The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the schedule for NEET-UG 2026 counselling, with the first round of admissions under the All India Quota (AIQ) set to begin on August 4. The academic session for MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses will commence on September 8.
According to the schedule, the first round of AIQ counselling for central and deemed universities will be conducted from August 4 to 17, with candidates required to complete admissions by August 22.
The second round will be held from August 24 to September 2, followed by the third round from September 10 to 18. A stray vacancy round has been scheduled from September 28 to October 3, while October 10 has been fixed as the last date for joining.
Counselling for state quota seats will begin later, with the first round scheduled from August 13 to 22. The second round will be held from August 31 to September 8 and the third from September 16 to 26. The stray vacancy round for state quota seats will take place from October 3 to 5.
The MCC said all participating institutions and state counselling authorities have been asked to follow the schedule strictly. Medical colleges have also been directed to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days to avoid delays in the admission process.
The committee has introduced several changes in this year’s counselling process. Candidates opting for seat upgradation in subsequent rounds will no longer be required to report physically to the allotted college to retain their admission. Their seats will remain protected in the counselling system while they participate in further rounds, subject to the applicable rules.
Another key change is the introduction of an online resignation facility. Eligible candidates can now surrender their allotted seats through the MCC counselling portal within the prescribed timeline without visiting the allotted institution.
Candidates applying under the NRI quota in deemed universities will also be able to upload their supporting documents online through the counselling portal.
The academic session will begin on September 8 even as counselling for vacant seats continues through the later rounds.
