NEET Counselling Registration Fees 2026
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NEET counselling registration fees 2026 range from Rs 500 for reserved category AIQ candidates to Rs 5,000 for deemed university registration, and that is before you add the separate refundable security deposit. Since the amount you owe depends on category, quota and college type, the fastest way to plan your budget is to first check which seats are realistically within reach using the NEET UG College Predictor 2026, and then pay only for the counselling tracks you genuinely intend to use.
Two Separate Payments: Registration Fee and Security Deposit
Every NEET counselling payment has two parts. The registration fee, sometimes called the processing fee, is non-refundable and pays for the counselling authority's administrative process. The security deposit is a separate, larger amount that is refundable if you follow the exit rules correctly. This article focuses on the registration fee side. For full details on the refundable deposit and how forfeiture works round by round, see our NEET counselling security deposit refund rules guide.
The two amounts are almost always collected together in a single payment transaction, but they are accounted for very differently once counselling closes. Think of the registration fee as a one-way ticket, it pays for the counselling authority to process your application, generate your login, and run the choice-filling software, and it is spent the moment you pay it regardless of what happens afterward. The security deposit sits in a separate escrow-like account and is only released back to you once the counselling body confirms you exited the process correctly.
MCC AIQ Registration Fees 2026
Table
| Counselling Type | Category | Registration Fee (Non-Refundable) | Security Deposit (Refundable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government / AIIMS / JIPMER / Central / ESIC / AFMC / BSc Nursing | UR / EWS | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 |
| Government / AIIMS / JIPMER / Central / ESIC / AFMC / BSc Nursing | SC / ST / OBC / PwD | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 |
| Deemed Universities | All categories | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Applying for both AIQ and Deemed | All categories | Only the higher registration fee applies | Only the higher deposit applies |
4 columns · 5 rows
These fees follow the structure MCC has maintained across recent counselling cycles, and this is expected to carry into the NEET UG 2026 information bulletin once registration formally opens on mcc.nic.in. Payment must be made online through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI; MCC does not accept offline payment for any counselling round.
State-Wise Registration Fees
State counselling fees are set independently by each state's medical education directorate and are usually a flat amount regardless of category, unlike MCC's category-based structure. The table below reflects the most recently published fee cycle for each state and gives a realistic estimate while the 2026 bulletins are awaited.
Table
| State | Registration Fee (Non-Refundable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs 2,000 | Same fee applies across all rounds including Stray Vacancy; separate security deposit applies on top |
| Maharashtra | Set per State CET Cell notification | Fee applies per counselling type selected, government or private |
| Rajasthan | Set per state bulletin | Fee is paid at Application Part 1 stage before choice filling opens |
| Madhya Pradesh | Set per DME MP notification | Applicable separately for each round if fresh registration is required |
3 columns · 5 rows
Because exact state figures shift each year, always cross-verify with that state's current information bulletin before making payment. For a state-by-state seat and cutoff picture to plan alongside these fees, check the NEET 2026 state-wise cutoff guide.
How to Pay the Registration Fee
- Complete basic registration on the relevant portal, mcc.nic.in for AIQ or your state's DME/CET portal for state quota, using your NEET roll number and application number
- Create a login ID and password, and note them down carefully since password recovery can take time during peak traffic
- Navigate to the fee payment section and select the correct seat category you are registering under, since choosing the wrong option can lead to underpayment
- Pay through net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI as accepted by that portal
- Download and save the payment confirmation and registration slip immediately after successful payment
- Proceed to choice filling only after the payment status shows as confirmed on your dashboard
What Happens If You Apply for Multiple Counselling Tracks
If you register for both AIQ government seats and Deemed University seats through MCC in the same cycle, you are only required to pay the higher of the two registration fees, not both added together. The same higher-fee logic often applies at the state level between government and private college registration, though this varies by state, so always confirm the exact rule in that year's information bulletin before assuming you can skip a payment.
Registering for both AIQ and state quota does not create a fee conflict by itself, but it does create a timing conflict once you actually accept a seat, and this is where most students get confused. If you have only registered and locked choices in AIQ without paying the acceptance fee or reporting to a college, you remain free to participate in state Round 1 without any restriction. The moment you accept and join an AIQ seat, however, you must formally surrender that seat before your state's cut-off date if you want to continue into state Round 2 onward, since simply ignoring the AIQ seat does not release it automatically. Some states penalise a late seat surrender with a seat-leaving charge that can run into Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh on top of losing your registration fee, so check your state's prospectus for this specific clause before you assume you can walk away for free.
