The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have released the seat matrix for NEET PG Counselling 2026, covering MD, MS, DNB and postgraduate diploma admissions. Alongside the seat matrix, MCC has announced that the Round 1 registration portal for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates will open on October 1, 2026, marking the formal start of this year's counselling process.

NEET PG Counselling 2026: Latest Update

According to the seat matrix dated September 29, 2026, the total number of MD, MS, DNB and diploma seats for the 2026-27 academic year has increased to around 58,000, up roughly 11% from 52,173 seats last year. MCC has confirmed that the PwD round 1 registration facility will be accessible through the official portal, mcc.nic.in, from October 1, while the primary medical assessment board for PwD candidates is scheduled to run from 5 PM on October 1 to October 9, 2026.

Background: How NEET PG Counselling Works

MCC conducts centralised counselling for 50% All India Quota (AIQ) seats in MD, MS, PG Diploma and DNB courses, along with seats in deemed universities, central universities and ESIC institutions, while the remaining state quota seats are counselled separately by respective state authorities. NEET PG counselling is typically held across four rounds: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and a final stray vacancy round, allowing maximum seat occupancy as the cycle progresses.

NEET PG 2026 Seat Matrix: Key Highlights

DetailFigure
Total MD/MS/DNB/Diploma seats (2026-27)Approximately 58,000
Total seats (2025-26, for comparison)52,173
Year-on-year increaseApproximately 11%
Seat matrix release dateSeptember 29, 2026
Counselling authorityMedical Counselling Committee (MCC)

PwD Round 1 Registration: Key Dates

  • PwD Round 1 registration portal opens: October 1, 2026
  • Primary medical assessment board for PwD candidates: October 1 (from 5 PM) to October 9, 2026
  • Full Round 1 counselling schedule (registration, choice filling, allotment) to be notified separately for all categories

Steps to Register for NEET PG Counselling 2026

  1. Visit the official website, mcc.nic.in
  2. Click on the NEET PG counselling registration link once the portal opens for your category
  3. Enter NEET PG 2026 roll number and other required credentials to create a login
  4. Complete the registration form and upload the required documents, including category and, where applicable, PwD certificates
  5. Pay the prescribed registration fee through the official payment gateway
  6. Proceed to choice filling once that window opens, and lock choices before the deadline
Candidates must systematically monitor counselling date updates on the official MCC portal, as missing a designated choice-locking deadline will lock them out of that specific round.— MCC Counselling Advisory

Impact on Students

An 11% increase in overall MD/MS/DNB seats is expected to ease some of the competition NEET PG aspirants have faced in recent cycles, though demand for sought-after clinical specialties and premier institutes is likely to remain high. For PwD candidates specifically, the early October 1 registration start and the linked medical assessment board window give a defined timeline to complete disability certification well before the main Round 1 process begins for all categories.

What Happens Next

Following the PwD registration opening and the medical assessment board window closing on October 9, MCC is expected to announce the complete Round 1 counselling schedule for all categories, including general registration, choice filling, choice locking, and the seat allotment result date. Candidates across all categories should keep checking mcc.nic.in regularly, since NEET PG counselling dates have shifted in past cycles based on result timelines and other administrative factors.

Conclusion

With the NEET PG 2026 seat matrix now released and showing a notable rise in seats, and with PwD Round 1 registration opening October 1, candidates should start preparing their documents, including category and disability certificates, and watch mcc.nic.in closely for the full Round 1 schedule covering all categories.

Related Resources

Official References