The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened the registration portal for NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 from August 5, 2026, on its official portal, mcc.nic.in. This marks the formal start of admissions to MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses under the 15 percent All India Quota, along with seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, and central and deemed universities, for the 2026-27 academic session.

Key Highlights of MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1

  • Round 1 registration window: August 5 to August 12, 2026
  • Portal: mcc.nic.in
  • Choice filling: August 6 to August 13, 2026
  • Choice locking: August 12 to August 13, 2026
  • Seat allotment processing: August 13 to August 16, 2026
  • Round 1 seat allotment result: August 17, 2026

MCC counselling runs alongside individual state counselling processes, and candidates are allowed to register with both simultaneously, since each authority handles a separate share of seats. While MCC manages the 15 percent All India Quota along with central institutions, the remaining 85 percent of government seats and all private seats in a given state are handled through that state's own counselling body.

How to Register for NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1

  1. Visit the official website mcc.nic.in
  2. Click on the 'UG Medical Counselling' link on the homepage
  3. Complete new candidate registration using NEET UG 2026 roll number and other required details
  4. Create a login password and set a security question for account recovery
  5. Pay the applicable registration fee and security deposit online
  6. Log in and proceed to choice filling once registration is confirmed

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Registration Fee

According to the latest NEET UG Counselling 2026 notification, the registration fee includes a processing fee and a security deposit. The candidates who have applied for the 15 percent All India Quota seats, central universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, and B.Sc Nursing seats can expect the processing fee to be INR 1000 along with the INR 10000 refundable security deposit. Thus, the total registration fee payable by general and EWS candidates would be INR 11000.

Candidates must watch the official NEET UG Counselling 2026 video tutorial before starting the online registration process.— Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)

MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Full Round-Wise Schedule

RoundRegistration and Choice Filling
Round 1August 5 to August 13, 2026; result on August 17
Reporting for Round 1 allotteesAugust 18 to August 22, 2026
Round 2August 24 to September 2, 2026
Round 3September 10 to September 18, 2026

Candidates admitted under Round 1 and who have accepted the seat must report to the respective medical college between 5 PM on August 18, 2026, and 5 PM on August 22, 2026. Thereafter, institutes will verify the data of the joined candidates on August 23, 2026.

Important Updates and Rule Changes for NEET UG Counselling 2026

MCC has introduced several changes to this year's counselling process aimed at reducing physical paperwork and making the process more transparent for candidates.

  • Candidates upgrading their seat between rounds are no longer required to report in person to the previously allotted institute
  • An online seat resignation facility has been introduced, removing the need for physical withdrawal at some stages
  • Document upload has been shifted online at several stages of the process
  • Seat upgradation remains available only up to Round 3, not in the stray vacancy round
  • Candidates cannot resign or exit a seat once allotted in Round 3
  • No AIQ seats will revert back to participating states after the completion of Round 2

Impact on Candidates

The overlapping of registration and choice-filling dates this year implies that the candidates should not leave it to the last moment to shortlist the colleges. Since Round 1 choice filling will commence on the day following the registration window opening date and close only a day before its closure, students need to research and save the list of the colleges they wish to apply for during their choice-filling slot. Similarly, if candidates have upgraded their seats during Round 2, they must consider the restriction on resignation and not accept the Round 2 seat if they know they can get an upgrade in the next round.

Expert Insight: Registering Early Without Rushing Choices

Counselling experts suggest that the candidates complete their registration and the payment process early as there are a lot of technical glitches that happen near the deadline, especially on any big national-level counselling registration day due to high traffic. However, the experts do not advise filling up the choice-filling form hastily just because you had registered early on the day the portal opened. Since the choice-filling form will remain open till August 13, the candidates have enough time to complete their college research, go through the closing rank of the previous year and make a well-considered list of preferences instead of randomly filling out the form.

Conclusion

With NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 registration now open at mcc.nic.in, eligible candidates should register and pay the applicable fee before August 12, complete choice filling by August 13, and stay alert to this year's revised rules on upgradation and seat resignation, ahead of the Round 1 seat allotment result on August 17, 2026.

Official Resources

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