Registration Fee by Course Type
- MBBS and BDS AIQ counselling follow the standard MCC fee slab shown above
- BSc Nursing AIQ counselling generally follows the same government fee slab as MBBS/BDS government seats
- AYUSH courses such as BAMS, BHMS and BUMS are counselled separately by state AYUSH directorates, with their own, typically lower, registration fee structure
- NEET PG counselling for MD/MS follows a different fee slab than NEET UG, so do not assume UG fee figures carry over if you are checking for postgraduate admission using the NEET PG Predictor
Is the Registration Fee Ever Refunded
No. The registration or processing fee is non-refundable under every scenario across MCC and every state counselling authority, whether or not you are finally allotted a seat, and whether you withdraw in Round 1 or Round 4. Only the separate security deposit component is eligible for a refund, and only if you exit under the permitted rules. This distinction trips up a large number of first-time candidates, so budget the registration fee as a fixed cost of participating in counselling, not as money you will get back.
Treat the registration fee as gone the moment you pay it. Only plan your finances around getting the security deposit back, and only if you follow the exit rules for that round correctly.
Budgeting Tips Before You Register
- Check your realistic college options first with the NEET UG & Medical College Predictor before committing to a Deemed University or private college registration that carries a much higher deposit
- Keep at least Rs 12,00,000 mentally set aside as worst-case blocked funds if you plan to register for AIQ Deemed plus a private state quota college in parallel, even though this is refundable
- Use only the official mcc.nic.in domain or your state's .gov.in/.nic.in portal for payment; unofficial third-party sites charging a 'processing' fee are not linked to actual counselling
- Keep a single active bank account for all counselling payments so refunds are not delayed due to mismatched account details
Hidden Costs Beyond the Registration Fee
The registration fee and security deposit are not the only amounts you should budget for during counselling season. Most colleges require an advance tuition fee payment at the time of reporting, separate from anything paid to the counselling authority. Hostel fees, caution money for lab and library access, and a medical fitness certificate fee are commonly collected directly by the institute during document verification. Private and deemed colleges in particular can ask for a first-year tuition instalment within days of seat confirmation, so keep those funds accessible even while your counselling security deposit is still locked elsewhere.
A few document-linked charges tend to surprise first-time candidates because they are collected outside the counselling portal entirely. If you are joining a college in a state or education board different from where you completed Class 12, most institutes will ask for a migration certificate and a transfer/conduct certificate from your previous school or board, and these usually carry a small issuing fee payable directly to that board, separate from anything paid to MCC or the state counselling authority. Colleges also commonly collect a refundable caution money deposit at the time of joining, distinct from the counselling security deposit, along with smaller one-time charges such as a development or amenities fee, library and laboratory fee, and student council or examination fee, all set by the individual institute rather than the counselling authority.
Table
| Cost Component | Paid To | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Counselling registration fee | MCC or state counselling authority | At the start of each registration cycle |
| Security deposit | MCC or state counselling authority | Along with registration fee, before choice locking |
| First-year tuition advance | Allotted college directly | At the time of reporting and document verification |
| Hostel and caution money | Allotted college directly | At the time of reporting, if opting for hostel |
3 columns · 5 rows
NRI and Management Quota Fee Notes
NRI quota and management quota seats at private medical colleges are filled outside the standard merit-based counselling fee structure, and the college itself sets its own processing and confirmation charges rather than following MCC or state fee slabs. NRI quota seats typically carry a much higher total course fee, often in the range of Rs 80 lakh to Rs 2 crore for the full MBBS programme, and colleges may ask for a substantial confirmation amount well above the standard security deposit used in merit counselling. Always get the complete fee schedule in writing from the college before making any payment for an NRI or management quota seat, since these payments are typically non-refundable once made directly to the institution.
AYUSH Counselling Fee Structure
Candidates applying for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS or BSMS seats go through a separate AYUSH counselling process managed by state AYUSH directorates rather than the mainstream MBBS/BDS counselling authority. Registration fees for AYUSH counselling are typically lower than the MBBS/BDS state slab, and the security deposit for government AYUSH colleges is also generally lower than for MBBS government seats. If your NEET score puts AYUSH courses within reach, check your specific state's AYUSH counselling notification separately, since it usually runs on its own portal and timeline distinct from the medical DME counselling calendar.
