NEET PG 2026 counselling: MCC opens Round 1 registration with new online rules

What changed in NEET PG 2026 counselling rules

The Medical Counselling Committee has opened Round 1 registration for NEET PG 2026 counselling, introducing structural changes to seat allotment, reporting and resignation processes.

Candidates seeking postgraduate medical seats across All India Quota, deemed universities, central institutions and ESIC hospitals can register on the official portal at mcc.nic.in until 21 October 2026. Choice filling takes place between 13 October and 22 October, with the Round 1 allotment result scheduled for release on 24 October.

Under the updated guidelines issued by the committee, candidates will no longer have to visit allotted medical colleges physically if they intend to upgrade their seats in subsequent rounds. The committee has introduced formal Freeze and Float options to simplify candidate movements between rounds.

How the new freeze and float options work

Candidates who receive a seat allotment in Round 1 must choose between freezing or floating their option on the portal.

Those who are satisfied with their allotted seat can select the Freeze option and physically report to the institution between 26 October and 2 November to complete document verification and pay admission fees.

Candidates who wish to keep their seat while opting for an upgrade in Round 2 must choose the Float option on the portal. These candidates will upload their mandatory documents directly to the portal for online verification by the allotted college's nodal officer, eliminating the need to travel to the campus in person during Round 1.

The committee emphasized that all admissions and resignations must be processed strictly through the online intra-MCC portal. Any offline admission or resignation issued by an institute will be treated as invalid, and such seats will be considered vacant in subsequent rounds.

Key dates for Round 1 counselling

• Seat matrix verification: 10 October to 12 October 2026
• Registration and fee payment: 12 October to 21 October 2026
• Choice filling and locking: 13 October to 22 October 2026
• Seat allotment processing: 22 October to 23 October 2026
• Round 1 allotment result: 24 October 2026
• Reporting and joining: 26 October to 2 November 2026
• Joined candidate data verification: 3 November 2026

Strict rules on deposits and NRI conversions

The committee warned that candidates submitting more than one registration form will be debarred from the allotment process.

Security deposits will be forfeited if a candidate fails to join an allotted seat in Round 2 or later rounds, or if an allotment is cancelled due to incorrect information or missing documents.

For candidates applying under or converting to the Non-Resident Indian category, the committee clarified that adult candidates are not required to submit court orders under the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890. Category conversion can be completed online after uploading supporting affidavits and sponsorship documents during the registration window.