The MCC NEET PG counseling 2026 schedule includes four rounds: three regular rounds and one online stray vacancy round. This page provides the dates for each stage, the meaning of each deadline, and the preparations to be made before the portal opens. It is intended for NEET PG candidates, MBBS graduates, and parents following the process. Each date listed here is tentative, so please confirm it on mcc.nic.in before making any decisions. MCC's tentative NEET PG 2026 schedule lists four rounds: Round 1 results on October 24, Round 2 results on November 14, Round 3 results on December 4, and the online stray vacancy round on December 24. The PG academic session is scheduled to begin on November 20, 2026. Candidates will need to verify the dates on mcc.nic.in.
24 October 2026
26 Oct–2 Nov
Round 2 6–11 Nov 7–12 Nov 11–12 Nov
14 November 2026
16–23 Nov Round 3
26 Nov–1 Dec
27 Nov–2 Dec
1–2 Dec
4 December 2026
5–12 Dec
Round 4 (Stray Vacancy)
16–21 Dec 16–21 Dec
21 December 2026
24 December 2026
24–31 Dec
The tentative dates for 2026 are taken from the NEET PG All India Schedule. MCC may change these.
| Round | Registration | Choice Filling | Choice Locking | Result | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 12–21 Oct | 13–22 Oct | 21–22 Oct | 24 October 2026 | 26 Oct–2 Nov |
| Round 2 | 6–11 Nov | 7–12 Nov | 11–12 Nov | 14 November 2026 | 16–23 Nov |
| Round 3 | 26 Nov–1 Dec | 27 Nov–2 Dec | 1–2 Dec | 4 December 2026 | 5–12 Dec |
| Round 4 (Stray Vacancy) | 16–21 Dec | 16–21 Dec | 21 December 2026 | 24 December 2026 | 24–31 Dec |
In This Article
- How to Read the Schedule
- MCC NEET PG Counselling 2026 Schedule: Round-Wise Details
- Round 4: Online Stray Vacancy Round
- How the Counselling Process Works
- Deadlines People Miss
- What to Prepare Before Choice Filling
- PG Academic Session 2026
- How to Read the Schedule
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) runs All India Quota counselling for NEET PG seats. The table above gives the dates. The patterns below show how much time you actually get. Registration is longest in Round 1. It runs ten days (12–21 October). Rounds 2, 3 and 4 give six days each. Choice filling opens a day after registration and closes a day after it ends, in Rounds 1 to 3. Choice locking falls in the last one or two days of each round. Round 4 has a single locking day. Every reporting window is eight days. Gaps between rounds are short. Round 1 reporting ends on 2 November and Round 2 seat matrix verification starts on 6 November. Practical Guidance: Develop your strategy before the round begins. There are only a few days between reporting and the next registration.
MCC NEET PG Counselling 2026 Schedule: Round-Wise Details
Round 1
- Seat Matrix Verification: 10–12 October 2026
- Registration and Payment: 12–21 October 2026
- Choice Filling: 13–22 October 2026
- Choice Locking: 21–22 October 2026
- Seat Allotment Processing: 22–23 October 2026
- Result: 24 October 2026
- Reporting/Joining: 26 October–2 November 2026
The schedule provides specific payment and choice-locking cut-off times for Round 1. Check the exact timings in the official notice. Round 2 Candidates who don't have a seat in Round 2, or who want a different seat, usually return to the portal. Upgrade rules depend on the MCC's information bulletin for that year, so please read that first.
- Seat Matrix Verification: 6–7 November 2026
- Registration and Payment: 6–11 November 2026
- Choice Filling: 7–12 November 2026
- Choice Locking: 11–12 November 2026
- Seat Allotment Processing: 12–13 November 2026
- Result: 14 November 2026
- Reporting/Joining: 16–23 November 2026
Round 3 Round 3 is the last regular round and it overlaps the most with the start of the PG session.
Seat Matrix Verification: 25–26 November 2026
Registration and Payment: 26 November–1 December 2026
Choice Filling: 27 November–2 December 2026
Choice Locking: 1–2 December 2026
Seat Allotment Processing: 2–3 December 2026
Result: 4 December 2026
Reporting/Joining: 5–12 December 2026
Round 4: NEET PG Online Stray Vacancy Round 2026
The online stray vacancy round is the fourth and final round. It fills the vacant seats remaining after Round 3. The registration and choice filling dates are the same, and locking occurs on the same day.
