MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1 Schedule Revised: Check Full Dates Here

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has revised the Round 1 schedule for NEET UG Counselling 2026. According to the fresh notice (Notice No. 08, Ref. U-11011/07/2026-MEC, dated 13 August 2026) issued by the Office of MCC, Directorate General of Health Services, candidates applying for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats, 100% Deemed/Central Universities, AFMC, AIIMS, and JIPMER (Puducherry & Karaikal) seats for MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc Nursing courses must now follow a new set of dates for Registration, Choice Filling, Seat Allotment, and Reporting.

A Large Number of NEET UG-qualified candidates have been closely checking the counselling calendar, and this last-minute revision has understandably triggered a fresh wave of anxiety and questions. MCC has confirmed that candidates should keep checking the official website (mcc.nic.in) for further updates, as timelines in medical counselling can shift at short notice depending on seat matrix finalisation and court directions.

Why Was the Schedule Revised?

MCC counselling changes are made for the confirmation of the tentative seat matrix by various participating institutes, court cases, and administrative orders. The notice issued on 13 August 2026 does not mention the reason for the change, however, candidates are advised not to rely on any unofficial sources and rather follow only the MCC website. MCC issues such advice every time a change in schedules is made, prior instances have shown that aspirants get misled with false/incorrect information that is shared on social media during the counselling process.

MCC NEET UG Counselling 2026 Round 1: Revised Schedule at a Glance

All timings mentioned above are strictly as per MCC server time, and candidates are advised not to wait until the last moment, since server load tends to peak in the closing hours of registration and choice locking window.

Step-by-Step: What Candidates Need to Do

1. Registration and Payment (5-15 August 2026)

Candidates who are eligible for NEET UG Counselling 2026 have to complete their online registration on the official MCC portal from 5 August to 15 August 2026. The registration process will be completed by 2:00 PM on 15 August 2026, however, the payment process has been extended to 5:00 PM for those who register at the last minute. Candidates need to check and verify that the details they have provided for NEET UG 2026, including rank, roll number, category, and personal details are correct and accurate before submission. Registrations are locked and no requests for corrections are accepted post that.

2. Choice Filling and Locking (6-17 August 2026)

Choice filling commences one day after the start of registrations, on 6 August and continues until 17 August 2022. The MCC portal will accept choice filling forms until 6 PM on 17 August 2022. It is of utmost importance that candidates fill in as many choices as they can in the order of their preference, as seat allotments are made based on the NEET rank, category and order of preference. Choice locking, the mechanism by which candidates are required to finalize their preference list, will be available on 17 August 2022 from 10 AM to 6 PM. It is essential that candidates lock their choices to avoid MCC considering their last saved preference list, which, in this case, is by default their least preferred choice.

3. Seat Allotment Processing and Result (18-19 August 2026)

Seat allotments will be made on 18 August 2022, and results will be made public on 19 August 2022. Candidates must log in to the MCC candidate portal to check their allotment status using their registered information.

4. Reporting and Joining (20-25 August 2026)

Candidates allotted a seat in Round 1 must report to their respective allotted institute between 20 August and 25 August 2026. This step involves physical verification of original documents and payment of admission fees at the institute. Candidates opting for 'Float' will remain eligible for upgradation in subsequent rounds, while those opting for 'Freeze' will not be considered for further rounds.

5. Verification of Joined Candidates (26 August 2026)

The final step in the Round 1 cycle is verification of joined candidates' data by the participating institutes, scheduled for 26 August 2026. This helps MCC finalise the vacancy position before Round 2 begins.

Important Points Candidates Must Note

• All dates and timings are subject to further revision; candidates must regularly check the official MCC website for the latest notices.
• Only the schedule published on the official MCC portal should be treated as authentic. MCC has repeatedly cautioned candidates against relying on unverified sources or agents.
• Candidates should keep scanned copies of all required documents ready in advance to avoid last-minute hurdles during registration and reporting.
• Payment failures near the deadline can lead to incomplete registration, so candidates should not wait until the final hours to pay fees.
• Choice locking is time-bound and available for a single day only; missing this window could affect the allotment outcome.

What Happens After Round 1?

Once the Round 1 cycle, including reporting, joining, and verification, is completed, MCC will release the vacancy position for Round 2. Candidates who did not get a seat in Round 1, or who opted for upgradation, will be eligible to participate in subsequent rounds, subject to MCC's rules on freeze/float categories.

Candidates are advised to stay tuned to official MCC communications for the Round 2 schedule, which is typically released after the Round 1 joining and verification process concludes.

Quick Recap: Round 1 Dates

• Registration & Payment: 5-15 August 2026, up to 2:00 PM on 15 August
• Payment Facility: Up to 5:00 PM, 15 August 2026
• Choice Filling: 6-17 August 2026, up to 6:00 PM
• Choice Locking: 17 August 2026, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
• Seat Allotment Processing: 18 August 2026
• Round 1 Allotment Result: 19 August 2026
• Reporting/Joining: 20-25 August 2026
• Verification of Joined Candidates: 26 August 2026

Candidates should bookmark the official MCC counselling page and check it frequently over the next two weeks, as this is one of the most time-sensitive phases of the medical admission process for the 2026 academic year.

Related Reading

• Counselling Update on MCC
• UP NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 1 Registration Deadline Extended
• West Bengal NEET UG Counselling 2026 Schedule OUT: Round-Wise Dates
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Government Medical Colleges in India
• NEET UG 2026
• NEET UG Predictor 2026
• Medical College Predictor

Official Sources

• MCC Official Website
• National Testing Agency (NTA)
• NEET Official Portal - NTA
• Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
• National Medical Commission (NMC)