling Architecture and Quotas
Postgraduate medical admissions in India are conducted across two major systems. Understanding which authority manages which quota is essential when following NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates:
1. Centralized All India Quota (AIQ) 50% Counselling (MCC)
The Medical Counselling Committee (mcc.nic.in) conducts 4 rounds of centralized online counselling for:
- 50% All India Quota Seats: In all state government medical colleges across participating states, open to all Indian medical graduates without domicile restrictions.
- 100% Central University Seats: Premier institutes including VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, UCMS Delhi, and IMS BHU Varanasi.
- 100% Deemed University Seats: Broad specialty MD/MS and PG diploma seats across private deemed universities nationwide.
- 100% DNB Broad Speciality Seats: Post-MBBS DNB seats in accredited government district hospitals and private corporate super-specialty hospitals.
- Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS): Priority-based PG admissions in military medical colleges and base hospitals.
2. State Quota 50% Counselling (State DMEs)
The remaining 50% institutional seats in state government colleges and 100% of seats in state private medical colleges are managed by respective State Counselling Authorities (such as State CET Cell Maharashtra, UP DGME, DME Tamil Nadu, KEA Karnataka, and DME Rajasthan). State counselling follows local state domicile criteria, institutional MBBS reservation, and state rural service bond regulations.
Eligibility Criteria for Participating in MCC PG Counselling
To register for MCC online counselling once the official dates are released, medical graduates must satisfy the following conditions:
- Qualifying Score: Must score equal to or higher than the minimum qualifying cutoff marks (General/EWS: 262, General-PwBD: 244, SC/ST/OBC: 226 out of 720).
- MBBS Degree Certificate: Must possess a recognized MBBS degree or Provisional Passing Certificate from an NMC-recognized medical college.
- Internship Completion: Must hold a valid Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) completion certificate completed on or before the statutory cutoff date.
- Medical Registration: Must possess a Permanent or Provisional Medical Registration Certificate issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or a State Medical Council (SMC).
Registration Fees and Refundable Security Deposit Structure
Candidates registering on mcc.nic.in must pay a non-refundable registration fee and a refundable security deposit depending on the quotas chosen:
| Counselling Type | Candidate Category | Non-Refundable Registration Fee | Refundable Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% AIQ, Central Universities, DNB | General / EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹25,000 |
| 50% AIQ, Central Universities, DNB | SC / ST / OBC / PwBD | ₹500 | ₹10,000 |
| Deemed Universities (Private) | All Categories | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 |
Important Note on Payments: Always make payments using the candidate’s or parent’s own bank card or net banking account. If no seat is allotted across counselling rounds, the refundable security deposit will be returned directly to the source bank account within 30 to 60 days following counselling completion.
Step-by-Step Guide: What to Expect When MCC Registration Opens
When the Medical Counselling Committee publishes the official NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates, follow this standard procedure to complete your registration:
- Visit Official Website: Go to mcc.nic.in and select the “PG Medical Counselling” section.
- New Registration: Click on “New Candidate Registration” and enter your Roll Number, Application ID, Name, Date of Birth, and Mother’s Name.
- Choose Quotas: Select the quotas you want to participate in (AIQ, Central Universities, DNB, or Deemed Universities).
- Fee Payment: Complete online payment of the registration fee and security deposit.
- Choice Filling: Browse available specialties (MD General Medicine, MS General Surgery, MD Radio-Diagnosis, MD Paediatrics, DNB branches, etc.) and add choices in order of preference.
- Choice Locking: Lock your preferences before the choice locking deadline and print the submitted choices confirmation slip.
- Check Allotment Result: On result day, check the allotment PDF and download your Provisional Allotment Letter if a seat is assigned.
- Physical Reporting: Report to the allotted college with original certificates, undergo medical examination, and pay the admission fee.
Service Bonds, Stipends, and Seat Resignation Rules
Understanding mandatory state service bonds and residency stipends is critical before locking college choices in MCC AIQ or State counselling:
- State Service Bonds: Many state government medical colleges enforce mandatory rural service bonds upon completion of MD/MS courses. For example, Maharashtra enforces a 1-year service bond with a ₹50 Lakh non-compliance penalty, Uttar Pradesh enforces a 2-year bond with a ₹40 Lakh penalty, while Delhi Central Institutes (MAMC, VMMC, LHMC, UCMS) have zero mandatory rural bond obligations.
