NEET UG 2026: Counselling To Begin August 4, Academic Session From September 8
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the counselling schedule for NEET UG 2026. As per the official timetable, the first round of counselling for the All India Quota (AIQ), deemed universities, and central universities will commence on August 4.
New Delhi: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has announced the counselling schedule for NEET UG 2026 admissions. The process covers seats under the All India Quota (AIQ), Deemed Universities, Central Universities, and State Quota. The first round of AIQ counselling for admission to MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses will commence on August 4.
When will the first round start?
The first round of counseling for AIQ, Deemed, and Central Universities will start on August 4 and conclude on August 17, 2026. Those who got their seat allotted in this round should make sure that they complete the entire admission process by August 22, 2026.
Then comes the Second round for AIQ counseling, which will run from August 24 till September 2, with the last day being set as September 8, 2026, for getting into your allotted college. Then there's the third round, which will happen from September 10-18.
What about the state quota seats?
For the state quota seats, their respective counseling authorities will have a first-round process starting from August 13 and ending on August 22, 2026. That last date for joining will then shift to August 28, 2026, before moving on to their second round of state counseling that happens from August 31 through September 8, with the end of the admissions happening on September 14.
A stray vacancy round will take place from September 28 to October 3, giving candidates another chance if they didn't land one spot already. If you still haven't been able to find anywhere after that special round, though, chances are slim that there would be spots left over, but those who manage it can sign up until October 10, 2026 at the latest.
What about the academic session?
The academic session for the undergraduate medical course shall commence on September 8, 2026. The MCC had also asked the colleges to complete their counselling process as per the stipulated time frame and mentioned that all Saturdays, Sundays, and Government Holidays will be considered as working days. The State Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the State Counseling Authority, would share the data of the candidates who have joined the MCC for seat processing during round 3.
