NEET UG 2026 Counselling Process
The NEET UG 2026 counselling is conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) on behalf of DGHS. This is done to admit candidates to various medical, dental, and nursing colleges offering MBBS, BDS, and BSc nursing courses. This is an entirely online process.
Seats Covered Under MCC Counselling
The MCC oversees various categories of seats. These include the All India Quota (15%), which covers all MBBS and BDS seats across India. Interestingly, Jammu and Kashmir now contributes 15% of its seats to the All India Quota.
In addition, MCC handles 100% seats of top central institutions, including:
- AIIMS (all campuses across India)
- JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal)
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU, including internal quota)
Delhi is unique, as MCC also manages 85% state quota seats for:
- Delhi University (LHMC, UCMS, MAMC)
- IP University (VMMC, ABVIMS, ESIC Dental)
Other included categories:
- Jamia Millia Islamia (Faculty of Dentistry, including 5% internal quota)
- ESIC colleges (15% Insured Persons quota)
- BSc Nursing seats in central institutes
Counselling Process & Rounds
The counselling is conducted in multiple rounds to ensure maximum seat allocation efficiency:
Reservation Policy (Simplified)
Reservation is applied as per Government of India norms:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| PwD | 5% |
Key Highlights You Should Know
- The entire process is online and merit-based
- You can upgrade seats in Round 2
- The mop-up round is crucial for mid-rank students
- Choice filling strategy directly impacts your final college
Important Dates of NEET UG Counselling 2026
For 15% All India quota (AIQ) /Central and Deemed Universities/ All AIIMS and JIPMER/ ESIC & AFMC Institutes.( MBBS & BDS) seats 2026
| Events (AIQ/central universities/ deemed universities/ ESIC colleges) | Dates (Tentative 2026) |
| Round 1 | |
| Registration, fee payment and choice filling | July 21 – 28, 2026 |
| Last date of choice filling | July 28, 2026 |
| Fee payment last date | July 28, 2026 |
| Seat/college allotment result | July 31, 2026 |
| Reporting to allotted college | August 1 – 6, 2026 |
| Round 2 | |
| Release of seat matrix | August 10, 2026 |
| New registration, fee payment and choice filling | August 12 – 18, 2026 |
| Last date for choice filling and fee payment | August 18, 2026 |
| Seat/college allotment result | August 21, 2026 |
| Round 2 seat allotment letter | August 21, 2026 |
| Reporting to allotted college | August 22 – 29, 2026 |
| Hand over of unfilled seats to corresponding states | N/A (Converted to AIQ Round 3) |
| Round 3 (Mop-up Round) | |
| New registration date | September 3 – 8, 2026 |
| Choice filling | September 3 – 8, 2026 |
| Seat/college allotment result | September 11, 2026 |
| Reporting to the allotted college | September 12 – 18, 2026 |
| Hand over of unfilled seats to respective states | N/A (Converted to Stray Vacancy) |
| Name | Reference Link |
|---|---|
| All India Quota Medical Seats | Click Here |
| All India Quota Dental Seats | Click Here |
| Central Universities Medical Seats | Click Here |
| Central Universities Dental Seats | Click Here |
| Deemed Universities Medical Seats | Click Here |
| Deemed Universities Dental Seats | Click Here |
| ESIC Medical Seats | Click Here |
| ESIC Dental Seats | Click Here |
NEET Counselling 2026: Types
There are two types of NEET counselling.
- One is at AIQ level and the second is at the state level. AIQ level NEET counselling is for 15 per cent of Govt Seats, plus 100 per cent of Deemed and Central University seats, ESIC, AFMC, AIIMs and JIPMER seats.
- On the other hand, State Quota NEET counselling is for 85 per cent of Govt seats and 100per cent of private seats of the states.
| Types of NEET Counselling | Counselling Body |
|---|---|
| EET Counselling for 15% AIQ Seats (excluding Jammu & Kashmir) in Government medical and dental colleges | DGHS, on behalf of MCC |
| NEET Counselling for 85% of State Quota seats in DU colleges (MAMC, LHMC, UCMS) | DGHS, on behalf of MCC |
| NEET Counselling for all the seats in Central and Deemed Universities (BDS at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi included) | DGHS, on behalf of MCC |
| NEET Counselling for 85% of State Quota seats and state private colleges (all the seats in case of Jammu & Kashmir) | Respective State Counselling Authorities |
| NEET Counselling for IP Quota seats in the ESIC Colleges | DGHS, on behalf of MCC |
| NEET Counselling for Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) | DGHS, on behalf of MCC and AFMC Pune |
Eligibility for NEET 2026 Counselling
| Criteria | Requirement (Simplified) |
|---|---|
| NEET Qualification | Must qualify NEET UG 2026 with minimum cutoff percentile |
| Minimum Marks (Category-wise) | General: 50% • OBC/SC/ST: 40% • PwD: 45% |
| Age Limit | Minimum 17 years as of 31 Dec 2026 |
| Educational Qualification | Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English |
| Nationality | Indian / NRI / OCI / PIO / Foreign Nationals (as per eligibility rules) |
| AIQ Eligibility | All India candidates eligible (including J&K candidates now participating in AIQ) |
| State Counselling Eligibility | Must fulfill domicile/residency requirements of the respective state |
| Registration Requirement | Must register separately for MCC (AIQ) and respective State counselling |
| Document Requirement | Valid documents (NEET scorecard, admit card, Class 10 & 12 certificates, ID proof, etc.) |
NEET Counselling Procedure 2026 (Checklist)
NEET Counselling 2026: List of Documents Required
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
- NEET UG 2026 Scorecard / Rank Letter
- Class 10 Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
- Class 12 Marksheet & Passing Certificate
- Valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Driving License)
- Passport Size Photographs (same as used in NEET application)
- Provisional Allotment Letter (downloaded from MCC/State portal)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
- SC / ST
- EWS
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile Certificate (for State Quota counselling)
- Migration Certificate (if required by allotted college)
- Character Certificate (from last attended institution)
- Gap Certificate (if there is a study gap, if applicable)
Note:
Carry original documents and 2–3 sets of photocopies
Document requirements may slightly vary by institute or state authority
Incomplete documentation can lead to admission rejection
What’s New in NEET Counselling Process 2026?
There are certain key changes in the NEET counselling 2026 process. The first key change is the full participation of Jammu & Kashmir in the All India Quota of 15%, which will increase the number of seats at the national level. The counseling process is completely online. The process is carried out in rounds such as Round 1, Round 2, mop-up rounds, and stray vacancy rounds in order to reduce the vacant seats. The choice-filling process and seat-allotment process have been simplified by the Medical Council Committee. The candidates can participate in all-India counseling as well as state counselling simultaneously in order to enhance their chances of getting a seat in the medical colleges in 2026.
NEET Previous Year Closing Ranks
| College Type | Category | Closing Rank (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS (Top Campuses) | General | 50 – 100 |
| AIIMS (Other Campuses) | General | 500 – 3000 |
| JIPMER | General | 300 – 1500 |
| MAMC (Delhi) | General | 100 – 200 |
| LHMC / UCMS (Delhi) | General | 200 – 500 |
| Top Govt Medical Colleges (AIQ) | General | 500 – 3000 |
| Mid-Level Govt Colleges (AIQ) | General | 3000 – 8000 |
| Lower Govt Colleges (AIQ) | General | 8000 – 15000+ |
| Govt Colleges (OBC) | OBC | 2000 – 10000 |
| Govt Colleges (SC) | SC | 15000 – 50000 |
| Govt Colleges (ST) | ST | 30000 – 80000 |
| Private Medical Colleges | General | 50000 – 150000+ |