Registration Fee vs Total Blocked Funds: A Realistic Comparison
Students often focus only on the small registration fee and are caught off guard by how much total money gets locked once the security deposit is added. A UR candidate registering only for AIQ government seats blocks a comparatively modest Rs 11,000 in total. The same candidate adding Deemed University registration alongside it blocks up to Rs 2,05,000 combined, since the higher deemed slab applies. Add a state private college registration on top, and total blocked funds across tracks can cross Rs 4 lakh during peak counselling weeks, even though almost all of it is technically refundable later. Planning your cash flow around this reality, rather than just the registration fee line item, prevents last-minute scrambling when a round's payment deadline is just hours away.
Table
| Counselling Combination | Approx. Registration Fee | Approx. Security Deposit | Approx. Total Blocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIQ Government only (UR) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 | Rs 11,000 |
| AIQ Government only (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 | Rs 5,500 |
| AIQ Deemed University | Rs 5,000 | Rs 2,00,000 | Rs 2,05,000 |
| AIQ Deemed + UP State Private College | Rs 5,000 + Rs 2,000 | Rs 2,00,000 + Rs 2,00,000 | Approx. Rs 4,07,000 |
4 columns · 5 rows
None of this means you should avoid registering broadly. It simply means you should plan the timing of these payments against your family's available funds in advance, rather than discove`ring the total only when a deadline is a few hours away. Most of this amount does come back to you eventually, provided you follow each round's exit rules correctly, which is covered in full in our companion guide on security deposit refund rules 2026.
Fee Payment Checklist Before You Register
- Confirm your category (UR/EWS/SC/ST/OBC/PwD) is correctly selected before payment, since choosing the wrong category can lead to an incorrect fee amount and rejected registration
- Keep your NEET admit card and application number ready before starting payment, since sessions can time out during peak registration days
- Use a stable internet connection and avoid refreshing the page mid-payment to prevent duplicate deductions
- Save the transaction ID and registration slip as PDF immediately after payment confirmation
- If a payment fails but the amount is deducted, wait 24 to 48 hours and check your dashboard before attempting payment again, since duplicate payments can take time to auto-reconcile
What To Do Next
Shortlist your realistic AIQ and state quota options using the NEET UG College Predictor, then follow the complete registration walkthrough in our NEET UG counselling 2026 complete guide before you make your first payment. If your rank makes AIQ deemed or private options relevant, budget for the higher deposit slabs covered in our security deposit refund rules guide so there are no surprises at payment time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MCC AIQ registration fee for 2026?
For government, AIIMS, JIPMER, Central, ESIC, AFMC and BSc Nursing seats, the non-refundable registration fee is Rs 1,000 for UR/EWS and Rs 500 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates. For Deemed Universities, it is Rs 5,000 for all categories.
Is the NEET counselling registration fee the same as the security deposit?
No. The registration fee is a small, non-refundable amount you pay to complete registration. The security deposit is a separate, much larger amount that is refundable if you exit counselling under the permitted rules.
Do state counselling fees differ from MCC fees?
Yes. Each state sets its own registration fee, and unlike MCC these are usually a flat amount for all candidates rather than category-based. For example, Uttar Pradesh has historically charged a flat Rs 2,000 registration fee across rounds.
If I register for both AIQ and Deemed Universities, do I pay both fees?
No. MCC requires you to pay only the higher of the two applicable registration fees and the higher of the two security deposits, not both amounts added together.
Can I pay the NEET counselling registration fee offline?
No. Both MCC and state counselling authorities accept payment only through online modes such as net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Offline payment is not accepted for any round.
Is the registration fee refundable if I don't get a seat?
No. The registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, regardless of whether you are allotted a seat or which round you withdraw in. Only the security deposit is potentially refundable.
Does the NEET PG registration fee follow the same structure as NEET UG?
No. NEET PG counselling for MD/MS has its own separate fee slab that differs from NEET UG figures, so check the specific NEET PG information bulletin rather than assuming UG fees apply.
Are AYUSH counselling registration fees the same as MBBS/BDS fees?
No. AYUSH counselling for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and BSMS is run separately by state AYUSH directorates and generally carries a lower registration fee and security deposit than the mainstream MBBS/BDS state counselling.
What other costs should I budget for besides the registration fee and security deposit?
Expect a first-year tuition advance and possibly hostel or caution money to be collected directly by the allotted college at the time of reporting, separate from anything paid to the counselling authority.
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