NEET UG All India Counselling Schedule 2026 (15% AIQ & 100% Deemed/Central Universities/AIIMS/JIPMER) – Complete Round-Wise Guide

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 All India Counselling Schedule for admissions under 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and 100% seats of Deemed Universities, Central Universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal) for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc. Nursing courses.

To help students avoid missing any important deadlines, we have simplified the complete counselling process into an easy-to-understand, round-wise guide.

 

NEET UG 2026 Counselling Process at a Glance

Every counselling round follows the same sequence:

1. Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix
2. Registration & Fee Payment
3. Choice Filling & Choice Locking
4. Seat Allotment Processing
5. Result Declaration
6. Reporting & Joining
7. Verification of Joined Candidates by Institutes
8. Sharing of Data with MCC (where applicable)

 

Round 1 Counselling Schedule

Activity	Dates
Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix	4 August 2026
Registration & Payment	5 August – 12 August 2026 (up to 3:00 PM)
Payment Deadline	12 August 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Choice Filling	6 August – 13 August 2026 (up to 11:00 AM)
Choice Locking	12 August 4:00 PM – 13 August 11:00 AM
Seat Allotment Processing	13–16 August 2026
Result Declaration	17 August 2026
Reporting/Joining	18–22 August 2026
Verification by Institutes	23 August 2026

Highlights

• Registration window remains open for 8 days.
• Choice filling is available for 8 days.
• Students should complete payment well before the deadline to avoid server-related issues.
• Choice locking is compulsory before the closing time.

 

Round 2 Counselling Schedule

Activity	Dates
Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix	24 August 2026
Registration & Payment	25–29 August 2026 (up to 3:00 PM)
Payment Deadline	29 August 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Choice Filling	25–30 August 2026 (up to 11:00 PM)
Choice Locking	30 August 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Seat Allotment Processing	31 August – 1 September 2026
Result Declaration	2 September 2026
Reporting/Joining	3–8 September 2026
Verification & Data Sharing by MCC	9 September 2026

Highlights

• Students who did not secure a seat in Round 1 or wish to upgrade can participate.
• Reporting after seat allotment remains mandatory.
• Institutes submit joined candidate data to MCC after reporting.

Round 3 Counselling Schedule

Activity	Dates
Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix	10 September 2026
Registration & Payment	11–15 September 2026 (up to 3:00 PM)
Payment Deadline	15 September 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Choice Filling	11–16 September 2026 (up to 11:00 AM)
Choice Locking	15 September 4:00 PM – 16 September 11:00 AM
Seat Allotment Processing	16–17 September 2026
Result Declaration	18 September 2026
Reporting/Joining	19–26 September 2026
Verification & Data Sharing by MCC	27 September 2026

Highlights

• Round 3 provides another opportunity for eligible candidates to obtain or upgrade a seat.
• Ensure all documents are ready before reporting to avoid delays.

 

Online Stray Vacancy Round Schedule

Activity	Dates
Verification of Tentative Seat Matrix	27 September 2026
Registration & Payment	28–30 September 2026 (up to 3:00 PM)
Payment Deadline	30 September 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
Choice Filling	28–30 September 2026 (up to 11:00 PM)
Choice Locking	30 September 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Seat Allotment Processing	1–2 October 2026
Result Declaration	3 October 2026
Reporting/Joining	4–10 October 2026

Highlights

• This is the final counselling round for filling remaining vacant seats.
• Registration and choice filling are available only for 3 days, making timely action essential.

 

Important Instructions for NEET UG 2026 Counselling

• Register within the prescribed timeline.
• Complete fee payment before the payment deadline.
• Fill and lock your choices before the portal closes.
• Keep all original documents ready for verification.
• Report to the allotted institute within the specified reporting period.
• Missing any deadline may result in cancellation of the allotted seat.

 

Important Note

To ensure that the counselling process is completed within the stipulated timeline, all participating institutes and colleges will treat Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted Holidays as working days throughout the counselling period.

 

Conclusion

The NEET UG All India Counselling 2026 schedule is spread across four major phases—Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and the Online Stray Vacancy Round. Every deadline, from registration and payment to reporting and joining, plays a crucial role in securing an MBBS, BDS, or B.Sc. Nursing seat.

Candidates are strongly advised to keep track of every important date, complete each step well before the deadline, and regularly check the official counselling portal for any updates or notifications. A well-planned approach can significantly improve your counselling experience and help you avoid last-minute issues.