- Junior Residency Stipends: Monthly stipends for MD/MS junior residents vary across states. Central government institutes in Delhi pay between ₹1,10,000 and ₹1,25,000 per month. State medical colleges in Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Karnataka offer stipends ranging between ₹65,000 and ₹85,000 per month. Private and Deemed colleges determine stipends based on institutional policies.
- Seat Resignation Rules: Candidates allotted seats in Round 1 can resign within the permitted free-exit window without penalty. However, resigning a joined seat after Round 2 or during Round 3 leads to forfeiture of security deposits and possible seat leaving penalties imposed by individual state health departments.
Mandatory Documents Checklist for NEET PG Physical Reporting
Medical graduates should keep the following original documents along with 4 sets of self-attested photocopies ready for physical college reporting:
- NEET PG 2026 Admit Card issued by NBEMS.
- NEET PG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Letter (Available on nbe.edu.in).
- MCC Provisional Seat Allotment Letter.
- MBBS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Professional Passing Mark Sheets.
- MBBS Degree Certificate or Provisional Passing Certificate.
- Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) Completion Certificate.
- Permanent or Provisional Registration Certificate issued by NMC or State Medical Council.
- High School Certificate (Class 10th) or Birth Certificate for Date of Birth verification.
- Valid Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, or Passport).
- Category Certificate (SC / ST / OBC / EWS / PwBD) in the prescribed central government format, if applicable.
- 8 to 10 Passport Sized Colour Photographs (same as uploaded in the application).
What This Means for Students: Practical Next Steps
While tracking the confirmed NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates and awaiting the release of the Round 1 portal link on mcc.nic.in, medical graduates should utilize this waiting window strategically:
- Download Scorecard: Log in to nbe.edu.in to download your verified scorecard with All India 50% Quota rank.
- Analyze Specialty Cutoffs: Use our All India College Predictor Hub to assess realistic branch options based on your All India Rank.
- Check State Service Bonds: Review mandatory rural service bond durations and penalty amounts (varying from 1 year to 5 years across states) before finalizing state choice filling.
- Review Companion Guides: Read our verified coverage on NEET PG 2026 Result and Scorecard Date and check our previous update on NEET PG 2026 Answer Key.
- Book Personalized Counselling: For one-on-one branch selection and seat matrix advice, Book a Free Admission Counselling Session with our senior medical advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About NEET PG Counselling 2026 Dates
Q1: When will the official NEET PG 2026 counselling schedule be released?
Answer: The official round-wise NEET PG 2026 counselling schedule will be published by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on mcc.nic.in in October 2026, following the release of individual scorecards on October 1, 2026.
Q2: Where will the NEET PG 2026 counselling schedule be published?
Answer: The official schedule for 50% All India Quota, Deemed Universities, Central Institutes, and DNB seats will be published exclusively on the MCC portal at mcc.nic.in.
Q3: Are individual NEET PG 2026 scorecards available for download?
Answer: Yes, NBEMS officially activated the individual scorecard and All India 50% Quota rank card download link on October 1, 2026, on nbe.edu.in.
Q4: What is the minimum qualifying cutoff score for General category in NEET PG 2026?
Answer: The official qualifying cutoff score for General and EWS category candidates is 262 marks out of 720 (50th percentile) as declared by NBEMS.
Q5: What is the qualifying cutoff score for SC, ST, and OBC candidates?
Answer: The official qualifying cutoff score for SC, ST, and OBC candidates is 226 marks out of 720 (40th percentile).
Q6: How many rounds of online counselling will MCC conduct for NEET PG?
Answer: MCC conducts four online counselling rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 (Mop-Up), and an Online Stray Vacancy Round for remaining vacant seats.
Q7: What is the refundable security deposit for government AIQ seats in NEET PG?
Answer: The refundable security deposit for 50% All India Quota, Central Universities, and DNB seats is ₹25,000 for General/EWS candidates and ₹10,000 for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates.
Q8: What is the security deposit for Deemed Medical Universities?
Answer: For Deemed University broad specialty seats, the refundable security deposit is ₹2,00,000 for all candidate categories plus a ₹5,000 non-refundable registration fee.
Q9: Is free exit allowed in MCC NEET PG Round 1 counselling?
Answer: Yes, candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 who choose not to join are eligible for a free exit without forfeiture of their refundable security deposit.
Q10: Who conducts counselling for 50% state quota postgraduate medical seats?
Answer: The respective State Directorate of Medical Education (DME) or State Admission Authorities conduct online counselling for 50% state quota and private state medical college seats.
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 Portal
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
Update Policy: This page is actively updated as new official notifications or revised schedules are released by MCC and NBEMS. Last verified on October 3, 2026.