Medical
Jun 16, 2026
NEET PG 2026 Counselling: MCC Releases Round 1 Schedule; Registrations Begin June 20
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Dr. Kavita Rao
Jun 16, 2026
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The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has finally released the comprehensive schedule for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduates (NEET PG) 2026 counselling. Following the declaration of results last month, thousands of doctors have been waiting for the seat matrix and the registration timeline. According to the official notification, the registration for Round 1 will commence on June 20, 2026, and will remain open until June 25, 2026. This process is for the 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government medical colleges and 100% seats in Deemed and Central Universities.
Candidates who have qualified for the NEET PG 2026 exam are required to register on the MCC portal and pay the non-refundable registration fee along with the refundable security deposit. The choice-filling facility will be available from June 21 to June 26, with the choice-locking window opening on the final day at 3:00 PM. The MCC has urged candidates to be extremely careful while filling their preferences, as these choices will determine their career trajectory for the next three years of specialization. The seat allotment result for the first round is expected to be announced on June 29, 2026.
This year's seat matrix shows a slight increase in the number of seats in Clinical branches like Radio-diagnosis, General Medicine, and Pediatrics, following the government's initiative to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure. However, the competition remains fierce, particularly for the top-ranked government hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. 'The pressure is immense this year because the cutoffs have stayed consistently high,' says Dr. Vikram Sethi, a NEET PG aspirant. 'I am focusing on securing a seat in General Surgery, but I have to keep my options open for DNB courses as well.'
The MCC has also clarified the reservation policy, which includes the 27% OBC and 10% EWS reservation in the AIQ. Candidates must ensure that their category certificates are updated and in the prescribed format to avoid any discrepancies during the physical reporting phase. Following the Round 1 allotment, candidates will have from June 30 to July 6 to report to their allotted colleges for document verification and admission formalities. Failure to report within the stipulated time will result in the forfeiture of the seat.
For the first time, the MCC has introduced a digital 'Seat Resignation' portal to make the process more transparent. If a candidate is unsatisfied with their Round 1 seat and wishes to participate in Round 2 without losing their security deposit, they must resign their seat within a specific window. The counseling process will consist of four rounds in total: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up Round, and the Stray Vacancy Round. Aspiring residents are advised to keep a close watch on the MCC website for any emergency notifications or changes in the schedule due to administrative reasons.
Candidates who have qualified for the NEET PG 2026 exam are required to register on the MCC portal and pay the non-refundable registration fee along with the refundable security deposit. The choice-filling facility will be available from June 21 to June 26, with the choice-locking window opening on the final day at 3:00 PM. The MCC has urged candidates to be extremely careful while filling their preferences, as these choices will determine their career trajectory for the next three years of specialization. The seat allotment result for the first round is expected to be announced on June 29, 2026.
This year's seat matrix shows a slight increase in the number of seats in Clinical branches like Radio-diagnosis, General Medicine, and Pediatrics, following the government's initiative to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure. However, the competition remains fierce, particularly for the top-ranked government hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. 'The pressure is immense this year because the cutoffs have stayed consistently high,' says Dr. Vikram Sethi, a NEET PG aspirant. 'I am focusing on securing a seat in General Surgery, but I have to keep my options open for DNB courses as well.'
The MCC has also clarified the reservation policy, which includes the 27% OBC and 10% EWS reservation in the AIQ. Candidates must ensure that their category certificates are updated and in the prescribed format to avoid any discrepancies during the physical reporting phase. Following the Round 1 allotment, candidates will have from June 30 to July 6 to report to their allotted colleges for document verification and admission formalities. Failure to report within the stipulated time will result in the forfeiture of the seat.
For the first time, the MCC has introduced a digital 'Seat Resignation' portal to make the process more transparent. If a candidate is unsatisfied with their Round 1 seat and wishes to participate in Round 2 without losing their security deposit, they must resign their seat within a specific window. The counseling process will consist of four rounds in total: Round 1, Round 2, Mop-up Round, and the Stray Vacancy Round. Aspiring residents are advised to keep a close watch on the MCC website for any emergency notifications or changes in the schedule due to administrative reasons.