NEET UG Counselling 2026 Schedule Explained: 1st Round, 2nd Round, 3rd Round and More

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Schedule: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule for admission to MBBS, BDS and other participating undergraduate medical courses. The schedule covers the All India Quota, Deemed and Central Universities, along with the state counselling timeline.

As per the schedule, NEET UG 2026 Round 1 counselling under the All India Quota begins on August 4, 2026, while state counselling starts on August 13, 2026. Candidates can participate in subsequent rounds if they do not secure a suitable seat or want to upgrade their allotted seat, subject to the applicable counselling rules.

The NEET UG 2026 academic session is scheduled to commence on September 8, 2026. Candidates should carefully follow the joining deadlines for each round to avoid losing an allotted seat.

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Schedule

The counselling schedule released for NEET UG 2026 is divided into Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and the Stray Vacancy Round. The dates for the All India Quota and State Counselling are different.

Check full NEET UG counselling 2026 schedule PDF here. 

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1

The first round of NEET UG 2026 counselling for the All India Quota starts on August 4 and continues until August 17, 2026. Candidates participating through state counselling have a separate schedule, with Round 1 running from August 13 to August 22, 2026.

For the All India Quota and Deemed/Central Universities, the data of joined candidates is scheduled to be verified by MCC on August 23, 2026. The verification of joined candidates under the state counselling process is scheduled for August 29, 2026.

Candidates allotted seats in Round 1 must complete the joining process within the prescribed deadline.

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 2 Dates

The second round of NEET UG counselling 2026 for the All India Quota is scheduled from August 24 to September 2, 2026. The verification of joined candidates' data by MCC is scheduled for September 9, 2026.

For state counselling, Round 2 is scheduled from August 31 to September 8, 2026, followed by verification of joined candidates on September 15, 2026.

Candidates who do not get a seat in Round 1 or those eligible to participate in further rounds can check the applicable rules before registering or submitting choices for Round 2.

NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 3 Schedule

The third round of counselling provides another opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a medical or dental seat.

For the All India Quota, Round 3 is scheduled from September 10 to September 18, 2026. MCC is scheduled to verify the joined candidates' data on September 27, 2026.

The state counselling Round 3 is scheduled from September 16 to September 26, 2026, with verification of joined candidates scheduled for October 2, 2026.

Candidates should check their eligibility before participating because the rules applicable to candidates who have already accepted or joined seats can differ across counselling rounds.

NEET UG Stray Vacancy Round 2026

After the regular counselling rounds, vacant seats may be filled through the Stray Vacancy Round.

According to the schedule, the All India Quota Stray Vacancy Round is scheduled from September 28 to October 3, 2026. The state-level Stray Vacancy Round is scheduled from October 3 to October 5, 2026.

The last date for joining allotted seats through the Stray Vacancy Round is October 10, 2026.

Candidates should carefully read the rules before participating in this round because the conditions for seat acceptance, joining and withdrawal may differ from earlier rounds.

NEET UG 2026 Academic Session Begins on September 8

The academic session for undergraduate medical courses is scheduled to commence on September 8, 2026. Candidates allotted seats through counselling should therefore complete the admission and joining formalities within the specified deadlines.

The commencement date is particularly important for candidates participating in the early counselling rounds because they need to complete reporting and admission formalities before the academic session starts.

What Candidates Should Do During NEET UG Counselling 2026

Candidates should keep track of the counselling portal and complete every step within the prescribed timeline. The usual counselling process involves registration, payment of the applicable fee, choice filling, choice locking, seat allotment and reporting or joining at the allotted institution.

Candidates should also keep their original documents and required certificates ready before reporting to the allotted college.

The MCC's counselling schedule page provides the latest schedule and related documents for the 2026 counselling session.