- Seat Matrix Verification: 15 December 2026
- Registration and Payment: 16–21 December 2026
- Choice Filling: 16–21 December 2026
- Choice Locking: 21 December 2026
- Seat Allotment Processing: 22–23 December 2026
- Result: 24 December 2026
- Reporting/Joining: 24–31 December 2026
The schedule states a 3:00 PM cut-off for payment and an 11:55 PM cut-off for choice filling and locking. Many deadlines are based on server time, so go by the portal clock, not your phone.
How the Counselling Process Works
Seat matrix. Institutes confirm the seats they offer. Check it again each round, because available seats can change. Registration and payment. Register on the MCC portal and pay the round fee. Payment can close at a different time from registration, so do both together. Choice filling. List colleges and courses in order of preference. Allotment goes down your list from the top. Choice locking. Locking makes your list final. A list that is filled but not locked may not be counted. Seat allotment. MCC processes locked choices against rank, category and seat availability. Nothing can be changed at this stage. Result and reporting. Read the allotment, then report to the institute within the window with your documents.
Deadlines People Miss
What the schedule says: Each stage has its own window, and many stages close at a set time on server time. Payment. It can have a separate cut-off from registration. Choice filling. Submit well before the final evening. Portals slow down when many candidates log in together. Choice locking. Round 1: 21–22 October. Round 2: 11–12 November. Round 3: 1–2 December. Round 4: 21 December only. Reporting. Windows are fixed per round. Follow the instructions issued for your allotted institute.
What to Prepare Before Choice Filling
Read the MCC information bulletin. It carries the year's rules on fees, categories and reporting. Gather documents. The exact list is in the bulletin. It generally includes the NEET PG scorecard, admit card, MBBS and internship documents, registration certificate and ID proof. Draft your choice list on paper first. Rank colleges and courses, then enter them. Plan reporting. You will have eight days after the result. Think about travel, leave and fees in advance. Historical note: Dates and rules have changed in previous years. Last year's pattern does not reflect this year's rules.
NEET PG 2026 Academic Session
According to the tentative schedule, the PG academic session will begin on November 20, 2026. Round 3 reporting (December 5–12) and vacant vacancy reporting (December 24–31) will occur after that date. Candidates in subsequent rounds should consult the official notice for how joining will be handled. Shareable Insight: NEET PG 2026 counselling is tentatively planned across four rounds between October and December, and every round has a separate choice-locking deadline. Next Step Before registering, filling out choices, locking them, or submitting your application, check the latest updates on mcc.nic.in and verify all dates. You can also speak to a qualified medical admission counselor for assistance with the admission process. Official sources: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC): mcc.nic.in. National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS): natboard.edu.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
01When does NEET PG Counselling 2026 start?
Answer: As per the tentative schedule, Round 1 will begin with seat matrix verification on October 10, 2026. Online registration and payment will begin on October 12, 2026, and close on October 21, 2026. Candidates should confirm the final dates on the official MCC website, mcc.nic.in.
02When will Round 2 of NEET PG Counselling 2026 be conducted?
Answer: Round 2 registration is scheduled for November 6–11, 2026, and choice filling is scheduled for November 7–12. The results are listed on November 14, and reporting or joining will run from November 16–23, 2026.
03When is the NEET PG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round scheduled?
Answer: The online stray vacancy round is tentatively scheduled with registration and choice filling from December 16 to 21, 2026. Choice locking will be on December 21, result on December 24, and reporting from December 24 to 31, 2026.
04What is the role of AR Group of Education in NEET PG counselling?
Answer: The AR Group of Education provides admission guidance to medical candidates. Its role is to explain the counseling process, dates, and documents, and to help candidates understand their options. Seat allocation is determined solely by the official counseling authority, MCC, and not by any consultant.
05How can AR Group of Education help students during NEET PG counselling?
Answer: Students can ask an AR Group of Education counselor to explain the schedule, verify that documents are ready, and create a choice list before each round. Counselors can provide options but cannot guarantee a seat or rank. Always confirm final terms on mcc.nic.in.
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