Your complete guide to NEET UG and NEET PG counselling — how it works, which body conducts it, how many rounds, and how to secure your seat across India in 2026.
NEET Counselling 2026 is the centralised seat allocation process conducted after the NEET examination results are declared. It is the official pathway through which students secure admission into MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, and other medical programs across government and private colleges in India.
There are two distinct counselling processes under NEET — one for undergraduate programs and one for postgraduate programs. Understanding which one applies to you is the first step in planning your admission strategy.
For MBBS and BDS admission. 15% All India Quota through MCC + 85% state quota. Conducted after NEET UG result.
Complete NEET UG Guide →For MD and MS admission. 50% All India Quota through MCC + 50% state quota. Conducted after NEET PG result.
Complete NEET PG Guide →Many students and parents confuse NEET UG and NEET PG counselling. They are completely different processes — different exam bodies, different quota splits, different seat types, and different timelines. Here is a clear comparison.
| Factor | NEET UG Counselling | NEET PG Counselling |
|---|---|---|
| For | MBBS / BDS admission | MD / MS / PG Diploma admission |
| Exam Conducted By | NTA (National Testing Agency) | NBEMS (National Board of Examinations) |
| AIQ Split | 15% All India Quota | 50% All India Quota |
| State Quota Split | 85% State Quota | 50% State Quota |
| AIQ Counselling Body | MCC — mcc.nic.in | MCC — mcc.nic.in |
| Eligibility | Class 12 with PCB — 50% marks | MBBS completed + 1-year internship |
| Exam Date 2026 | May 4, 2026 | March 2026 |
| Result 2026 | June 2026 | April 2026 |
| Counselling Starts | July 2026 | May 2026 |
| Number of Rounds | 4 rounds | 4 rounds |
| Management Quota | Available after state rounds | Available after state rounds |
| NRI Quota | Available in private colleges | Available in private colleges |
Whether UG or PG, all NEET counselling follows the same broad framework. The difference lies in the quota split and the specific bodies involved.
Clear the minimum qualifying percentile — 50th for General, 40th for SC/ST/OBC. Get your scorecard and All India Rank.
Visit mcc.nic.in. Pay registration fee. This covers 15% (UG) or 50% (PG) of all government medical college seats. Open to all states.
Register separately on your state's counselling portal. Covers 85% (UG) or 50% (PG) state quota seats. Domicile may be required.
List your preferred colleges and courses in order. System allots the best available option. Participate in multiple rounds for better seats.
If state rounds don't yield a satisfactory seat — management quota opens after state rounds end. Contact private colleges directly for availability.
Disclaimer: All dates below are tentative and based on previous year patterns. Official dates will be published by NTA, NBEMS, and MCC. Always verify at mcc.nic.in and natboard.edu.in.
| Event | Expected Date | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| NEET UG 2026 Exam | May 4, 2026 | nta.ac.in |
| NEET UG Result | June 2026 | nta.ac.in |
| MCC AIQ Round 1 Registration | July 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| MCC AIQ Round 1 Allotment | July 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| MCC AIQ Round 2 | August 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| Mop-up Round | September 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| Stray Vacancy Round | October 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| State Counselling (varies) | July – October 2026 | State portals |
| Management Quota Opens | After state rounds end | Direct college contact |
| Event | Expected Date | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2026 Exam | March 2026 | natboard.edu.in |
| NEET PG Result | April 2026 | natboard.edu.in |
| MCC AIQ PG Round 1 | May 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| MCC AIQ PG Round 2 | June 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| Mop-up Round PG | July 2026 | mcc.nic.in |
| State PG Counselling (varies) | June – August 2026 | State portals |
| PG Management Quota Opens | After state rounds end | Direct college contact |
These documents are required for both NEET UG and NEET PG counselling registration and reporting. Keep self-attested copies of all documents ready before counselling begins.
Every state has its own counselling body for the 85% (UG) or 50% (PG) state quota seats. Select your state below for course-specific admission guidance.
Yes — and you must. MCC AIQ counselling and state counselling run on parallel timelines. Register for both simultaneously. Accepting a seat in one does not prevent you from participating in the other, subject to round-specific rules. Archway helps manage both registrations together.
If state and AIQ counselling rounds don't yield a satisfactory seat, management quota opens at private colleges after all state rounds end. Management quota requires only the NEET qualifying percentile — not a high rank — and is open to students from all states. Contact Archway immediately after state rounds close for real-time seat availability.
It depends on the state. Most states require domicile for 85% state quota (UG) or 50% state quota (PG). However, Karnataka is an open state — non-Karnataka students can access Karnataka state quota without domicile. Always check the specific state's rules before registering.
NEET counselling 2026 has 4 rounds — Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up Round, and Stray Vacancy Round. You can participate in multiple rounds and upgrade your seat. The stray vacancy round is the last opportunity for any remaining unfilled seats.
AIQ (All India Quota) seats are filled through MCC counselling at mcc.nic.in and are open to students from all states — no domicile required. State quota seats are filled through state-specific counselling bodies and typically require state domicile. For NEET UG, AIQ is 15% and state quota is 85%. For NEET PG, both are 50-50.
Archway provides complete NEET counselling support — profile assessment based on your rank, college shortlisting across AIQ and state quota, parallel registration management for MCC and state portals, choice filling strategy, round-wise guidance, document verification, and management quota access after state rounds. Free initial consultation.
Share your NEET rank and stream — we'll map your realistic options across all rounds and states within 2 hours.