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NEET UG Counselling 2026: The NEET UG Counselling 2026 process has entered an important stage. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has opened the Round 1 choice-filling facility for candidates who have successfully registered for the undergraduate medical counselling process.
Candidates who are eligible for MCC counselling can now log in to the official counselling portal and select their preferred MBBS, BDS, and other eligible undergraduate medical courses and colleges. The choice-filling window will remain open until August 13, 2026.
The MCC has published the official UG AIQ Counselling Schedule 2026 and the UG Information Bulletin on its website.
For candidates, this is one of the most important stages because the order in which colleges and courses are entered can directly affect the seat offered during the allotment process.
New Registration for UG Counselling 2026
NEET UG Counselling 2026: What is the latest update?
MCC has started Round 1 choice filling for NEET UG Counselling 2026.
Candidates who have already completed their registration can log in to the MCC counselling portal and enter their preferred colleges and courses. They can arrange their choices according to their priority and then lock them within the prescribed deadline.
According to the latest update, the choice filling facility is available up to August 13, 2026.
The seat allotment will consider several factors, including:
- NEET UG 2026 rank
- Category and reservation rules
- Availability of seats
- Choices submitted by the candidate
- Order of preference
- Applicable counselling rules
Therefore, candidates should not treat choice filling as a formality. The preference order should be prepared carefully.
What is MCC NEET UG Counselling?
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts centralised counselling for eligible undergraduate medical and dental seats covered under its counselling process.
The MCC counselling process includes admissions through categories such as the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) in participating government medical and dental colleges, along with institutions and universities covered under MCC counselling. It also includes institutions such as AIIMS, JIPMER, Central Universities and participating deemed universities, subject to the applicable counselling rules.
Candidates seeking admission against the 85% state quota generally have to participate in the respective state counselling process separately. State counselling is conducted by the concerned state authorities and is independent of the MCC process.
NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Important Dates
The Round 1 counselling process is being conducted according to the schedule released by MCC.
| Counselling Activity | Important Date |
|---|---|
| MCC UG Counselling 2026 | August 2026 |
| Round 1 Choice Filling | Open |
| Last date to submit choices | August 13, 2026 |
| Choice Locking | As per MCC schedule |
| Seat Allotment Processing | After choice filling/locking |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | As per official MCC schedule |
| Reporting/Joining | As per allotment schedule |
Important: Candidates should check the latest schedule published by MCC before completing the final locking process because counselling dates and timings are governed by the official notice. MCC has listed the AIQ and State Schedule UG 2026, UG AIQ Counselling Schedule 2026 and UG Information Bulletin 2026 on its official website.
Who Can Fill Choices in NEET UG Counselling 2026?
Candidates who have completed the required MCC registration process and are eligible to participate in Round 1 can proceed to choice filling.
The basic process is:
- Complete MCC registration.
- Complete the required fee/payment process.
- Log in to the counselling portal.
- Open the choice-filling section.
- Select colleges and courses.
- Arrange them according to preference.
- Save the choices.
- Lock the choices within the prescribed time.
- Download or keep a copy of the final choices.
The MCC has specifically advised candidates to save a copy of their locked choices for future reference.
How to Fill NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Choices?
Candidates can follow these steps.
Step 1: Visit the MCC website
- Go to the official Medical Counselling Committee website: MCC Official Website
- Go to the UG Medical Counselling section.
Step 2: Open the NEET UG Counselling 2026 portal
- Use the candidate login option provided for UG counselling.
- Candidates should use their registered login credentials.
Step 3: Log in to the candidate account
- Enter the required credentials and access the counselling dashboard.
- Make sure the details displayed in the account are correct before proceeding.
Step 4: Open Choice Filling
Select the Choice Filling option available on the candidate dashboard.
The available colleges and courses will be displayed according to the candidate’s eligibility and the applicable seat matrix.
Step 5: Select colleges and courses
- Candidates can select their preferred MBBS, BDS and other eligible courses and colleges.
- Do not select colleges randomly. Prepare a preference list before starting the final choice-filling process.
Step 6: Arrange the choices
This is one of the most important steps.
Candidates should arrange their choices according to their actual preference.
For example:
- College A – MBBS
- College B – MBBS
- College C – MBBS
- College D – MBBS
- College E – MBBS
- College F – BDS
The actual preference order should depend on the candidate’s rank, category, fee structure, location, course preference and previous admission trends.
Step 7: Save the choices
- After entering the choices, save them carefully.
- Candidates should check the complete list before final locking.
Step 8: Lock the choices
- Candidates must lock their choices within the time specified by MCC.
- Simply selecting and saving choices should not be confused with final locking.
Step 9: Download the final choice list
- After locking, candidates should keep a copy or screenshot/printout of the final submitted choices.
- MCC has advised candidates to retain the locked choice list for future reference.
