Who conducts NEET UG counselling?

MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) conducts AIQ counselling for 15% of government seats and all central/deemed university seats. State governments conduct counselling for 85% of state quota seats.

📋 Complete Counselling Guide 2026

NEET UG Counselling 2026 — Complete Guide

Q: What is NEET UG counselling?

NEET UG counselling is the centralized online process for allocating MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH seats to qualified NEET candidates based on merit rank, category, and preferences.

Your definitive, step-by-step resource for NEET UG medical and dental admissions. Covers MCC AIQ, state quota, AYUSH, and all counselling rounds.

Last updated: June 2026

What is NEET UG Counselling?

The foundation you need to understand before starting

NEET UG counselling is the official, merit-based seat allocation process for undergraduate medical courses in India — MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS, and BVSc. After NEET UG results are declared by NTA, candidates who have qualified are invited to participate in counselling conducted by different authorities based on the type of seat they seek.

The process is entirely online and transparent. Seats are allocated based on your NEET rank, the choices you fill, your category (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS), reservation status, and seat availability. No separate entrance exam is conducted — NEET is the single common gateway.

The Two Counselling Systems

Understanding AIQ vs State Quota is the first step

Feature	All India Quota (AIQ)	State Quota
Conducted by	Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)	State Counselling Authority (DME / CEE etc.)
Seat Share	15% of Govt seats + 100% Central/Deemed	85% Govt seats + 100% Private colleges
Eligibility	All NEET-qualified candidates (pan-India)	Primarily state domicile holders
Website	mcc.nic.in	State-specific portal
Includes	AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC, AFMC, Deemed Univ.	State Govt & Private colleges

Pro Tip: You can and should register for both MCC and your state counselling simultaneously. There is no conflict in appearing in both.

Step-by-Step Counselling Process

Follow these 7 steps to secure your medical seat

Online Registration

Visit the official counselling portal (mcc.nic.in for AIQ, or your state portal). Register using your NEET roll number, rank, and personal details. Pay the non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit as applicable.

Document Upload & Verification

Upload scanned copies of required documents — NEET scorecard, Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, category certificate, domicile, identity proof, and photographs. Ensure all documents are clear and valid.

Choice Filling — The Most Critical Step

Browse available colleges and courses. Add them to your preference list in your priority order. You can add as many colleges as you want. Always prioritize your first choice first and list others as backups. This step directly determines your allotment.

Choice Locking

Once you are satisfied with your list and priority order, lock your choices before the deadline. A locked list cannot be changed. If you forget to lock, the system may auto-lock your saved choices.

Seat Allotment Result

The authority processes all candidates' rank, category, choices, and seat availability to publish allotment results. You will receive allotment to the best possible college matching your choices and eligibility.

Accept Allotment & Pay Seat Acceptance Fee

If allotted, log in and accept the seat. Pay the seat acceptance fee within the given time. If you wish to upgrade in the next round, choose "upgrade" instead. If not interested, choose to exit freely.

Reporting to Allotted College

Report to your allotted college with original documents within the reporting deadline. The college will verify documents and complete your admission formalities. Missing the reporting deadline may result in cancellation of your seat.

Counselling Rounds Explained

Round 1

First allotment round. Candidates who get a seat can accept or upgrade. Free exit is allowed after Round 1 with full security deposit refund.

Round 2

Second allotment from remaining vacant seats. Candidates allotted in Round 1 can upgrade. New candidates can also participate.

Mop-Up Round

Conducted for seats remaining vacant after Round 2. Open to all eligible candidates who have not been allotted a seat yet.

Stray Vacancy Round

Final round conducted at college level for any remaining vacant seats. Very few seats available; conducted by the college directly.

AYUSH Counselling (AACCC)

For BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BSMS courses

AYUSH admissions are handled by AACCC (Ayush Admissions Central Counselling Committee) for central quota seats and by individual state AYUSH departments for state quota seats. The counselling is also based on NEET UG scores.

BAMS

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine

BHMS

Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine

BUMS

Bachelor of Unani Medicine

BSMS

Bachelor of Siddha Medicine

Expert Tips for NEET Counselling 2026

Register Early: Counselling windows are short — sometimes just 2–3 days. Set reminders and register on the first day itself.

Fill Maximum Choices: There is no limit on how many colleges you can add. Add all colleges you would be willing to join. More choices = better chances.

Don't Miss the Lock Deadline: An unlocked choice list may not be processed. Double-check before the deadline.

Keep Documents Ready: Have all documents scanned and ready before registration opens. You cannot upload missing documents after the window closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I participate in both MCC and state counselling simultaneously?

Yes. Experts strongly recommend participating in both the MCC AIQ counselling and your state counselling simultaneously. Getting allotted in one does not disqualify you from the other, but you must report to whichever college you ultimately choose and withdraw from the other by the deadline.

What happens if I do not lock my choices before the deadline?

If you fill choices but do not lock them, the system may auto-lock your saved choices on the deadline. However, if you have not filled any choices at all, you will not be considered for seat allotment in that round. Always lock your choices well before the deadline.

How many rounds of MCC counselling are there?

MCC typically conducts Round 1, Round 2, a Mop-Up Round, and a Stray Vacancy Round. State counselling also conducts multiple rounds. The number of rounds can vary each year based on seat availability and government decisions.

Is NEET UG counselling fully online?

Yes, the registration, fee payment, choice filling, and seat allotment are all done online. However, document verification may be done at a designated facilitation centre or directly at the allotted college depending on the authority.

What is the difference between AIQ and state quota?

AIQ (All India Quota) comprises 15% of government medical college seats open to candidates from all states, managed by MCC. State Quota comprises 85% of government seats and 100% of private college seats within a state, managed by the respective state counselling authority.

Related Guides

MCC Counselling Guide

All India Quota counselling via MCC

NEET Counselling Overview

NEET UG counselling at a glance

Choice Filling Strategy Guide

Master the art of filling and locking choices

Seat Matrix 2026

Category-wise seat availability

NEET Cutoff

Category-wise cutoff trends

MBBS Admission Guide

Detailed MBBS counselling walkthrough

Document Checklist

Never miss a document again

Required Documents Checklist

Never miss a document again

Reservation & Quota Guide

Understand OBC, EWS, SC/ST, PWBD rules

State-Wise Admission Process

Find your state's specific process

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Important Disclaimer

This page provides general guidance based on published counselling data and official notifications. Admission procedures, dates, seat counts, and cutoffs may change each year. Always verify the latest information from the official counselling authority website. This is not a guarantee of admission.