NEET UG Counselling 2026 is the centralized admission process for students who qualify for the NEET Undergraduate exam for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses in India. After the NEET 2026 result is declared, candidates must participate in counselling to secure seats in government, private, deemed, and central universities.
The counselling process is conducted at two levels:
- All India Quota (AIQ – 15%) conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee
- State Quota (85%) conducted by respective state authorities
The NEET UG exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
This article explains everything students need to know: overview, important dates, merit list, eligibility criteria, a step-by-step counselling process, documents required, and FAQs.
NEET UG Counselling 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body (Exam) | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Counselling Authority (AIQ) | Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) |
| Courses Covered | MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BSc Nursing |
| Quota | 15% AIQ + 85% State Quota |
| Counselling Mode | Online |
| Selection Basis | NEET UG 2026 Rank |
| Official AIQ Website | mcc.nic.in |
NEET UG Counselling 2026 – Important Dates (Expected)
| Event | Expected Date: 2026 |
|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Exam | 03 May 2026 |
| NEET UG Result | June 2026 |
| AIQ Registration Start | July 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | July 2026 |
| Round 2 Counselling | August 2026 |
| Mop-Up Round | September 2026 |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 |
Final dates will be released officially after the NEET result declaration.
NEET UG 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To participate in counselling, candidates must:
- Qualify NEET UG 2026
- Score minimum qualifying percentile
- Complete 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology & English
- Minimum marks:
- General – 50%
- SC/ST/OBC – 40%
- PwD – 45%
- Minimum age: 17 years by 31 December 2026
NEET UG 2026 Merit List
1. All India Rank (AIR)
Prepared by NTA based on NEET UG score.
2. AIQ Merit List
Prepared by MCC for 15% of all India Quota seats.
3. State Merit List
Prepared by respective state authorities for 85% quota seats.
Seats are allotted strictly based on:
- NEET AIR
- Category reservation
- Choices filled
- Seat availability
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Online Registration
- Visit MCC portal (for AIQ)
- Fill out the registration form
- Pay registration fee
Step 2: Choice Filling & Locking
- Select preferred colleges & courses
- Lock choices before the deadline.
Step 3: Seat Allotment Result
- Based on NEET rank
- Category & reservation rules
- Availability of seats
Step 4: Reporting to College
- Download allotment letter
- Report with required documents
- Pay admission fee
Counselling Fees (Expected AIQ 2026)
| Category | Registration Fee | Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| General | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| SC/ST/OBC | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Deemed Universities | ₹5,000 | ₹200,000 |
(Security deposit refundable as per rules.)
Documents Required for NEET UG Counselling
- NEET UG 2026 Admit Card
- NEET UG Scorecard
- Class 10 Certificate (DOB proof)
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Identity Proof (Aadhar/PAN)
- Passport-size photographs
- Allotment Letter
NEET UG 2026 Cutoff (Qualifying Percentile)
| Category | Minimum Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 50th |
| OBC/SC/ST | 40th |
| General-Pw | 45th |
Exact cutoff marks will be announced with the result.
Important Counselling Rules
✔ Upgradation allowed in Round 2
✔ Fresh choice filling in Round 2
✔ Security deposit may be forfeited if seat not joined
✔ Separate counselling for Deemed Universities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is NEET UG counselling mandatory for admission?
Yes, admission to MBBS/BDS seats is only through centralized counselling.
Q2. Can I participate in both AIQ and state counselling?
Yes, candidates can participate in both if eligible.
Q3. What happens if I don’t report after seat allotment?
The security deposit may be forfeited.
Q4. Is domicile required for AIQ seats?
No domicile required for AIQ seats.
Q5. Can I upgrade my seat?
Yes, the upgrade option is available in Round 2.