NEET 2026 Counselling & Cutoffs: A Simple Guide to Round 1, State Lists & Deadlines
Quick Answer
Okay, deep breath. The official process for NEET Counselling & Cutoffs: Round 1, State Merit Lists & Deadlines has begun. The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is handling the 15% All India Quota (AIQ), and Round 1 registration is open from August 5 to August 12, 2026. State counselling authorities will manage the other 85% of seats, and their schedules are released on their own websites.
Key Takeaways
AIQ Round 1 Deadline: Registration for the 15% All India Quota closed at 3:00 PM on August 12, 2026.
Full MCC Schedule: The MCC will conduct four rounds: Round 1 (Aug 5-22), Round 2 (Aug 25-Sep 8), Round 3 (Sep 11-26), and a final Stray Vacancy Round.
New Rules for 2026: You can now resign your seat online through the MCC portal, and physical reporting is not required if you opt for an upgrade to the next round.
State Merit Lists: States create their own rank lists for the 85% quota based on your All India Rank, domicile (residency proof), and category rules.
Act Now: You must register separately for MCC (all-India) and your state's counselling (e.g., KNRUHS for Telangana, CEE for Kerala) to be considered for both.
I remember staring at my rank. Not a number, just a knot in my stomach. What now?
The counselling maze felt more terrifying than the Physics paper. Everyone's throwing around terms like AIQ, state quota, choice locking... it's a lot.
Let's break it down, step by step. No jargon. Just what you need to do, right now.
The Full NEET 2026 Counselling & Cutoffs Schedule: Round 1 to Stray Vacancy
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the full schedule for the 15% All India Quota. This covers seats in government colleges across India, plus central universities, AIIMS, and JIPMER.
These dates are critical. Miss one, and you could be out of a round. The registration windows are very short.
Event | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Stray Vacancy Round |
Registration/Payment | Aug 5 - Aug 12 | Aug 25 - Aug 29 | Sep 11 - Sep 15 | Sep 28 - Sep 30 |
Choice Filling/Locking | Aug 6 - Aug 13 | Aug 25 - Aug 30 | Sep 11 - Sep 16 | Sep 28 - Sep 30 |
Seat Allotment Result | Aug 17 | Sep 2 | Sep 18 | Oct 3 |
Reporting to College | Aug 18 - Aug 22 | Sep 3 - Sep 8 | Sep 19 - Sep 26 | Oct 4 - Oct 10 |
MCC NEET UG 2026 Counselling: Full Schedule
Remember, this table is ONLY for the MCC All India counselling. Your state's schedule will be different and must be checked on its official website.
What Are the New Counselling Rules for This Year?
The MCC has introduced some student-friendly changes this year to make things easier.
Online Resignation: If you get a seat in a round but decide to leave it, you can now resign online through the MCC portal within the specified time. You no longer have to travel to the college to do it.
No Physical Reporting for Upgrades: If you are allotted a seat and opt for an 'upgrade' to get a better college in Round 2, you don't need to physically report to the Round 1 college. Your seat is held for you while you participate in the next round.
Understanding State Merit Lists & Deadlines for NEET Counselling & Cutoffs
While the MCC handles the 15% AIQ, your home state manages the 85% State Quota. This is where things like domicile rules come in.
Your All India Rank (AIR) is your rank nationally. But a State Merit List is different. The state authority takes the applications from students with that state's domicile and creates a new rank list. This State Rank is determined by your AIR but is filtered for local residents and state-specific category reservations (SC/ST/OBC). This is the rank used for the 85% of seats in your state's government colleges.
What Documents Do I Need for Round 1 Reporting?
If you get a seat in Round 1, you'll need to report to the allotted college with original documents for verification. Have these scanned and ready to upload, and keep the originals safe.
NEET UG 2026 Admit Card and Scorecard.
Provisional Allotment Letter (downloaded from the MCC website).
Class 10 & 12 Certificates and Mark Sheets (for date of birth and academic proof).
A valid, government-issued photo ID (like an Aadhaar card).
8-12 passport-size photographs (same as the one on your application).
Category Certificate (if applicable, in the correct central/state format).
Domicile Certificate (essential for applying to the 85% State Quota).
The Round 1 Result is Out... Now What?
After the result on August 17, you'll face one of three scenarios. Here’s the plan:
You Got a Seat & You're Happy (Freeze): Congrats! You must download your allotment letter, upload documents, and report to the college by August 22 to confirm your admission.
You Got a Seat, but Want to Upgrade (Float): Accept the seat but choose the 'upgrade' option. Thanks to the new rules, you can do this online without physically reporting, and you'll be considered in Round 2 for your higher preferences.
You Didn't Get a Seat: Don't panic. This is normal. You are automatically eligible for Round 2. Just wait for the Round 2 schedule to begin on August 25.
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You have what it takes to be a doctor. Don't let forgetting be the thing that holds you back. Whatever happens in this round, know that you have options. Keep pushing forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in state counselling if I get a seat in AIQ Round 1?
Yes. If you are allotted a seat in AIQ Round 1 and you do not join it (a 'free exit'), you can participate in state counselling. If you join the AIQ seat, your eligibility for state rounds might be restricted depending on state rules. Always check the latest MCC and state information bulletins.
What are the new rules for NEET 2026 counselling?
For 2026, the MCC has introduced two major changes. First, you can now resign from an allotted seat online through the MCC portal. Second, if you get a seat and opt for an 'upgrade' in the next round, you no longer need to physically report to the first allotted college to hold your seat.
What is the difference between All India Rank (AIR) and State Rank?
Your All India Rank (AIR) is your rank among all qualified NEET candidates across India. Your State Rank is your position on a separate merit list created by your state's counselling authority, considering only applicants who have that state's domicile and applying state-specific category reservations.
What documents do I need for Round 1 counselling?
For reporting after seat allotment in Round 1, you will need original documents like your NEET admit card and scorecard, provisional allotment letter, Class 10 and 12 certificates, a photo ID, several passport-sized photos, and any applicable category or domicile certificates.
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About this guide
Written by the MemoNeet NEET Faculty and reviewed by MemoNeet's senior NEET mentors. Last updated 12 August 2026. MemoNeet is a Govt of India recognised NEET-prep platform trusted by 1.5M+ aspirants. Download MemoNeet App. Master NCERT. Secure Your Govt MBBS Seat
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