Summary: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule and information bulletin for MBBS, BDS and participating B.Sc. Nursing seats. Round 1 registration opens on August 5, 2026 and closes at 3:00 PM on August 12, 2026; the payment facility remains available until 6:00 PM that day.
NEET UG counselling 2026: what changed?
MCC published the dated official NEET UG counselling schedule and the MCC UG information bulletin 2026 on August 1. The schedule confirms four online allotment stages: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the Online Stray Vacancy Round.
- Round 1 registration/payment: August 5-12, 2026; registration closes at 3:00 PM and payment at 6:00 PM on August 12.
- Round 1 choice filling: August 6 to 11:00 AM on August 13, 2026.
- Round 1 result: August 17, 2026.
- Round 1 reporting/joining: August 18-22, 2026.
- New 2026 workflow: candidates seeking an upgrade can use the Float option and upload documents for online verification; candidates freezing an allotted seat must report physically.
Who is affected?
This update is for candidates who qualified National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 and want to compete for seats handled by MCC. The official schedule covers 15% All India Quota seats and the specified deemed universities, central universities, AIIMS institutions, JIPMER campuses and participating institutes for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing).
MCC counselling is separate from state counselling. Candidates should use the official MCC UG Medical Counselling page for the national process and separately follow any state authority relevant to them.
Required student action
- Open the MCC UG counselling page and read the 2026 bulletin before registration.
- Keep the NEET UG application details, registered mobile number and registered email address ready. MCC says OTPs will be sent to the contact details used on the NTA application.
- Register through the MCC candidate portal when the activity link becomes available. Submit only one counselling registration form.
- Pay the full registration fee and applicable security deposit within the payment window. MCC states that only candidates who complete full payment become eligible for the next steps.
- Review the seat matrix and college information, then fill choices in genuine preference order.
- Lock choices during the official locking period and download or print the submitted choice list for your records.
- Check the Round 1 result on August 17. If allotted a seat, follow the reporting or Float/Freeze instructions in the bulletin and meet the August 18-22 reporting window.
NEET UG 2026 MCC counselling schedule
| Round | Registration/payment | Choice filling/locking | Result | Reporting/joining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | August 5-12; registration to 3 PM and payment to 6 PM on August 12 | August 6 to 11 AM on August 13; locking from 4 PM August 12 to 11 AM August 13 | August 17 | August 18-22 |
| Round 2 | August 25-29; registration to 3 PM and payment to 6 PM on August 29 | August 25-30; choice filling and locking close at 11 PM on August 30 | September 2 | September 3-8 |
| Round 3 | September 11-15; registration to 3 PM and payment to 6 PM on September 15 | September 11 to 11 AM on September 16; locking from 4 PM September 15 to 11 AM September 16 | September 18 | September 19-26 |
| Online Stray Vacancy | September 28-30; registration to 3 PM and payment to 6 PM on September 30 | September 28-30; choice filling and locking close at 11 PM on September 30 | October 3 | October 4-10 |
Important 2026 Float and Freeze rules
The 2026 bulletin changes part of the reporting and upgradation workflow. A candidate satisfied with an allotted seat can choose Freeze and physically report to complete admission. A candidate seeking a better seat can choose Float, submit willingness for upgradation and upload the required documents for online verification by the allotted institute without visiting physically at that stage.
Round 3 is stricter: MCC says physical reporting is mandatory for candidates allotted or upgraded in that round, and resignation is not allowed after joining the Round 3 process as described in the bulletin. Read the counselling scheme before choosing Float, Freeze, resignation or upgradation.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
If a candidate does not register and fill choices during the applicable window, MCC says no seat will be allotted in that round. In Round 2 and later rounds, failure to join an allotted seat can lead to forfeiture of the security deposit. A Round 3 allottee who does not report is eliminated from further rounds, while a stray-round allottee who does not join also loses the security deposit. Do not wait until the final hour to register, pay or lock choices.
Official links
- Medical Counselling Committee official website
- MCC UG Medical Counselling 2026 page
- Official NEET UG AIQ counselling schedule PDF
- Official MCC NEET UG 2026 information bulletin
- Official NEET UG website
Frequently asked questions
When does MCC NEET UG 2026 Round 1 registration open?
Round 1 registration opens on August 5, 2026. Registration closes at 3:00 PM on August 12, while payment remains available until 6:00 PM that day.
Is choice filling required for seat allotment?
Yes. MCC states that registration and choice filling are required for allotment. Saved choices can be changed until locking; choices that remain unlocked are automatically locked according to the schedule.
Do Float candidates have to report physically after Round 1?
The 2026 bulletin says Float candidates seeking an upgrade can upload documents for online verification and do not need to visit the allotted institute physically at that stage. Freeze candidates must report physically. Round 3 has mandatory physical-reporting rules.
EntranceAlert.com is an independent education information platform and is not affiliated with MCC, NTA, any university, college or government department. Candidates should verify the latest schedule, eligibility, fees, seat matrix and instructions on the official MCC website before acting.