Why Choice Filling Is So Important?
NEET counselling is not only about getting a good NEET rank. The choice order also plays an important role in the seat allotment process.
A candidate may have a good rank but can still receive a different college from what they expected if their preference list is not prepared properly.
For example, if a candidate prefers College A over College B, College A should be placed above College B in the choice list.
Candidates should therefore avoid copying another student’s choice list without considering their own:
- NEET rank
- Category
- State
- Budget
- College preference
- Course preference
- Location
- Government/private/deemed university preference
- Previous admission trends
How Many Colleges Should Candidates Select?
There is no need to limit the choice list to only a few colleges if more eligible options are available and acceptable to the candidate.
A broader but carefully prepared choice list can provide more possibilities during seat allotment.
However, candidates should remember one important point:
Do not add a college simply because it is available.
If a candidate would not be willing to join a particular college because of its location, fees, course conditions or other factors, they should think carefully before placing that option in the preference list.
Government Medical College vs Private Medical College
Candidates should check the fee structure before placing private or deemed universities high on their preference list.
Government medical colleges generally have substantially different fee structures from private and deemed institutions.
Before selecting a college, candidates should check:
- Tuition fee
- Hostel charges
- Other institutional charges
- Bond conditions, where applicable
- Service obligations, where applicable
- Course duration
- Recognition/status of the institution
- Available facilities
- Location
- Previous admission trends
Candidates should rely on official college and MCC information rather than unverified social media posts.
What Happens After Choice Filling?
After the choice-filling and locking process is completed, MCC processes the seat allotment.
The allotment is based on factors such as the candidate’s NEET UG rank, reservation/category eligibility, available seats and preference order.
If a candidate is allotted a seat, the candidate will need to follow the instructions given by MCC regarding reporting, document verification, fee payment and joining.
Candidates should not wait until the last moment to check the allotment status or reporting requirements.
NEET UG Counselling 2026: Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep their counselling and admission documents ready.
Commonly required documents may include:
- NEET UG 2026 admit card
- NEET UG 2026 scorecard/result
- NEET UG 2026 rank details
- Class 10 certificate
- Class 12 certificate
- Class 12 marksheet
- Valid photo ID
- Passport-size photographs
- Category certificate, if applicable
- EWS certificate, if applicable
- PwD certificate, if applicable
- Domicile certificate, where applicable
- MCC registration details
- Provisional allotment letter, after allotment
- Other documents required by the allotted institution
The exact document requirements can vary depending on the candidate’s category and institution. Candidates should therefore check the latest MCC information bulletin and the instructions issued by the allotted college.
NEET UG Counselling 2026: Important Mistakes to Avoid
1. Waiting until the last day
The choice-filling window closes on the prescribed deadline. Technical problems, heavy traffic or login issues can create difficulties.
2. Entering choices without checking fees
This is particularly important for private and deemed universities.
3. Putting colleges in the wrong order
The preference order matters. Candidates should review the list carefully before locking it.
4. Forgetting to lock choices
Saving choices and locking choices are not necessarily the same step. Candidates should complete the final locking process within the prescribed time.
5. Choosing colleges based only on social media
College selection should be based on official information, fees, course details and the candidate’s own circumstances.
6. Not keeping proof of submission
Download or save the final locked choice list for future reference. MCC itself advises candidates to keep a copy.
MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Official Registration Link
Candidates can access the MCC counselling services through the official website.
- Official MCC website: mcc.nic.in
- NEET UG Counselling 2026 portal: MCC UG Counselling Candidate Portal
The specific registration/login page may redirect or change as MCC updates the counselling portal. Candidates should always use the official MCC website and avoid unofficial registration links.
MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026: What Candidates Should Do Now
Candidates who have already registered should not wait until August 13 to complete their choices.
Before locking the list, candidates should:
- Check their NEET rank.
- Check category eligibility.
- Review the available seat matrix.
- Prepare a realistic college preference list.
- Check fees, particularly for private/deemed universities.
- Arrange choices according to genuine preference.
- Review the complete list carefully.
- Lock the choices before the deadline.
- Download/save the final choice list.
MCC has confirmed that the Round 1 choice-filling window is currently open and that candidates can submit their preferences until August 13, 2026.
NEET UG Counselling 2026: Key Takeaway
The NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 choice-filling process has started, giving registered candidates the opportunity to select their preferred colleges and courses.
The most important deadline at present is August 13, 2026, when the choice-filling window closes. Candidates should complete the process carefully rather than rushing at the last minute.
The final seat allotment will depend on the candidate’s NEET UG rank, applicable reservation rules, seat availability and the order of choices submitted.
For the latest official schedule, information bulletin and counselling updates, candidates should regularly check the Medical Counselling Committee website, where MCC has published the 2026 UG counselling documents.
