
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET MDS 2026 counselling Information Bulletin and Counselling Scheme, giving candidates important details about registration, fee payment, choice filling, seat allotment, reporting and admission.
The latest release also brings a major counselling-process update that candidates should understand before accepting an allotted seat: the Freeze and Float mechanism. The new arrangement changes what candidates need to do after seat allotment depending on whether they want to retain their seat or remain eligible for an upgrade.
MCC has also specified the registration fee and refundable security deposit for different seat categories, making the NEET MDS 2026 counselling fee one of the key details candidates should check before registering.
Candidates should complete the counselling process through the official Medical Counselling Committee website:
Official website: https://mcc.nic.in/
The MCC portal contains the MDS counselling section, registration information, counselling notices, seat matrices, allotment results and other official updates.
Candidates should avoid entering their NEET MDS credentials or making counselling payments through unofficial websites.
The NEET MDS 2026 counselling registration last date will depend on the round-wise schedule issued by MCC.
Candidates should not rely on expected dates published before the official counselling schedule is released or revised. MCC has stated that the detailed schedule for individual counselling rounds will be released separately.
Therefore, candidates searching for “NEET MDS 2026 counselling registration last date” should check the latest notice on the MCC website before assuming a deadline.
Important: Missing registration, fee payment, choice filling or choice locking deadlines can affect participation in a particular counselling round.
MCC has specified two payment components for counselling:
Non-refundable registration fee
Refundable security deposit
The amount depends on the seat category and institution.
| Seat category | Registration fee | Refundable security deposit | Total payable |
| 50% AIQ/Central Universities — UR/EWS | ₹1,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹26,000 |
| 50% AIQ/Central Universities — SC/ST/OBC/PwD | ₹500 | ₹10,000 | ₹10,500 |
| Deemed Universities — All categories | ₹5,000 | ₹2,00,000 | ₹2,05,000 |
The registration fee is non-refundable, while the security deposit is refundable subject to MCC's counselling rules.
Candidates applying for Deemed University seats should therefore note that the amount payable at registration is substantially higher because of the ₹2 lakh refundable security deposit.
The security deposit is refundable according to the applicable MCC rules. However, candidates should not assume that it will be refunded under every circumstance.
MCC's counselling rules provide for forfeiture in specified situations, including circumstances involving failure to report after allotment or cancellation of admission due to incorrect information or failure to produce required documents.
Candidates should read the 2026 counselling scheme carefully before making choices or accepting an allotment.
The Freeze and Float mechanism is one of the most important points in the 2026 NEET MDS counselling scheme.
Under the mechanism:
If a candidate chooses Freeze for an allotted seat, the candidate accepts that seat and must physically report to the allotted institute for document verification and further admission formalities.
In simple terms:
Freeze = Keep the allotted seat + report to the institute.
Candidates should choose this option when they are satisfied with the allotted seat and do not want to participate in the upgrade process under the applicable rules.
If a candidate chooses Float, the candidate remains eligible for an upgrade to a higher-preference seat in a subsequent counselling round.
Under the 2026 mechanism, a candidate choosing Float does not have to physically report at that stage.
In simple terms:
Float = Keep the upgrade possibility + don't physically report at that stage.
Candidates should carefully read the applicable round's instructions before selecting either option.
| Option | What it means | Physical reporting at that stage |
| Freeze | Candidate accepts the allotted seat | Yes |
| Float | Candidate remains eligible for upgrade | No, at that stage |
The Freeze-Float provision is therefore particularly important for candidates who receive a seat in an early round but are considering a higher-preference MDS college or speciality.
NEET MDS 2026 Counselling: How to Apply Online
Candidates can use the MCC portal to complete the counselling registration once the relevant registration window is active.
Go to the official mcc.nic.in website and open the MDS counselling section.
Choose the relevant NEET MDS/MDS counselling option and click on the registration link when activated.
Enter the required NEET MDS credentials and personal information as instructed by MCC.
Pay the applicable non-refundable registration fee and refundable security deposit.
Review the information carefully before submitting the registration.
Candidates should examine the available seats before preparing their preference list.
Select preferred MDS colleges and specialities and arrange them in the desired order.
Lock the choices before the deadline specified for the counselling round.
MCC will publish the seat allotment result according to the applicable counselling process.
After allotment, candidates must follow the applicable instructions for the allotted seat, including the Freeze/Float mechanism.
The counselling registration form is only the beginning.
After registration and fee payment, candidates must prepare their choice list of MDS colleges and specialities.
A candidate's allotment depends on factors including:
NEET MDS rank
Category
Seat availability
Choices submitted
Applicable counselling rules
Candidates should arrange choices according to their genuine preferences rather than copying another candidate's list.
Before locking choices, check the college, speciality, location, fee structure and other admission conditions.
Candidates should keep their documents ready before registration and institute reporting.
Important documents include:
NEET MDS 2026 admit card
NEET MDS 2026 scorecard/result
BDS degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
BDS mark sheets
Internship completion certificate
State Dental Council registration certificate
Valid photo ID
Category certificate, where applicable
PwD certificate, where applicable
NRI-related documents, where applicable
Recent passport-size photographs
Other documents required by the allotted institute
Candidates should also carry the original documents required for reporting. Individual institutes may require additional documents.
The broad counselling journey can be understood as:
Registration → Fee Payment → Choice Filling → Choice Locking → Seat Allotment → Freeze/Float → Reporting/Admission
Candidates should monitor MCC announcements throughout the process because each counselling round can have its own deadlines.
The seat matrix is also important. Candidates should check the seats available for the relevant round before finalising their choices.
Candidates should understand that MCC counselling does not mean every MDS seat in India is covered by one registration.
MCC conducts counselling for seats under its designated mandate, including specified All India Quota and participating Central and Deemed University seats.
State counselling authorities separately conduct counselling for seats under their respective state quotas.
Therefore, candidates interested in MDS admission should monitor both:
MCC counselling, and
The relevant state counselling authority
The two processes can have different registration requirements, deadlines and eligibility conditions.
MCC has published official contact details for counselling-related queries.
MCC Call Centre: 0120-4073500
Toll-Free: 1800 102 7637
MCC's current contact page lists call-centre timings as 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For administrative queries, MCC lists:
Email: adgme@nic.in
For finance, accounts and refund-related online counselling matters:
Email: financemcc@lifecarehll.com
Candidates should send queries to the designated email address for the relevant issue rather than sending the same query to multiple MCC addresses.
Candidates waiting to complete the NEET MDS 2026 counselling application form should prepare before the registration window becomes crowded.
Have the BDS degree, marksheets, internship certificate, Dental Council registration and NEET MDS documents accessible.
Candidates should know which seat category they intend to participate in because the amount payable can range from ₹10,500 to ₹2,05,000, depending on category and institution.
Do not select Freeze or Float without understanding the consequences.
Research MDS specialities and colleges before choice filling begins.
Check the official MCC website for the latest schedule, seat matrix, registration status and round-specific notices.
